Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems shipped a 60-inch-wide x 90-inch-deep x 30-inch-high atmosphere sintering furnace to Mueller Brass Co., a Port Huron, Mich.-based supplier of brass rod and forgings in the United States. Utilizing a nitrogen atmosphere, the batch furnace is designed with a maximum operating temperature of 1650°F (899°C) and a capacity of 14,000 pounds. The indirect-fired gas heating system incorporates parallel positioning control for efficiency and process flexibility. An integrated oxygen analyzer ensures proper furnace environment prior to heating, and an accelerated gas cooling system improves floor-to-floor cycle time for Mueller Brass’ production needs.

Italy’s TAV Vacuum Furnaces received an order for a horizontal debinding and sintering vacuum furnace from a company focused on the design, development and production of braking systems. The furnace has useful dimensions of 31.5 inches wide x 31.5 inches high x 47.25 inches long (800 x 800 x 1,200 mm) with a maximum gross charge of 1,543 pounds (700 kg) and maximum operating temperature of 1022°F (550°C). It is equipped with a pumping unit, an AISI 310 retort for cycles up to 550°C and a forced-gas-circulation system. After pressing, the parts are placed inside the debinding furnace, where the binder is removed, pumped and trapped. Then the temperature is raised to carry out the sintering process. After a residence time at the maximum temperature, the heating is switched off and the retort is cooled.

Centorr Vacuum Industries, to satisfy multiple orders, is currently building two furnaces designed for the metal 3D-printing and metal injection molding (MIM) industries. Sintervac AM is designed for debinding and sintering. It is outfitted with a graphite hot zone and operates in vacuum, partial pressure or positive pressure of forming gas. It also has a dual trapping system to handle the process off-gassing from binder-jet 3D-manufactured parts. MIM-Vac, which has multi-zone temperature control for improved processing uniformity, has the ability to handle virtually any metal feedstock.

Solar Atmospheres of Western PA and Neota Product Solutions, a custom metal injection molding (MIM) manufacturer located in Loveland, Colo., developed an exclusive sintering partnership. Neota provides comprehensive MIM solutions from early-stage prototyping to full-scale manufacturing. Solar and Neota developed a sintering thermal profile that not only densifies their complex geometric shapes but also controls shrinkage. This results in a solid and strong metallic part, with near 100% density, while maintaining the tight tolerances that are required in their precision components.

Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems manufactured and shipped a high-temperature pusher furnace to a supplier of specialty tungsten alloy products in the eastern United States. The furnace, which has operating temperature capabilities up to 2750°F (1510°C), is designed for high-temperature sintering. It is electrically heated using molybdenum elements and utilizes the latest in refractory materials for efficient operation. The pusher system processes trays 8 inches wide x 12 inches long under 100% hydrogen atmosphere and includes an automated return conveyor for effective loading and unloading. 

Whenever energy and power are needed in today’s age of miniaturization, rare-earth magnets are called upon to play a vital role. Applications abound, from the family car that uses on average 30 such magnets to powerful levitation systems on magnetic trains. All of this is made possible by elements with strange-sounding names: neodymium, lanthanum, samarium, yttrium and scandium – some of the “rare earths” or Lanthanide elements in the periodic table.

When you think of all the ways to join metals, friction stir welding probably isn’t the first concept that pops into your head. This is especially true if you use powder metallurgy.

Solar Manufacturing recently shipped five Mentor vacuum furnaces to a company in the southeast United States that provides products to industries including aerospace and medical. The furnaces include a graphite-insulated hot zone, a load weight capacity of up to 250 pounds and a maximum operating temperature of 2400°F (1315°C). They will be used primarily to sinter and stress relieve stainless steel components.

G-M Enterprises, a Nitrex company, received a multimillion-dollar order from a global manufacturer of metal injection molding (MIM) products for two horizontal vacuum furnaces. These 2-bar sintering furnaces have a work area measuring 36 inches wide x 30 inches high x 84 inches long (900 x 762 x 2,100 mm), a 4,400-pound weight capacity, a maximum operating temperature of 2600°F (1430°C) and uniformity of +/- 10°F (+/- 5.5°C). A multistage debinder trap system designed to thermally extract binder from the parts is integral to the vacuum system. Sintering and debinding occur in a single cycle using a unique system design that is optimized to handle the maximum designed load capacity. Consequently, there is never a need to operate below the rated load capacity to achieve the required part quality.

Ceramic oxides and carbides find widespread use in technologies ranging from solar cells and electronics to high-durability, impact-resistant surfaces for military and aerospace applications.