Bodycote introduces Supermet Fe69 for extrusion applications
April 28, 2021
Bodycote plc, headquartered in Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK, has added Supermet Fe69 to its range of materials, offering a solution for improving resistance to abrasion and torque in extrusion applications. Supermet Fe69 is a high alloyed vanadium cold work steel produced by Powder Metallurgy. It is reported to be characterised by good wear resistance, low warping upon hardening and improved cutting-edge stability.
Traditional tool steels have their limitations in processing environments and can only offer basic functionality where components can be subject to ever-increasing abrasive wear and torque levels, explains Bodycote. The technical barriers can be overcome by adopting high-performance alloys and deploying advanced manufacturing technologies, also extending the life span of components.
Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) technology is a powerful resource for industries where PM materials have been the gold standard for the extruder market for many years, the company states. The extruder features a so-called tribological system, built on the structure – that is, screw, barrel & material processes – and the load combination such as stress, motion, pressure, and temperature; all these parameters affect the choice of a suitable material.
The adoption of HIP combination bar (combi bar), manufactured from Bodycote Supermet Fe69 enables the use of harder materials in the manufacture of screw segments without the risk of cracking, resulting in higher durability. Not only is the screw expected to last longer and perform better, the soft core allows the use of broaching to reduce the time required to manufacture each part, ultimately saving costs and improving lead times.
Bodycote is hosting a technical webinar where it will introduce the benefits of Powder Metallurgy Supermet Fe69 and the advantages of using combi bars for screw segment manufacturing. The event will take place on May 12th at 12:00 PM Eastern time. Register to attend or to receive the recording here.
