Lindberg MPH stackable box furnaces heat treat maritime equipment
September 13, 2017
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Lindberg MPH, Riverside, Mich., has shipped a Temperite box furnace and a Treet-All box furnace to a manufacturer of maritime equipment. The box furnaces are designed to be used in a stacked configuration or stand alone. They can also be used with a roller quench tank if needed. The box furnaces have work chamber dimensions of 12 x 30x12 inches. " H.
The Temperite and Treet-All are a modular, stackable, and space-saving line of box furnaces that meets and exceeds industry standards for heat-up rates and outer shell temperatures. The over/under box furnaces can be bench-mounted, stacked, or supplied with a furnace stand and quench thank. The optional split quench tank, mounted on wheels, is designed for use with water and oil. Removable work baskets are also included.
The Temperite Box Furnace has a high velocity forced convection heating system and three loading levels with two removable shelves. The work area temperature uniformity is ±1ten inches over the range of 600 to 1400°F. An empty furnace would take approximately 1.5 hours to heat up from ambient to maximum temperature.
The Treet All box furnace has a work area temperature uniformity of ±25°F over the range of 1400 to 2000°F. The furnace is equipped with nitrogen atmosphere capability with retort system.
"The stackable design minimizes floor space and allows for more efficient use of the customer's work space,"- says Kelley Shreve, Applications Engineer.
www.lindbergmph.com
Lindberg MPH, Riverside, Mich., has shipped a Temperite box furnace and a Treet-All box furnace to a manufacturer of maritime equipment.
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Single-crystal shape memory CuAlMn bar produced by unique heat treating process
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Tohoku University, Japan, reports that its researchers and colleagues have found an economical way to improve the properties of copper-aluminum-manganese 'shape memory' alloys by a unique heat treating method. The method could make way for the mass production of these improved metals for a variety of applications, including earthquake-resistant construction materials.
The alloy is made of copper, aluminum, and manganese, and is a well-known shape memory metal that is easy to cut with machines. Increasing the size of the material's crystals drastically enhances its elasticity. Altering its shape also makes it quite strong. These combined features make it very attractive for building structures that can withstand earthquakes.
Most metals are made of a large number of crystals but, in some cases, their properties improve when they are formed of a single crystal. However, single-crystal metals are expensive to produce. Metallurgists have developed a cheaper production method that takes advantage of a phenomenon known as 'abnormal grain growth.' This process causes the metal's multiple 'grains', or crystals, to grow irregularly, some at the expense of others, when it is exposed to heat.
The team's technique involves several cycles of heating and cooling that result in a single-crystal metal bar 70 cm in length and 15 mm in diameter. According to Toshihiro Omori, the lead researcher in the study, this is very large compared to the sizes of current shape memory alloy bars, making it suitable for building and civil engineering applications.
To produce the large single-crystal bar, the alloy is heated to 900°C, then cooled to 500°C, five times. This is followed by four cycles of heating to 740°C then cooling to 500°C. Finally, the metal is heated one last time to 900°C. Omitting the lower temperature heating (740°C)/cooling (500°C) cycles does not lead to the single-crystal result.
"Since the present technique is advantageous for mass production of single crystals because of the simplicity of the process, this finding opens the way for applications of shape memory single crystals for structural materials, such as for seismic applications in buildings and bridges," conclude the researchers in their study published in the journal Nature Communications.
http://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/press/improving_earthquake_resistance.html
Tohoku University, Japan, reports that its researchers and colleagues have found an economical way to improve the properties of copper-aluminum-manganese ‘shape memory’ alloys by a unique heat treating method.
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What you need to know about heat treating
September 11, 2017
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Engineered components – from bearings to turbine blades and everything in between – acquire much of their value and application readiness during controlled heating and cooling cycles, otherwise known as heat treating. Though practiced for millennia, the process of heat treating has only, in the last century or so, given up its secrets, making it possible for manufacturers to consistently produce steel and nonferrous metal parts with specific properties and predictable lifetime and performance ranges.
Heat treating leverages the familiar process-structure-property-performance relationship on which modern materials science is based. As metals and alloys are heated and cooled they undergo a series of structural transformations accompanied by the redistribution of constituent elements, phases, and defects. Over the past several decades, industry, academia, and government agencies have invested a significant amount of time, energy, and resources to better understand these changes and how they impact the property and performance parameters of the steels and alloys on which our economy, security, and welfare depend.
