CarTech PremoMax alloy steel designed for downhole oil/gas drilling
May 16, 2016
Source:
Carpenter Technology Corp., Wyomissing, Pa., introduces PremoMax, a premium melted, quenched and tempered, cost-effective alloy steel that provides high strength, excellent impact toughness, and good hardenability in large section sizes. Developed for use in multiple downhole drilling applications such as mud motor shafts and related components, it demonstrates superior performance in challenging environments.
PremoMax composition is C 0.22, Mn 2.0, Si 1.0, Cr 2.0, Ni 0.70, Mo 0.20, V 0.35, Cu 0.50. Its moderate carbon content facilitates weldability, while vacuum arc remelting ensures superior cleanliness, excellent high-cycle fatigue strength, and outstanding fracture toughness. Machinability and weldability, coupled with strength, hardness, and fatigue resistance, make PremoMax alloy a cost-effective and durable drilling solution for rigid formation and high-rotation penetration demands. PremoMax is considered to be a superior alternative to 4330 V.
http://www.cartech.com
Carpenter Technology Corp., Wyomissing, Pa., introduces PremoMax, a premium melted, quenched and tempered, cost-effective alloy steel that provides high strength, excellent impact toughness, and good hardenability in large section sizes.
Continue reading
Bodycote to open new heat treatment facility In Mexico
Source:
Bodycote, Macclesfield, England, announces that the company will open a new, 100,000-sq.-ft. state-of-the-art heat treatment plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Mexico is one of the largest automotive manufacturing countries in the western hemisphere, with many of the world's leading car manufacturers investing in manufacturing and assembly plants.
Bodycote's latest investment, established to serve the country's extensive and growing automotive supply chain, will be capable of supporting large automotive projects and providing the necessary heat treatment services for technologically advanced components such as complex transmissions.
The plant will be TS 16949 certified, and holds all required OEM quality approvals. It will offer a wide range of heat treatment processes, including low-pressure carburizing, ferritic nitrocarburizing, and Bodycote's proprietary Corr-I-Dur process.
The San Luis Potosi facility will be Bodycote's third plant in Mexico, including the existing Silao and Empalme plants, and will be able to provide customers with complementary services and qualified backup to the existing sites, if needed. It is scheduled to be fully operational by fourth quarter.
www.bodycote.com
Bodycote, Macclesfield, England, announces that the company will open a new, 100,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art heat treatment plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Continue reading
FTC approves Air Liquide acquisition of Airgas
May 15, 2016
Source:
Air Liquide, Paris, announces that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has granted clearance for it to acquire Airgas, Radnor, Pa., satisfying the final regulatory condition to the closing of the pending acquisition. The companies anticipate closing the acquisition on May 23, subject to the satisfaction of the remaining customary closing conditions.
The FTC's clearance is subject to certain conditions, to be satisfied following the closing of Air Liquide's acquisition of Airgas, which Air Liquide has agreed to undertake, including the sale of certain assets. A divestiture package has been prepared and the divestiture process is well underway.
FTC clearance is the last major step towards acquisition closing, and follows Airgas shareholder approval on February 23, and the decision by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States on March 10 that the proposed acquisition poses no national security concerns.
As announced on November 17, 2015, combining Air Liquide and Airgas will bring together two highly complementary businesses to deliver greater value, service, and innovation to customers in North America and around the world.
This acquisition will give Air Liquide a greater presence in the U.S. market, the largest for industrial gases worldwide, and will ideally position the company for future growth, using the Airgas footprint to accelerate the deployment of Air Liquide's new offerings, technologies, and innovations. It will also extend Air Liquide's customer base by more than one million customers through a unique multi-channel distribution network in the United States, and a nationwide presence of more than 1100 locations across the country, including approximately 900 branches and retail stores.
The FTC decision is accessible via the following link: https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/cases-proceedings/161-0045/american-air-liquide-holdings-inc-matter
www.airliquide.com.
www.airgas.com
Air Liquide, Paris, announces that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has cleared the acquisition of Airgas, Radnor, Pa., by Air Liquide, satisfying the final regulatory condition to the closing of the pending acquisition.
