The capsule design has been developed to reach NNS, which reduces the necessary machining of the component to a minimum. Welding during final assembly is reduced substantially to what is normal by conventional techniques. The driving force in the substitution from conventional forging to PM HIP components is based upon reduced manufacturing lead-time, design flexibility, improved quality and isotropic properties and an advantageous cost proposition for the final component. Our materials expertise and knowledge of the latest Metal forming technology provide enhanced choice for the realisation of customers' needs. The production process from the melt to the finished product takes place in three stages.
Powder is produced by inert gas atomizing.
The Powder is canned in sheet metal capsules, giving the product the desired shape. The melt that is produced in an induction furnace is tapped into an induction-heated ladle where further alloying elements can be added in a protective atmosphere. The ladle also permits stirring and temperature control of the melt throughout the process. When the melt is tapped from the bottom of the ladle it is discharged directly into the atomization chamber. The molten steel is broken up by jets of inert gas and the atomized melt solidifies into small spherical particles of high purity and low oxygen content and with a diameter less than 500 micron.