In a joint effort, Solar Atmospheres and Solar Manufacturing recently produced an updated booklet titled Critical Melting Points and Reference Data for Vacuum Heat Treating. This handy reference manual allows the vacuum furnace user to quickly find and understand essential data on various metals and alloys to be processed in a vacuum environment. According to Roger Jones, president of Solar Atmospheres, "multiple tables are included highlighting melting points of elements and many alloys of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, magnesium, nickel and titanium among others." He explained that the booklet will be a great reference tool for anyone involved in the vacuum heat treating industry.

"Other data incorporated relates to eutectic, emissivity and vapor pressure concerns when operating at certain temperatures and/or under vacuum," said Jim Nagy, president of Solar Manufacturing. "Various conversion tables relating to pressure and vacuum have been provided," he added.