NASA grants $10M to cut supersonic aircraft sonic booms by shape-memory-alloy morphing
July 14, 2017
Source: ASM International
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, announces that it has granted $10 million to a CASMART industry-academic team that will lead research into designing commercially viable civil supersonic transport aircraft that can modify shape during flight under a range of conditions to meet noise and efficiency requirements for overland flight.
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U.S. Steel Corp. finalizes sale of U.S. Steel Canada to Bedrock Industries
July 12, 2017
Source:
United States Steel Corp., Pittsburgh, announces that it has finalized an agreement with Bedrock Industries Group LLC, New York, for the sale and transition of ownership of U.S. Steel Canada Inc. to Bedrock. The transaction was finalized following requisite court and other approvals.
In connection with the closing, U.S. Steel received approximately $127 million in satisfaction of its secured claims, including interest, and unsecured claims. The terms of the plan and closing also included an agreement to provide mutual releases among key stakeholders, as well as a release of all claims against U.S. Steel regarding environmental, pension, and other liabilities.
As part of the transition in ownership, U.S. Steel will continue to provide certain transition services to USS Canada, and entered an agreement to supply USS Canada with all of its requirements for iron ore pellets through January 31, 2022.
United States Steel is a leading integrated steel producer and Fortune 300 company with major production operations in the United States and Central Europe. The company manufactures a wide range of value-added steel sheet and tubular products.
Bedrock Industries is a privately funded holding company focused on owning and operating metals, mining, and natural resources assets and related special situations.
http://www.ussteel.com
www.bi15.com
United States Steel Corp., Pittsburgh, announces that it has finalized an agreement with Bedrock Industries Group LLC, New York, for the sale and transition of ownership of U.S. Steel Canada Inc. to Bedrock.
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Oxford Instruments Industrial Analysis business joins Hitachi to form new company
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Oxford Instruments, England, announces that its Industrial Analysis business will join Japan's Hitachi High-Technologies to form a new company, Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science. The new company brings together Hitachi High-Technologies' extensive scientific instrumentation portfolio with Oxford Instruments' 40-year heritage of innovative analytical instruments and services developed in close partnership with industry customers. The collaboration will provide a wider-ranging product portfolio, more contact points with customers, and more opportunities to meet customer needs.
Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science is a new global company created in July 2017 within the Hitachi High Technologies Group. The company is headquartered in Oxford, England, with research and development and assembly operations in Finland, Germany, and China, with sales and support operations in a number of countries around the world.
Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science will continue to specialize in delivering high-tech analysis solutions, developed in close collaboration with industry customers and designed to meet the tough challenges of a rapidly evolving industrial sector. Its range of laboratory-based and robust high-performance field testing instruments deliver materials and coatings analyses that add value throughout the production lifecycle.
http://www.hitachi-hightech.com/hha/
Oxford Instruments, England, announces that its Industrial Analysis business will join Japan’s Hitachi High-Technologies to form a new company, Hitachi High-Tech Analytical Science.
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Molten aluminum poured over 3D-printed steel lattice multiplies damage tolerance
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Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tenn., and Rice University, Houston, report that a new manufacturing method developed by Oak Ridge and Rice combines 3D printing with traditional casting to produce damage-tolerant components composed of multiple materials. Engineers discovered that by pouring molten aluminum over a 3D printed steel lattice, the damage tolerance of the part increases by an order of magnitude over aluminum.
The process, published in Materials and Design, was developed for potential automotive and other applications for which thermal and mechanical properties must be optimized simultaneously.
"This scalable processing strategy can be used to fulfill specific component functions, giving materials designers unprecedented control over both microstructure and material properties," says ORNL's Amit Shyam.
www.ornl.gov
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tenn., and Rice University, Houston, report that a new manufacturing method developed by Oak Ridge and Rice combines 3D printing with traditional casting to produce damage-tolerant components composed of multiple materials.
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ATI and GE Aviation joint venture to develop titanium alloy powder for 3D printing
July 7, 2017
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Allegheny Technologies Inc., Pittsburgh, and GE Aviation, Cincinnati, announce a joint venture for the development of a new manufacturing technology for meltless titanium alloy powder. The titanium alloy powders are being developed for additive manufacturing applications. The JV will construct a new R&D pilot production facility.
ATI will provide operational, technical, and project support to the joint venture. The joint venture will leverage ATI's technology, manufacturing, and quality leadership in the production of specialty metal powders and premium-quality titanium and nickel-base alloys for critical and technically advanced applications. The JV will also draw upon GE Aviation's engineering and development capabilities and technical knowledge of the use of alloyed titanium powders.
"We are pleased to join with GE Aviation to create this innovative next-generation technology joint venture," says Rich Harshman, ATI's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The science of specialty metal powders is a transformative technology, and we intend to maintain and enhance our industry-leading position."
"Developing new materials is an important part of our vision for our business," says David Joyce, vice chairman of GE and president and CEO of GE Aviation. "ATI is a recognized leader in advanced specialty materials, and we are excited about the collaboration this new joint venture enables."
www.atimetals.com
www.geaviation.com
www.geadditive.com
Allegheny Technologies Inc., Pittsburgh, and GE Aviation, Cincinnati, announce a joint venture for the development of a new manufacturing technology for meltless titanium alloy powder.
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One Minute Mentor: Nitrogen-Expanded Austenite
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The graph shows hardness-depth profiles of nitrided AISI 316. A profile for carburizing is shown for comparison.
Lines obtained by fitting a sigmoidal function are given to guide the eye. The hardness values measured directly at the surface (with the same load) were 1585 HV for KN = 2.49; and 1417 HV for KN= 0.293.
