SECO/WARWICK will deliver a Vector single chamber vacuum furnace equipped with the FineCarb option and low pressure carburizing (LPC) to Treatnorte, a commercial heat treatment company The Vector furnace ordered will serve both the Portuguese and Spanish markets and will be used for tool steel heat treatment.
This is one of the two SECO/WARWICK vacuum furnaces ordered by Treatnorte. The delivery represents an important step in developing local industrial infrastructure for advanced metal heat treatment technologies.
FineCarb – Where Precision Matters
The furnace joining Treatnorte’s machine park is a medium size system from the SECO/WARWICK vacuum furnace family, configured to provide the heat treater with the broadest possible process range and high production flexibility.
The round heating chamber allows processing of relatively large parts, while the combination of high-pressure gas quenching (HPGQ) up to 15 bar abs with dedicated low-pressure carburizing (LPC) technology enables complete process cycles for a wide range of steels used by Treatnorte’s customers.
The furnace design ensures excellent temperature uniformity, convection heating at lower temperatures, and directional cooling, enabling optimal control of quenching processes for complex and demanding geometries.
The key advantage of this solution is FineCarb technology, which changes how carburizing is perceived in modern commercial heat-treatment shops. FineCarb is a low‑pressure carburizing process carried out in a vacuum atmosphere, where carbon introduction is precisely controlled through successive pulses of carbon‑bearing gases. Unlike traditional endothermic gas carburizing, this process takes place under controlled vacuum conditions ensuring superior process quality and cleanliness.
As a result, uniform and repeatable carburized layers are achieved, while total cycle time is reduced and part distortion is minimized.
“FineCarb enables precise shaping of the carbon content profile in the carburized layer, translating into optimal performance of components requiring high precision, such as gears, shafts, or pins. An additional advantage is the environmental aspect, as the absence of an open flame and the reduced amount of process gases make this method more environmentally friendly than traditional carburizing technologies. Treatnorte’s investment fits perfectly into the broader trend of modernization in the European commercial heat treatment sector. Vacuum technology and low-pressure carburizing is no longer reserved exclusively for the largest industrial plants and is becoming accessible to fast‑growing regional players. Until now, Portugal has not been widely associated with LPC technology, and the implementation of a Vector furnace with FineCarb may become an important reference point for the entire Iberian market. For SECO/WARWICK, the key is not only delivering the furnace, but above all supporting our Partner in building new technological competencies,” said Maciej Korecki, Vice President of the Vacuum Segment at SECO/WARWICK Group.
In the configuration prepared for Treatnorte, the vacuum furnace is additionally equipped with PreNitLPC pre‑nitriding technology, expanding the range of available processes and allowing the surface layer structure to be tailored to the requirements of different industries. This enables a single furnace to handle both classic precision mechanical components, tooling and stamping parts, as well as components requiring high fatigue strength for the automotive industry.
“From the very beginning, cooperation with Treatnorte has been based on a partnership approach. The customer clearly defined their expectations and the need to enter the vacuum heat treatment segment to fulfill a new contract for a complete product requiring vacuum hardening. Selecting a furnace with a broad package of options is an optimal solution, as it creates further potential for expanding the service portfolio,” emphasizes Paweł Okińczyc, Sales Manager at SECO/WARWICK.
Heat Treatment on the Iberian Peninsula
Treatnorte, headquartered in Celorico de Basto in northern Portugal, has been operating on the market since 2021, and in a short time, has built a position as an ambitious, technology-oriented partner for industries such as precision mechanics and automotive. The company invests in the development of its technological capabilities through the InovMetalTreat project co‑financed by European Union funds, aimed at building a modern machine park and expanding advanced heat treatment services.
The new SECO/WARWICK vacuum furnace is a key element of this strategy.
“The ability to independently perform vacuum hardening and carburizing processes significantly increases operational independence, shortens the supply chain, and allows for better quality control. FineCarb technology, combined with 15‑bar gas quenching, opens up opportunities for Treatnorte to win more demanding projects for customers in Portugal and Spain,” said Nuno Carvalho from Treatnorte.
The introduction of advanced vacuum technology for low-pressure carburizing demonstrates that local service providers are ready to compete with Europe’s largest industrial centers on quality and technology. For SECO/WARWICK, this is further proof that proven solutions from the Vector vacuum furnace family, when properly configured, can become a catalyst for the development of local markets, elevating them to a higher level of technological advancement.
