| System Efficiently Removes Lubricants in Delubing Zone of Continuous Belt Furnace
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (June 21, 1999)—A breakthrough technology that enhances the sintering process was introduced today by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (NYSE:APD) at the 1999 P/M2 Conference in Vancouver, Canada. The proprietary technology—marketed as Air Products' PURIFIRE® Powder Metallurgy Delubing (PMD) Atmosphere System—keeps a continuous, preset moisture level in the preheat zone of a continuous belt furnace during processing, thereby establishing a more efficient process for removing lubricant vapors from the surface of parts, as well as furnace components.
When a sintering atmosphere is very dry and the combustibles are low—as is the case with most nitrogen-based atmospheres—it becomes extremely difficult to remove lubricant vapors from the preheat zone. If these vapors are not removed, they form hard deposits on the muffle lining which in turn creates problems for the part producer, including severe belt wear; possible tearing of the mesh belt; and degradation of the furnace components.
Air Products' new PURIFIRE PMD System has been specially designed to break down deposits and remove them from the furnace as gaseous products. This is accomplished by adding an oxidant to the furnace—via a proprietary gas diffuser—and allowing the furnace operator to adjust the level as needed. Air Products provides the gas blending equipment to produce the delubricating atmosphere, as well as the design, engineering and technical know-how to manufacture and place the proprietary gas diffuser.
Commenting on the technology's direct benefits, Bruce E. Snyder, marketing manager, Metals, in Air Products' General Industries Group, said, "This system represents a significant improvement over standard sintering atmospheres because it helps to establish uniformly humidified conditions in the preheat zone. This, in turn, enables the furnace to quickly and more efficiently delube the powder metal compact, thereby increasing production. In addition, lubricant is removed earlier in the process and accordingly, less soot is formed."
Mr. Snyder noted that throughout the U.S., there are approximately 2,000 continuous belt furnaces which would be amenable to conversion to Air Products' PURIFIRE PMD System. "Now, with the PURIFIRE PMD technology, we can offer an alternative that is significantly more cost-effective than rapid burn off units," he said.
For over 50 years, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. has been helping metals processors reduce costs, increase productivity and improve product quality through innovative industrial gas supply and applications technology. The company is also an international supplier of industrial gases, chemicals and related technology to a host of other industries. With corporate headquarters in eastern Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, near Allentown, Air Products has operations in over 30 countries, 17,000 employees around the globe, and sales of $5 billion. |
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