Continue reading
One Minute Mentor: Metallurgy of Ferritic Stainless Steels
May 12, 2016
Source:
One Minute Mentor: Metallurgy of Ferritic Stainless Steels
Chromium stabilizes the ferritic structure at high temperatures, but some austenite can form at high temperature in steels with 12% chromium and a low or medium percentage of carbon, as shown in the graph. The graph shows the effect of chromium additions on the extent of the austenite phase field in the iron-carbon system.
Carbon and nitrogen added together also produce about the same effect as carbon alone, which means that a fully ferritic stainless steel at elevated temperatures is not possible below 20% chromium without refining to remove carbon and nitrogen.
In addition, because chromium is a strong carbide former, the presence of carbon causes the formation of chromium carbides. This depletes the amount of dissolved (in solution) chromium that is needed to create the corrosion-resistant oxide layer of a stainless steel.
Volume 4D, Heat Treating of Irons and Steels ⇒ Heat Treated High-Alloy Steels ⇒ Heat Treating of Ferritic Stainless Steels ⇒ Metallurgy of Ferritic Stainless Steels
Chromium stabilizes the ferritic structure at high temperatures, but some austenite can form at high temperature in steels with 12% chromium and a low or medium percentage of carbon, as shown in the graph.
Continue reading
Vac Aero refurbishes hot zone of aerospace heat treatment furnace
May 11, 2016
Source:
Vac Aero, Burlington, Ontario, recently received an order for a complete refurbishment of the all-metal hot zone in a horizontal furnace for a customer in the aerospace heat treatment sector in Canada. The hot zone features unitized construction for easy removal and maintenance, and the lightweight design's low thermal mass enables faster quenching and longer life.
The heat shield package consists of one layer of 0.020-inch lanthanated molybdenum (MoLa) sheet backed by one layer of 0.010-inch molybdenum sheet, and three layers of 0.014-inch stainless steel sheet. The heat shield package is supported by a 14 gauge stainless steel assembly that also acts as a manifold to distribute the quenching gas uniformly throughout the workload.
Built for rugged usage and low maintenance, Vac Aero hot zones feature unitized construction for easy removal and maintenance. Replacement hot zones are constructed using state of the art manufacturing technology and materials for years of reliable service. Both graphite-based and all-metal heat shield construction are available. All hot zone materials and new designs are fully tested in our own heat treating facilities before being offered to our customers.
Vac Aero hot zones contain the following design features: Modular Design: Vac Aero hot zones have unitized construction for easy removal and maintenance; the insulation package is mounted on a stainless steel support ring; support rings are designed in a modular fashion for easy installation and maintenance.
Vac Aero uses layers of graphite felt blanket as the core of the insulation package. Compared to graphite board used by some manufacturers, the blanket is far easier to install and maintain, it won't break, and it does not wear at the edges like board, so there is no risk of heat loss due to gaps developing in the insulation.
www.vacaero.com
Vac Aero, Burlington, Ontario, recently received an order for a complete refurbishment of the all-metal hot zone in a horizontal furnace for a customer in the aerospace heat treatment sector in Canada.
Continue reading
Wisconsin Oven Introduces the Express Batch Oven for powder coating or finishing
Source:
Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, Wis., introduces the Express Batch Oven, a standardized batch oven that allows a lower price point and shorter lead time without compromising quality. Available in 26 sizes and either electric or gas models, the Express Batch Oven is ideal for businesses that specialize in powder coating or finishing applications. In addition, it can be used for a variety of operations such as drying, epoxy curing, bonding, metal finishing, varnish curing, baking, and adhesive curing.
The recirculation system features a combination air flow pattern that can be fully adjusted via the return and supply ducts to maximize heating rates and temperature uniformity. Other standard features include a maximum temperature rating of 500°F and roof-mounted blowers to save valuable floor space.
