Industry
Aerospace – Industrial Furnaces & Climatic Chambers for Aerospace
Aerospace places the highest demands on temperature precision, documentation and process traceability. NTH Therm high-temperature furnaces and ACS climatic chambers meet AMS2750, NADCAP and MIL-STD-810.
Thermal Processes for Aerospace – Maximum Precision, Complete Documentation
No other industry places stricter requirements on heat treatment processes than aerospace. Structural failure due to incorrect heat treatment can have catastrophic consequences. Therefore, process traceability, calibration accuracy and standards compliance are not optional — they are mandatory.
NTH Therm high-temperature furnaces and ACS climatic chambers meet the stringent requirements of the aerospace industry. From series production at a Tier 1 supplier to the research laboratory of an engine manufacturer.
Heat Treatment of Lightweight Alloys and Superalloys
Titanium Alloys Ti-6Al-4V is the most widely processed titanium alloy for structural components, turbine parts and medical implants. Typical processes: stress relieving (500–700 °C), recrystallisation annealing (700–850 °C), solution treating and ageing for alpha-beta alloys. Atmosphere protection is mandatory — NTH Therm furnaces operate with inert gas purging or under vacuum.
Nickel Superalloys Turbine blades, combustion chambers and engine casings from Inconel, Waspaloy or René alloys require precise solution and ageing programmes at temperatures up to 1200 °C. Temperature uniformity within the chamber is critical for consistent microstructure.
Aluminium Alloys Structural components from 2xxx and 7xxx series require precise solution treating and ageing (T6, T73, T7351). Temperature and hold-time tolerances are tight — too short results in incomplete dissolution, too long in grain boundary problems.
AMS2750 and NADCAP – Ensuring Process Compliance
AMS2750 defines six system accuracy classes (Class 1–6) for heat treatment furnaces, with corresponding requirements for TUS intervals and thermocouple calibration:
| AMS2750 Class | Max. Temp. Uniformity | TUS Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | ±3 °C | 3 months |
| Class 2 | ±6 °C | 6 months |
| Class 3 | ±8 °C | 6 months |
| Class 4 | ±10 °C | 12 months |
| Class 5 | ±14 °C | 12 months |
NTH Therm conducts TUS measurements with multi-point instrumentation and produces reports in audit-ready format for NADCAP audits.
Climatic Testing for Avionics and Aerospace Components
Electrical systems in aircraft and spacecraft are exposed to extreme environmental conditions. ACS climatic chambers support the complete qualification chain:
RTCA DO-160: Environmental conditions and test procedures for avionics: temperature, humidity, altitude (low-pressure chamber), vibration, shock, fire.
MIL-STD-810: Military environmental test standard for ground, airborne and sea-borne systems.
ESA ECSS: European space standard for spacecraft components and systems.
Service and NADCAP Preparation
NADCAP audits examine not just processes but also the maintenance and calibration history. NTH Therm maintains complete documentation and supports directly in audit preparation:
- Calibration records with DAkkS-traceable measurement chain
- TUS reports in the required format
- Maintenance history per CQI-9 / AMS2750
- Corrective action documentation per NADCAP requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
What does AMS2750 require and how does NTH Therm support compliance?
AMS2750 (the NADCAP pyrometry standard) defines calibration classes for heat treatment furnaces: thermocouple calibration (SAT), temperature uniformity survey (TUS), furnace classification and calibration cycles. NTH Therm carries out all required tests, produces audit-ready documentation and configures systems to the required system accuracy class.
Which alloys are processed in NTH Therm furnaces for aerospace?
Typical alloys: titanium (Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo), nickel superalloys (Inconel 625/718, Waspaloy, René 41), aluminium (2024, 7075, 7050) for solution and ageing treatment, stainless steels (15-5PH, 17-4PH, A286). Cobalt alloys and refractory metals on request.
Can NTH Therm supply furnaces with protective gas atmospheres?
Yes. For oxidation-sensitive alloys (titanium, nickel superalloys) we supply furnaces with inert gas atmosphere (argon, nitrogen) or vacuum versions. Temperature range up to 1300 °C, temperature uniformity per AMS2750 Class A to F.
Which aerospace climatic standards does ACS support?
MIL-STD-810 (environmental testing for military equipment), RTCA DO-160 (avionics), DEF STAN 00-35 (British standard). ACS chambers are designed for temperature shock, humidity testing, altitude simulation and combined environmental tests.