Project: Novel methods of heat treatment and thermo-mechanical treatment of tools and machine parts

Research into up-to-date methods of heat treatment and chemical-thermal treatment of tools and machine parts is intensively pursued in all industrial developed countries. This is due to the ever-increasing demand for technical solutions providing longer life of or greater permitted loads on tools and machine parts._x000D__x000D_The principal objective of this project is to develop and test in practice new heat treatment and chemical-thermal treatment technologies for tools and machine parts. Such treatments will improve the wear resistance of the components while COtaining their good toughness and resistance to fatigue. Various processing procedures will be tried on experimental specimens. The resulting properties of materials will be examined by means of both destructive and non-destructive analytical methods. Those processing methods which yield best results will be used for treatment of selected tools and parts. The treated tools and parts will be tested in service. The life of the tools and parts determined by means of such tests is expected to be markedly longer than that of conventionally treated ones. The results achieved will be summarized at the final stage of the project. General technical guidelines will be drafted on the use of advanced heat treatment and chemical-thermal treatment processes in industry._x000D__x000D_A secondary objective of the project is to elaborate a methodology for prediction of the course of the wear process on tools and machine parts. The prediction will rely on finite element method-based simulation and on physical modelling of service loads acting on small specimens. Results of this task will make it possible to derive better estimates concerning the lifetime of tools and machine parts in some industrial operations._x000D__x000D_Development and optimization of heat treatment processes involving cryogenic cooling of materials down to the temperature of liquid nitrogen will be part of the project. In recent years, a number of research laboratories (see below) has been involved in intensive investigation of this technology. Its practical usage is still limited by insufficient knowledge of the hardening processes taking place during cryogenic treatment._x000D__x000D_The project applicants conducted preliminary experiments in this field. Their results show that in some cases, cryogenic treatment may extend the lifetime of parts by tens of per cent. This has been found, for instance, in forming tools. _x000D__x000D_[1] P. F. Stratton, „Process Optimisation for Deep Cold Treatment of Tool Steels“, 1st International Conference on Heat Treatment and Surface Engineering of Tools and Dies, Pula, Croatia, 8-11 June 2005, ISBN 953-96459-8-0_x000D__x000D_[2] N.I. Kobasko, „Steel Superstrenghtening Phenomenon“, International Journal of Materials and Product Technology, Vol. 24, No. 1-4, 2005, pp. 361-374, ISSN: 0268-1900_x000D__x000D_[3] Zbigniew Latas, Aleksander Ciski, Pavel Šuchmann, „Cryogenic Treatment and Combination of Nitriding and Cryogenic Treatment of Hot Forging Tools”, 4th IASME / WSEAS International Conference on HEAT TRANSFER, THERMAL ENGINEERING and ENVIRONMENT, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Crete Island, Greece, August 21-23, 2006_x000D__x000D_[4] P. Šuchmann, Z. Latas, A. Ciski, G. Gráf, „Kryogenische Behandlung als Verfahren zur Erhöhung der Standzeit von Schmiedegesenken“, 13. SFU / 2. ICAFT, 13th -15th Nov 2006, Chemnitz, ISBN: 3-937524-45-2_x000D_

Acronym	TECTECH (Reference Number: 4261)
Duration	01/07/2008 - 30/06/2011
Project Topic	The aim of the project is development and testing of new technologies of heat and thermo-chemical treatment of tools and machine parts for a significant enhancing their wear resistance. The high toughness and fatique strength will reCO unchanged.
Project Results (after finalisation)	The greatest benefit from the project is the obtained know-how in the cryogenic treatment of tool steels and modern methods of thermochemical processing, including cryogenic cooling. These processes we could check on instruments, which are then tested in the real operation. The results have led in most cases to confirmation of the findings obtained in laboratory tests and in addition we have gained important references in the processing tools. For new ways of processing tools were put together specific technological procedures. The application of these procedures leads to increased tool life by 30 to 80% compared with the state before the start of the project.
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 1

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
3	COMTES FHT s.r.o.	Partner	Czech Republic
3	Institute of Precision Mechanics	Partner	Poland
3	PILSEN-TOOLS Group s.r.o.	Coordinator	Czech Republic