The Express Batch Ovens are also backed by Wisconsin Oven's five-year WOW warranty. This warranty covers all materials for all components (less wear items). The oven is available with several additional options. Customers can protect their factory floors by adding floor sheets of 12-gauge aluminum, or reduce the energy consumption by adding an insulated floor. Other popular options include a door limit that shuts down the heat when it senses that the doors are open, to minimize the spill-out of hot air; and upgrading to a controller that can be programmed with up to 25 recipes and up to 500 ramp-and-soak segments.
The Express Batch Oven is fully factory tested and adjusted prior to shipment to help reduce installation and startup times. A 150-point Quality Assurance check list is completed to ensure that the equipment meets all Wisconsin Oven quality standards and helps installation and start-up to go smoothly.
www.wisoven.com
Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, Wis., introduces the Express Batch Oven, a standardized batch oven that allows a lower price point and shorter lead time without compromising quality.
Continue reading
Sinterite installs custom pusher furnace with low operating temperature
May 9, 2016
Source:
Sinterite, a Gasbarre Furnace Group Company, St. Marys, Pa., announces the installation of a manually operated custom pusher furnace designed for continuous sintering of various material grade parts at a facility in Pennsylvania. The furnace consists of two heat-control zones and one cooling zone, with a maximum operating temperature of 1800°F.
This particular pusher furnace is unique because of its low operating temperature. Typically, these types of furnaces are designed to operate up to 3000°F. However, because of the customer's specialized sintering process and lower temperature requirements, this furnace was customized to meet those unique processing needs.
Sinterite designs, manufactures, and services custom continuous belt and batch furnaces for sintering, brazing, annealing, steam treating, drying, and heat treating applications. The installed base of equipment is in excess of 1300 units in more than 47 countries. Sinterite's quality design includes alloy and ceramic muffle systems, powder-handling equipment, custom fabrications, and the exclusively manufactured HyperCooler sinter-hardening and rapid cooling system.
www.sinterite.com
www.gasbarrefurnacegroup.com
Sinterite, a Gasbarre Furnace Group Company, St. Marys, Pa., announces the installation of a manually operated custom Pusher Furnace designed for continuous sintering of various material grade parts at a facility in Pennsylvania.
Continue reading
Kobe Steel to build aluminum extrusion plant in Kentucky
Source:
Kobe Steel Ltd., Tokyo, announces that it will build a $46.7 million integrated production facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to manufacture aluminum extrusions for the automotive sector in the United States. The new business will operate through Kobelco Aluminum Products & Extrusions Inc. (KPEX), which will make bumper materials for cars and car frame materials.
The new company will have an integrated production facility, with operations ranging from melting to fabrication. Plans call for construction of the plant to begin this summer. Fabrication will start in the latter half of 2017, and the melting to extrusion processes will begin in the latter half of 2018.
Kobe Steel has been supplying aluminum bumper materials to Japanese automakers since the 1990s. The company has over 20 years of experience in the Japanese market, and has established a strong track record. Kobe Steel's original weight-saving proposals, which cover both product development and cross-section design technology, have received high acclaim from customers.
The establishment of KPEX will enable Kobe Steel to manufacture and supply the same high-quality aluminum extrusions and fabricated products available in Japan in the North American market. Through innovative weight-saving proposals, Kobe Steel aims to gain the trust of automakers in North America. KPEX will also contribute to strengthening Kobe Steel's overall supply network, which covers Japan and the United States.
KPEX will be Kobe Steel's second manufacturing operation in Bowling Green after Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products LLC (KAAP), which began production in 2005. KAAP makes aluminum forgings for automotive suspension systems and aluminum cast rods for compressors.
www.kobelco.co.jp
Kobe Steel Ltd., Tokyo, announces that it will build a $46.7 million integrated production facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to manufacture aluminum extrusions for the automotive sector in the United States.
