A decade-long technology partnership enters its next phase as SECO/WARWICK prepares to supply another Vector vacuum furnace for the heat treatment of high-performance gas turbine components.
SECO/WARWICK is set to deliver its tenth Vector vacuum furnace to a major global energy technology company, marking another milestone in a long-standing partnership focused on the manufacture of high-performance gas turbine components.
The latest order reinforces the growing role of advanced vacuum heat treatment in the energy sector, where turbine components must meet increasingly demanding requirements for temperature resistance, dimensional stability, fatigue life and oxidation resistance.
Built for Extreme Conditions
The new Vector furnace is designed to process large components, with a working space of 1,200 × 1,200 × 1,800 mm. Its capabilities are aimed at the stringent heat-treatment requirements of gas turbine blades and flow-path components, which can face operating temperatures exceeding 1,300°C.
Such components require highly controlled processing environments. Clean vacuum conditions, stable temperature control and repeatable process parameters are critical to achieving the metallurgical properties and performance demanded in modern turbine applications.
The furnace will support processing with hydrogen, argon and nitrogen, while argon and nitrogen will also be available for cooling. Its round heating chamber is designed to deliver temperature uniformity of ±5°C, providing consistent treatment across large and complex components.
“The tenth unit delivered to this location is a special source of satisfaction for us. Our long-standing cooperation with this Partner demonstrates that our technologies perform reliably in one of the most demanding industrial sectors,” said Maciej Korecki, Vice President of the Vacuum Segment at SECO/WARWICK.
He added that the continued expansion of the customer’s technology park with SECO/WARWICK equipment demonstrates the value placed on process repeatability and high-quality heat treatment.
A Partnership Built on Scale
The scale of the customer’s operations underlines the significance of the partnership. Its technology fleet includes approximately 50,000 wind turbines and more than 7,000 gas turbines, placing its equipment at the heart of global power-generation infrastructure.
For SECO/WARWICK, the tenth furnace installation represents more than an equipment order. It demonstrates the ability of its vacuum technology to meet the demanding production requirements associated with critical energy-sector components.
“This is our flagship model, designed for highly demanding production processes. High vacuum, temperature stability, and the ability to operate with various process gases are key here,” said Kamil Siedlecki, Sales Manager at SECO/WARWICK.
Heat Treatment for the Energy Transition
The order also comes as gas turbines continue to occupy an important position in evolving power-generation systems. Their efficiency and rapid start-up capabilities allow them to complement renewable energy sources and provide flexibility when electricity generation from wind and solar fluctuates.
The new Vector furnace is therefore expected to support the production of the next generation of gas turbine components, combining large-component processing, process flexibility and high-temperature precision.
For SECO/WARWICK, the tenth furnace at the same location is a clear vote of confidence in its vacuum heat-treatment technology—and a reflection of how advanced thermal processing is becoming increasingly critical to the global energy industry.
