SECO/WARWICK is set to supply equipment to a key Indian manufacturer in the aviation sector. The order includes a VertiQuench furnace (an electric drop bottom furnace with rapid quenching), a mobile water and polymer quench tank, a rinsing station and additional accessories. This turnkey project encompasses engineering, delivery, installation, commissioning and acceptance services.
SECO/WARWICK provides a high-performance VertiQuench furnace system for aerospace aluminum heat treatment, meeting strict AMS standards with rapid 5-second quenching.
- Meets AMS2750H and AMS2770 aviation standards
- Features a large 3.9m x 1.7m x 2m working zone
- Achieves full quench immersion in just 5 seconds
- Supports water/polymer quenching and artificial aging
- Positions SECO/WARWICK for growth in India’s aviation market
The equipment provided by SECO/WARWICK forms a complete solution for the heat treatment of aluminum alloys, dedicated primarily to the aerospace industry and designed to meet the stringent requirements of the latest AMS2750H aviation and AMS2770 material standards. The SECO/WARWICK system will be used for the manufacture of aircraft skins and structures comprised of the following devices: An electric VertiQuench drop-bottom furnace, a mobile water and polymer quench tank, a stationary rinsing station, as well as additional equipment including a chiller and loading baskets.
The working zone of the furnace measures L= 3,900 × W= 1,700 × H= 2,000 mm (~153 × 67 × 79 in), enabling the processing of very large aluminum sheet and structures. This size offers a significant advantage in the production of aircraft components, reducing the number of joints in structures. The line has been designed according to the customer’s requirements and ensures a guaranteed temperature uniformity of ±3°C within the useful space, quenching in polymer or water, and removal of residual polymer after quenching through immersion rinsing. Additionally, the system can be used for artificial aging in the furnace.
The VertiQuench Solution – Engineered for Aerospace
Beyond the size of the working area, a key parameter is the speed of transfer to achieve the full immersion of the load in the quench tank for this application, 5 seconds. As a result, the final product meets the demanding material and aviation heat treatment standards required for challenging alloy types.
“The large working zone enables the processing of components of significant size, which is particularly important in the production of aircraft skins. The system enables a very rapid immersion of the load in the quench tank – thanks to an advanced lift system and door design, full immersion occurs in only 5 seconds. The device guarantees a final product that meets the most demanding material and aviation standards. By shortening the cycle time and reducing the number of heat treatment steps, the system will boost the efficiency of the Partner’s facility. An additional benefit is the potential for lower operating costs and the elimination of extra joints in the aircraft structures,” explains Arvind Agarwal, Managing Director of SECO/WARWICK India.
Temperature Matters
VertiQuench furnaces are the solution for demanding automotive and aerospace applications involving the solution heat treatment, quenching, and aging of aluminum. This innovative technology, compliant with the AMS latest aerospace standards, enables very rapid full load immersion. The drop bottom furnace design ensures extremely fast vertical quenching. The material undergoing heat treatment is lowered into the quench tank using either water or polymer quenchants, located directly beneath the furnace.
India and Aviation
The Indian aviation market is currently valued at approximately USD 26.78 billion, with forecasts indicating growth to USD 48.41 billion by 2032, corresponding to a CAGR of around 6.8%. The world’s largest aerospace manufacturers – Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Martin—are shifting more of their production to India. This gives SECO/WARWICK, which has strengthened its position on this market over the last decade, a considerable competitive advantage. SECO/WARWICK India is ready for further implementations for the aerospace sector in this dynamic market.
