Ask the Expert:

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) is an invaluable tool in examining surface anomalies in vacuum heat-treated metal parts. Mike Johnson, 51���� of Western Pa’s Sales Director, explains how this tool can answer questions and solve complex problems.

1. What is a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)?

A Scanning Electron Microscope is a fine tool that uses a focused beam of electrons to examine a material’s surface. When the electrons interact with the sample, they produce signals that are detected and analyzed. These signals reveal detailed information about surface features and chemical composition, making SEM a highly effective tool for microscopic evaluation.

2. My medical component shows spotting after vacuum heat treatment—how can SEM help identify the root cause?

SEM analysis identifies the composition of contaminants within the spots, helping trace their origin. It can reveal whether the issue stems from manufacturing processes—such as machining fluids, cleaning fluids, grinding residue, or metal chips—or from handling contamination like glove fibers or environmental debris.

3. What is the most common source of contamination identified through SEM analysis?

A frequent source of surface contamination is the cleaning process (used) prior to heat treatment. While components may arrive at the heat treater visibly clean, SEM often detects residual cleaning or rinsing agents. These frequently include Chlorine, Calcium, and other residuals commonly found in city water. If aqueous cleaning methods are employed, the final rinse should always be performed with deionized water to avoid this potential contamination. The SEM may also uncover films or deposits caused by cross-contamination when multiple alloys are cleaned in the same system. For instance, analysis of spots on 304 stainless steel components once revealed copper contamination from foreign object debris (FOD). The cause was found to be cross-contamination in a cleaning system shared with copper components.

4. Can the vacuum furnace itself be a source of FOD surface contamination?

Yes. Furnaces may contribute to surface contamination of heat-treated parts. If your heat-treat supplier is equipped with an SEM, this is a sign they understand the science and intricacies of surface contamination, and they have the necessary tool to get to the root cause of the issue, whatever that cause may be.

Foreign object debris and residual contamination can impact the performance and reliability of vacuum heat-treated components. While initial detection may rely on visual inspection, SEM/EDS analysis produces precise compositional analysis for fast and efficient root cause analysis. Please contact me if you are interested in SEM analysis at 51����.

Learn more about Scanning Electron Microscopy

And featured in Today’s Medical Developments Magazine:

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Perfect weather, great company, and outstanding partnerships made for an unforgettable day on the course!

51���� of Western PA recently hosted its 6th Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Outing at the Avalon Field Club at New Castle. Under beautiful blue skies and ideal golfing conditions, customers and the Solar team enjoyed a day of friendly competition, networking, and appreciation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and for your continued trust and partnership. We truly value the relationships we’ve built over the years and look forward to seeing everyone again at next year’s outing!

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To recognize National Safety Month, 51���� hosted employee appreciation cookouts at both our Hermitage, Pennsylvania, and Michigan facilities. The events provided an opportunity to bring employees together, enjoy a meal, and reinforce the company’s commitment to workplace safety.

Throughout the month, employees participated in discussions and training focused on heat stress awareness, hydration, and recognizing the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. As temperatures rise during the summer months, understanding how to protect ourselves and our coworkers becomes increasingly important.

A key message shared during National Safety Month was that safety is not just about protecting yourself—it’s about protecting the people around you. Every employee plays a role in creating a safe workplace by looking out for their fellow team members, speaking up when something doesn’t seem right, and helping ensure everyone returns home safely at the end of each shift.

The cookouts served as a reminder that safety is a shared responsibility and an important part of 51����’ culture. We thank all our employees for their commitment to one another and for helping make safety a priority every day.

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Yesterday, employees of 51���� of Western PA enjoyed an outstanding cross-state MLB rivalry matchup between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies. The pitching matchup was superb, the weather was beautiful, and the PNC Ballpark atmosphere made for an unforgettable day. Most importantly, it was a great opportunity to relax, connect, and share camaraderie with the best employees in the world!

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This weekend, 51���� Eastern PA employees and their families enjoyed a fantastic evening together at Coca-Cola Park, home of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs!

The night featured a fun-filled Star Wars theme, great baseball, and an exciting fireworks show after the game. Events like these are a great way to celebrate our team and spend quality time with the families who support us every day.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable evening!

