One Minute Mentor: Distortion of Ledeburitic Cold-Work Tool Steels

The different effects of steel composition on the dimensional change of plates made of ledeburitic cold-work tool steels and a working hardness of 61 HRC can be taken from the figure. Typical representatives of the new generation of improved toughness 8-9%Cr-steels show slightly higher growth in dimension than the classical 12%Cr-D2 steel. 

The growth in thickness (in the rolling direction) is always significantly higher than in width, confirming again the generally known behavior. Salt-bath heat treatment results in higher distortion than various vacuum heat treatments with high-pressure gas quenching, but the results indicate that there is also a significant scatter for gas quenching depending on the detailed quenching conditions. 

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 12. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

Solar Manufacturing ships Mentor Pro furnaces for renewable energy applications

Solar Manufacturing, Sellersville, Pa., announced that it has shipped two Mentor Pro vacuum furnaces to a customer focused on developing advanced renewable energy technologies for large-scale industrial applications. The furnaces were selected after a collaborative process with the customer’s engineers, supported by the Research and Development team from Solar Manufacturing’s affiliate, Solar Atmospheres. The customer valued the furnace’s capabilities and compact design.

The Mentor Pro furnaces feature a molybdenum shielded hot zone, a maximum temperature capacity of 2500°F, and a workload capacity of up to 1000 pounds. They are equipped with SolarVac Essentials, a PLC-based control system, and include an internal gas quenching system with a 50 HP motor and variable frequency drive (VFD), offering flexibility in using nitrogen or argon gas for optimal metallurgical results. These features make the Mentor Pro well-suited for a variety of metallurgical applications in renewable energy development.

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Nitrex celebrates 40 Years of innovation in heat treatment solutions

Nitrex, Quebec, announced that it is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, marking four decades of growth and innovation in the heat treatment industry. Founded in 1984, Nitrex has evolved from a pioneer in controlled nitriding to a global leader offering end-to-end heat treatment solutions. The company’s technological advancements have expanded its capabilities to encompass metallurgy, engineering, process optimization, and automation.

Since 2019, under the current leadership, Nitrex has broadened its portfolio to include advanced vacuum furnaces and introduced technology for improved brake rotor performance. The company has also launched digital platforms such as QMULUS, aimed at optimizing customer processes and boosting operational efficiency.

In addition to its own milestone, Nitrex is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its UPC-Marathon office in Germany, recognizing the long-standing contributions and achievements of its global team. These anniversaries reflect Nitrex’s ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence.

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One Minute Mentor: Distortion of High-Speed Steels

High-speed steels show a typical distortion behavior depending on the heat treatment parameters. The figure shows the change in length of cylindrical bars (diameter = 20 mm, or 0.8 in.) and length = 140 mm, or5.5 in.), with rolling direction longitudinal to the sample) for various heat treatment conditions with austenitizing, salt bath quenching, and double tempering.

Quenching and tempering up to 500 °C (930 °F) results only in very small changes in length (either growth or shrinking). Higher tempering temperatures lead to a transformation of the retained austenite into martensite and a corresponding growth in length. For typical tempering temperature of 560 °C (1040 °F) changes in length of about 0.2% take place. Additional alloying with Co (5%) leads to slightly higher changes in length. The effect of an additional third tempering shifts the curve slightly to the left, whereas oil quenching leads to a slight reduction of the change in length.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 9. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

Bodycote presented aerospace materials solutions at Farnborough International Airshow

Bodycote, Macclesfield, U.K., participated in the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow, held this summer.

Bodycote showcased its advanced thermal processing solutions specifically designed for the aerospace industry. The airshow, a key event for aerospace innovation, emphasizes themes like sustainability, future flight, and workforce development, providing Bodycote with a platform to highlight its role in enhancing the performance and reliability of aerospace components.

At the event, visitors could explore Bodycote’s range of services, including heat treatment, metal joining, and specialized thermal processes such as hot isostatic pressing and thermal spray coatings. These processes are essential for improving the properties of metals and alloys in aerospace applications, helping them withstand the stringent requirements of the industry.

Bodycote’s presence at the Farnborough Airshow underscores its expertise and ongoing commitment to fostering collaborations that drive progress in the aerospace, aviation, and defense sectors.

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Constellium celebrates the grand opening of its new recycling center in France

Constellium, Paris, announced the grand opening of its new advanced recycling center in Neuf-Brisach, France. The €130 million investment, supported by a grant from the France Relance investment program, is aimed at boosting Constellium’s presence in the automotive and packaging industries while fostering a circular, sustainable economy. The new facility will increase the plant’s recycling capacity for automotive and packaging products by up to 75%, adding 130,000 metric tons of capacity.

