SECO/WARWICK is set to supply an advanced aluminium heat treatment system to a major Indian manufacturer in the aviation sector, strengthening its presence in India’s growing aerospace market.
The turnkey order includes an electric VertiQuench drop-bottom furnace with rapid quenching, a mobile water and polymer quench tank, a stationary rinsing station, chiller, loading baskets and other auxiliary equipment. The project covers engineering, delivery, installation, commissioning and acceptance services.
Designed primarily for the heat treatment of aluminium alloys used in aircraft skins and structural components, the system is compliant with the AMS2750H and AMS2770 aviation standards.
The VertiQuench furnace features a 3,900 × 1,700 × 2,000 mm working zone, enabling the processing of large aluminium sheets and structures. According to SECO/WARWICK, the large working area can help reduce the number of joints required in aircraft structures.
A key feature of the system is its rapid quenching capability. The furnace is designed to achieve full immersion of the load in the quench tank within five seconds, using an advanced lift system and door design. The system supports both water and polymer quenching, while an immersion rinsing station removes residual polymer following the quenching process.
The furnace also provides a guaranteed temperature uniformity of ±3°C within the useful working space and can be used for artificial ageing of aluminium components.
“The large working zone enables the processing of components of significant size, which is particularly important in the production of aircraft skins,” said Arvind Agarwal, Managing Director, SECO/WARWICK India. He added that the rapid immersion capability can help shorten cycle times, reduce heat treatment steps and potentially lower operating costs.
The VertiQuench technology uses a drop-bottom furnace design, allowing the treated material to be lowered vertically into a quench tank positioned directly beneath the furnace. This configuration enables rapid quenching of aluminium components used in demanding aerospace and automotive applications.
The order comes as India’s aviation and aerospace manufacturing sector expands. SECO/WARWICK said the Indian aviation market is currently valued at around USD 26.78 billion and is projected to reach USD 48.41 billion by 2032, representing a CAGR of approximately 6.8%.
With global aerospace companies including Airbus, Boeing and Lockheed Martin increasing their manufacturing activities in India, SECO/WARWICK sees further opportunities for advanced heat treatment solutions in the country’s aerospace sector.
Source: SECO/WARWICK
