Example of production dimensions
Noto Alloy can produce long and large workpieces made of cemented carbide, which only a few companies in Japan can achieve. The dimensions of □350×100, □70×1000, Φ500×100 and Φ100×1000 are production examples only. There are some materials for which processing is not possible. Prior to providing a quotation, consultation regarding the workpiece shapes is held based on the drawings.
Production Flow
Cemented carbide is used in various fields and is one of the indispensable materials of industry.
In our cemented carbide production department, we produce high-quality cemented carbide through an integrated production process from mixing to sintering, using carefully selected raw material powders.
For Mold Tools
Cemented carbide is used as a material for precision dies such as dies and punches used in die forging to manufacture various parts in the automotive and machinery industries, and in the assembly process of semiconductors, which are the basis of the electronics industry. We provide high-quality, high-strength materials by selecting optimum materials for the usage purpose.
For Cutting Tools
We manufacture a variety of cutting blades according to the material to be processed. They are used for cutting multi-layer capacitors used in PCs, smart phones, digital cameras and LCD TVs, and for cutting rare earth magnets, as well as the cutting processes of various products including cardboard, paper diapers and banknotes.
For mine earthwork
Cemented carbide is used at the tip of the drilling section of construction equipment (boring machines, shield machines, etc.) used for geological surveys and tunnel excavation in foundation and water well construction and mines, etc. As the required characteristics vary depending on the soil type, we provide tools suited for each purpose.
Molds are a key technology that support all industries.
Our precision machining department consists of a high-quality environment and facilities, and we use our unique know-how and advanced expertise to provide precision products.
Cold Forging Dies
These tools are used to pressurize materials at room temperature and form them into the target shapes.
Since cold forging is highly precise and the works are sometimes used as finished products directly after forming, the quality of the tools is extremely important.
Applications
Automobile engine parts, transmission parts, suspension parts, etc.
Press Dies
These are used to form complex shapes by combining bending, drawing, drilling, and cutting processes using plate materials such as steel plates.
Applications
Automobile parts such as clutch parts, seat parts, bodies, home appliances, stoves, PC frames, beverage cans, etc.
Powder Forming Molds
These are tools used to feed metal powder as a material into a mold of a target shape, which is then pressed into a product shape. Also called "powder metallurgy", this process is characterized by minimal material loss.
Applications
Automobile pump parts, clutch parts, high magnetic force magnets, medicine tablets, etc.
TS Treatment
To extend and stabilize the life of cemented carbide tools, it is extremely important to improve the characteristic values of the tool material. However, there are generally trade-offs regarding the properties of each material, and it has been technically difficult to improve all the properties.
Together with our partner companies, we conducted research and development into a special treatment that fundamentally strengthens cemented carbides, resulting in the development of TS treatment (Patent No. 5152770).
TS treatment improves various mechanical properties when compared to untreated materials and extends and stabilizes tool life without changing the material of your tools.
The treatment can be applied to any material with a Co (cobalt) binder phase, as long as the material is among those specified by our company.
Strengthening Mechanism
The properties can be improved by changing the crystal structure and binder phase solid-solution strengthening technology, which have been under study by us for a long time.
Characteristic Value Improvement Effect
The TS treatment improves deflective strength and fracture toughness as shown in the figures below. Since fatigue strength is also improved, a reduction in tool life variability can be expected.
In addition, the frictional property of soft metals (such as copper and aluminum), which are prone to adhesion, are improved, making them less prone to adhesion.
Precautions
When performing TS treatment, please note the following.
CVD Coating
We coat forming tools made from cemented carbide alloy etc. with a multi-layer thin film (from the cemented carbide side TiC→TiCN→TiN) by means of chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The film thickness is 7μm (±2μm). Coated forming tools improve abrasion, corrosion and seizure resistance, resulting in improved product quality and a dramatic increase in tool life by a factor of five to several tens of times.
HIP (Hot Isostatic Pressing)
Although cemented carbide had been said to be a material that tends to retain pinholes, advances in manufacturing technology have made it possible to have almost no pinholes. Despite this, there are cases in which a small number of pinholes can cause early breakage of cemented carbide tools. Therefore, in order to provide defect-free cemented carbide, we perform low-pressure HIP treatment on all our products. We also perform high-pressure HIP for ultrafine particle alloys and materials with less than 10% binder content.
HIP is a technology in which inert gas is compressed and heated to apply high temperature and high pressure to cemented carbide to crush even the smallest internal pinholes. This effect removes microdefects and strengthens the bonding force between the hard particles and the metal binder, thereby increasing strength.
