Vulcan Metal Group, LLC

Review material originator, supplier & customer responsibilities as refractory & specialty metals move through the supply chain.

#ReduceWaste and #EnergyUsage when #Specifing and #CNCMachining #RefractoryandSpecialtyMetals. These #Pure and #AlloyMetals contribute Corporate #SustainabilityGoals

Ken Schafer joins @VulcanMetalGroup, a supplier of #refractory and #SpecialtyMetals and #PrecisionMachiningServices, as its new #OperationsManager.

The use of Refractory and specialty metals is projected to increase exponentially as innovation and demand for electronics, medical devices, and mil-aero products increase. Because of their inherent properties (high-temperature resistance, low expansion, hardness and corrosion resistance, and good electrical and thermal conductivity), the benefit of using these pure and alloy materials can align with purchasers’ corporate sustainability targets and practices. Here, we review a few examples of how refractory and specialty metals contribute to sustainability in manufacturing. Insulation Properties: Heat loss and temperature control are improved when using refractory materials. Tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, and rhenium are examples of materials that reduce heat transfer when used specifically to manufacture furnaces and kilns.   Low Energy Coefficient: A low thermal mass is another inherent property of refractory metals. Since they require less energy for start-up and shut-down cycles, they in turn reduce energy consumption.   Cleaner Combustion: The oxides in refractory metals promote efficient combustion and reduce carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) greenhouse gas emissions.   Less Machining Waste: The advances in CNC program refinement can have a significant impact on reducing exotic material waste. Adaptive controls, sensors, and feedback mechanisms within the CNC machine adjust the machining parameters instantly, adjusting cutting conditions in real time to increase precision. Using high-end cutting tools that maintain their sharpness with high-quality, heat-resistant, and environmentally friendly lubricants reduces chipping material waste and energy efficiency, contributing to good sustainability practices.   Circular Economic Opportunity, aka Recycling:  There are recycling opportunities at various stages of the refractory and specialty metal production cycles. Starting with bi-products from preparing new raw materials to the renewal of used products, there is a market and financial opportunity for smart disposal of refractory and specialty metals. These unwanted materials become valuable in new applications and become part of the circular economy. Successfully recycling also eliminates costly disposal fees. Durable, Long-lasting, Heat, and Harsh Environment Tolerant: Using the most durable materials that are resistant to extreme temperatures and other harsh conditions extends products’ operational lifespans. Thus, components made from refractory and specialty materials are helping manufacturers and end-users reduce waste, saving valuable resources over time.  Vulcan Metal Group values working smarter. We employ practices that reduce waste and energy consumption to maximize sustainability best practices. Reach out to us today for a quote or more information about our sustainability policy. 

You're invited to follow Vulcan Metal Group's updated LinkedIn page. We'll be posting about industry best practices, insights, and historical fun facts related to Specialty and Refractory Metals usage and machining. Hope to see you there!

How are you today? Vulcan Metal Group wants to share our knowledge and insights related to refractory and specialty metals with you. We'll cover applications, best practices, and machining techniques that will improve your end products. If you want to stay up-to-date with us, follow our Page!

Vegetable-based machining lubricants are a renewable and pollution-free alternative to conventional machining oils. Their lubricating properties stand up to friction and high temperatures and they outperform mineral oils because they are stable, food-grade, and fully compatible with human skin. Vegetable-based machining oils are well-suited for machining implanted medical devices from supplied specialty and refractory metals. Furthermore, tight tolerances can be achieved when combined with the use of high-end carbide tools. #StainlessSteel, #Titanium, #HyMu, #NickelAlloy, #SpecialtyMetals, #PureMetals, #SpecialtyAlloys, #RefractoryMetals,#PrecisionCNCMachining

Have you read about the new class of refractory high or medium entropy alloys (RHEAs/RMEAs) metals, composed of niobium, tantalum, titanium, and hafnium? Key Takeaways -Unlike most materials, the new alloy keeps its shape and resists cracking at both high and low temperature extremes, making it potentially suitable for demanding applications like high-efficiency aerospace engines. -This alloy is one of the toughest materials on record, with a resistance to cracking on-par with cryogenic steels. -Microscopy reveals that a type of defect in the material’s structure historically thought to promote fracture in reality does the opposite and is responsible for its high toughness.

3rd time's a charm when verifying #SpecialtyMetals materials From material originator, to suppler, to the product manufacturer--testing and inspection should take place each time the material shipment reaches its new destination. Implementing quality processes are essential. See Vulcan Metal Group's commitment to quality and inspection here: https://lnkd.in/e8qFiV9X

Things to Know About #Molybdenum For a number of applications in aerospace, defense, energy, and medical diagnostics, molybdenum offers an ideal combination of high performance and practicality. 1. If molybdenum is heated above its recrystallization temperature of 1850°F (1010°C), whether by the processor or during use, the grain boundaries reform, grain orientation randomizes, and the material will become highly brittle if returned to temperature.  2. Machining molybdenum might require 20 stops. Comparatively, machining a piece of aluminum might require three stops for sharpening. And if the machinist doesn’t recognize when the tool is getting dull, the result can be a chipped part, a broken tool, or both.   3. Source for molybdenum from a material supplier that also has specialized equipment and expert in-house staff with a track record of machining molybdenum. They need to be certified to relevant quality management systems such as AS9100 for aerospace applications. You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/eKwz9hFV