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Last week, Josh Isaak, Vice President of Information Technology & Security, presented “From Chaos to Control: Cybersecurity, Ransomware & CMMC” at the California Metals Coalition’s 53rd Annual Metals Industry Conference.

Key takeaway:

CMMC is no longer theoretical—it’s here, and it’s already shaping the future of doing business.

But this isn’t just about compliance. It’s about survival in an evolving threat landscape.

Companies that treat CMMC like a checklist to pass an audit are missing the point. At its core, CMMC is a framework designed to strengthen your defenses, reduce risk, and protect the country and your business from real-world cyber threats that already exist today.

The biggest shift? Moving from reactive security to a culture of security—where every employee plays a role, and protection is built into everyday operations.

Even if you don’t support DoD programs, CMMC provides a powerful starting point to evaluate and improve your cybersecurity posture.

Start early. Make it part of who you are—not just something you do for an audit.

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Last week, Bob Hill President of 51���� of Western PA and Michigan, presented a talk on the “Global Trends Shaping the Heat Treating Industry” which explored where our industry is headed. The discussion highlighted key drivers like sustainability, electrification, smart technologies, employee safety, and cybersecurity—and how they will transform the heat treating plant of the future. With over 45 years of industry experience behind the insights, it was a forward-looking perspective on the challenges and opportunities ahead for commercial heat treating.

The ASM Pittsburgh Chapter hosted the dinner event at the Community College of Allegheny.

Abstract:

There are ever increasing environmental, processing, employee welfare and cybersecurity demands placed upon the commercial heat treater in business today. Commercial heat treaters today face a growing list of pressures that go well beyond simply meeting metallurgical specifications. Environmental regulations continue to tighten, requiring careful control of emissions, waste handling, and energy use. At the same time, customers expect faster turnaround and consistent quality, which puts strain on processing efficiency and equipment reliability.

Employee welfare has also become a central concern. Traditional heat-treating environments involve flames, smoke, explosive atmospheres, and potential exposure to hazardous materials. Companies must invest in processing equipment that not only protects their workforce but also meets regulatory standards. This author predicts the vacuum furnace will gain in popularity due to these pressures.

On top of that, cybersecurity is now part of daily operations. As furnaces, controls, and monitoring systems become more connected, the risk of data breaches or operational disruptions increases. Protecting sensitive customer data and ensuring system integrity requires new expertise and ongoing vigilance.

Taken together, these demands create a complex operating environment. Success in modern heat treating depends not just on technical skill, but on the ability to balance compliance, efficiency, safety, and digital security in a coordinated way.

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This weekend, our 51���� of Michigan employees and their families enjoyed a beautiful day at Comerica Park, the home of the Detroit Tigers. The food and camaraderie were incredible—and the game was even better! The Tigers beat the Miami Marlins by a score of 6–1.

Bob Hill President reflects, “we are sincerely appreciative of every one of our Michigan employees. They have built this company into what it is today in just four short years. We are deeply humbled by everyone’s hard work and dedication. Our weekend shift will hopefully bring our Tigers another win versus the Kansas City Royals, when they are able to visit Comerica Park on Thursday.”

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51���� San Diego is making it even easier to do business with us!

With the addition of a new box truck, we have added capacity for convenient pickup and delivery service throughout the region—helping streamline your heat treating and brazing projects from start to finish.

Reduce logistics challenges, save time, and keep your production moving with reliable, door-to-door service backed by the quality and performance you expect from 51����.

Let us handle the transportation so you can focus on what matters most—your parts and your deadlines.

San Diego Facility

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51����, the largest family-owned commercial heat treating company in the United States, processes more than 15 million pounds of metal annually. To enhance material handling efficiency and improve workplace safety, the Western PA facility recently installed a new clear-span 20-ton crane in its shipping and receiving department.

Bob Hill, President of 51���� of Western PA, explained the motivation behind the investment: “I grew weary of seeing our employees unloading flatbed trucks outside in inclement weather and struggling to maneuver 40-foot-long bars, plates, or billets through a 30-foot overhead door opening. The primary reason we made this investment was to improve the safety of all our employees.”

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