CaseMaster Evolution – integral high pressure gas quench (HPGQ) vacuum furnaces for low pressure carburizing (LPC)
Double- or triple-chamber sealed quench vacuum furnace for low pressure carburizing (LPC), including integrated high pressure gas quenching (25 bars N2), designed for high-volume production.
CaseMaster Evolution is a double- or triple- chamber vacuum furnace configuration dedicated to low pressure carburizing with integrated high pressure gas quenching (HPGQ), up to 25 bar nitrogen.
This solution is designed for applications where process cleanliness, reduced distortion and elimination of post quench washing are critical production requirements.
High pressure gas quenching enables a fully clean and integrated heat treatment process, eliminating oil from the production flow and supporting modern, environmentally responsible manufacturing environments.
- Overview
- Advantages
- Configurations
- Features
- Specification
- Options
- Processes
- Automation
- System integrations
- Industries
- Materials
The CaseMaster Evolution (CMe) has been designed with the state-of-the-art construction and selections for two or three chambers in order to provide maximum flexibility in heat treatment and continuous batch processing. They are compatible with AMS2750 and CQI9 standards.
There are two types of CaseMaster Evolution:
/ The two-chamber furnace, called D type, provides a dual chamber with one for processing and a second chamber for oil or gas quenching.
/ The three-chamber furnace, called T type, provides the same chambers as the D type plus a third pre-heating chamber that can be used for faster processing.
Process challenge
Traditional oil quenching introduces additional washing operations, oil management and environmental considerations, which may limit process efficiency and layout flexibility.
High Pressure Gas Quenching (HPGQ) is the preferred choice for components requiring clean processing, excellent dimensional stability, and superior process consistency. Using inert gases such as nitrogen, HPGQ eliminates the risks associated with liquid quenchants while providing highly controllable and repeatable cooling conditions.
The uniform cooling characteristics of gas quenching help reduce distortion and minimize post-heat-treatment machining requirements. When combined with vacuum carburizing or vacuum hardening, HPGQ delivers bright, clean surfaces free of oil residues and contamination, making it particularly attractive for precision components and automated production environments.
By eliminating oil handling, washing operations, and associated waste streams, HPGQ also offers significant operational and environmental advantages. The technology supports sustainable manufacturing objectives while simplifying maintenance and improving workplace safety.
Process outcome
The result is a clean, repeatable and highly integrated carburizing process aligned with modern manufacturing and sustainability goals.
/ Clean, oil-free process
High pressure gas quenching eliminates oil from the process, ensuring clean surfaces without post-quench washing.
/ Reduced distortion
Controlled gas flow minimizes thermal gradients and deformation.
/ Simplified production flow
No oil handling, no washing systems, fewer auxiliaries.
/ Environmentally friendly operation
No oil, no wastewater, lower environmental footprint.
/ Ideal for precision components
Uniform and controllable cooling supports tight dimensional tolerances and minimizes post heat treatment machining.
This configuration is recommended when process cleanliness, reduced distortion, and elimination of oil-related operations are key requirements.
It is ideal for applications where clean surfaces, simplified production flow and environmentally responsible operation are priorities.
The features below describe the construction and functional elements of a vacuum furnace designed for low pressure carburizing with high pressure gas quenching, focusing on clean operation, controlled cooling and reduced distortion.
Automation & Compliance
/ Fully automated processing
/ Compatible with AMS2750, CQI-9
Furnace Design & Construction
/ Horizontal, double-, and triple-chamber design
/ Compact, modular design
/ Graphite heating chamber
/ Electric heating system
/ Low heat losses by increased thermal insulation
Process Integrity & Speed
/ Vacuum and pressure-tight inner doors ensure high purity of process and parts
/ Shorter evacuation times by independent pumping systems for each chamber
/ Short workload-transport time within the furnace
Quenching Technologies
/ High-pressure gas quenching (N₂ or He) – up to 25 bar abs
/ Uniform quenching and distortion reduction by adjustable pressure settings
The specification below applies to the LPC furnace configuration with high pressure gas quenching (up to 25 bar N₂) and defines the technical limits, operating parameters and available furnace sizes.
Technical data of standard CaseMaster Evolution furnaces series
| Type | Size | W [mm] | H [mm] | L [mm] | Charge Weight [kg] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D, T | 669 | 600 | 600 | 900 | 600 |
| D, T | 6810 | 600 | 750 | 1000 | 1000 |
| Temp in the heating chamber: -1250°C | Vacuum in the heating chamber: -10-2 mbar | ||||
| Customized version can be produced to the furnace chamber dimensions requested by customer. | |||||
Available options for CaseMaster Evolution furnaces series
| Feature | Furnace Type | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Low Pressure Vacuum Carburizing (LPC) | D, T | all |
| LPCN | D,T | all |
| HPGQ – 25 bars abs | D, T | 6810 |
| HPGQ – up to 1,5 bar abs | D, T, V | all |
| Convection heating | D, T | all |
| Load Thermocouples | D | all |
| High vacuum (10-4 mbar) | D, V | all |
| Oil quench | see the oil quench furnace |
/ Fully adjustable quench pressure up to 25 bar abs
Precise pressure control enables optimization of cooling intensity for different materials, geometries, and process requirements.
