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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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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51����, the largest American-owned heat treater in the United States, is proud to support NASA’s Artemis II mission. Our expertise spans thermal processing of raw materials, nickel-based tubing, and critical aerospace components—playing a vital role in bringing next-generation space technology to life. At the core of some of these components is the 6Al–4V titanium Launch Abort System (LAS), one of the most complex safety systems ever engineered. The LAS aboard the Orion spacecraft functions as a rocket capable of outrunning another rocket in an emergency. In the event of a catastrophic launch anomaly, its manifold enables the abort motor to ignite and safely propel the crew module away from the rocket. Designed to endure extreme conditions with zero margin for error, the LAS represents the pinnacle of aerospace safety and performance. 51���� is honored to contribute to this mission-critical technology, providing the precision, reliability, and advanced thermal processing that space exploration demands.

The success of Artemis II is set to energize this month’s Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. Visit us at Booth 705 to discover how 51����’ advanced thermal processing solutions are helping shape the future of space exploration.

Space Symposium Information

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Fontana, CA, March 23, 2026 – 51���� is pleased to announce the installation and full commissioning of a new 10-bar vacuum furnace at its Fontana, California facility, further expanding the company’s high-pressure vacuum heat treating capabilities in the western United States.

The furnace, manufactured by sister company Solar Manufacturing, is a state-of-the-art horizontal vacuum system featuring a 48” wide x 48” high x 96” deep hot zone and a maximum load capacity of 12,000 pounds. Equipped with an advanced vacuum pumping package capable of achieving an ultimate vacuum level of 1×10⁻⁶ Torr, the system is ideally suited for processing titanium and other high-performance alloys that require exceptionally clean, tightly controlled vacuum environments.

“This investment gives our customers another regional solution for high-pressure quenching of large components and heavy workloads,” said Derek Dennis, President of 51���� California. “It also allows us to drive greater efficiency and cost competitiveness through increased capacity and economies of scale. This addition reflects our continued commitment to innovation, quality, and delivering measurable value to our customers.”

The new furnace strengthens 51����’ ability to support aerospace, defense, medical, and power generation markets with advanced vacuum heat treating technology and reliable turnaround performance.

For more information about vacuum heat treating services at 51����, contact Frank Trujillo at 866-559-5994 ext. 1333, or frank@solaratm.com.

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The 7th Annual 51���� Sales & Marketing Summit took place this year near our Souderton, PA facility, bringing together sales managers from all six 51���� commercial heat-treating locations. The team collaborated on sales forecasts, shared updates on new processes and plant developments, and aligned on key strategies for the year ahead. Following the meeting, the group enjoyed a team-building outing at Topgolf.

No matter the region—North, South, East, or West—our mission remains the same: deliver exceptional customer service and provide meaningful value to every customer we serve. With over 200 years of combined experience in thermal processing and metalworking, our sales team is equipped to support your most demanding heat treating needs.

Reach out to any of our sales managers to discuss your next project.

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51���� Hosts 4th Annual Pacific Airshow Customer Appreciation Event!

We were thrilled to welcome over 200 customers to the beautiful Paséa Hotel in Huntington Beach—Southern California’s most iconic oceanfront destination—for an unforgettable day celebrating patriotism, aviation, and partnership.
Guests enjoyed breathtaking flight demonstrations from the Canadian Snowbirds, Royal Air Force Falcons, and incredible civilian and military performers including Aaron Fitzgerald in the Red Bull BO-105 Helicopter, Jeff Boerboon in the Extra 330SC, the legendary B-29 “Doc”, and the Royal Air Force C-17.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for this spectacular event—you are each truly appreciated!

For more information on aerospace heat treating:
/markets/aerospace/

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September 22, 2025 – 51���� of California is thrilled to welcome Eric Cavenee to our Western Region Outside Sales team! In this role, Eric will support customers across the western United States with world-class thermal processing solutions for aerospace, defense, medical, additive manufacturing, nuclear, and power generation metal components—specializing in advanced vacuum furnace technology.

Eric brings over 15 years of experience in metals distribution, with a strong focus on aerospace and high-performance alloys.

Eric shared, “Joining 51���� feels like the perfect next step. I’m excited to bring my industry experience into this new role and continue supporting customers with integrity, innovation, and excellence.”

Please join us in welcoming Eric to the 51���� family!

For more information about vacuum heat treating services at 51���� of California, contact Frank Trujillo at 866-559-5994 ext. 1333, or frank@solaratm.com.

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1. What are some of the first steps I should take before sending parts out for vacuum heat treating?

Before vacuum thermal processing, ensuring the parts are free of foreign object debris (FOD) is essential. This includes removing contaminants like manufacturing oils, coolants, and machining residue. It’s also important to communicate whether the coolant used was water-based or oil-based—this helps your heat treater select the most effective cleaning method.

Many vacuum heat treaters use solvent degreasers for oil-based coolants and hot water/soap-based rinses for water-based coolants. Providing this information up front helps determine how to best prepare your parts for heat treatment.

Bottom line: Failing to address FOD can result in spotting, discoloration, or worse—surface contamination.

2. You made sure the parts are clean; now, how about the vacuum furnace?

Much like a home oven, vacuum furnaces require periodic cleaning—referred to in our world as a “bake-out.” This process removes residual FOD or contaminants left from previous runs.

