The Nanotechnology Systems Division of Hitachi High Technologies America Inc., Clarksburg, Md., announces that its latest VP-SEM system, Model SU3500, is now available with a four-axis motorized stage, in addition to the existing five-axis motorized stage system. The new four-axis version is targeted for smaller sample applications (max. 200 mm in diameter and 70 mm in height).
Continue readingIpsen ships large aluminum brazing furnace to aerospace company
Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., announces that it shipped a large vertical vacuum aluminum brazing furnace to a major aerospace company, a longstanding customer. This furnace, the customer’s second vertical furnace, will be installed in Mexico. Two other TurboTreaters will be shipped to Southeast Asia for the same aerospace company. One of these furnaces will be used for high-pressure gas quenching; the other includes AvaC for low-pressure vacuum carburizing.
Continue readingCentorr designs furnace for metal injection molding
Centorr Vacuum Industries, Nashua, N.H., has developed the MIM-Vac, a custom-engineered high temperature vacuum/ controlled-atmosphere furnace designed specifically for metal injection molding. Tight partial pressure control and even gas flow in conjunction with effective event-based programming and sound retort design allow the entire load to undergo the same series of conditions as a function of time.
Continue readingMetlab hardens and press-quenches leaf springs for 1932 Alfa Romeo
Metlab, Philadelphia, recently heat-treated custom fabricated leaf springs of an antique 1932 Alfa Romeo sports car. The springs were made for a Pennsylvania-based automobile restorer. The leaf springs, made from HR-5160 steel, were patterned after the original springs, which were too worn to be reused. The replacement springs were hardened and press quenched into the shape of the spring, and were tempered to a final hardness of HRC 28–32, duplicating the hardness as measured on the originals.
Continue readingBruker S1 Titan handheld XRF instrument analyzes 37 elements without the need for vacuum
Bruker Elemental, Kennewick, Wash., introduces the second generation of its S1 Titan handheld XRF analyzer platform. Based on extensive customer feedback, enhancements include a weatherproof IP54-rated housing, and optional integrated camera and small spot collimator. In addition, the protective Titan Detector Shield has been made standard for all models. The patented SharpBeam collimator technology remains a standard feature in all S1 TITAN models.
Continue readingQuesTek’s Ferrium M54 Steel included in aerospace industry MMPDS Handbook
QuesTek Innovations LLC, Evanston, Ill., announces that its ultra high-strength, high-toughness Ferrium M54 steel has been approved for inclusion in the aerospace industry’s Metallic Materials Properties Development & Standardization (MMPDS) Handbook. QuesTek accelerated M54 steel from a clean sheet design to a precise chemical composition in less than one year, and produced the first 10-ton ingot the following year.
Continue readingThyssenKrupp to convert process gases from steel production into base chemicals
ThyssenKrupp AG, Germany, in collaboration with partners from research and industry, is initiating a cross-sector technology transfer project focused on converting process gases from steel production into valuable chemicals. The goal for this collaboration between the steel and chemical industries is to permit cost-effective carbon recycling into fertilizers or fuel.
Continue readingProf. Zi-Kui Liu, FASM, Receives 2014 J. Willard Gibbs Phase Equilibria Award
ASM is pleased to announce that Zi-Kui Liu, FASM, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, is the 2014 J. Williard Gibbs Phase Equilibria Award recipient.
Continue readingDirect reduced iron facility begins production at Nucor Louisiana
Nucor Corp., Charlotte, N.C., announces the successful start-up of production at its direct reduced iron (DRI) facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana. Production began on Tuesday, December 24, and has continued at planned ramp-up levels since that time. Within the first 24 hours of operation, output quality began matching the best-in-class levels routinely achieved at the DRI plant in Trinidad.
Continue readingDigital image correlation system optically detects strain
Instron, Norwood, Mass., announces digital image correlation (DIC) hardware and software designed to optically detect strain and displacement. The DIC system enables users to visualize these changes in real-time on a computer screen, so that they can be traced over the entire duration of the test. The associated DIC-software provides visualization and also saves the data at an adjustable rate of up to 50 Hz.
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