Thermacore Acquires PMT and Expands Thermal Capabilities

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May 18, 2010, 10:00 ET

LANCASTER, Pa., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Thermacore (www.thermacore.com), a leading provider of advanced thermal management solutions, has completed its acquisition of Pittsburgh Materials Technology (PMT). As a result of this acquisition, Thermacore gains a range of in-house materials fabrication capabilities and materials expertise to add to their existing thermal management products and services. PMT joins Thermacore as a division.

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Focusing on solutions for many of the same industrial, aerospace, and military applications as Thermacore, PMT specializes in and has earned a reputation for expertise in complex material joining, refractory metal alloy development and characterization, mechanical testing to 2000°C (3,600°F) and above, and most recently, cryomilling of aluminum to achieve dramatically higher material strengths.

Among the capabilities that PMT will add to Thermacore's existing strengths is vacuum brazing of complex aluminum cold plates and heat exchangers used in electronic systems. Specifically, the key elements of PMT's vacuum brazing capabilities include a number of vacuum braze furnaces for applications with temperatures ranging from 600 degrees C to 1900 degrees C+ (1100 degrees F to 3300 degrees F+) , complex joint design and assembly, helium leak testing and post braze heat treatment.

PMT's experience with refractory metal alloys will help Thermacore's engineers apply thermal management solutions in high temperature applications. PMT's experience in high temperature metal alloys, and ultra high vacuum environments began with the successful Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA) space reactor. The NERVA project's purpose was to move men and material from earth orbit to the outer planets. From this effort came a focus on the invention and characterization of refractory metal alloys and their use in space and on earth.

In addition, PMT offers the engineering expertise to apply high and ultra-high vacuum technology to material processing and testing. More recently, PMT's material processing experience has enabled them to participate in an innovative Department of Defense project that strengthens an aluminum composite alloy fivefold.

"We are happy to announce this acquisition, which strengthens our position as the global supplier of advanced thermal solutions. Specifically, with PMT, Thermacore will be able to more effectively bring to our customers advanced material joining technology such as vacuum brazing capabilities. In addition, PMT's expertise in advanced materials development and testing will extend the capabilities we can offer our customers in the thermal management solution space and beyond," said Jerome Toth, Thermacore President and CEO. "PMT also offers an excellent track record of experience and innovation, which aligns with our main business objectives."

In addition to metalworking, materials joining and cryomilling, PMT offers a wide range of processing and diagnostic services including hydrogen and vacuum heat treating, metallography and scanning electron microscopy.

"We are looking forward to supporting Thermacore as they continue to provide efficient, high performance thermal management solutions to their customers," said Joseph Giglio, PMT's senior vice president and general manager. "This union will allow us to reach customers on a global scale, and add our industry expertise to an already robust solution set."

PMT's existing customer base includes energy and metals production, electronics manufacture, military vehicle manufacture, space propulsion and other specialized testing.

About Thermacore

Founded in 1970, Thermacore specializes in the custom design, development, and manufacturing of highly engineered thermal management systems and components for a variety of OEM applications across a diversified set of global markets that includes Military/Aerospace, Computer, Communication, Energy Conversion, Medical, Transportation, Test Equipment, and Automotive. With over 40 years of experience in the design, development, and manufacturing of passive two-phase systems, Thermacore brings unparalleled engineering design expertise and thermal solution performance, quality, and reliability to these markets. Thermacore employs more than 175 employees at 4 facilities located in the United States (Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and Ronkonkoma, New York) and the United Kingdom (Ashington, Northumberland). Thermacore facilities are AS 9100 Rev B. standard, ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004 certified. For information about Thermacore, visit www.thermacore.com.

About Pittsburgh Materials Technology, Inc. (PMTI)

Founded in 1993 following a 30 year history as part of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Pittsburgh Materials Technology, Inc. (PMTI) specializes in complex metal joining and the development, fabrication, testing, and characterization of high-temperature metallic alloys and other specialty materials for a variety of applications in the aerospace, military and industrial markets. For over forty years, PMTI has been involved in materials development for applications related to energy production, aircraft and aerospace propulsion, electronics cooling, space power and similar advanced technologies. PMTI offers a wide range of metallurgical knowledge, capabilities, and equipment, including material testing (creep, tensile and impact from cryogenic to >2000 degrees C), vacuum arc re-melting, metal forging, metal swaging and rolling, and metal joining (inert atmosphere GTAW, vacuum brazing of aluminum, copper, other alloys). For information about PMTI, visit www.pittsburghmaterialstech.com