/ Directional gas flow technology
Engineered gas flow distribution ensures efficient and controlled cooling throughout the workload.
/ Uniform heat extraction
Consistent heat removal from all parts minimizes thermal gradients and improves process repeatability.
/ Advanced distortion control
Controlled cooling conditions help reduce distortion and maintain the dimensional stability of precision components.
/ Nitrogen or Helium quenching capability
Flexible selection of quenching gas enables optimization of cooling performance for specific applications and materials
The following heat treatment processes are supported in the LPC furnace configuration with high-pressure gas quenching, enabling clean, integrated, and distortion-controlled heat treatment.
/ LPC
/ LPCN
/ case hardening
/ through hardening
Surface Treatment & Case Hardening
/ Low Pressure Carburizing (LPC) using FineCarb with oil or gas quench
/ Low Pressure Carbonitriding (LPCN) with oil or gas quench
/ Low Pressure Carburizing (LPC) with subcritical annealing (pearlitizing) for grain refinement
/ Low Pressure Carburizing (LPC) with slow cooling (without martensite transformation)
/ High-temperature carburizing up to 1050°C using LPC for common case hardening steels
/ Oxidation in the pre-heating chamber (only in T type furnace)
Core Heat Treatment Processes
/ Hardening with oil quench or gas quench
/ Bright thorough hardening
/ Tempering
/ Annealing (with gas cooling)
/ Automotive including: transmissions components, gears, shafts, pinions and bearings
/ Commercial Heat Treatment
/ Aerospace including, landing gears, high-precision and high-quality components
/ Fabricated metal products
/ Machine-building, including: parts exposed to wear and mechanical stress.
/ Fasteners
/ Mint
/ Case hardening steels
/ Carburizing steels
/ Hardening steels
/ Structural streel
/ Bearing steel
/ Tool steels
/ HSLA
/ Alloyed steels
/ Stainless steels
/ Alloys and super alloys
/ Titanium alloys
AISI: 1015; 1020; 3310; 5115; 5117; 5120H; 8620; 8622; 8627/H; 9310;
Armco
EN: 14CrNi14; 14CrNiMo13-4; 15CrNi6; 15NiCrMo16-5; 16MnCr5; 17Cr3; 17CrNiMo6; 17CrNiMo7; 18CrMo4; 18CrNi8; 18MnCr5; 20CrMnTi; 20CrNiMo2; 20MnCr5; 21NiCrMo2; C15; C22; X19NiCrMo4
GOST: 15; 15G; 15H; 16ChG; 18ChGT; 19ChGN; 20; 20Ch; 20ChG; 20ChGNM; 20G
PN: 12H2N4A; 12HN3A; 14NiCrMo 13-4; 15; 15G; 15H; 15HGM; 15HGN;; 15HN; 15NiCrMo16-5; 16HG; 17CrNiMo6; 17HGN; 17HNM; 18H2N2; 18H2N4WA; 18HGM; 18HGT; 20; 20G; 20H; 20H2N4A; 20HG; 20HN3A; 20HNM; 22HNM; 25H2N4WA;
Pyrowear Alloy 53, Ferrum C61, Ferrum C64, M50Nil, Ferrum 675
Werkstoff: 1.0401; 1.0402; 1.0467; 1.2764; 1.5919; 1.6523; 1.6587; 1.6657; 1.6723; 1.7016; 1.7027; 1.7131; 1.7147; 1.7242; 1.7243;
Environmental & Safety Advantages
/ Elimination of quenching oil and contamination, washers, and cleaning chemicals for gas quench facilities
→ No oil waste, no detergents, no wastewater treatment.
/ Environmentally friendly process
→ No harmful by-products, clean operation.
/ No emission of climate-warming gas CO₂
→ No ENDO generator or combustion gases.
/ No emission of harmful gases (CO, NOx)
→ Safer for operators and the environment.
/ Safe, no flammable and poisonous atmosphere
→ No risk of explosions or toxic leaks.
/ No open fire
→ Eliminates fire hazards completely.
Process Quality & Efficiency
/ Fast and uniform LPC of densely packed loads
→ High productivity with precise case depth.
/ Nitrogen quench (neither oil nor helium is needed)
→ Clean, cost-effective, and eco-friendly cooling.
/ High lifespan of hot zone components – graphite
→ Lower maintenance and waste.
/ No decarburization or oxidation, elimination of IGO
→ Perfect surface quality without extra cleaning.
/ Flexible, on-demand operation
→ No continuous gas flow or idle furnace losses.
