For accurate forecasting and planning, it helps to understand the
movement of key industry indices. The graphs below were compiled by Air Products
economists to illustrate three-year trends for utility and metals pricing as well as industrial
production. We'll continue to keep you updated once a quarter.
Industrial Production Indexes
Source: US Federal Reserve Bank Board of Governors
Click here to view the graph.
Utility Pricing Metrics
Source: Inside F.E.R.C., Bureau of Labor Statistics
Click here to view the graph.
Steel Prices
Source: Market Pricing
Click here to view the graph.
Key Metals Prices
Source: London Metals Exchange
Click here to view the graph.
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Air Products' expertise can help you improve upon the traditional process of "fire-refining" of
scrap-derived copper melts in what would traditionally be large reverberatory furnaces. The
technology, which takes copper scrap and melts it into refined copper, can save time
and money while producing a superior-quality product.
To find out how, read more about this technology.
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When building its new facility, MMS Thermal Processing wanted to offer customers solutions
to manufacturing problems resulting from conventional heat treating methods. To do this,
MMS turned to Surface Combustion, Inc. and Air Products to design, build and
deliver an innovative heat treating and atmosphere system that would be truly state-of-the-art.
Together, they recommended a novel vacuum carburizing technology and atmosphere system,
which includes the use of cyclohexane as the carbon source.
Surface Combustion's new multichamber vacuum carburizing system uses stable, cost-effective
and readily available cyclohexane as the amazingly clean and efficient carburizer. When paired
with Air Products' custom nitrogen delivery system, which is capable of delivering gas at
several different pressure levels, the result is superior heat treated parts for MMS' customers.
MMS also intends to partner with its customers to help reduce the overall manufacturing
costs of their products.
Learn more about these "good carbz" by reading the full story.
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Industrial gases are widely used in the metals industry. Considering the high pressures
and temperatures used during heating and processing, safety is crucial. So it's imperative that
companies educate their employees on proper procedures and protocols when managing
gases in industrial applications.
Air Products is committed to your safety. We can assist managers in educating their employees
on proper actions and safeguards through educational materials such as websites, brochures,
videos and on-site training classes at your facility. In addition, Material Safety Data Sheets are
available for download at www.airproducts.com/msds.
Visit www.airproducts.com/responsibility/EHS
or call 800-654-4567, code 477 for more information.
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>
If you work with hard-to-machine materials and have wondered if using a Hardinge
Super-Precision® QUEST® Lathe with Air Products' ICEFLY® machining technology can
increase productivity and extend tooling life, here's an ideal chance to find out.
Air Products has installed a QUEST Lathe with ICEFLY technology at our headquarters, and
we're offering to machine-test parts for prospective customers.
ICEFLY machining technology's ability to offset the extreme temperatures normally generated
during the cutting of hard-to-machine materials allows manufacturers to effectively hard-turn parts
that they might have needed to grind in the past. ICEFLY machining technology allows for precise
cutting at rates of up to 200 percent faster, and it can increase tool life by up to 250 percent.
Schedule a test of your products at our lab by calling us at 800-654-4567, code 477.
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Greg Ambrogi
Principal Applications Specialist
Q:
How can I reduce my gas consumption for molten metal blanketing?
A:
By reducing the oxygen content above the induction furnace, inert gases—typically argon—have proven
benefits for blanketing molten metal, including higher yields, lower alloy fading, decreased nonmetallic
inclusions, reduced casting porosity, lower casting rework and rejects, and increased refractory
lifetime. However, inert gas costs can impact your bottom line.
Air Products' patented swirl cone technology delivers all the benefits while using up to 50% less
argon. To learn more on how this technology can improve your operation, read Greg's full answer.
Visit www.airproducts.com/mmb3
or call 800-654-4567, code 477.
Past "Ask the Expert" questions, answers and videos can be viewed online.
Visit www.airproducts.com/MetalsAskTheExperts.
Have a question for us?
Send it to gigmrktg@airproducts.com.
Each quarter we'll select the most challenging question to win a $100 gift certificate.
Congratulations to last quarter's winner, André Schedin from NV Bekaert SA in Belgium.
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Our representatives will be at the following events. We hope to see you there to discuss your metal processing needs.
- PowderMet 2007
May 13–16, 2007
Denver, Colorado
- International Thermal Spray Conference 2007
May 14–16, 2007
Beijing, China
- EASTEC 2007
May 22-24, 2007
West Springfield, Massachusetts
- Heat Treating Atmosphere & Quench Systems—Best Practices Seminar
May 22, 2007, Atlanta, Georgia
August 28, 2007, South Bend, Indiana
November 13, 2007, Long Beach, California
Call 888-530-6714 for details.
- ASM Heat Treating Society Conference and Expo
September 17–19, 2007
Detroit, Michigan
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Eric Will
Eric Will, Applications Engineer with Air Products' Metals Processing Group, has always been
fascinated with mechanical things—especially those with four wheels and a Porsche emblem on the
hood. "I've had an interest in cars since day one, which came from my father and his brothers," he says.
"Now I'm a mechanical engineer—and I know my interest in cars got me into the field."
Eric says his engineering background allows him to help customers with their processing
down the manufacturing line as things are built into bigger and bigger parts. "I'm enamored
with the design of what's being produced in addition to what it's made out of and how it's
processed," says the 13-year metals industry veteran.
That includes work in the aerospace, structural metals and medical industries, among others.
"Any process that requires metal and high strength—I've been there," he says. "Seeing new
technology implemented at a customer location is especially enjoyable. Helping them
come up to speed and seeing them transform—that's what makes my job exciting on a day-to-day basis."
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You can request more information or any
of the documents referenced in this issue by calling us at 800-654-4567,
code 477, or by sending an email to gigmrktg@airproducts.com.
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