Industry
Aluminium Heat Treatment – Furnaces for Foundries & Automotive Suppliers
From fully automated quenching lines to AMS2750-certified aerospace furnaces: NTH Therm delivers complete thermal system solutions for the aluminium industry — process-safe, energy-efficient and precisely matched to your production.
Aluminium Heat Treatment – System Solutions, Not Just Components
Aluminium castings for automotive, aerospace and electronics industries require precise thermal processes to achieve the required strength and dimensional stability targets. NTH Therm does not supply individual furnaces — we deliver fully integrated system solutions, from automated solution annealing and quenching lines to certified ageing furnaces.
Fully Automated Quenching Line – Model ICO 600_5400cc
The centrepiece of our aluminium system solution is the fully automated quenching line ICO 600_5400cc. It combines a solution annealing furnace, pneumatic transfer system and temperature-controlled quench tank in a cycle-time-optimised unit.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Automated transfer system | Quench delay < 15 s, exactly reproducible |
| Temperature-controlled tank | Uniform quench intensity, minimised distortion |
| No manual handling | Maximum operator safety at high temperatures |
| Complete logging | Unbroken batch documentation, NADCAP-ready |
Ideal for: Aluminium foundries (gravity, sand and high-pressure die casting), automotive suppliers with in-house casting, and manufacturers of structural components, housings and heat exchangers requiring T5/T6 processes.
Continuous Heat Treatment and Quenching Lines
For high-volume production, NTH Therm offers custom conveyor belt systems with integrated quench tank, transfer belts and controlled cooling sections. The continuous production flow replaces time-intensive batch processes and is specifically designed for large series and automotive components.
Advantages over batch systems:
- Constant production flow without cycle gaps
- Uniform heat treatment quality across all parts
- Lower energy consumption per component through heat recovery
Aluminium Ageing Furnaces (T5 / T6)
Precisely controlled ageing temperatures (150–220 °C) are critical to achievable strength. NTH Therm ageing furnaces with forced-air circulation guarantee tight temperature uniformity across the entire batch volume — the foundation for reproducible material properties batch after batch.
Typical applications: vehicle housings, structural castings (longitudinal beams, nodes), machined aluminium components and heat exchangers.
Pre-heating, Drying and Stress-relief Furnaces (up to 360 °C)
Stable process conditions before the next manufacturing step protect tools and improve casting quality:
- Die and tool pre-heating: Prevents thermal shock and significantly extends tool service life.
- Drying after washing: Removes residual moisture before further processing and reduces gas porosity in the casting.
- Stress-relief annealing of machined parts: Reduces internal stresses and improves dimensional stability.
Core and Sand Burn-out Furnaces (~450 °C)
For castings with complex internal contours, pipe geometries or fine channels, we supply thermal debinding and core burn-out furnaces. Sand cores and binder residues are removed without residue — a prerequisite for trouble-free machining.
Aluminium Heat Treatment in Aerospace – AMS2750 / NADCAP
Aerospace suppliers impose the highest demands on process documentation and temperature uniformity. NTH Therm supplies and qualifies systems to AMS2750 Class 2, Type B:
| AMS2750 Requirement | NTH Therm Service |
|---|---|
| Temperature Class 2 (±6 °C uniformity) | TUS at commissioning and periodically |
| System Accuracy Type B | SAT with DAkkS-traceable calibration |
| Unbroken batch documentation | Complete logging, NADCAP-audit-ready |
Target customers: MRO facilities, Tier-1/Tier-2 aerospace suppliers, manufacturers of safety-critical precision parts.
Aluminium Melting and Holding Furnaces (Electric Resistance)
As a complement to existing gas or induction furnaces, we supply electric resistance melting furnaces for small to medium batches. Benefits: completely stable melting process without combustion gases, easy maintenance, economical replacement for ageing equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between T5 and T6 heat treatment for aluminium?
T5 involves cold or warm ageing after cooling from the forming temperature without a prior solution annealing step — typical for die castings. T6, by contrast, includes a full solution annealing step (approx. 520–540 °C), followed by rapid quenching and then artificial ageing (approx. 150–200 °C). T6 achieves the highest strength and is mainly applied to sand and gravity castings as well as structural components.
What quenching speed is required for aluminium?
For most aluminium alloys (e.g. A356, 6xxx series), quenching must begin within 15–30 seconds after solution annealing. The fully automated ICO 600_5400cc line guarantees these exact time windows reproducibly and eliminates dependence on manual handling.
Are the furnaces AMS2750 / NADCAP compliant for aerospace parts?
Yes. On request we supply and qualify systems to AMS2750 Class 2, Type B. This includes temperature uniformity surveys (TUS), system accuracy tests (SAT) with DAkkS-traceable calibration, complete batch documentation and support during NADCAP audits. Target customers: MRO facilities, Tier-1/Tier-2 aerospace suppliers and manufacturers of safety-critical precision parts.
Can solution annealing, quenching and ageing furnaces be integrated into one automated line?
Yes. NTH Therm delivers fully integrated system solutions: solution annealing furnace, automated transfer system, quench tank and ageing furnace form a continuous, cycle-time-optimised line. This minimises manual handling, eliminates hazardous high-temperature exposure and maximises process repeatability.
How much does an automated aluminium quenching line cost?
An automated quenching line is an individually configured investment — depending on batch weight, cycle time, dimensions and degree of automation. Request a no-obligation consultation: we will prepare a precise cost estimate and ROI analysis for your specific application.