With each new discovery, the heat treating process becomes more repeatable and systematic, raising the bar for every participant in the industrial supply chain. To remain competitive, suppliers of all sizes must periodically evaluate and, if necessary, upgrade their heat treating practices. What this entails and how to do it confidently will be conveyed in an instructor-led course called "Practical Heat Treating" that will be held September 25-28 on the ASM International campus in Materials Park, Ohio. The intense four-day course, delivered from a predominantly how-to perspective, will cover the most common heat treat processes and explain how to adapt them for specific materials and properties of interest.
By the end of the course, led by instructor William L. Mankins, FASM, students will be equipped to set up and run any process for standard steels as well as aluminum, copper, magnesium, and nickel alloys. They will also know how to set realistic production goals and track those using standard QC procedures. And when problems arise, they will know how to determine the cause. In most cases, heat treating problems stem from multiple contributing factors. The course will bring many of these into view and offer insights on how to minimize their impact on finished goods.
Did You Know:
- Slow cooling can prevent or minimize distortion in tooling with many section size changes.
- The precipitation or dispersion of fine particles during age strengthening tends to bond constituent crystals together at their slip planes, making them more resistant to deformation.
- Hardness and ductility are opposing properties. The harder the material, the less ductile it tends to be, and vice versa.
- Quick quenches can help suppress undesired transformations, phases, and crystal structures, for example, producing hard martensitic steel.
- Alloys, such as bronze, whose constituents remain in solid solution down to room temperature and below, can only be hardened by cold working.
- Annealing causes grain growth and has a smoothing effect on grain boundaries, making metals and alloys more ductile and easier to form.
- Normalizing helps refine grain structure and can minimize residual stress, making precision parts easier to machine, weld, and assemble.
- Tempering relieves stresses that accumulate during the hardening process.
Engineered components – from bearings to turbine blades and everything in between – acquire much of their value and application readiness during controlled heating and cooling cycles, otherwise known as heat treating. Though practiced for millennia, the process of heat treating has only, in the last century or so, given up its secrets, making it possible for manufacturers to consistently produce steel and nonferrous metal parts with specific properties and predictable lifetime and performance ranges.
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Outokumpu U.S. stainless steel bar operations receive LCS approval for aerospace
September 6, 2017
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Outokumpu Oy, Finland, has received Pratt & Whitney's LCS (laboratory control at source) approval for its stainless steel bar products manufactured at its Richburg mill in South Carolina. LCS is the system that validates the testing and control of specified materials and processes for Pratt & Whitney's aerospace products.
"We are very pleased that our bar products have been validated by Pratt & Whitney, which demonstrates the quality of both our material and its production processes. This approval opens doors for Outokumpu as a supplier of high-performance stainless steel bar in the demanding and growing aerospace market," says Bob Beatty, head of Outokumpu bar operations in Richburg.
Outokumpu serves the North American market through its key service center partners. The company has a strong reputation in the market as a premium producer of high-performance bars with unique knowhow in stainless steel applications and material performance.
Outokumpu has over a century of experience in creating efficient, long-lasting, and recyclable stainless steels. Its global offerings include quality-critical long products for equipment, buildings, and infrastructure projects. Long Products sites are located in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Sweden. They are known for their high quality products, flexibility, and world-class delivery performance.
www.outokumpu.com/longproducts.
Outokumpu Oy, Finland, has received Pratt & Whitney’s LCS (laboratory control at source) approval for its stainless steel bar products manufactured at its Richburg mill in South Carolina.
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Ames Lab hot-shot pour tube produces titanium powder ten times more efficiently
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The U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, Iowa, announces that one of its research teams has won an award for the development of a "hot-shot pour tube" technology that can produce titanium powder approximately ten times more efficiently than traditional methods. ASM Fellow Iver Anderson, Senior Metallurgist, and his team have been named winners of a 2017 Excellence in Technology Transfer Award from the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Mid-Continent Region.
Titanium powder produced by the hot-shot pour tube technology is said to have enabled a dramatic shift in manufacturing away from traditional titanium casting/forging methods, to net-shape forming. The technology was the basis for the formation of a multi-award-winning start-up company, Iowa Powder Atomization Technologies, which was purchased in 2014 by Praxair Surface Technologies. In 2015, Praxair began international sales of spherical titanium powder for additive manufacturing and metal injection molding for aerospace, medical, and industrial parts.
In addition to Dr. Anderson, the award is shared by ASM member Dr. Andy Heidloff and Dr. Joel Reiken, formerly of Ames Laboratory and now of Praxair; and Dr. David Byrd, Dr. Ross Anderson, and ASM member Dr. Emma White of Ames Laboratory.
