Blog Turning Up The Heat: High-Temperature Heat Treat Furnace Expands Alloy Capabilities at Sandusky International

Every material choice matters for companies producing metal components that operate in high-temperature or high-corrosion environments. Sandusky International’s new 2,250°F (1232°C) heat treat furnace gives customers more options when specifying alloys that must perform where others fail in extreme service environments.

Sandusky already produces some of the largest centrifugal castings in the world. This furnace upgrade allows us to cast and heat treat a broader range of high-performance alloys in house, including super austenitic and nickel-base materials. The result is greater alloy flexibility, improved corrosion and high-temperature resistance, and shorter lead times for our customers.

Heat treatment is a critical step in achieving specific material properties that customers need. By increasing our heat treat furnace temperature from 2,000°F to above 2,250°F, Sandusky can now perform solution heat treatments required by many of the industry’s toughest materials.

“This upgrade allows us to fully support high-performance alloys that were previously out of range,” said Derek Kipka, Foundry Engineer at Sandusky International. “It is a significant capability expansion – one that directly benefits customers who need strength and corrosion resistance in the same casting.”

Expanded High-Performance Alloy Range

With this higher-temperature capacity, Sandusky can now cast and heat treat a wider range of high-performance alloys – including super austenitic stainless steels and nickel-base materials – that require higher heat treat temperatures to achieve full corrosion and mechanical performance.

Super Austenitic Stainless Steels:

• CK3MCuN (254SMO)
• CN3MN (AL6XN)
• CE20N

Nickel-Base Alloys:

• CW6MC (N06625 / Inconel 625)
• CW6M (Hastelloy C)
• CW2M

Why High-Temperature Heat Treatment Matters to Customers

1. Broader Alloy Selection: Customers can now specify higher-performance alloys for corrosive and high-temperature environments, supported by Sandusky’s full in-house metal casting and heat treat capabilities.
   
2. Improved Quality Control: Bringing more alloys fully in house means tighter control for heat treat cycles and inspection – ensuring mechanical integrity and metallurgical consistency part after part.
   
3. Shorter Lead Times: Expanding Sandusky’s in house heat treatment capabilities helps customers stay on schedule with shorter lead times.
   
4. Application Expansion: This capability supports new opportunities in markets such as chemical processing and refining, desalination, naval defense, and energy.

Sandusky continues to invest in automation and technology that contributes to MetalTek’s purpose of Making A Lasting Difference® by manufacturing critical metal components that power, protect, and connect our world.

The new heat treat furnace complements MetalTek’s integrated alloy and manufacturing process expertise, which includes more than 450 ferrous and non-ferrous alloys as well as multiple metal casting processes – centrifugal, sand, and investment.

Looking Ahead

Sandusky’s 2,250°F heat treat furnace is more than an equipment upgrade, it is a strategic step toward supporting the next generation of the world’s most demanding applications. Whether it is extending component life in chemical processing or improving corrosion resistance in subsea applications, this capability ensures that customers have access to the materials they need to compete and succeed.

Contact Your Metal Experts

Learn more about Sandusky International and contact our team to see how expanded high-temperature heat treatment and alloy capabilities can support your next project.

About the Author

David Stuck is Sales Manager at MetalTek’s Sandusky International Division in Sandusky, OH. He has over 35 years of experience developing centrifugal casting solutions for customers in a range of demanding industries.