Saturday, May 26, 2012
MagnaTech Awarded Patent
The United States Patent Office has just awarded United States Patent 8,182,617B2, "Nitrogen Alloyed Stainless Steel and Process" to Magna-Tech P/M Labs. The patent resulted from work completed on a Phase I study for NAVAIR Contract Number N88335-190-C-0141. In additition to the awarded patent, Magna-Tech has patents pending on processes to carburize and nitride martensitic stainless steels. Magna-Tech welcomes discussions with interested parties regarding the content of these patents. The developed processes decrease carburizing or nitriding time more than half.
Magna-Tech currently is in the fifth month of a Phase II NAVAIR contract to scale up the carburizing process to serve as a surface providing improved wearability and corrosion resistance for applications such as hookpoints.
In addition to the above, Magna-Tech intends to propose new research designed to develop higher energy product permanent magnets at lower cost to the Department of Energy. These new alloys are designed from powders, using technology that Magna-Tech has patented. Magna-Tech is also exploring opportunities to the Defense Logistics Agency to broaden the applications that could benefit from the new carburizing and nitriding technology that has been developed and continues to be developed.
Please contact Ken Moyer at 856-786-9061 or moyer@snip.net to learn more about these Magna-Tech innovations.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
MagnaTech Completes Three Months of Research on Phase II Contract
MagnaTech has just completed its third month of effort to scale up a carburization process that they have developed to carburize parts to a depth of 1 mm (0.040 inches),to a hardness of > 60 HRC in less than 4 hours. This coming month they will be devoting their efforts to scaling up the process for production and fine tuning the process. MagnaTech is interested in talking with interested parties to exploit the new process commercially. Patents have been applied for and are in progress.
In addition, MagnaTech is now focusing its efforts on development of new permanent magnet alloys. The current alloy of interest is iron-neodymium-boron. However, there are several problems that limit the usage of this alloy for new applications, such as windmills for electrical power and electric automobiles. These include the technology residing mostly in the Far East, high cost for production of the magnets, and an undesirable reclamation process.
The current technology has limited the energy product to 65 MGO. However, recent work at the University of Minnesota indicates that iron-nitrogen magnets that will yield an energy product greater than 125 MGO can be developed. MagnaTech has ideas on how to make alloys that are also capable of improving the energy product and intends to partner with Arnold Engineering to develop these alloys. MagnaTech is currently in the process of preparing white papers for a BAA to the Air Force and to the DOE for funding to support an exploritory program to develop these alloys. Again, MagnaTech would be interested in discussing their ideas with interested parties.
In addition, MagnaTech is now focusing its efforts on development of new permanent magnet alloys. The current alloy of interest is iron-neodymium-boron. However, there are several problems that limit the usage of this alloy for new applications, such as windmills for electrical power and electric automobiles. These include the technology residing mostly in the Far East, high cost for production of the magnets, and an undesirable reclamation process.
The current technology has limited the energy product to 65 MGO. However, recent work at the University of Minnesota indicates that iron-nitrogen magnets that will yield an energy product greater than 125 MGO can be developed. MagnaTech has ideas on how to make alloys that are also capable of improving the energy product and intends to partner with Arnold Engineering to develop these alloys. MagnaTech is currently in the process of preparing white papers for a BAA to the Air Force and to the DOE for funding to support an exploritory program to develop these alloys. Again, MagnaTech would be interested in discussing their ideas with interested parties.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Magnetics 2012
Last week Moyer of MagnaTech P/M Labs attended a two day conference to obtain an update on activity in the magnetic field. The conference was oriented toward new materials, processes, and applications that will require magnetic assemblies. Of these, perhaps offshore windmills, requiring larger motors with minimum maintenance are perhaps the newest
as a challenge for today's applications. There was great concern about the availability and the cost of iron-neodymium-boron magnets. In 1990 General Motors sold their technology to the Chinese. I am told that all iron-neodymium-boron magnets are now manufactured in China. These kinds of magnets have the highest energy product and are therefore a requirement for the introduction of the electric car to the market, as well as new windmill drive requirements. In addition to the Chinese monopoly of the market, little research has been conducted in the United States to innovate new higher energy product alloys or improve additional alloys such as ferrites and Alnicos to satisfy some of the requirements of the developing market. Recently the Air Force has submitted a BAA and the Department of Energy is about to request Phase I SBIRs designed to satisfy these emerging markets. MagnaTech will be submitting a white paper to adress the requirements required of the Air Force BAA, and expects to write a proposal requesting a Phase I award for an idea of an alloy that we believe has potential for higher energy product material. If you are interested in new magnetic materials and their design, contact MagnaTech to explore technology, which they have patented, that could satisfy some of the advanced material requirements.MagnaTech has test equipment to support materials research and also provides a short course to those wishing to come up to speed in this newly developing industry.