"Our team is very proud to accept this FLC award," declares Dr. Anderson. "It helps us keep pushing Ames Laboratory's processing science forward to these ultimate technology transitions involving our people."
In a letter of support for Ames Lab in the FLC competition, Praxair Vice President Dean Hackett wrote, "Ames Laboratory is uniquely equipped and staffed with talented researchers who work as a team to develop breakthrough technologies in the production of atomized powders. Praxair has chosen to commercialize the titanium atomization technology from Ames, and also to hire two of the three investigators (Dr. Heidloff and Dr. Reiken) who were responsible for this unique titanium atomization process."
In congratulating Dr. Anderson and his team, Ames Lab Director Adam Schwartz said the award demonstrates Ames Lab's commitment to the Department of Energy's mission of transferring technologies to the marketplace for the benefit of the American taxpayer. "We are very proud to join Iver and his team in celebrating this technological success," he added, "and we look forward to many anticipated future successes."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXNqNdrO44A
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory, Iowa, announces that one of its research teams has won an award for the development of a “hot-shot pour tube” technology that can produce titanium powder approximately ten times more efficiently than traditional methods.
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One Minute Mentor: Nitrocarburizing in a Carrier Gas
August 31, 2017
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The graph shows (a) Micrograph of low-temperature nitrocarburized austenitic stainless steel AISI 316 in an atmosphere of (partly) decomposed urea (in situ activation). The sample was heated to 490°C (910 °F) in 45 minutes and thereafter immediately cooled.
(b) Glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) concentration-depth profiles of low-temperature nitrocarburized stainless steel AISI 316 in an atmosphere of (partly) decomposed urea; see microstructure in (a).
Nitrocarburizing in a carrier gas to which (initially solid) urea was added led to a fast growth of the expanded austenite zone. The gaseous decomposition products of urea that develop in the furnace are highly activating, which means that activation and nitrocarburizing are achieved simultaneously. The hardness measured directly at the surface (not in a cross section) is higher than 1300 HV. It is obvious that the expanded austenite zone consists of a nitrogen-rich and a carbon-rich part.
The near-surface zone consists of nitrogen-expanded austenite, and the carbon-expanded austenite is located underneath. The sum of the two interstitial profiles yields a gradual transition from the surface into the substrate in terms of total interstitial content.
Volume 4D, Heat Treating of Irons and Steels ⇒ Heat Treated High-Alloy Steels ⇒ Low-Temperature Surface Hardening of Stainless Steel ⇒ Gaseous Low-Temperature Surface Hardening of Austenitic Stainless Steel
Nitrocarburizing in a carrier gas to which (initially solid) urea was added led to a fast growth of the expanded austenite zone. The gaseous decomposition products of urea that develop in the furnace are highly activating, which means that activation and nitrocarburizing are achieved simultaneously.
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Alumina-forming high temperature steels offering new opportunities in heat treatment
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Two novel alumina-forming steels, Kanthal APMT and Nikrothal PM 58, are discussed in this presentation at Heat Treat 2017. In both alloys, corrosion resistance is based on the formation of an adherent alumina layer. This, along with high creep resistance, is caused by a dispersion-strengthened microstructure from the powder metallurgical processing route.
This unique combination of properties enables application temperatures ranging from 1470 to 2282°F, and new possibilities to design high-temperature components. One such application is furnace rollers with reduced or eliminated water cooling. Mechanical and corrosion properties for the two steels at high temperatures will be discussed and compared with other commercial materials during the presentation.
Dr. Dilip Chandrasekaran, Sandvik, Hallstahammar, Sweden
Dr. Thomas Helander , Sandvik, Hallstahammar, Sweden
Mrs. Johanna Nockert Olovsjö , Sandvik, Hallstahammar, Sweden
Tuesday, October 24, 2017: 11:00 AM, A213-215 (Greater Columbus Convention Center)
https://asm.confex.com/asm/ht2017/webprogram/Paper43491.html
Two novel alumina-forming steels, Kanthal APMT and Nikrothal PM 58, have corrosion resistance based on the formation of an adherent alumina layer.
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Auto parts manufacturer orders Lucifer ceramic-fiber-lined box furnace
August 30, 2017
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Lucifer Furnaces Inc., Warrington, Pa., has received an order for an electric, ceramic-fiber-lined box furnace from a leading U.S. manufacturer of stamped automotive products. Model LI7-M18, with a chamber size of 12x18x18 inches, quickly heats to a uniform temperature of 2200°F. A hotface of two-inch-thick ceramic fiber insulation with three inches of coldface mineral wool block insulation around the entire chamber, maximizes heating efficiency with low power input.
