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

October 14, 2024
Source: ASM International

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

Wisconsin Oven ships composite curing oven to Defense Industry


Source: ASM International

Wisconsin Oven ships composite curing oven to Defense Industry

Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, WI, has announced the shipment of a gas-fired walk-in batch oven to a prominent manufacturer in the defense industry. The oven is designed for curing filament wound composite materials and is capable of processing a 78,000-pound load on a 40-foot long mandrel carried by a load car.

The work chamber measures 10 feet wide, 42 feet long, and 9 feet high, with a qualified work zone of 8 feet by 40 feet by 8 feet. The oven includes a rotation system to prevent drooping of uncured composites during the heating process, offering speed control flexibility through a variable frequency drive.

This oven operates at a maximum temperature of 500°F, with temperature uniformity of ±10°F at multiple setpoints. Equipped with a PLC-based Wisconsin Oven Premium Control System and an IoT system, it allows for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote fault diagnosis.

Additional features include split-line construction for easier shipping, two powerful recirculation blowers, interior lighting, and safety-compliant railings and ladder access.

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Ipsen USA launches service HUB Model for improved customer support


Source: ASM International

Ipsen USA launches service HUB Model for improved customer support

Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, Illinois, announced the launch of its new Service HUB model, aimed at enhancing customer support across the United States. The HUB system, developed over the past two years under the leadership of Ipsen Global CEO Geoffrey Somary and currently overseen by Chief Service Officer John Dykstra, is now fully operational across the Midwest and Southeastern regions.

The HUBs are designed to offer quicker response times, with dedicated teams that provide tailored service for customers in close geographic proximity. This model allows Ipsen to optimize service efficiency, reducing downtime for heat-treating operations and improving customer experience.

In addition to benefiting customers, the HUB model also enhances the work-life balance of Ipsen’s Field Service Engineers (FSEs) by reducing travel time. The initiative is led by Lu Chouraki, Manager of Business Development, who emphasized the goal of minimizing response times and improving support for customers facing operational outages.

This strategic shift reflects Ipsen’s commitment to service excellence, offering personalized, regional expertise that both empowers its team and delivers enhanced support to customers.

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Solar Manufacturing ships Mentor Pro furnaces for renewable energy applications


Source: ASM International

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


Source: ASM International

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

September 30, 2024
Source: ASM International

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


Source: ASM International

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


Source: ASM International

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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SECO/WARWICK supplies vacuum furnaces to Huake Casting Control Technology Co., Ltd.


Source: ASM International

SECO/WARWICK supplies vacuum furnaces to Huake Casting Control Technology Co., Ltd.

SECO/WARWICK, Meadville, PA, will provide a horizontal vacuum heat treatment furnace equipped with a graphite heating chamber and a 15 bar absolute gas quenching system. The furnace will be used by the Chinese manufacturer to produce components for the aviation and energy industries.

The Vector furnace, known for its versatility and modular design, is a widely used solution in over 70 countries. It offers a broad range of heat treatment processes, making it adaptable to specific manufacturing needs. Its low energy consumption and minimal emissions make it environmentally friendly, aligning with SECO/WARWICK’s commitment to sustainability.

The furnace also guarantees precise, repeatable results due to uniform temperature control, ensuring high-quality components and surface protection. Vector furnaces are popular for metal heat treatment worldwide, particularly for industries requiring precision and reliability.

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Lindberg/MPH ships aluminum melting and holding furnace


Source: ASM International

Lindberg/MPH ships aluminum melting and holding furnace

Lindberg/MPH, Mich., has announced the shipment of a gas-fired reverberatory aluminum melting and holding furnace equipped with a preheat hearth. The furnace, designed for manufacturing aluminum parts, boasts a melt rate of 10,000 pounds per hour and a maximum temperature rating of 1450°F. It has a holding capacity of 85,000 pounds, based on 155 pounds per cubic foot of molten aluminum.

The furnace features a vertically rising air-operated door for loading the preheat hearth and a full-width cleanout door at the rear for unloading. Designed with an elevated base, it includes a bottom-mounted magnetic stirring mechanism and an air pressure pump well for dispensing molten aluminum. This configuration allows the furnace to remain idle for extended periods without significant temperature variation.

Temperature control is managed by three controllers, while flame supervision equipment ensures safety, including forced-air purging and automatic shutdown in case of system failures.

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