News for June 2011

News Archive

Sintered carbide added to carcinogen list

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has added cobalt-tungsten carbide in powder or hard metal form to its list of chemicals and biological agents that may put people at increased risk for cancer.

Outstanding technical award

The MPIF Technical Board has awarded a paper on high strength MIM alloy steels the 2011 MPIF Howard I Sanderow Outstanding Technical Paper Award.

Royal Metal Powders and Advantage Metal Powders ink copper distribution deal

Royal Metal Powders Inc, based in Maryville, Tennessee, USA, has appointed Advantage Metal Powders Inc., based in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, USA to distribute its copper-based powders that are produced via water and air-atomization processes.

Explosion at Hoeganaes Gallatin Facility

On Friday May 27, 2011, there was an explosion at the Hoeganaes Corporation atomized steel powder plant in Gallatin, Tennessee. Five employees were hurt in the incident, two of whom died of their injuries and a third remained in critical condition. Two other employees were slightly injured and were released from hospital the same day. The company reported that it was providing every means of comfort and support to the families.

EMC sells tungsten mine

EMC Metals Corp has sold its Fostung tungsten property, located in Foster Township, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, to Janus Resources Inc, a US-listed mineral exploration and development company focused on the acquisition and development of advanced mineral properties.

Titanium powder production on the lab scale

White Mountain Titanium Corp is researching ways of using new technology to produce titanium powder.

Rio Tinto invests US$30 million to meet growing PM demand

Rio Tinto, Fer et Titane (RTFT), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Rio Tinto Group, plans to invest US$30 million to improve efficiency and increase capacity at its metal powders plant in southern Quebec.

Ultrasonic system improves parts inspection

A Hungarian R&D centre has developed an ultrasonic technology-based system for the improved on-line inspection of P/M sintered parts.

New Chinese production base for hardmetal tools New Chinese production base for hardmetal tools

Sumitomo Electric and Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal have established Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Manufacturing (Changzhou) Co, Ltd. (SHMC) in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, as a mass production base for cemented carbide drills and sintered diamond indexable inserts.

Register for the Metal Powder Report World Buyers’ Guide!

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to add or renew your company details for the Metal Powder Report World Buyers’ Guide.

PM specialist visits New Zealand

PM expert Prof. Dr. Bernd Kieback is meeting with key organisations in New Zealand to strengthen industry and academic ties within the powder metallurgy fields in that country.

PM2012 call for papers

The organisers of PM2012 have issued a call for papers.

PM boost in Asia

According to the MPIF and the Japan Powder Metallurgy Association (JPMA), production of iron and copper-base powder metallurgy (PM) parts in Asia increased by 33% to 425,441 short tons in 2010, compared with 2009.

Lonza invests in Improved lubricant for PM

Biopharm giant Lonza, Inc. plans to invest in its microbial control plant, where the company makes lubricants for metal powder parts.

New partnership to market atomised powders

Chinese atomised powder specialist AT&M is to partner with powder materials provider Burkard Metallpulver Vertrieb GmbH (BMV) to sell and market atomised powders used in metal injection moulding (MIM), thermal spraying and rapid tooling processes.

Tungsten carbide cutter from Munson

Munson Machinery has developed a screen classifying cutter with tungsten carbide blades that reduce hard, soft and fibrous materials into controlled particle sizes at high rates with minimal fines.