Commercial Aluminum Heat Treating Finally Makes Its Mark on the Carolinas

FORT WAYNE, IN — Alfe Heat Treating (the nation’s largest commercial aluminum heat treater) has commissioned the release and start-up of the region’s first “high-production aluminum processing system.” This equipment is capable of large payloads with the benefit of a fully automated operating system.

The aluminum capability includes solution, quench, aging, annealing and stress relieving cycles. The equipment is housed in a newly constructed facility that is strategically located on the border between North and South Carolina in Charlotte (4110 Sam Wilson Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214). The new facility provides a central location and is accessible by two major interstates (I-77 and I-85) to ease transportation concerns. Alfe offers pick-up and delivery, as well as drop forward shipping.

The heat treating equipment was commissioned by Alfe Systems (Columbia City, IN). Alfe Systems specializes in the design, construction and calibration of the entire aluminum furnace system. This aspect of Alfe is a large part of what distinguishes Alfe from other heat treaters. “Systems” combines innovative solutions with the latest in furnace control technology. The furnace system is comprised of a completely automated program that enable the operators to charge the furnace, ramp, soak, quench and then deliver the load for the next operation. The quench tank is also mechanically agitated to maximize the product quench.

Alfe has enjoyed a presence in the Southeast since 1997 that began with the acquisition of Piedmont Heat Treating. Piedmont processed all types of ferrous materials for over 50 years and specialized in case and neutral “thru” hardening as well as gas nitriding and vacuum processing. However, the new facility will enable Alfe to expands its ferrous processing capabilities to include “continuous furnace” operations.

Alfe has now positioned itself to service the Southeast from both a ferrous and non-ferrous basis. The new facility offers a full-time metallurgical staff to provide microstructure analysis and hardness testing. Preload programs are available with specialized racking and lot control capability.

Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Alfe serves automotive, industrial and aerospace customers with both ferrous and non-ferrous facilities. The company operates plants throughout the Midwest and Southeast. Alfe can be contacted by phone at 1-888-747-2533, by fax at 260-747-9618 or on the Web at www.al-fe.com.