as a challenge for today's applications. There was great concern about the availability and the cost of iron-neodymium-boron magnets. In 1990 General Motors sold their technology to the Chinese. I am told that all iron-neodymium-boron magnets are now manufactured in China. These kinds of magnets have the highest energy product and are therefore a requirement for the introduction of the electric car to the market, as well as new windmill drive requirements. In addition to the Chinese monopoly of the market, little research has been conducted in the United States to innovate new higher energy product alloys or improve additional alloys such as ferrites and Alnicos to satisfy some of the requirements of the developing market. Recently the Air Force has submitted a BAA and the Department of Energy is about to request Phase I SBIRs designed to satisfy these emerging markets. MagnaTech will be submitting a white paper to adress the requirements required of the Air Force BAA, and expects to write a proposal requesting a Phase I award for an idea of an alloy that we believe has potential for higher energy product material. If you are interested in new magnetic materials and their design, contact MagnaTech to explore technology, which they have patented, that could satisfy some of the advanced material requirements.MagnaTech has test equipment to support materials research and also provides a short course to those wishing to come up to speed in this newly developing industry.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
New Patent
MagnaTech has been informed that they have been awarded a patent that uses gaseous nitrogen in a nano state to alloy nitrogen with high strength powders. When consolidated using HIP technology, the powders become dense and exhibit excellent wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and toughness. MagnaTech now owns two patents, and has three additional patents pending.
In addition, MagnaTech was issued a purchase order yesterday to begin a study of P/M magnetic alloys to be tested for electromagnetic shielding. MagnaTech is doing more and more outside service testing for customers that need to know the properties of these special purpose nickel iron alloys. The equipment required to test these materials is expensive, and is concentrated primarily with the material manufacturers. Therefore, when a parts producer requires outside verification of properties supplied by the material producers, they look to MagnaTech to substantiate the documented properties. The materials are used for DC or pulsed DC applications, and require high magnetic permeability and low coercive field. These properties are difficult to achieve, and are important to the end user. If you have a need for these services, MagnaTech may have your solution. In addition, Moyer of MagnaTech offers one or two day short courses, including magnetic theory, magnetic materials and test methods. Call or email us if you have need of these services.
In addition, MagnaTech was issued a purchase order yesterday to begin a study of P/M magnetic alloys to be tested for electromagnetic shielding. MagnaTech is doing more and more outside service testing for customers that need to know the properties of these special purpose nickel iron alloys. The equipment required to test these materials is expensive, and is concentrated primarily with the material manufacturers. Therefore, when a parts producer requires outside verification of properties supplied by the material producers, they look to MagnaTech to substantiate the documented properties. The materials are used for DC or pulsed DC applications, and require high magnetic permeability and low coercive field. These properties are difficult to achieve, and are important to the end user. If you have a need for these services, MagnaTech may have your solution. In addition, Moyer of MagnaTech offers one or two day short courses, including magnetic theory, magnetic materials and test methods. Call or email us if you have need of these services.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
MagnaTech Gains New Customer
This was a great week for MagnaTech. Not only did we receive a Phase II Department of Defense contract but we were notified that we have been selected to do magnetic measurements for a defense contractor who makes gyroscopes for missiles. MagnaTech has equipment to make direct current measurements of magnetic induction, residual magnetism, relative maximum permeability and coercive field according to ASTM Test Method A596, Standard Test Method for Direct-Current Magnetic Properties of Materials Using the Ballistic Method and Ring Specimens. This and ASTM Specification A773 are the preferred specifications for the measurement of the direct-current magnetic properties of Nickel-Iron soft magnetic alloys.
MagnaTech this week has also submitted a white paper for a BAA proposal to develop a system of ternary alloys containing iron,aluminum and phosphorus.MagnaTech expects delivery of 440C stainless steel and AISI 9310 steel this week to begin expansion of the program to investigate high temperature carburizing of Pyrowear 675 and
AISI 4330 V already in inventory, as well as the two steels expected this week.
