Coatings with air-filled aluminum oxide microspheres protect turbines
January 5, 2015
Source:
Researchers at Fraunhofer ICT, Germany, have developed a coating in which air-filled aluminum oxide microspheres protect against heat and oxidation. The coating consists of an outer topcoat containing conjoined aluminum oxide spheres. Researchers make the topcoat by mixing the spheres with a viscous liquid bonding agent, producing a slurry that can be sprayed or brushed onto the metallic component.
"When the outer side of a part is exposed to temperatures of 1000°C, the spheres reduce temperatures on the part's inner side to under 600°C," explains coatings expert Dr. Vladislav Kolarik from the ICT's Energetic Systems department. This will provide protection to gas and steam turbines used for energy generation, combustion chambers, waste incinerator generators, and reactors in the chemical and petrochemical industries.
The basic coating layer forms by interaction of aluminum particles and the metallic component. This is done by depositing aluminum powder on the surface of the metal and heating it all up to a suitable temperature over several hours. The result is an aluminum-rich coating on the component's surface that protects against oxidation at high temperature. The innovation here is that during the heat treatment, the aluminum particles that do not adhere to the surface become oxidized and form a layer of hollow aluminum oxide spheres. The scientists have refined the process so they can produce both coating layers in the required thickness at the same time.
"We're currently in the process of putting the findings from the EU-funded PARTICOAT project into practice. This involves coating bigger and bigger components without exceeding the temperature limits for each application area. At the same time we're trying out techniques to automate the whole coating process," says Dr. Kolarik.
http://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2014/november/a-coating-that-protects-against-heat-and-oxidation.html
http://www.particoat.eu
Researchers at Fraunhofer ICT, Germany, have developed a coating in which air-filled aluminum oxide microspheres protect against heat and oxidation.
Continue reading
Thermal Spray Technologies invests $11.5 million for 92,000 square foot expansion
Source:
Thermal Spray Technologies, Sun Prairie, Wis., has purchased a 92,000-square-foot building near its existing facility in the Sun Prairie Business Park, and will spend $11.5 million for complete renovation. Construction has begun with completion projected for early 2015. The expansion, which will almost triple the size of the company's workforce, will enable installation of additional state-of-the-art industrial coating and machining technology.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is securing the jobs by providing TST with up to $750,000 in Economic Development Tax Credits over the next three years. The actual amount of credits received is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment the company makes.
"WEDC congratulates TST on its continued success and is pleased to be able to assist the company with this major expansion, which will bring more family-supporting jobs to the region," said Reed Hall, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state's lead economic development organization. "In the last two years, our Economic Development Tax Credit Program has helped more than 120 companies create or retain 27,000 jobs - and it is great to see another company utilize this important tool for economic growth."
www.tstcoatings.com
Thermal Spray Technologies, Sun Prairie, Wis., has purchased a 92,000-square-foot building near its existing facility in the Sun Prairie Business Park, and will spend $11.5 million for complete renovation.
Continue reading
Praxair introduces new line of chromium-free coatings for gas turbine engines
Source:
Praxair Surface Technologies, Danbury, Conn., introduces a new line of chromium (VI)-free ceramic aluminum coatings for the aerospace and power-generation industries. The new line of slurries sustainably produces coatings with the same high performance of legacy chrome-containing coatings. SermeTel CF and SermaLoy JCF systems meet the stringent requirements of gas turbine OEM specifications.
The coatings are also REACH-compliant (Europe's regulation for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals).
SermeTel CF Coatings are chrome-free replacements of legacy SermeTel 5380, SermeTel 2F-1 and SermeTel 6F-1 coatings. They provide protection from corrosion, heat degradation and fouling of components.
The SermaLoy J CF Coating is a chrome-free diffusion slurry that offers equivalent performance to traditional Sermaloy J coatings. SermaLoy J CF coatings provide protection against hot corrosion and oxidation in gas turbine engines and other severe environments.
Praxair Surface Technologies offers a comprehensive array of high-performance coatings and technologies to the aviation, energy and other industries. By continuously advancing coatings technologies, Praxair Surface Technologies helps customers improve environmental performance, decrease energy consumption, extend component life, improve productivity, minimize downtime, reduce operating costs and produce high-quality products.
www.praxairsurfacetechnologies.com
Praxair Surface Technologies, Danbury, Conn., introduces a new line of chromium (VI)-free ceramic aluminum coatings for the aerospace and power-generation industries.
