Page 42 - MetalForming August 2013

Tooling Technology
In heattreated alloy steels, vanadium provides temper resistance, resulting in high strength/hardness and toughness and excellent thermal properties. Steels of this type find use in a variety of forming and cutting tools and dies.
Growth in vanadium demand is set to continue through 2013 and beyond, according to a report from Roskill Information Services titled, Vanadi- um: Global Industry Markets and Out- look (13th Edition). China and South Africa, the two largest vanadium sup- pliers, have historically been unstable in their supply of the metal, and its increased use in projects across devel- oping countries should continue to stress supply.
Chromium also is experiencing sup- ply difficulties. Stainless steels contain a little more than 15 percent chromium, which is what hardens and toughens the steel and increases its corrosion resistance, especially at high tempera- tures. Chromium also is a key component
in tooling materi-
al, and it can
be difficult to
source. The only
domestic sup-
ply source of this
critical element
comes from the
recycling of stain-
less-steel scrap, with
its production largely con-
fined to the Eastern Hemisphere.
Because the United States has small chromium resources, there has been concern about domestic supply during every national military emergency since World War I, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In recognition of the vulnerability of lengthy supply routes during military emergencies, chromium (in various forms, including chromite ore, chromium ferroalloys, and chromium metal) has been held in the National Defense Stockpile since before World War II. Since 1991, how- ever, changes in national security con- siderations have resulted in reduced stockpile goals, and inventories are being sold. At the current rate, it is esti- mated that these stockpiles will be exhausted by 2015. In 2009, recycled chromium from stainless-steel scrap accounted for 61 percent of U.S. chromium apparent consumption, making recycled material the only domestic commercial supply source.
“These materials can be subject to the whims of governments and coun- tries, and as a result we can see short- ages and huge price rises,” says Bell. “We can lessen our dependency by using high-performance coatings that extend tool life and allow the reuse of tooling.”
Chrome-Plating
for New Auto Needs
Primarily serving automotive cus- tomers, Teikuro Corp., Springfield, OH, chrome-plates dies using proprietary processes and equipment, and offers other hard-coating processes to fit a range of stamping-tool needs.
The chrome-plating of tools not only minimizes wear and galling, but also
A tooling block has undergone the ther- mo-reactive diffusion (TRD) coating process at Teikuro Corp., one of several processes available from the company, which primarily serves the automotive industry.
inhibits corrosion, eases cleaning and reduces friction. Teikuro often can turn around chrome-plating jobs within two days—a critical advantage in the fast- paced high-volume automotive arena. When we talked, the company was entering the busy summer-shutdown period, when OEMs and top tiers install new lines or extensively refurbish exist- ing lines and dies.
“OEMs are trying to get the most they can from current tooling without spending more until new programs are introduced,” says Michael Hamell, Teikuro vice president of sales and mar- keting. “We are seeing as-needed replating work on existing tooling as well as new tooling programs.”
The company provides another process, thermo-reactive diffusion ( TRD) coating, and employs a num- ber of lines in Springfield for that process.
Forming Aluminum Requires New Coating Considerations
A notable shift to aluminum sub- strate in the automotive industry brings increased use of another Teikuro-supplied process—Diamond- Like Carbon with Silicon (DLC-Si). For example, Ford is expected to roll out its next-generation F-150 pickups in 2015, reportedly featuring aluminum for the entire cab—including body- in-white and closure panels—and the
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