Olympus pitch-catch Dual Linear Array probe enables faster acoustic inspection of corrosion
March 17, 2015
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Olympus America, Waltham, Mass., developed a Dual Linear Array probe for corrosion inspection. It provides several advantages over conventional ultrasonic dual element transducers used with flaw detectors. It improves productivity through features such as larger beam coverage, faster scan speed, and C-scan imaging with increased data-point density. The pitch-catch technique of this new probe can offer better near-surface resolution and pit detection in corrosion survey applications than standard phase- array pulse-echo. The pitch-catch technology also improves the probability of detection of critical wall thinning.
The Dual Linear Array probe adds a new low-cost entry-level inspection capability to the existing Olympus HydroForm and RexoForm corrosion solutions, especially when combined with the OmniScan SX.
When using the probe with an OmniScan phased array instrument (PR or non-PR), the setup and operation is simple: load the setup file, check the calibration, and then inspect and record the data.
Installing an encoder on the probe gives the ability to generate C-scans on the instrument. An innovative probe stabilization system enables smooth data acquisition on piping surfaces as small as four inches in diameter. The typical inspection depth in carbon steel ranges from 1 to 80 mm.
Phased Array testing is a specialized type of ultrasonic testing in which sophisticated multi-element array transducers and powerful software steer high-frequency sound beams through the test piece and map returning echoes, producing detailed images of internal structures. It is used for inspection of critical structural metals, pipeline welds, aerospace components, and similar applications where the additional information supplied by phased array inspection is valuable.
www.olympus-ims.com.
Olympus America, Waltham, Mass., developed a Dual Linear Array probe for corrosion inspection.
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Aichelin-USA receives order for ferritic nitrocarburizing furnace from Fiat Chrysler
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Aichelin-USA, Plymouth, Mich., has received an order from the Fiat Chrysler transmission plant in Kokomo, Indiana, for a ferritic nitrocarburizing furnace. The order is for the tenth FNC furnace, which will be added to the existing furnace cell shown in the photo. The system includes the Flexiclean washer system, pre-oxidizing furnaces, cooling stations, endothermic gas generators, and one dual-directional loading cart with automated loading and unloading stations.
Ferritic nitrocarburizing (FNC) has become increasingly significant, especially when the process is combined with steam oxidation. The result of this heat treatment is a wear-resistant oxidation layer that is similar to hard chrome plating with comparably good corrosion resistance. A beneficial secondary effect is the black or anthracite colored part surface.
This treatment requires furnaces with a gas-tight retort. The furnace can be heated electrically or with industrial gas burners. The batch retort furnace, especially designed for that purpose, offers all the conditions for economical heat treatment with reproducible results.
This furnace will be built in the United States, and supported by the Aichelin-USA team based in Plymouth.
www.aichelinusa.com
Aichelin-USA, Plymouth, Mich., has received an order from the Fiat Chrysler transmission plant in Kokomo, Indiana, for a ferritic nitrocarburizing furnace.
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NanoSteel builds fully dense additively manufactured parts with hardness gradient
March 16, 2015
Source: ASM International
The NanoSteel Co., Providence, R.I., announces the expansion of the company’s additive manufacturing material capabilities to support metal 3D printing of complex high hardness parts.
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Kay & Associates announces “Fundamentals of Brazing” seminar
March 12, 2015
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Kay & Associates, Simsbury, Conn., will hold two intensive brazing-training programs this spring, the first in the Hartford, Conn., area (April 14-16), and the second identical program in Los Angeles (May 12-14). These hands-on programs cover all the essentials of furnace, torch, induction, and dip-brazing, including all brazing fillers (nickel, silver, gold, copper, aluminum, and titanium).
Pre-braze and post-brazed components will be physically examined and discussed, as well as actual samples of brazing filler metal (BFM), fluxes, and brazing stop-off compounds. Many case-studies will be covered, including special problem-solving exercises the attendees work on in small groups.
