Two Praxair joint venture companies to merge
January 11, 2016
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Praxair Distribution Inc. (PDI), Danbury, Conn., a subsidiary of Praxair Inc., announces that its two joint venture companies operating in the southeastern United States have merged. The transaction involves merging Praxair Distribution Southeast (PDSE) LLC, a PDI joint venture operating in Florida and southeast Georgia since 1997, into NexAir LLC. NexAir is a 75-year old company that entered into a joint venture with PDI in 2012, with locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
NexAir will grow to have annual sales of more than $200 million and 67 locations with the merger, adding coverage throughout the state of Florida. Its existing senior management team will continue to lead the combined business.
"Both the PDSE and nexAir businesses have been very successful partnerships for PDI in the southeast, and it makes sense to now combine them," said Scott Kaltrider, president Praxair Distribution Inc. "It will allow us to streamline and simplify our management processes and improve customer focus and clarity around PDI's channel strategy. Together we will provide a stronger network of services and capabilities throughout the region."
www.praxairsurfacetechnologies.com
Praxair Distribution Inc. (PDI), Danbury, Conn., a subsidiary of Praxair Inc., announces that its two joint venture companies operating in the southeastern United States have merged.
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Axial III Suspension Plasma Spray enables nanoparticles in thermal barrier coatings
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Northwest Mettech, North Vancouver, British Columbia, has developed a NanoFeed line of liquid and suspension feeders to enable delivery of submicron powders to thermal spray torches. The NanoFeed delivery systems provide the only efficient way to convey ultrafine powders to the torch. The powders are homogeneously suspended in an easy-to-transport liquid medium, which is then delivered to the torch at a precisely controlled rate. Nanofeed units may be either standalone or integrated with the spray system.
Integration of Mettech's Axial III plasma system with NanoFeed suspension delivery device has resulted in new technology, Axial III Suspension Plasma Spray (SPS). Axial III SPS is capable of producing a large variety of unique nanostructured coatings with characteristics completely different from those deposited from powders of the same chemistry.
The uniqueness of Axial III SPS derives from its axial injection principle. This form of injection is the only one that allows nano-size (<1µm) particles and droplets to enter the plasma plume. Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for high temperature turbine components especially benefit from this capability. The photo shows an Axial III SPS-coated turbine blade on the right, uncoated on the left.
High end TBCs are generally produced by slow and very expensive vacuum process called electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD). Low end TBCs are thermally sprayed in atmosphere in the process called Atmospheric Plasma Spraying (APS).
Axial III SPS produces TBCs with equivalent properties to that of EB-PVD coatings, but at much lower operating and capital costs, whereas Axial III APS can economically coat the low end ones.
Other areas that can benefit from Axial III SPS are nano-ceramics and nano-cermets for power generation, fuel cells, and electronics.
www.mettech.com
Northwest Mettech, North Vancouver, British Columbia, has developed a NanoFeed line of liquid and suspension feeders to enable delivery of submicron powders to thermal spray torches.
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Nitinol shape-memory alloy with added hafnium resists both wear and corrosion
January 9, 2016
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Puris LLC, Bruceton Mills, W. Va., recently signed a limited (partially) exclusive, term license agreement with NASA Glenn Research Center to produce a high-performance, hafnium-enhanced shape-memory powder metallurgy alloy that provides resistance to both wear and corrosion.
Marketed under the brand name SM-103, the 60NiTi(Hf) alloy demonstrates a lower residual stress than other 60 nitinol alloys, resulting in improved response to heat treatment and easier processing. It delivers resistance to both wear and corrosion, traditionally considered to be mutually exclusive, in addition to favorable load-bearing properties. These attributes make it well suited to industrial bearings and precision bearing applications.
"Puris anticipates strong demand for SM-103 for industrial bearings in such applications as wind turbines, turbochargers, aircraft engines, gears, and valves," Puris CEO Craig Kirsch said. "We also expect it to find a market in precision bearings for timepieces, machine spindles, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment, among others. But the most exciting opportunity for us will be the new applications where the alloy could enhance performance and endurance."
Puris previously partnered with NASA to produce a wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant 60nitinol alloy, SM-100, which is being used to produce bearings for the International Space Station's wastewater.
www.purisllc.com
Puris LLC, Bruceton Mills, W. Va., recently signed a limited (partially) exclusive, term license agreement with NASA Glenn Research Center to produce a high-performance, hafnium-enhanced shape-memory powder metallurgy alloy that provides resistance to both wear and corrosion.