MagnaTech this week has also submitted a white paper for a BAA proposal to develop a system of ternary alloys containing iron,aluminum and phosphorus.MagnaTech expects delivery of 440C stainless steel and AISI 9310 steel this week to begin expansion of the program to investigate high temperature carburizing of Pyrowear 675 and
AISI 4330 V already in inventory, as well as the two steels expected this week.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
MagnaTech Is Awarded Phase II Contract
MagnaTech has just signed a two year contract to continue work on carburization and nitriding processes that are awaiting patent approval. The first year of the new contract adds low alloy steels to the alloys studied in addition to the martensitic stainless steels that have been successfully carburized and nitrided.In addition, the process will be scaled up in the first year to simulate production loads of hook points. The second year of the contract will translate the process over to the direct production of prototype hook points and development of a machine to test the wear, corrosion and fatigue resistance of the hook points under simulated conditions prior to actual performance.If the work is successfully completed, MagnaTech will prepare to commercialize the technology.
In addition to the above new contract, MagnaTech is currently considering revision of work for which they contracted with the Department of Energy. That study involved the development of iron aluminum alloys for magnetic applications. At that point, the new alloys satisfied all required properties for emerging more efficient electric motors. One hurdle remained, and that was that the automotive industry wanted a magnetization of 15,000 gauss (1.5 teslas) at an applied field of 100 oersteds (7960 A/m). Owing to the well known thermite reaction, it was not possible to achieve this goal because of the expansion that occurred during the alloying stage of processing. MagnaTech believes that they have a modification of their original concept that will permit this obstacle to be overcome, as well as improve the original magnetic properties of the alloys. MagnaTech would be interested in discussions on the technology they have developed or are currently in the process of developing.
In addition to the above new contract, MagnaTech is currently considering revision of work for which they contracted with the Department of Energy. That study involved the development of iron aluminum alloys for magnetic applications. At that point, the new alloys satisfied all required properties for emerging more efficient electric motors. One hurdle remained, and that was that the automotive industry wanted a magnetization of 15,000 gauss (1.5 teslas) at an applied field of 100 oersteds (7960 A/m). Owing to the well known thermite reaction, it was not possible to achieve this goal because of the expansion that occurred during the alloying stage of processing. MagnaTech believes that they have a modification of their original concept that will permit this obstacle to be overcome, as well as improve the original magnetic properties of the alloys. MagnaTech would be interested in discussions on the technology they have developed or are currently in the process of developing.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
MagnaTech Submits Proposal to NSF
MagnaTech has a new idea for recovering phosphorus from waste material and making it a useful product. MagnaTech intends to accomplish this by using a recently developed toroidal phase separator to react the phosphorus in the waste product and ultimately produce an alloy that can be used for magnetic and strength applications in motors, and transmissions in automobiles. Phosphorus is presently a contaminant in waste water that must be removed to make our fresh water supply useable. Currently there are processes to accomplish this. However, the phosphorus is eventually returned to the ground as fertilizer and must be removed again. One sewerage plant has told us that removal of the sludge to landfill costs $900,000 per year. In addition, current ores to produce phosphorus and its compounds are reported to be depleted by 2050. To make matters worse, EPA is currently suing ongoing operators of the mines for contamination of waters in the region.
MagnaTech believes that they can develop a process whereby the phosphorus in waste product can be recovered without a threat to the environment, and convert the phosphorus recovered to useful product. Several interested parties are considering support of the new technology.
MagnaTech has also completed all financial adaptations to change their accounting system to comply with cost plus fixed fee projects awarded through government contract. MagnaTech currently awaits approval to resume scale-up of a carburizing or nitriding process developed that is in the process of being patented for protection of hook points from wear and corrosion.
MagnaTech specializes in custom research in materials and materials processing. As such, MagnaTech is interested in discussions on how we can help you resolve your problems in a world that examines bottom line economics and not customer control of value added to produce more desirable products.
MagnaTech believes that they can develop a process whereby the phosphorus in waste product can be recovered without a threat to the environment, and convert the phosphorus recovered to useful product. Several interested parties are considering support of the new technology.
MagnaTech has also completed all financial adaptations to change their accounting system to comply with cost plus fixed fee projects awarded through government contract. MagnaTech currently awaits approval to resume scale-up of a carburizing or nitriding process developed that is in the process of being patented for protection of hook points from wear and corrosion.
MagnaTech specializes in custom research in materials and materials processing. As such, MagnaTech is interested in discussions on how we can help you resolve your problems in a world that examines bottom line economics and not customer control of value added to produce more desirable products.
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