Vacuum Metallurgy
Vacuum Metallurgy is a metalworking process used in the manufacturing of isotropic materials with improved properties. It is usually used to create high-quality products or to form components with precise mechanical properties, thereby achieving excellent performance characteristics. A combination of vacuum and metalworking results in metal components with excellent strength, clarity and surface finish.
Vacuum Metallurgy is a combination of traditional metalworking techniques and advanced materials. The process begins with a sample of metal ingot that is taken from a powder form. The sample is then placed in a vacuum chamber where a predetermined pressure is applied to the ingot. This pressure is maintained until the sample changes form, at which point the sample is then removed and placed into a special oven.
The oven is then heated up while controlled levels of clean gases are introduced. The heat and gases cause a reaction in the metal that causes it to become a uniform, consistent material - known as an isotropic material. The resulting material is a perfect fit for many high-grade applications in the medical, aerospace and defense industries.
For certain applications, additional treatments after the vacuum metallurgy process can be performed. For example, to improve strength, special alloying agents are used in combination with other non-metallic materials. The resulting alloy combines the strengths of each material to produce a superior finished product.
Heat treatment is another way to tailor the properties of a final product. Through the proper application of heat, strength and dimensional accuracy can be manipulated in the finished product. Heat can also be used to temper or increase the hardness of a material as needed.
The final step in the vacuum metallurgy process requires further refinement of the isotropic material to produce an optimal product. This final step uses advanced analytical methods and data collection to achieve the desired results. Through such processes as scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, researchers are able to measure the material’s properties and determine the optimal manufacturing process and parameters.
Vacuum Metallurgy has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing process, providing superior products with superior performance characteristics. For many industries and applications, the combination of cost-efficient production, excellent quality control and high performing components make vacuum metallurgy an invaluable strategic tool. In addition, the technology is easily scalable and can be implemented in almost any production environment.