These programs are unique in that all methods of brazing and types/forms of brazing filler metals (BFMs) are covered. Thus, the attendee will get a well-rounded, full education on the complete world of brazing, rather than just a limited exposure to one type of brazing process or one type of BFM.
Many topics are covered in the three-day program, and each topic is taught very clearly in a non-technical, easy-to-understand manner, so that both the shop person doing the brazing, and the senior engineer running the plant, will readily grasp all that it needed to understand the "why" and the "how" of brazing.
In addition, all attendees receive free life-time brazing consultations via phone, fax, e-mail, etc., so that they can effectively apply what they learned.
www.kaybrazing.com
Kay & Associates, Simsbury, Conn., will hold two intensive brazing-training programs this spring, the first in the Hartford, Conn., area (April 14-16), and the second identical program in Los Angeles (May 12-14).
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Kay & Associates announces “Fundamentals of Brazing” seminars.
Source:
Kay & Associates, Simsbury, Conn., will hold two intensive brazing-training programs this spring, the first in the Hartford, Conn., area (April 14-16), and the second identical program in Los Angeles (May 12-14). These hands-on programs cover all the essentials of furnace, torch, induction, and dip-brazing, including all brazing fillers (nickel, silver, gold, copper, aluminum, and titanium).
Pre-braze and post-brazed components will be physically examined and discussed, as well as actual samples of brazing filler metal (BFM), fluxes, and brazing stop-off compounds. Many case-studies will be covered, including special problem-solving exercises the attendees work on in small groups.
These programs are unique in that all methods of brazing and types/forms of brazing filler metals (BFMs) are covered. Thus, the attendee will get a well-rounded, full education on the complete world of brazing, rather than just a limited exposure to one type of brazing process or one type of BFM.
Many topics are covered in the three-day program, and each topic is taught very clearly in a non-technical, easy-to-understand manner, so that both the shop person doing the brazing, and the senior engineer running the plant, will readily grasp all that it needed to understand the "why" and the "how" of brazing.
In addition, all attendees receive free life-time brazing consultations via phone, fax, e-mail, etc., so that they can effectively apply what they learned.
www.kaybrazing.com
Kay & Associates, Simsbury, Conn., will hold two intensive brazing-training programs this spring, the first in the Hartford, Conn., area (April 14-16), and the second identical program in Los Angeles (May 12-14).
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Direct Flame Impingement for annealing aluminum cuts fuel costs by 50%
March 11, 2015
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The Linde Group, Murray Hill, N.J., has developed Direct Flame Impingement oxyfuel-based technology for continuous annealing of cold-rolled aluminum strip. In DFI technology, oxyfuel flames directly heat the metal strip as it passes through the annealing furnace, enabling a capacity increase of 50%, cost reduction of 50%, and reduced scaling losses and dross formation.
The DFI oxygen burners are arranged in rows, with multiple burners to cover the entire width of the strip. The rows are mounted in modules, and each module consists of two burner rows firing from above and below the strip. The material temperature rises very quickly within a compact furnace body, resulting in heat transfer rates up to ten times higher than those in conventional fuel-fired furnaces.
If oxygen, not air, is used to combust a fuel, all the heat transfer mechanisms, convection, conduction and radiation, can be promoted at the same time. This results in a faster, more even heating process, which cuts the total heating time, thus allowing for more production capacity and flexibility. The flue gas volumes are reduced by up to 80%, with no more need for bulky flue gas systems or recuperators. Heating and cleaning can be done in the same operation.
Details about the new technology were presented at TMS 2015, March 15-19, at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. In a paper titled, "Direct Flame Impingement (DFI)" Linde senior nonferrous expert Henrik Gripenberg discussed DFI technology, applications, and pilot test results.
www.lindemetallurgy.com
Linde, Murray Hill, N.J., has developed Direct Flame Impingement oxyfuel-based technology for continuous annealing of cold-rolled aluminum strip.