Ceramic Fiber insulation, with low heat storage and low thermal conductivity, combined with high thermal shock resistance, allows faster heat-up/cool-down cycles, reducing wait times between loads and resulting in higher production.
Heavy gauge coil wound Kanthal A1 iron-chromium-aluminum wire heating elements are supported on ceramic rods, providing rapid heat-up. Elements mounted on both side walls can be easily replaced individually, reducing cost. A one-inch-thick hearth plate protects the floor insulation and supports up to 40 pounds per square foot of hearth area.
Temperature is monitored by a rear-mounted Type K thermocouple, and is regulated by a Honeywell DC2500 microprocessor-based digital time proportioning temperature controller. An insulated horizontal swing door with a tight seal comes standard with safety switch.
Ceramic fiber lined furnaces are general purpose box furnaces for batch heat treating in an air atmosphere.
www.luciferfurnaces.com
Lucifer Furnaces Inc., Warrington, Pa., has received an order for an electric, ceramic-fiber-lined box furnace from a leading U.S. manufacturer of stamped automotive products.
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Ipsen’s strategic organizational changes designed to strengthen leadership for growth
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Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., announces that several strategic changes will be made in the company's organizational structure to strengthen its position as the leading global provider of integrated heat treatment solutions.
Ipsen USA is pleased to announce that Patrick McKenna (shown in photo) is promoted to Ipsen USA President & CEO, responsible for all entity functions including Sales, Engineering, Operations, Service, Finance, and Human Resources. "My focus from day one will be on delivering the highest quality products and services to our customers and ensuring that the established Ipsen performance culture continues far into the future," says Mr. McKenna.
He has both undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, and has served on the Metal Treating Institute Board of Directors for ten years (in 2016 as President). He worked at Ipsen as a Mechanical Engineer for four years before leaving to co-found a successful commercial heat treating and brazing company. He divested his interest in that company in 2015 and returned to Ipsen as Vice President of Sales.
According to Geoffrey Somary, USA CEO and Ipsen Group COO, "We are in an exciting period of growth for Ipsen, which has been built on both innovation and exceeding customer expectations. The Ipsen Group focus ensures that we continue to strengthen Ipsen performance in all global markets, delivering the same quality and performance everywhere in the world."
As part of this growth, Mr. Somary will leave his USA position and focus fully on his Group responsibilities, with CEOs at all entities (Europe, USA, China, Japan and India) continuing to report directly to him. Mr. Somary started at Ipsen in 2005, and for the past four years, has held the dual responsibilities of Ipsen.
Jake Hamid, who has been with Ipsen since 2007, will also leave his position as Ipsen USA COO, and move into the position of Ipsen Group Director of Global Product Development and Manufacturing.
Other promotions include Pete Kerbel to Ipsen USA Vice President of Sales. He takes on the responsibility for sales of new equipment, retrofits, and parts. Mr. Kerbel started at Ipsen in 2008, and most recently was the Director of Aftermarket Sales. When combined with service, this totals nearly 50% of annual sales for Ipsen USA.
With 2017 expected to be the eighth straight year of growth, a new generation of experienced leaders has earned promotions (in addition to those listed above). The expertise and commitment of these individuals, and the entire Ipsen Team, will allow them to continue guiding Ipsen forward down a winning path – a path that always focuses on innovation and ensuring one satisfied customer at a time.
www.IpsenUSA.com
Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Ill., announces that several strategic changes will be made in the company’s organizational structure to strengthen its position as the leading global provider of integrated heat treatment solutions.
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Solar Manufacturing receives U.S. patent for vacuum furnace hot zone improvement
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Solar Manufacturing, Souderton, Pa., announces that it has been awarded a patent for an innovation in vacuum furnace hot zone design. This hot zone improvement centers on the configuration of heating element supports, providing for simpler, streamlined manufacture of the support assembly. The new design further provides for easy assembly and disassembly of heating elements, a significant improvement over prior designs.
Inventors are Robert Wilson, Solar Manufacturing's VP of Engineering; and Mark Hughes, Senior Design Engineer. Copies of U.S. Patent No. 9,702,627 B2 may be obtained by visiting www.uspto.gov.
www.solarmfg.com
Solar Manufacturing, Souderton, Pa., announces that it has been awarded a patent for an innovation in vacuum furnace hot zone design.
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