Customer Challenge

A leading forging factory in Europe contacted FH seeking a cost-effective and durable fixture solution for their water-quenching heat treatment line. Their existing baskets operated at a maximum temperature of 1050°C and were directly quenched in water. Due to the severe thermal shock, the baskets began cracking and distorting after only three months of use. The customer wanted to explore whether FH could provide a more reliable solution specifically engineered for water-quenching conditions.

Our Approach

FH’s engineering team worked closely with the customer to understand their complete process, including:

• Their heat treatment recipe
• Maximum load weight
• Cooling requirements and quenching sequence
• Failure mode of the previous baskets

By leveraging our expertise in water-quenching fixture design, advanced material technology, and precision manufacturing,we developed a customized furnace basket optimized to withstand extreme thermal shock and high mechanical load.

Results & Advantages Delivered

1. Significantly Longer Service Life

Using upgraded alloys and a specialized design tailored for water-quenching impact, the new basket demonstrated outstanding durability.
The first signs of cracking appeared after one full year—a four-times improvement compared to the previous fixture.

2. Reduced Operating Costs

The extended service life and improved structural stability reduced replacement frequency and minimized downtime, directly lowering the customer’s operational costs.

Customer Impact

The customer now benefits from safer handling, greater process stability, and substantial cost savings. This project highlights how FH’s customized engineering solutions can enhance performance and reliability even under the most demanding water-quenching conditions.