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SSAB launches steel tube family with extreme wear resistance
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SSAB Steel, Sweden, has launched the new Hardox Tube 500 family, which provides the same hardness and toughness as Hardox wear plate, but in tubular form. It was developed for applications that require high wear resistance in combination with lower density. It is suitable for transporting all types of abrasive materials, such as wet concrete, soil, gravel, and ore slurry.
"The new Hardox Tube 500 range completes the existing Hardox family product range. We have long experience in developing wear-resistant steel tubes. The final properties are set after tube rolling and welding, which guarantees consistency as well as high hardness and toughness qualities," says Fredrik Mikaelsson, Manager for Tubes & Sections at SSAB.
Its extreme wear resistance allows for a lighter product with a long service life. It can increase the competitiveness of certain products by extending their service life by two, five, ten times, or more.
Hardox Tube 500 is available from stock in 88.9-133 mm diameters and different material thicknesses. Custom tubes in thinner materials and other diameters are also available.
www.ssab.com
SSAB Steel, Sweden, has launched the new Hardox Tube 500 family, which provides the same hardness and toughness as Hardox wear plate, but in circular form.
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California Brazing installs new Haas vertical machining center
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California Brazing, Newark, Calif., has installed a new Haas vertical machining center with an envelope of 64 by 40 by 30 in. This 15,000 RPM machining center includes a 1000-block look-ahead, high pressure through-the-spindle cooling, and expanded memory up to 15M. The company is is Nadcap, AS9100, and ISO9001:2008 accredited.
The company is a turnkey manufacturer of critical brazed components for the aerospace, semiconductor, photonics, and energy-management markets. Working with aluminum, copper, ceramic, and stainless steels, the company offers an array of brazing alloys, including copper, gold, and other precious and non-precious brazing filler metals. Nadcap-certified brazing services include vacuum furnace brazing, vacuum aluminum brazing, and hydrogen brazing.
www.californiabrazing.com
California Brazing, Newark, Calif., has installed a new Haas vertical machining center with an envelope of 64 by 40 by 30 in.
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Alcoa to acquire RTI International Metals
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Alcoa, Pittsburgh, announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire RTI International Metals Inc., to grow its value-add businesses and to further strengthen its aerospace portfolio. RTI will expand Alcoa's range of titanium offerings and add advanced technologies and materials, increasing the company's position as a leading industrial innovator.
The acquisition will offer Alcoa financial benefits with realized net synergies of about $100 million in 2019, primarily driven by procurement and productivity improvements, leveraging Alcoa's global shared services and driving profitable growth. Alcoa expects RTI to contribute $1.2 billion in revenues in 2019, up from $794 million generated in 2014, with 65 percent of revenues supported by contracts over the next five years. RTI is expected to reach profitability of 25 percent EBITDA margin in 2019, up from 14.5 percent in 2014.
This transaction is expected to enable Alcoa to capitalize on strong growth in the commercial aerospace sector. Alcoa projects a compounded annual global aerospace market growth rate of 5 to 6 percent through 2019 and sees a current 9-year production order book for commercial jets at 2014 delivery rates.
RTI grows Alcoa's pro forma 2014 annual aerospace revenues by 13 percent, up from $5 billion to $5.6 billion. RTI is expected to increase Alcoa's 2014 pro forma aerospace revenues to 37 percent of value-add sales, up from 35 percent. Alcoa's aerospace business is the largest contributor to Alcoa's value-add businesses.
Eighty percent of RTI's revenues in 2014 were from the aerospace and defense industries, with the balance mainly split between other markets including energy and medical devices, complementing Alcoa's growth markets.
www.alcoa.com
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, announces that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire RTI International Metals Inc., to grow its value-add businesses and to further strengthen its aerospace portfolio.
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ASM International makes major update to alloy center database
March 5, 2015
Source: ASM International
ASM Alloy Center Database adds thousands of standards and commercial grades records.
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