German plantmaker SMS Mevac has announced that it will supply a vacuum induction melting furnace to UK-based Tata Steel Specialty for its Stocksbridge site.
The facility will produce high-purity steels and specialist alloys for the aerospace industry. The new melting furnace is scheduled to go into production in 2014, pending final capital approval.
According to Tata Steel's statement, steels produced in vacuum induction melting furnaces are typically used in aircraft engine transmissions and bearings as well as aircraft structural and undercarriage components where high-purity steel with characteristics such as enhanced fatigue life, improved corrosion resistance and higher strength levels are critical.
The agreement with SMS Mevac is the latest in a string of investments by Tata Steel Specialty in South Yorkshire totaling over £23 million in the last few years in support of both plant energy efficiency and improved processing capability.