Forging Capabilities of Niobium
The bar and billet forging process is an advanced manufacturing method that not only enhances efficiency but also reduces material waste, making it especially suitable for expensive materials. Elmet Technologies utilizes cutting-edge rotary forging technology to explore the forging capabilities of niobium.
As a fully integrated supplier, Elmet Technologies can take your project from Western material procurement, through billet preparation and forging, to final processing. Reach out to our expert customer service team to learn more.
Precision Forging Capabilities
Elmet produces a wide variety of sizes from a wide spectrum of materials. We can minimize end effects and outside diameter losses, enabling us to consistently deliver high-quality products to our customers.
The forging process aims to create precision-forged bar and billet products to lower machining costs and minimize scrap rates. It allows for the use of less material, which directly lowers waste and often removes the need for extensive machining.
Products produced in this manner additionally have excellent strength at elevated temperatures and exhibit outstanding fabrication and machining characteristics.
Rotary Forge Capabilities
GEOMETRY
We excel in crafting stepped and tapered products, with their shapes determined by the available tooling and the workpiece’s properties at the target forging temperature. Custom tooling can be created to meet specific application needs and requirements.
LENGTH
The automatic unloading process allows for a maximum forged length of 6.25 meters (20.5 feet). If necessary, longer lengths can be manually extended to 6.85 meters (22.5 feet). Note that the maximum lengths are subject to the type of material and specific temperature needs.
FURNACE
Our state-of-the-art gas-fired furnace, with dimensions of 36 inches in width, 36 inches in height, and 10 feet in depth. This powerful furnace is designed to handle extreme temperatures, maintaining a consistent heat range from 1500 °F to 3000 °F.
Advantages of Rotary Forging
- 100% repeatability of the forging process with full CNC control
- Superior resultant material properties (strength & microstructure)
- Close tolerances and superior surface finish reduce yield lost to machining
- Effective temperature control allows manufacturers to forge long bars within specific narrow temperature ranges.
- Data acquisition is being taken every second (force, speed, temperature)
- Extensive knowledge in the processing and metallurgy of a wide spectrum of materials and alloys.
- Experienced and responsive workforce
- Quick turnaround time
Forging Capabilities of Billets
Niobium is crucial in the defense industry, specifically for creating heat-resistant superalloys necessary for hypersonic missiles and the aerospace sector.
Elmet’s forging capabilities of niobium lead to products of unmatched quality and reliability. Military and defense contractors rely on Elmet Technologies’ expertise in manufacturing products requiring the unique material properties of niobium and other high-quality metals.
Forging Capabilities of Bars and Rods
Elmet produces bars and rods from a range of refractory metals and alloys, offering corrosion resistance, superior mechanical strength, and heat resistance for the most demanding use cases.
We manufacture our bars and rods using two main consolidation methods: vacuum arc-melting and powder metallurgy (PM). They provide a broad range of material options that satisfy any application requirements. Bar and rod products produced in this manner have excellent strength at elevated temperatures and exhibit outstanding fabrication and machining characteristics.