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One Minute Mentor: Relation Between Tempering Temperature and Hardness
January 8, 2016
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The graphs show the relation between tempering temperature and hardness for D2 and D3 tool steels. Steels were austenitized in an air furnace; a recirculating pit-type furnace was used for tempering. The curves represent steel from three suppliers. An average of five hardness measurements were made on each specimen from each supplier. Specimens were 25 mm (1 in.) in diameter and 38 mm (1.5 in.) long.
It can be seen that certain steels exhibit higher hardness after being tempered at about 540°C (1000 °F) than after being tempered at temperatures 55 to 110°C (100 to 200°F) lower. This reversal in the usual relationship is known as secondary hardening and is caused by transformation of retained austenite and the precipitation of fine alloying carbides during tempering at the higher temperatures, near 540 °C (1000 °F).
Volume 4D, Heat Treating of Irons and Steels -> Tool Steels -> Heat Treating of Cold-Work Tool Steels -> Medium-Alloy Air-Hardening, High-Carbon High-Chromium and High-Vanadium-Powder Metallurgy Steels -> Recommended Heat Treating Practices
The graphs show the relation between tempering temperature and hardness for D2 and D3 tool steels.
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Seco-Warwick retrofits mesh belt furnace to increase productivity by 40%
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Seco-Warwick, Meadville, Pa., announces that a major U.S.-based manufacturer is improving efficiency by retrofitting its mesh belt furnace originally commissioned by Seco-Warwick nearly 20 years ago. The goal of the project is to increase productivity 40% by fully automating the material handling system that moves small forgings from the forge press into the furnace with minimal operator intervention.
In addition to an improved loading rate, the mesh belt will be updated to reduce scrap rates. During an initial evaluation, it was also determined that the cooling efficiency could be improved by replacing the original water-cooled carbon steel chamber with a newly designed stainless steel chamber that will resist corrosion, speed cooling, and extend the useful life of the equipment.
Seco-Warwick will provide the engineering, fabrication and commissioning of a stainless steel cooling chamber, improved mesh belt design and a fully automated loading system from their Meadville, PA facility. The system is scheduled for operation by May 2016.
www.secowarwick.com
Seco-Warwick, Meadville, Pa., announces that a major U.S.-based manufacturer is improving efficiency by retrofitting its mesh belt furnace originally commissioned by Seco-Warwick nearly 20 years ago.
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Reliance acquires Tubular Steel for its specialty steel products
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Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., Los Angeles, has acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Tubular Steel Inc. ("TSI"), St. Louis. TSI stocks over 60,000 tons and ships over two million custom-cut lengths of pipe, tubing, and bar products annually from its seven service centers across the United States. TSI will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., and current management will remain in place.
"Tubular Steel is a strong company with a respected position in the market and we are very excited for TSI to join the Reliance family of companies," commented Gregg Mollins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Reliance. "The addition of Tubular Steel, with specialty, high margin products, fits our growth strategy of investing in higher returning businesses, while expanding our product breadth and end market diversification. Energy is an important end market for Tubular Steel. Although current activity levels are lower than normal in this area, we are confident in the long term strength of the energy market and Tubular Steel's ability to benefit during the recovery."
www.rsac.com
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co., Los Angeles, has acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Tubular Steel Inc., which stocks over 60,000 tons and ships over two million custom-cut lengths of pipe, tubing, and bar products annually.
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Nucor Steel Louisiana DRI Plant to resume operations
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Nucor Corp., Charlotte, N.C., announces that its direct reduced iron (DRI) plant in Louisiana will resume operations by the end of January. The plant temporarily suspended production at the end of last year for planned maintenance, and the company decided not to resume production at that time based on market conditions. Nucor's raw materials strategy is built on flexibility, with the company constantly evaluating the market for the lowest cost raw material inputs at the quality levels customers need. Changes in the raw materials market led to the decision to restart plant operations.
Nucor and its affiliates are manufacturers of steel products, with operating facilities primarily in the U.S. and Canada. Products include carbon and alloy steel -- in bars, beams, sheet and plate; steel piling; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; steel grating; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor, through The David J. Joseph Company, also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and HBI/DRI; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap. Nucor is North America's largest recycler.
www.nucor.com
Nucor Corp., Charlotte, N.C., announces that its direct reduced iron (DRI) plant in Louisiana will resume operations by the end of January.