The effect of the nitriding potential is also reflected in the hardness-depth profiles. A smooth decrease near the surface is followed by a sharp drop at a position close to the transition from γN to γ. Nitrogen-expanded austenite is very hard, and the transition from the hardened case to the (soft) core occurs within a few microns.
Volume 4D, Heat Treating of Irons and Steels ⇒ Heat Treated High-Alloy Steels ⇒ Low-Temperature Surface Hardening of Stainless Steel ⇒ Gaseous Low-Temperature Surface Hardening of Austenitic Stainless Steel
The graph shows hardness-depth profiles of nitrided AISI 316. A profile for carburizing is shown for comparison.
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Featured Paper from Heat Treat 2017
Source:
Mr. Pete Kerbel , Ipsen USA, Cherry Valley, IL
Today's competitive environment often requires one to do more with less – to make equipment last longer and run more efficiently. As such, there are several factors that go into making your equipment run to the best of its ability. With our industry becoming more demanding, there has never been a better time to ask the question: "Where, and in what, do I invest my money with aging equipment?"
This paper offers a close-up look at what is possible when weighing different options for upgrading an aging vacuum furnace, focusing on the many factors that go into choosing the right upgrades and repairs for both your equipment and process requirements.
Specific topics covered include:
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The three factors you should always consider before replacing a hot zone
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What is required for data acquisition?
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The role preventative maintenance plays in extending your equipment's life span
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How much is too much to invest in aging equipment?
View Abstract
Today’s competitive environment often requires one to do more with less – to make equipment last longer and run more efficiently.
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ASB Industries adds a new Plasma Electric Arc system to its thermal spray equipment
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ASB Industries, Barberton, Ohio, announces that it recently purchased a new Plasma Electric Arc system to increase spray capacity, turning another thermal spray production room into a multi-process-capable area. Many of ASB's thermal sprayers are experienced in a variety of processes, making it important to keep all thermal spray tools and equipment in close proximity to the workpiece.
Key materials sprayed with the Plasma Electric Arc System include ceramics such as aluminum oxide and chromium oxide, along with other oxide materials for high-temperature and wear applications. Many times, one component requires different materials, including multiple layers of various thermal spray materials.
The new equipment is similar to ASB's other Plasma Electric Arc Systems with hardware and software upgrades. Automated powder feeders adjust to process changes to create a consistent flow for powder feeding that confirms data with visual displays. An electrical upgrade for the new equipment was required during the installation due to the rectifier requirements. .
www.asbindustries.com
ASB Industries, Barberton, Ohio, announces that it recently purchased a new Plasma Electric Arc system to increase spray capacity, turning another thermal spray production room into a multi-process-capable area.
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Spirit Aerosystems and Norsk Titanium to produce 3D-printed titanium components
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Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita, Kan., and Norsk Titanium AS, Sweden, have entered into a commercial agreement to produce 3D-printed structural titanium components for the commercial aerospace industry via Norsk Titanium's proprietary plasma-arc Rapid Plasma Deposition technology. Parts will be built to a near-net shape via RPD, reducing waste, using less energy, and reducing product costs by up to 30%.
Spirit currently builds thousands of titanium parts for multiple customers around the globe and expects that at least 30% of them could be candidates for the RPD process.
Spirit AeroSystems and Norsk Titanium have been working together to develop this technology for the aerospace industry since 2008. This commercial agreement between the two companies solidifies and extends the partnership and identifies specific parts that can be immediately produced via RPD.
"As the Spirit and Norsk Titanium relationship approaches its tenth year, we reflect on the value of this partnership and the significant milestones achieved during the transition from R&D to production," says Norsk Titanium CEO Warren Boley. "We recently announced becoming the world's first FAA-approved 3D-printed structural titanium provider, and Spirit is the ideal tier-one aerostructures partner to leverage this pioneering capability."
Spirit AeroSystems is one of the largest manufacturers of fabricated parts for the aerospace industry. The company recently announced plans to expand its fabrication business to support other manufacturers around the globe.
www.spiritaero.com
www.norsktitanium.com
Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita, Kan., and Norsk Titanium AS, Sweden, have entered into a commercial agreement to produce 3D-printed structural titanium components for the commercial aerospace industry via Norsk Titanium’s proprietary plasma-arc Rapid Plasma Deposition technology.
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Nitrex awarded contract for turnkey nitriding system by European auto components supplier
July 5, 2017
Source:
Nitrex Metal Inc., St. Laurent, Quebec, announces that a European automotive components supplier has awarded it a contract for the supply of a turnkey nitriding system with potential-controlled Nitreg technology. The project involves the replacement of an old gas nitriding furnace with a modern system that will improve operational efficiency, offer superior gas and energy consumption, meet environmental objectives, and ensure an employee-friendly work environment.
The new system will nitride a variety of H11 and H13 aluminum extrusion dies for manufacturing automotive structural components supplied to most major vehicle manufacturers. Entirely custom and tested recipes based on Nitreg technology were developed for the application, enabling consistent uniformity and repeatability of results. Other priorities for the customer were conservation of resources, as well as environmental compliance and noise reduction. In contrast to the previous nitrider, the Nitrex system is programmed to work with a low consumption of gasses and electricity. Auxiliary hardware such as the effluent neutralizer helps comply with environmental regulations, while a silencer fitted on the cooling blower controls noise exposure for better working conditions.
The furnace has working dimensions of 47.25 inches diameter by 59 inches high (1200 x 1500 mm) and a load capacity of 6600 pounds (3000 kg). Delivery is scheduled for the third quarter of 2017.
www.nitrex.com
Nitrex Metal Inc., St. Laurent, Quebec, announces that a European automotive components supplier has awarded it a contract for the supply of a turnkey nitriding system with potential-controlled Nitreg technology.
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