The Use of Industrial Ovens in the Military and Defense Industry
On Veteran’s Day and every other day of the year, Wisconsin Oven recognizes and appreciates the role our military veterans play in protecting the nation’s freedom. Wisconsin Oven has had the privilege of supplying the military and defense industry with industrial ovens used for the manufacturing of gear, ground vehicles, aircrafts, weaponry, and equipment. These items require a variety of processes performed in an industrial oven such as drying, curing, and heat-treating applications to improve their strength, performance, and reliability.
Heat Treating For Military Products
Heat treating processes are used to manufacture military-grade metal components and equipment. Depending on the required specifications, heat treating is used to alter the physical – and sometimes the chemical – properties of metal and other materials. Metal is a common component in many pieces of military equipment. Some of the metals used include stainless steel, titanium, carbon steel, and a number of nickel alloys. These metals may require a range of heat-treating processes including stress relieving, tempering, preheating, and aging during or after the manufacturing process. A few examples of military products that require an industrial oven in their manufacturing process are:
Aircrafts
Many of the components that make up helicopters, jets, and planes are heat treated in some way. Hydrogen embrittlement relief is performed on critical aircraft landing gear parts. This process bakes out the hydrogen after plating, thus maintaining the ductility and strength of the parts. Helicopter blades are heated in a top-load oven to re-twist the blades and machined parts go through a stress-relieving process to release internal residual stresses cause from manufacturing processes such as forging, welding and rolling.
Tires and Tanks
Industrial batch ovens are used for aging rubber tires and for tempering tire molds. Both technologies result in tough, reliable tires that can withstand the rigors of carrying military vehicles over rough terrain. Engine and structural components in military tanks go through aging and stress relieving processes to improve their strength and durability.
Firearms
Heat treating enhances the performance and dependability of firearms, as well as extending their life and improving wear resistance. Treated firearm parts include feed trays, gun covers, receivers, and firing pins. Thermal processing is also necessary for a number of missile system components, from mounting hardware to guidance systems.
Kevlar Vests
Made from p-phenylene terephthalamide (PPTA) fibers, Kevlar vests help keep soldiers safe by absorbing the impact of shrapnel and bullets. Kevlar fibers are made up of molecules that are very tightly bound, which is what makes the material bulletproof. As a bullet hits a Kevlar vest, it gets caught in the web of fibers. These fibers absorb and dissipate the energy of the bullet, drastically reducing the impact. Heat treating PPTA in an industrial oven helps strengthen the Kevlar fibers.
Wisconsin Oven is a proud supplier of the military and defense industry. To learn more about our industrial ovens, visit https://www.wisoven.com/ or connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.