VET Energy Upgrades German Vacuum Furnace with Composite Components

VET Energy has successfully upgraded a German vacuum furnace operating at high pressure and temperatures up to 1350°C. The upgrade involved replacing traditional, heavy molybdenum and graphite components with carbon-carbon (C/C) composites and CVD-coated graphite heating elements.

This solution aimed to eliminate high-temperature creep deformation and frequent breakage, common issues with components in the hot zones of conventional furnaces. The new C/C composite bolts and lighter load-bearing frames significantly reduced overall weight, improved load capacity, and extended component service life.

The client, a German heat treatment provider for aerospace and mold components, previously faced significant challenges with traditional materials. Frequent thermal cycling and high-pressure gas quenching caused deformation and fractures in graphite bolts, along with substantial energy consumption due to heavy frames. The new components decreased annual energy consumption by 22% and more than tripled component lifespan.

Following the upgrade, the frame's weight decreased by 62%, net load capacity increased by 35%, and annual cost savings exceeded €22,000. VET Energy states that C/C composites possess a property of "strengthening as they heat up," ensuring zero deformation even under extreme conditions, thereby resolving the long-standing deformation issue.