Typical bake-out temperatures:

• Austenitic (300-series) steel grids, fixtures, and baskets: ~2150°F
• Furnace-only bake-out: ~2300–2400°F

Reaching these temperatures ensures even entrapped moisture in graphite components is eliminated—crucial for maintaining a clean process environment.

3. Okay, so the parts are clean and the furnace is clean. Are we ready to run?

Almost! One final but critical step: check the furnace leak rate.

• For most steels, aim for 20 microns/hour or less
• For reactive metals (like titanium), 5 microns/hour or less is ideal

Remember, all vacuum furnaces leak to some degree—perfection doesn’t exist in commercial heat treating. But keeping leak rates low is key to producing bright, shiny, contamination-free parts.

4. Now for the easy part: the thermal cycle. Right?

Well… not quite!

If you’re using partial pressure gas or backfill gas (nitrogen, argon or helium), you must also monitor the dew point and oxygen content of the process gas. When treating alloys that oxidize easily—even small traces of water vapor or oxygen can cause surface issues.

While dew point measures moisture, it does not measure oxygen. Using oxygen sensors alongside dew point monitoring provides a more complete picture of gas purity, ensuring optimal conditions for clean, bright results.

Also, consider the vacuum level:

• For 300/400 series stainless steels or PH alloys, a vacuum in the 10⁻⁴ Torr range (graphite hot zone) is typically sufficient.
• For titanium or reactive alloys, you’ll need a 10⁻⁶ Torr vacuum, which usually requires an all-metal (molybdenum) hot zone.

While graphite furnaces are capable, all-molybdenum systems offer superior part cleanliness for highly reactive materials.

Lastly, ensure proper thermocoupling of the load. Use contact thermocouples directly in a part or in a heat sink that represents the maximum cross-section. Poor thermocoupling can lead to a false sense of temperature stability—you may think the load is cool, but when the door opens, parts could still be hot enough to oxidize instantly (turning blue).

5. I followed all your recommendations, and the parts are still discolored! Why?

Even with every precaution, discoloration can still occur—and it’s understandably frustrating. But it’s important to distinguish between:

• Discoloration, which is superficial and doesn’t impact performance
• Surface contamination, which is detrimental, as it alters the surface microstructure

To confirm the difference, consider sending a representative part to a metallography lab. These labs can characterize the near-surface condition, helping you determine next steps—ranging from simple Scotch-Brite cleaning, to a chemical or mechanical etch that removes a few thousandths of material.

And featured in Today’s Medical Developments Magazine:

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Rocket Project at UCLA, founded in 2007, has established itself as one of the nation’s premier collegiate rocketry teams. Advancing from early hybrid rocket designs to the pioneering development of advanced liquid rocket technologies in 2017, the club fosters innovation and collaboration in aerospace engineering, providing transformative opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students alike. With over 150 members, the team has reached significant milestones. In 2023, the Phoenix rocket broke the world record for the highest apogee by a liquid bipropellant rocket, reaching 22,437 feet and earning first place in the FAR DPF competition. Building on this success, the team secured second place in 2024 with the rocket Grand Larceny, which achieved an apogee of 24,111 feet.

This year, Rocket Project at UCLA aims to surpass all competition by launching a rocket to over 50,000 feet, powered by a regeneratively-cooled rocket engine—uncharted territory for the team. In previous years, the team relied on ablative engine designs, which use a protective liner to shield the metal walls from the extreme heat of combustion. While effective, this design is single-use, requiring the construction of an entirely new engine after each static fire or launch. The new “regen” engine represents a significant technological leap, inspired by the cutting-edge advancements of industry leaders. It promises to reduce rocket mass, enable full engine reusability, and eliminate the lengthy manufacturing times and high costs associated with ablative designs. However, this innovation comes with challenges, as regenerative cooling systems are highly complex and demand exceptional material properties to operate effectively.

To address these challenges, 51���� generously offered their heat-treating services for two of our regenerative-cooled engines, both constructed from Inconel-718. This includes the initial test article as well as the engine slated to power this year’s rocket in flight. The heat treatment process will enhance the material’s strength and durability, enabling the team to push the engine to its performance limits. This improvement is critical to achieving the unprecedented apogee of over 50,000 feet.

The project timeline anticipates the first static fire of the test variant in mid-to-late February, followed by the static fire testing of the launch variant in early-to-mid April. The culmination of this year’s efforts will be showcased in May with the launch of our rocket, marking a pivotal moment for the team.

This is the first year that Rocket Project at UCLA has undertaken the development, testing, and flight of regeneratively-cooled engines. With 51����’ support, we aim to set a new standard for collegiate rocketry and pave the way for future teams to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible in student-led aerospace engineering.

We will update our blog with additional information on the process, testing and actual launch – stop back again!

For more information about vacuum heat treating services at 51����, contact Frank Trujillo at 866-559-5994 ext. 1333, or frank@solaratm.com.

And visit our Aerospace page for more information on our aerospace heat treating services.

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For the 3rd year in a row, 51���� of California, together with 51���� San Diego, proudly partnered with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, ABC 7, Toys for Tots, and Southern California Fire Fighters for their annual “Spark of Love” toy drive!

We are honored to contribute to this meaningful initiative, spreading joy to local children and teens who might be facing tough times this holiday season. Giving back to our community is at the heart of what we do, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.

A huge thank you to all the organizations and individuals involved in making this event so impactful!

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