Science Update - W Abrasives

page 60Science UpdateAtomization On Demand Or HowTo Fine Tune Steel ParticlesBreak-through technologies for aninnovative serviceWorld leader in metallic abrasivesWheelabrator Allevard (WA) proposesits new service: Atomization OnDemand (AOD). Based on a recognizedknow-how and break-throughproduction techniques issued from thelatest researches, this innovative servicebrings to the customer an environmental-friendlyand cost-efficient supplysolution for high quality steel particles.It allows to propose specific productswith customized properties, respondingto the most specific and unmetcustomers needs in terms of chemicalcomposition, size distribution, shapeand density...In other words the era of fine tuned steelparticles has arrived!The processIn its cutting-edge research centres,WA constantly develops innovativeproduction techniques. Combined withits 50 years experience in steel particlesprocessing, WA wishes through thisservice to bring to the customers itslatest developments and its expertiseto jointly develop the most suitable andthe more economical solution.The AOD offer is based on an existingnetwork of production plants andresearch centres worldwide. Nevertheless,a dedicated medium-scale plantbased in particular on a dual atomizationtechnology has been developed byWA research teams in order to meetthe most specific requests. This breakthroughatomization process allows toobtain specific qualities of the metallicparticles by joining the cost-efficiency ofwater atomization with the high qualityof rotary atomized particles, especiallyin terms of roundness and density.Particles obtained after atomizationcan eventually be crushed to generateangular particles if required by the finalapplication.Furthermore, the products can be heattreated (under standard or inert atmosphere)to adjust their microstructureand hardness thus obtaining adequateproperties for each need.Size distribution can be fine-tuned withspecial sieving equipment. Optimalshape is obtained through adapted atomizationconditions, separation toolsor conditioning. This last treatment canalso be used to convey other propertiesespecially a very high level of surfacecleanliness (absence of oxidation, shinyaspect) as well as a high mechanicalresistance.To guarantee to the customer a fullydedicated product without any riskof contamination, WA has pushed theprecautionary principle to its limits:first of all by not using any hazardoussubstances in its processes but also bya deliberate equipment design and operatingstrategies aiming at suppressingcross-contamination between differentproduct types.The advantages in comparison to thetraditional offerUnlike the traditional standard productionwhich proposes standard qualityproducts, the AOD service has beendeveloped to quickly respond to veryspecific and unmet needs of customers.Dedicated production units canproduce specific batches of particlesfrom about 100 μm to 10 mm, withina wide range of alloyed steel and ironcompositions. WA can provide test orregular production batches from a fewhundred kilograms to hundreds oftons, with the possibility to upscale tothousands.Customers can count on the confidentialaspect of the process. Close cooperationwith potential partners starts at thevery beginning, and the respect of confidentialityand careful understandingof customers needs, guarantee a trulycustomized solution.One of the atomizing systems of AOD offerThe cost-efficient production processesenable WA partners to develop newtechnologies which were not accessiblebefore due to product cost limitations.For instance, AOD can provide millimetricsteel balls with a far lowerVol. 12 March Issue

Science Updatepage 61Heat transfer particlesHigh-Chromium grit for specificblasting operationsTool steel particles for hard-facingcost than forged balls produced in thebearing industry.More than just a standard supplier, WAwishes to provide added-value to itscustomers by bringing both customizedand cost-efficient solutions.The applicationsThe idea of customization can be observedwithin the scope of WA's traditionalcore business.WA is well known for its standardproduct range for typical blasting applicationssuch as desanding, descaling,surface preparation, shot peeningor stone cutting. A premium steelabrasives range dedicated to theseapplications comes on top of the standardrange, developed to meet specificneeds of each application. WA can goeven further in the optimization of theblasting and cutting media by offeringindividual solutions.SummaryThe customers who will develop theAOD reflex, such as proposed by WA,will be satisfied to find both a partnerand a committed supplier with an outof the standard product, finely tunedfor their needs. They will be able to relyon world leader’s quality, flexibilityand reactivity. Cost efficiency and optimisationanswer to the ever growingcustomers demand to get the best valuefor their money.To go further in this customized approach,WA continues to invest incutting-edge production equipment.One of the major steps for the year 2011will be toward the production of evenfiner particles with the launch of a newindustrial line, based on a proprietarytechnology and able to produce perfectlyspherical particles from 40 to 100 μm.As AOD can fulfil requirements ofcountless domains which need highquality engineered steel particles,imagination seems to be the only limit...For information:Joan SamuelWheelabrator Allevard528 Avenue de Savoie, BP n°338570 Le Cheylas, FranceTel. +33.4.76.92.91.57Fax +33.4.76.92.92.49E-mail: Joan.samuel@wheelabratorallevard.comwww.wheelabratorallevard.comOut of these traditional applications,there are practically no limits to theapplications of tailored steel particles.They can be used in many industrialfields, for instance as iron-based reactivesfor chemical or environmentalapplications, as precise alloying elementsfor the steel and metallurgicalindustries, as well as specific weldingpowders, metallic coating particles, heattransfer particles, non-toxic substitutesto lead ammunition, vibratory finishingsteel media and much more…Inert atmosphere heat treating of steel balls