Continue reading
Graftech to relocate headquarters to Independence, R&D to Brooklyn Heights
December 21, 2014
Source:
GrafTech International Ltd., Parma, Ohio, announces that its global headquarters will be relocated to Independence, Ohio, and will house approximately 50 employees working in the company's corporate functions. The newly established Innovation & Technology Center will be located in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio, and will include scientists, lab technicians, and marketing professionals. The transition is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2015.
The company previously announced its decision to relocate its headquarters and redesign its research and development function in September 2014 as part of its ongoing cost-savings initiatives to improve profitability and competitive positioning. The decision to downsize corporate functions by approximately 25% has enabled the relocation to a smaller, more cost effective, corporate headquarters. The redesigned research and development function will be focused on commercializing next generation technologies in carbon and graphite material science.
GrafTech's Chief Executive Officer, Joel Hawthorne, commented, "We continue to execute on our stated goal of creating a more streamlined business model, with greater accountability and cost efficiency. With these moves, we will further reduce expenses, improve operational synergies and best position GrafTech to drive innovation to support future success."
GrafTech International is a global company that offers innovative graphite material solutions in a wide range of industries and end markets, including steel manufacturing, advanced energy applications and latest-generation electronics. GrafTech operates 18 principal manufacturing facilities on four continents and sells products in over 70 countries. Headquartered in Parma, Ohio, GrafTech employs approximately 2600 people.
www.GrafTech.com
GrafTech International Ltd., Parma, Ohio, announces that its global headquarters will be relocated to Independence, Ohio, and will house approximately 50 employees working in the company’s corporate functions.
Continue reading
Solar Atmospheres wins Bell Helicopter “approved supplier” status
Source:
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA (SAWPA), Hermitage, Pa., announces that it has attained an approved supplier status for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. SAWPA has received approval for the heat treatment of steel and titanium alloy components used in the production of Bell Helicopters. Solar's extensive and flexible capabilities include over 40 furnaces for vacuum heat treating services, including the country's largest commercial vacuum furnace (36 feet long, 150,000 pound capacity), shown in the photo.
Through precise temperature and atmosphere controls, customer specifications can be met with minimal distortion and bright, scale-free results.
"Solar Atmospheres of Western PA is extremely honored to provide precise, thermally vacuum processed parts for the world's premier provider of vertical lift aircraft – Bell Helicopter," says Bob Hill, president of Solar Atmospheres of Western PA. "This rotary-wing approval complements the multiple fixed-wing approvals that currently exist."
www.solaratm.com
Solar Atmospheres of Western PA (SAWPA), Hermitage, Pa., announces that it has attained an approved supplier status for Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
Continue reading
Subscribe to “The Ipsen, Harold” for a chance to win an iPad
Source:
Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., announces that all new subscribers to "The Ipsen, Harold," will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad 4. The blog provides relevant industry information, updates, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox. Existing subscribers will be automatically entered. The contest ends on January 31, 2015, and the winner will be announced on the blog in February.
Over the past five months, Ipsen has posted weekly content to their new blog – from informative videos, expert tips, and throwback photos, to A Daily Checklist for Preventive Maintenance; and their ongoing series, Finding Leaks in Your Vacuum Furnaces. Focused on sharing tips of the trade, as well as breaking down technical and complex material, this blog provides readers with valuable, up-to-date thermal processing information. Subscribe now for your chance to win at http://bit.ly/iPadSweepstakes.
Regardless of the parts or processes you run, Ipsen is committed to providing the most pertinent materials and resources. Whether you like your information in short, easy-to-understand blurbs or in-depth technical papers, Ipsen has the answers you need in the format you prefer.
Make sure to check out Ipsen's posts and how-to videos on The Ipsen, Harold, www.IpsenHarold.com, as well as articles and technical resources at www.IpsenUSA.com/Articles.
Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., announces that all new subscribers to “The Ipsen, Harold,” will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad 4.
Continue reading
Lucifer Furnaces delivers dual-chamber furnaces to Precision Solutions
December 16, 2014
Source:
Lucifer Furnaces, Warrington, Pa., has delivered a Red Devil RD8-KHE24 furnace to Precision Solutions, Richmond, Utah. The dual chamber unit has working dimensions of 12 by 14 by 24 in., for both the upper and lower chambers.
