heat treatment
For maximum strength: We optimize heavy-duty welded structures through professional stress relieving heat treatment or normalizing, as well as other specialized heat treatment processes for workpieces. This allows us to relieve internal stresses and ensure the longevity of your components. And we do it all in what is likely Europe’s largest cooling tank!
Probably the largest cooling basin in Europe
Where others see limits, we set new standards: Our cooling tanks handle the highest operating temperatures and enormous internal volumes with minimal cooling time. Maximum efficiency and precision—for every metric ton of weight.
1050 °C operating temperature / 200 °C per minute cooling rate
The maximum operating temperature of our system is 1050 °C. For short dwell times of less than one hour, the temperature can be increased to approximately 1070 °C. There are no restrictions for operating temperatures between 1070 °C and room temperature.
Cooling rate: A component 50 mm thick cools from 900 °C to room temperature at a rate of approximately 200 °C per minute.
Available cooling methods:
- Polymer quenching tank with water quenching characteristics
- Interrupted quenching
- Accelerated air cooling (vertical airflow, max. 400 m³/h, continuously adjustable)
- Still Air
- Controllable slow furnace cooling
At home in steel for over 70 years
Do you need pressure vessels, heat exchangers, columns, or accessories made of carbon steel, stainless steel, duplex steel, or platinum-plated materials? Do these need to comply with ASME, EN 13445, or AD 2000 standards? At WOLF Behälterbau und Apparatebau, we manufacture these products for you, drawing on more than 70 years of experience from our family-run company. Our long-standing team of employees is dedicated to serving you.
quality assurance (QA)
quality assurance (QA) At our company, a team of in-house certified inspectors handles this process, utilizing a wide range of non-destructive and destructive testing methods, precise 3D measurement, and comprehensive batch traceability. This ensures that every component meets our quality standards and complies with applicable regulations.
For seamless and audit-proof Documentation is handled by our own team. All materials, components, and filler metals remain traceable; all documentation is stored in an audit-proof manner and prepared in accordance with standards and individual customer requirements.
Any questions?
We’re here to help you personally.
We would be happy to answer your questions in a personal meeting and support you with customized advice for your project.
Volker Ermert
Werksleiter/Leiter Wärmebehandlung
Details on our heat treatment processes
Thermal post-treatment is a critical factor for the strength and dimensional stability of heavy-duty welded structures. Customers often ask us in advance about furnace capacities, maximum unit weights, or comprehensive documentation of temperature curves. You’ll find concise summaries of the answers to these and other questions about heat treatment here.
What specific characteristics or factors of your facility affect the quality of the heat treatment? + − Very high operating temperatures and controlled cooling rates support the required mechanical properties and stress relief. Large cooling tanks (polymer quenching tanks) and a variety of cooling methods allow for customized process adjustments depending on the material and component.
Very high operating temperatures and controlled cooling rates support the required mechanical properties and stress relief. Large cooling tanks (polymer quenching tanks) and a variety of cooling methods allow for customized process adjustments depending on the material and component.
What advantages does your system offer specifically for heavy-duty welded structures? + − Performing stress relieving heat treatment or normalizing, as well as other specialized heat treatment processes. The large dimensions of the working area and high weight capacity enable the treatment of large and heavy components.
Performing stress relieving heat treatment or normalizing, as well as other specialized heat treatment processes. The large dimensions of the working area and high weight capacity enable the treatment of large and heavy components.
What types of bridge or process solutions do you offer in addition to heat treatment? + − Professional stress relieving heat treatment or normalizing, as well as other specialized heat treatment processes for optimizing heavy-duty welded structures. Goal: To relieve stresses and ensure the longevity of the components.
Professional stress relieving heat treatment or normalizing, as well as other specialized heat treatment processes for optimizing heavy-duty welded structures. Goal: To relieve stresses and ensure the longevity of the components.
What are the maximum weights of components you can heat treat? + − Maximum total weight of annealing batches: 40 metric tons. Individual weights of up to 40 metric tons are also possible.
Maximum total weight of annealing batches: 40 metric tons. Individual weights of up to 40 metric tons are also possible.