Continue reading
One Minute Mentor: Tempering Corrosion-Resistant Tool Steels
May 6, 2016
Source:
The graph shows the tempering behavior of two corrosion-resistant tool steels: AISI 420 and the nitrogen-alloyed M333 (AISI 420 Mod). During tempering, the combination of properties such as hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance, as well as residual stresses, can be adjusted within a wide range. Very low tempering temperatures (<300°F) are uncommon, as they result in very low impact toughness and high internal stresses.
With increased tempering temperatures, toughness properties can be improved significantly with only limited loss in hardness, as shown in the graph.
The precise behavior strongly depends on the uniformity of the microstructure and on chemical composition, with advantages shown by nitrogen-alloyed lower-carbon grades. Typical tempering temperatures for small and simple-shaped tools vary between 390 and 750°F. In the case of large and complex dies, such tempering temperatures can still lead to very high internal stresses, resulting in early tool failure despite good impact toughness.
Volume 4D, Heat Treating of Irons and Steels ⇒ Tool Steels ⇒ Heat Treating of Mold Steels and Corrosion-Resistant Tool Steels ⇒ Recommended Heat Treating Practices
During tempering, the combination of properties such as hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance, as well as residual stresses, can be adjusted within a wide range
Continue reading
Highlights of the 2016 ASM/IFHTSE Congress
May 4, 2016
Source:
Sponsored by Houghton International and Linde Gas, the International Federation for Heat Treating and Surface Engineering Congress was held April 18 - 21 in Savannah, Georgia.
The conference was well attended, with 171 heat treaters and 20 exhibitors from 20 countries and every continent. The keynote speakers were industry leaders who covered topics of great importance to advancing heat treating technology and expanding applications.
The first keynote presenter was HKDH Bhadeshia, Tata Steel Professor of Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge. The recipient of the IFHTSE Medal, he presented an excellent talk on "Very Short and Very Long Heat Treatments in the Processing of Steel." His thought-provoking and humorous talk showed a real connection with the audience, and demonstrated some fundamental concepts in a unique manner.
The second keynote was by Tobias Steiner, of Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart, the 2014 winner of the Linde Tom Bell Young Author Award in Munich. His enlightening discussion of "Alloying Element Nitride Development in Ferritic Fe-Based Materials upon Nitriding," demonstrated fully why he was chosen for the Tom Bell Award.
The final keynote was by Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Rolf Zenker of Zenker Consult in Mittweida, on "Surface Treatment by Electron Beams in Combination with Other Heat Treatment Technologies." His presentation demonstrated the value of understanding technologies in addition to heat treating to improve surface properties.
Other presentations covered quenching, modeling, nitriding, and other advanced thermal processing technologies. One interesting paper was "Life Extension of Furnace and Fixture Alloys by Surface Engineering in Carburizing Atmospheres," by Mr. Anbo Wang of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Student of Prof. Rick Sisson). This paper examined the practical benefits of prolonging the life of expensive high-nickel alloy fixtures.
The winner of the Linde Tom Bell Young Author Award for this Congress was Dr. Matteo Villa, Technical University of Denmark, for "The Sub-Zero Celsius Treatment of Stainless Steels: Experiments and Perspective."
A special symposium on Residual Stress Prediction, Control, and Measurement was held in conjunction with the IFHTSE Congress. This symposium brought together many experts from the aerospace industry, including the USAF Materials Laboratory, Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing, as well as experts from IWT Bremen, including Prof. Hans-Werner Zoch, and others from the automotive industry. It was a very exciting symposium with a excellent exchange of ideas between very different industries. A great deal of networking was accomplished.
A special thanks to the Domestic and International Organizing Committees; ASM Staff (Jeanelle Harden and Lindy Good); and sponsors Houghton International and Linde Gas, for an event that was well attended, well organized, and very informative.
— D. Scott MacKenzie, Houghton International Inc.
The conference was well attended, with 171 heat treaters and 20 exhibitors from 20 countries and every continent, while the keynote speakers were industry leaders who covered topics of great importance to advancing heat treating technology and expanding applications.
Continue reading 