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Lindberg/MPH ships gas-fired aluminum stack melting furnace to marine supplier
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Lindberg/MPH, Riverside, Mich., has shipped a gas-fired aluminum stack melting furnace to a leading supplier in the marine industry. The industrial furnace was modified to hook directly to the customer's existing melting furnace to provide additional melting capacity and efficiency.
The customer requested a system that would increase melt rate, enhance safety, and improve efficiency with state of the art process control. Lindberg/MPH took the customer's request and designed a stack melting system to attach to the customer's existing melting furnace via a short and enclosed launder connection trough. The two manually operated doors on adjacent sides allow for easy access to the melting chamber for cleaning. The laser charge stack level control monitors material level in the stack for maximum efficiency. A service technician provided by Lindberg/MPH will perform supervision during the installation period and perform onsite start-up and training.
The stack melt zone of the industrial furnace consists of a sloped charging stack that helps to minimize impact damage from ingot or large heavy scrap. Instead of falling directly onto the impact zone, it slides and tumbles to the bottom of the charging stack. At the intersection of the stack and hearth, the metal begins to melt. Additional material that is charged in the stack is preheated until the metal below it becomes molten and runs off the hearth through the flanged connector into the separate customer-supplied melting and holding furnace.
"At Lindberg/MPH we work with our customers to provide the most efficient solutions to their production needs," said Lindberg's Andrew Paul." For this customer, hooking into their existing equipment was the most effective solution to increase their melting capacity. This furnace provided the flexibility to increase their melting capacity by adding to their existing equipment instead of installing an entirely new furnace."
www.lindbergmph.com
Lindberg/MPH, Riverside, Mich., has shipped a gas-fired aluminum stack melting furnace to a leading supplier in the marine industry.
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One Minute Mentor: Tool Steel Tempering Practices
January 4, 2016
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Multiple tempering is effective in decreasing the amount of austenite retained in A and D steels and is a common practice in heat-treating them. The general precautions and tempering practices outlined for O steels are also followed for the A and D steels.
However, because most of the steels in groups A and D (except A4, A5, and A6) soften less rapidly than the group O steels with an increase in tempering temperature, as shown in the graph, higher tempering temperatures can be used for the A and D steels. A minimum tempering temperature of 205°C (400°F) is a common requirement for A2, A7, and D steels. Tempering temperatures as high as 550°C (1025°F) are frequently used, and even higher temperatures are used for special requirements.
Volume 4D, Heat Treating of Irons and Steels -> Tool Steels -> Heat Treating of Cold-Work Tool Steels -> Medium-Alloy Air-Hardening, High-Carbon High-Chromium and High-Vanadium-Powder Metallurgy Steels -> Recommended Heat Treating Practices
Multiple tempering is effective in decreasing the amount of austenite retained in A and D steels and is a common practice in heat-treating them.
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Ipsen AvaC two-chamber gas/oil furnace doubles carbon availability
January 1, 2016
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Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., recently shipped an AvaC (acetylene vacuum carburizing) two-chamber gas/oil quench vacuum furnace to a facility in Connecticut, where it will be used to process sports equipment. This horizontal-loading furnace utilizes oil or 2-bar gas quenching, as well as low-pressure carburizing. It features a graphite hot zone dimensions of 24 x 36 x 24 inches, with a 1000-pound load capacity.
The AvaC process produces twice the carbon availability as traditional carburizing agents, resulting in excellent carbon transfer into the parts. It also has the advantage of producing an oxidation-free surface microstructure while allowing complex-geometry components to be evenly carburized.
This was one of more than 25 furnaces recently shipped around the globe for a variety of applications and industries. The remaining shipments were comprised of Titan furnaces, including Titan DS and Titan LT (low-temperature) furnaces, as well as horizontal and vertical MetalMaster, TurboTreater, VFS, Global Vertical, Horizontal External Quench, Liquid/Gas Oil Quench and vacuum aluminum brazing vacuum furnaces.
The equipment was sent to international customers in Canada, China, England, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan, as well as sites within the U.S., covering a range of 15 different states.
www.ipsenusa.com
Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., recently shipped an AvaC (acetylene vacuum carburizing) two-chamber gas/oil quench vacuum furnace to a facility in Connecticut where it will be used to process sports equipment.
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