The upper hardening chamber reaches 2200°F, while the lower tempering oven heats to 1200°F. Both chambers are lined with a multilayered 4.5-in. combination of lightweight firebrick hotface insulation, and mineral wool backup insulation for energy-efficient operation. The firebrick is precision dry fit inside the chamber, with staggered seams for reduced heat loss while allowing for thermal expansion.
Both chambers contain heating elements comprising coiled, heavy gauge wire of low watt density, mounted in replaceable side wall panels. The lower chamber has a rear mounted fan for uniform circulation of heat. Hearth plates in both chambers support the workload and protect floor brick.
Insulated horizontal swing doors feature cam locks for a tight seal and safety microswitches to shut off power when doors are opened. Vertical lift doors and over-temperature safety systems are also available as options. Ceramic hearth plates protect the floor and can support a workload ranging to 25 lbs/ft.2 of hearth. A high-volume recirculating fan is mounted in the rear of the tempering oven for horizontal air flow, providing uniform heat for stress relief and other applications.
www.Luciferfurnaces.com
Lucifer Furnaces, Warrington, Pa., has delivered a Red Devil RD8-KHE24 furnace to Precision Solutions, Richmond, Utah.
Continue reading
Alcoa invests $16.7 million in Thermatech coating plant
Source:
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, reports that Alcoa Power and Propulsion, Whitehall, Mich., will invest $16.7 million in a 7700 sq. ft. building expansion to double coating capacity at its Thermatech Coatings plant in Whitehall. Thermatech specializes in the coating of hot-section components cast in nickel-based alloys via equiax directional solidification. A new electron beam physical vapor deposition machine enables faster production by combining two processes: the bond coat and the top coat.
The combination of advanced coatings and internal cooling schemes makes it possible for investment-cast airfoils to operate in an environment that reaches temperatures much higher than their melting point. In addition to jet engines, the coating process is applied to parts for industrial gas turbines.
The expansion supports Alcoa's strategy of profitably growing its aerospace business, which achieved revenues totaling $4 billion in 2013. Itis in line with company strategy to build its value-add businesses to capture profitable growth in high-growth industries.
www.alcoa.com
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, reports that Alcoa Power and Propulsion, Whitehall, Mich., will invest $16.7 million in a 7700 sq. ft. building expansion to double coating capacity at its Thermatech Coatings plant in Whitehall.
Continue reading
Alcoa to acquire TITAL for titanium aircraft structures
Source:
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, has agreed to acquire privately held TITAL, a German producer of titanium and aluminum investment castings for aircraft engines and airframes. The acquisition will establish titanium casting capabilities in Europe for Alcoa, while expanding its aluminum casting capacity. TITAL's strong connections to European engine and aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, SNECMA, and Rolls-Royce, will enhance Alcoa's customer relationships in the region and beyond.
This transaction will further position Alcoa to capitalize on strong growth in the commercial aerospace sector. Alcoa projects a compounded annual commercial jet growth rate of 7% through 2019, and sees a current 9-year production order book at 2013 delivery rates.
Almost 70% of TITAL's revenues are expected to come from commercial aerospace sales in 2019. In 2013, the company generated revenues of approximately $96 million, more than half of which came from titanium products.
TITAL's engineers are known and highly respected experts in manufacturing advanced, single-piece components, often delivered ready for the customer to install. These products, such as engine gearboxes, nacelles, and fan frames, are used on current and next-generation jet engines and airframes. TITAL will add capabilities in casting titanium airframe structures, such as titanium castings for pylons.
In addition, TITAL is a leader in process technology. Its engineers have developed advanced techniques to manage titanium's reactive properties, including cold hearth melting and centrifugal and gravity casting. Its teams also use 3D-printed prototypes, enabling customers to test designs and bring a finished product to market faster.
www.alcoa.com
Alcoa, Pittsburgh, has agreed to acquire privately held TITAL, a German producer of titanium and aluminum investment castings for aircraft engines and airframes.
Continue reading
Semiconductor equipment sales to reach nearly $44B in 2015
December 12, 2014
Source: ASM International
SEMI, San Jose, Calif., projects that worldwide sales of new semiconductor manufacturing equipment will increase 19.3% to $38.0 billion in 2014, according to its year-end forecast.
Continue reading 