The metal industry faces numerous challenges. However, your company can meet or even exceed its business objectives by implementing the right electrotechnologies.

Whether you're looking to expand production, enhance the quality of your products or gain better control over your manufacturing cycles, unit costs or plant's energy efficiency, Hydro-Québec can help you!

Having contributed to the successful implementation of over 300 projects involving metallurgical applications, our experts are well positioned to understand your needs and expectations in the area of electrotechnologies and industrial processes and come up with effective solutions.

Surface treatment

Abrasion, thin-film deposition and heating

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Induction Suitable for heat treatment and galvanizing applications Extremely precise temperature control Can be used for localized heat treatment Plasma torch Suitable for thermal and mechanical abrasion applications Also suitable for thin-film deposition applications (e.g., refractory or abrasion-resistant coatings) Suitable for controlled-atmosphere treatment Electron beam Suitable for metalizing various substrates Highly precise beam focalization Infrared (IR) Very high energy efficiency Suitable for controlled-atmosphere treatment Can be used for focalized heat treatment Can be easily adapted to work with existing equipment Electroplating and anodizing Effective corrosion protection

Heat treatment

Hardening, tempering, annealing, heating and preheating

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Induction High energy efficiency Short heating times Suitable for surface or through treatment Extremely precise temperature control Can be used for localized heat treatment Can be adapted for treating specific shapes Electric resistance Simple heating system that's economical to buy and operate No combustion gases Sturdy construction Infrared (IR) Very high energy efficiency Suitable for controlled-atmosphere treatment Can be used for focalized heat treatment Can be easily adapted to work with existing equipment

Curing and polymerization

Inks, varnishes and paints

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Infrared (IR) (curing) Very high energy efficiency Fast and easy to control Quick start and easy adjustment Can be easily adapted to work with existing equipment Ultraviolet (UV) (polymerization) Suitable for treating surfaces or thin coatings Low specific consumption Solvent-free Superior finish High speed Can be easily adapted to work with existing equipment Electron beam Higher speed and greater depth than with UV radiation Cost-effective for large production runs

Machining

High-precision die cutting, drilling and welding of various metals

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Laser Increased productivity: higher speed, high-precision cutting and machining, suitable for robot operation Broad range of applications Electrical discharge machining Suitable for high-precision applications (e.g., machining small components or thick work pieces) Electron beam Suitable for high-precision applications (e.g., machining very small components) Plasma torch Quick start/stop Fast, precise die cutting Flexible operation

Melting and maintaining the melting temperature

	Electrotechnologies Benefits Induction furnace Higher energy efficiency Reduced metal losses Extremely precise temperature control More homogeneous melt as a result of electromagnetic mixing Healthier work environment (no combustion gases) Can be easily adapted to work with existing equipment Arc furnace High thermal efficiency Quick melting due to the extremely high contact temperature Resistance furnace Suitable for low-melting-point metals (e.g., aluminum, lead, tin) Simple heating system that's economical to buy and operate No combustion gases Suitable for controlled-atmosphere melting Electron-beam furnace Suitable for melting high-purity alloys

Testimonials

	Fonderie Poitras When Fonderie Poitras invested in modernizing its facilities, it made a wise choice: induction heating More		Metcor Metcor diversified its operations by implementing all-electric heat treatment and vacuum hardening furnaces. More
	Stelfil Stelfil achieved galvanizing savings in wire manufacturing by choosing a heat pump to dry wastes. More		Les Trempeurs Thermetco Since they turned to an electric vacuum furnace, Trempeurs Thermetco have expanded their market. More
	Nexans Nexans capitalized on reverse osmosis and mechanical vapor compression (MVC) to strengthen its competitive stance. More		Alphacasting Alphacasting specializes in ferrous and non-ferrous precision metal casting. More