With the expanded capabilities, the Neuf-Brisach plant expects to raise the recycled content of its products, meeting the growing demand for sustainable materials. This investment brings Constellium’s global recycling capacity to approximately 735,000 metric tons and will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 400,000 metric tons, aligning with the company’s goal of a 30% emissions intensity reduction by 2030 and increasing recycled input to at least 50% by the same year.

The facility incorporates energy-efficient technologies designed to minimize environmental impact, including reduced water consumption and air emissions, and biodiversity studies were conducted to protect the local ecosystem during construction.

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OMM: Material aspects of Distortion

Size distortion in ledeburitic cold-work tool steels is always higher in longitudinal direction (the direction of main deformation, which is the direction of the elongated carbide stringers). The figure shows the effect in three different cases. 

If plates for cutting tools made from ledeburitic cold-work tool steels are taken from small bar materials in the longitudinal direction, the main direction of distortion will also be in the longitudinal direction of the plate (case I). If the same plate is taken in the transverse direction from a wide bar material, the main direction of distortion will be in the transverse direction of the plate (case II). Finally, if the plate is taken as a slice from a large-cross-section thick bar, the carbide orientation and the main direction of distortion will be in the direction of the plate thickness (case III).

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 7. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

One Minute Mentor: Distortion in Tool Steels

Some of the main interactions  that occur during the heat treatment of steel alloys including temperature, microstructure, and stress/strain. Especially for tool steels these interactions are mainly influenced by the carbon content in the steel matrix, the types and relative amounts of the alloying elements, and the carbide formation/transformation/precipitation characteristics of the alloy system.

Heat treatment involves changes of temperature with time, which determine changes in microstructure. The rate of temperature change results in a change of microstructure which is described by phase transformation kinetics, as in e.g. TTT (time-temperature-transformation) diagrams; every phase transformation releases/absorbs latent heat, which influences the temperature field. An inhomogeneous temperature distribution, i.e. temperature gradients, within the tool during heat treatment can generate thermal stresses that lead to plastic deformation, if the yield strength of the material at that temperature is exceeded. Every mechanical deformation generates heat which, in turn, influences the temperature field. Furthermore, there is an interaction between the stress state and the microstructure. Phase transformations can result in micro-plastic deformation, which can be globally described using transformation plasticity models.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 2. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

 

One Minute Mentor: Plasma Nitriding Equipment

Cold-walled (double-walled water-cooled) systems were the first generation of plasma nitriding furnaces. This technology is also a vacuum-based process but employs the principle of glow discharge to provide energy for heating and nitriding at one time. Therefore, the independent control of the temperature stability and the nitriding intensity is not possible because both processes are using the same energy source—the plasma.

The hot-wall plasma nitriding furnaces, the next generation of cold-wall ion nitriding systems, are mainly used and built now. This system ensures optimal nitriding quality by fulfilling the highest demands on temperature and nitriding process control. The big advantage of this technology is the separation of the control of the heating and the plasma nitriding parameters. The heating and temperature control of hot-wall plasma nitriding furnaces is realized by several independent heating/cooling zones, which guarantees optimal temperature homogeneity

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 26. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005958

The aviation industry chooses Seco/Warwick vacuum furnaces

Seco/Warwick, Meadville, PA announced that their previous furnace with an aviation industry client will be retired and replaced by a new, economical, and versatile furnace for brazing jet engine parts.

Seco/Warwick has been a recognized metal heat treatment equipment manufacturer for decades. In fact in many plants, units were manufactured in the 1980s and 1990s. The partners are gradually replacing these units with modern solutions, continuing to be loyal to the SECO/WARWICK brand.

“The aviation industry is a very important partner that has been cooperating with Seco/Warwick for decades. This is proof of satisfaction with the products we create, but also an expression of trust. Long-term, strategic, good relationships are key. Our furnaces are designed to operate without failure for many, many years, as evidenced by the replacement of this furnace after so many years,” said Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Furnaces Segment at Seco/Warwick Group.

The new solution is based on a standard Vector vacuum furnace with a working space of 900x900x1200 mm, equipped with screen insulation and metal heating elements. It has been specifically adapted to meet the unique needs of the aviation industry, capable of heat treating complex jet engine components such as gears and main shafts.

This latest advancement underscores Seco/Warwick’s dedication to innovation and excellence, ensuring their continued partnership with the aviation industry for years to come.

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