Hermitage PA, September 14, 2026 – 51���� of Western PA is pleased to announce the purchase and installation of a new KASTO saw for its metallurgical laboratory, strengthening the company’s capabilities in the preparation and analysis of difficult-to-machine materials including Inconel and titanium.

The new saw will provide the metallurgical laboratory with a dedicated, high-performance solution for cutting advanced alloys into samples for metallographic evaluation, tensile specimens, materials characterization, and quality assurance. Bringing this capability further in-house will help the company improve sample preparation efficiency while maintaining greater control over the testing process.

“Inconel and titanium are critical materials for many demanding applications, but their strength and other material characteristics can make sample preparation particularly challenging,” said Bob Hill President of 51���� of Western PA. “The addition of the KASTO saw represents an important investment in our laboratory infrastructure and our ability to deliver timely, reliable metallurgical analysis.”

The investment reflects Solar’s continued commitment to technical excellence, quality, and the development of advanced in-house materials engineering capabilities.

“We’re continually looking for ways to strengthen our technical capabilities and provide better vertical support to our customers and engineering teams,” Bob added. “This equipment gives our metallurgical laboratory another important tool for working with some of the most demanding materials used in industry today.”

For additional information about 51����, contact Mike Johnson at 855-934-3284 x2223, or email at mikej@solaratm.com.

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Our sales and marketing leaders from all seven 51���� commercial heat-treating locations recently gathered near our Souderton, PA facility for our 8th Annual Sales & Marketing Summit.

From refining sales forecasts and sharing updates on cutting-edge processes to aligning on our core strategy for the year ahead, this team is always looking for new ways to elevate our service. Plus, we wrapped up a productive week with some friendly competition at Topgolf!

Reach out to our team today to discuss your next heat treating challenge!

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August 24, 2026 – The 51���� family of companies is pleased to announce that all Solar facilities have achieved Final Level 2 (C3PAO) status under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program—an achievement earned through independent third-party assessment—further strengthening the company’s ability to support customers across the aerospace and defense industries.

Final Level 2 (C3PAO) status confirms that 51���� has successfully implemented and validated all 110 security requirements of NIST SP 800-171, with no open remediation items, meeting the Department of Defense’s cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors and suppliers that handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Achieving Level 2 required significant investments across the organization, including enhanced cybersecurity infrastructure, employee training, data protection, physical security, risk management, monitoring, documentation, and ongoing security controls aligned with NIST SP 800-171.”Our customers in the defense sector entrust us with sensitive technical information, and protecting that information is inseparable from the quality and integrity of the work we deliver,” said Josh Isaak, Vice President of Information Technology & Security at 51����.

As CMMC requirements continue to take effect throughout the defense industrial base, 51���� is proud to be positioned to support customers who require secure, compliant partners for critical aerospace and defense thermal processing.

For more information about vacuum heat treating and brazing services at 51����, contact your sales representative at 1-855-934-3284, or email info@solaratm.com.

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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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Hermitage PA, July 27, 2026 – A new 11,000-gallon stainless steel recirculating water quench tank has been installed as preparations continue for the commissioning of our state-of-the-art titanium drop bottom water quench furnace.

The furnace remains on schedule to be fully commissioned and operational by September 2026.

Designed primarily to solution treat titanium bars, titanium forgings, and other large titanium components, the furnace features a 14-foot-long × 54-inch-wide × 48-inch-high workload envelope. Parts will be rapidly transferred into this 11,000-gallon recirculating and agitated water quench tank within a five to seven second time stamp, delivering the rapid and uniform cooling required to achieve consistent metallurgical properties for demanding aerospace, defense, and industrial applications.

This investment further expands 51����’ capabilities for processing large titanium components while reinforcing our commitment to providing advanced thermal processing solutions for the industry’s most critical applications.

For additional information about 51����, contact Mike Johnson at 855-934-3284 x2223 or email at mikej@solaratm.com.

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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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Hermitage, PA, May 6, 2026 – 51���� of Western PA marked a major milestone with an inspiring 25th anniversary event that brought together employees, customers, partners, and community members.

We were honored to welcome more than 160 guests for a day of reflection, connection, and looking ahead. The event featured speakers highlighting the company’s growth and achievements over the past 25 years, along with exciting insight into what’s next.

Attendees enjoyed lunch, facility tours, and discussions around the NEO oil quench vacuum furnace and upcoming investments including a water quench furnace scheduled for installation this summer.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate this milestone and to all who have been part of the journey. Here’s to the next 25 years!

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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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