Ten New Trends in Heat Treatment Industry – A Global Prospective

---

Ten New Trends in Heat Treatment Industry – A Global Prospective

Trend One:

Demand for heat treatment services and equipment is expanding at a higher global rate (5 to 6%) compare to rest of economic activities (0.5 to 1,5%). The high growth rate leads to an increasing number of furnace manufacturers especially in Asia and creates intensive competition amongst furnace manufacturers.

Trend Two:

An increasing usage of vacuum heat treatment technology. An increasing number of double and multi-chamber chamber vacuum furnaces with lights-out operation capabilities.

Trend Three:

Increasing digitalisation of the heat treatment operations. The growing trend of heat treatment integration into the manufacturing process (One Piece Flow Process). Increasing level of furnace controllability and maintainability by applying “Internet of Things” concept and systems integration.  Gradual dismay of mass heat treatment.  It is believed that there will be shift from mass production to batch and one – piece flow production model.   This is due to the customer’s increasing demands for customised product, and production flow traceability at low cost.

Trend Four:

Globalisation of heat treatment standards, procedures, processes and furnace designs. Global equalization of heat treatment quality and furnace designs. Increasing importance of furnace safety operation with Zero Accident Furnace Design Philosophy.

Trend Five:

Replacement of furnaces and technologies that generate high CO2 pollution. Increasing importance of brazing, PM sintering and processes with shorten heat treatment cycle.

Trend Six:

Increasing the importance of Nano and Thermo/Chemical Surface Modification processes. Replacement and  modification of quenching mediums – Nanoquenchants, oil mist and vegetable oil.

Number Seven:

Growing influence of 3 D Printing – Additive Manufacturing Method on heat treatment.

Number Eight:

New Sources of Heat – Rotational Magnetic, Active Screen Plasma, Microwave, Laser and Infrared Heating.

Number Nine:

Increasing sizes of sealed quench furnaces and we may see it decreasing usage of ceramic fiber insulation.

Number Ten:

Markets with high growth potential for heat treatment – Mexico, India, Indonesia. New markets for future growth – Vietnam, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana and Kenya.