Blazing heat asks for solid components: PLANSEE at the Thermprocess show in Düsseldorf

Refractory metals such as molybdenum and tungsten can increase the lifetime of furnace components significantly. They hold up to highest temperatures (2400 ° C / 4350°F) and are exceptionally suited for the use in vacuum and protective gas atmospheres. Their low vapor pressures allow ultra-high vacuum and carbon free environment. Molybdenum and tungsten have a very low heat capacity and thermal expansion and can be heated and cooled quickly with reduced energy consumption and minimal distortion. At the Thermprocess 2011 PLANSEE High Performance Materials will present its customized components made of molybdenum, tungsten and their alloys.

PLANSEE is the leading producer of refractory metals and engineered components for the thermal processing industry. A good number of engineers devote themselves to develop solutions for demanding high temperature and coating equipment every day. They are experts in refractory metals and know exactly which factors need to be considered in order to optimize functionality. PLANSEE customizes each product to the special demands of the customer. The product portfolio covers complete hot zones, charge carriers, sintering boats, shielding and other components for new equipment as well as for rebuilds and upgrades of existing furnaces.

At the Thermprocess 2011 in Düsseldorf the PLANSEE furnace team will present innovative concepts including materials and furnace components for new applications such as sapphire crystal growing:

TZM and ML: High strength and dimensional stability for a longer service time.

By means of powder metallurgy PLANSEE combines the advantageous properties of refractory metals with the technology of particle enforcement. PLANSEE’s high performance alloys TZM (Titanium and Zirconium doped Molybdenum) and ML (Lanthanum-Oxide doped Molybdenum) offer considerably higher creep strength and enhanced ductility compared to pure Molybdenum. In particular ML can be machined even after high temperature use, e.g. drilling for repair work. Also mechanical cleaning and sand blasting for maintenance purpose can be applied with less risk of part damage.

Crucibles for sapphire crystal growing.

Due to their outstanding high temperature strength, purity, stability and excellent wear resistance tungsten and molybdenum are ideally suited for sapphire crystal growing equipment. Besides furnace parts such as heaters and shielding, PLANSEE delivers melting crucibles in pressed-sintered quality or as formed parts with 100% density. With state-of-the-art production technology PLANSEE is able to produce high volumes of crucibles efficiently in serial production up to very large dimensions.

Meet the PLANSEE team at the Thermprocess, June 28-July 2, Exhibition Centre Düsseldorf, Germany in Hall 9 / Booth no. 9F09.