Spray Form-The evolution of Particle Metallurgy (PM) steel production

Spray Form is the evolutionary new method to produce Particle Metallurgy (PM) steel.

SB Specialty Metals is introducing Spray Form tool steel and high speed steel to the United States through an exclusive  partnership with a mill partner.  Our partner recently completed  a new steel mill specifically to make Spray Form tool steel.

• The mill went on-line in 2018 and incorporates the newest German built technology. 
• Spray form steel has proven itself and is now becoming popular with companies that require premium performance from their tooling.
• SB Specialty Metals is introducing two different lines of Spray Form product
  • PSB27 is the first Spray Form Cold Work tool steel
    
  • PSB38 is the first Spray Form High Speed Steel
    

Producing Particle Metallurgy tool steel using the Spray form method is more efficient than the original     Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) method as shown below.

Conventional -vs- HIP -vs- Spray form steel making processes.

The primary differences in the steel making processes are the resulting steel structures and the production costs.

• The HIP process has five steps while the spray form process combines these five steps into one efficient step.  The reduced number of steps, along with much lower energy consumption, reduces production time and cost.
• Both the HIP and the Spray Form PM products have improved molecular structures compared to conventional forging.  The PM Products have evenly distributed and spherical carbides.  (See below)

Micrograph of carbides

 

Spray Formed micrograph, carbides are black.

HIP micrograph, Carbides are black.

Spray Form chamber circled in red.

Spray form billet in chamber

Billet coming out of Spray Form chamber.

Spray Form billet being moved in the mill.