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Exacta Precision is a leader in the area of advanced treatments for punches and dies. We were the first company to offer plasma ionitride in North America, the first to advocate cryogenic treatment, and now offer a full range of modern physical vapor deposition (P.V.D.) treatments. We are one of the very few companies who perform all of these treatments in-house . Our heat treatment division, Exactatherm, is recognized to be a leader in the field of vacuum heat treatment and advanced surface treatments.
IONITRIDE
Ionitriding is a vacuum diffusion process which increases the hardness of the surface of Punches and lowers the coefficient of friction, making it a cost efficient method of increasing wear life of Punches and at the same time lowering the stripping pressure in stamping and extrusion operations. The process temperature is between 900 / 950 deg F. and the hardness on the surface is not as a result of an external layer but of hardness built up under the surface by a metallurgical reaction between Nitrogen and the tool steel, because of this the hardened layer cannot flake off.
TITANIUM NITRIDE
The original P.V.D. coating with its typical gold coloration. The Ti N layer is usually 2-3 microns thick and is very hard (Equivalent to Rc 80/82), and gives excellent wear and galling resistance in light to medium stamping operations. The core hardness of M2 is unaffected by this process but the core hardness of air hardening steels (A2 & D2) typically will drop 2 to 3 points to (Rc57/59).
TITANIUM CARBO-NITRIDE
Ti CN can exist over a range of compositions and the coloration can vary from bronze, through pink to gray. This coating is usually 2-5 microns thick, with an equivalent hardness of Rc 86/90 and is extremely abrasion resistant. An excellent choice when stamping abrasive high tensile strength materials. The temperature of application is the same as for Ti N (600 deg F / 850 deg F) and as such does not effect the core hardness of M2, but will drop A2 and D2 by 2 to 3 points (Rc57/59).
CHROMIUM NITRIDE
Metallic silver in colour, with an equivalent of Rc76/80, CrN can be deposited thicker than TiN or TiCN and still have excellent adhesion. Usually the first choice for extrusion and piercing of heavier gauge materials, its galling resistance is excellent.
CRYOGENIC TREATMENT
This treatment can be applied to all tool steels including M2, A2 and D2, but is also successful on 0-1, S-7 and 52/100. This is not a surface treatment, but a process that affects the whole tool. By taking the tool down to -320 deg F the microstructure of the steel is modified and homogenised. This results in a tougher steel (less chipping), increase in wear resistance, and will hold long term dimensional tolerances better than any other treatment. The external appearance is unchanged. A must for close tolerance, heavily loaded tooling such as fine - blanking. Can be used in conjunction with any of the other surface treatments.
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