Kanthal APM(TM)/Kanthal APMT(TM) Materials Continue to Impress Customers with Significant Increases in Durability, Lifetime and Reduction in Energy Use


Atlantic Heat Treating Ltd. contacted Sandvik and raised concerns on relatively short lifetime of existing SER radiant tubes in their gas fired Sunbeam Furnace which was failing after ~18 months of service.



Sandvik provided replacement tubes manufactured using Kanthal APM extruded material that was sized to work with the existing burner design and to be a direct replacement for the previous stainless alloy tubes. Atlantic Heat Treating installed the replacement Kanthal APM radiant tubes in April 2010.



"The burners that are using the Kanthal APM tubes are the best I have ever seen. The tubes for my SER burners in the Sunbeam furnace were ordered in January 2010 and installed in April of 2010, so we are looking at over 5 years steady operation, vs. something like 18 months with the previous stainless steel tubes. I bought another furnace that is the same as the one we are running now. When we get it installed I will be looking to use the Kanthal APM tubes," says Jon Matthews, owner of Atlantic Heat Treating Ltd.



The main benefits from the replacement with Kanthal APM tubes at Atlantic Heat Treating Ltd are:



Durability: The tubes have been operating for more than 5 years with no issues with respect to surface corrosion or deformation of the tube wall. Physical appearance of the tubes indicates a potential for additional years of service.



Reduced maintenance: Due to extended lifetime, maintenance costs and furnace downtime have been significantly reduced.



Additional benefit realized through an increased throughput of the furnace.



About Kanthal APM and Kanthal APMT alloys

Kanthal APM is an iron-chromium-aluminium (FeCrAl) powder metallurgical dispersion strengthened alloy used in a wide range of resistance and high-temperature application.



Kanthal APMT is an advanced powder metallurgical, dispersion strengthened, ferritic iron-chromium-aluminium alloy (FeCrAlMo alloy). Both alloys are recommended for continuous use up to 1250°C (2280°F) in oxidizing and reducing environments. Kanthal APMT is a further development of Kanthal APM, designed for especially demanding applications.



Both alloys forms a protective and non-scaling Al2O3 surface oxide when exposed to high temperature, which gives good protection in most furnace and combustion environments, i.e. oxidizing, sulphidizing and carburizing, as well as against attacks from deposits of coke, ash, etc. The combination of excellent oxidation properties and form stability makes the alloys unique.



For more information contact:



Jon Hartmayer

Sales Area Manager, NAFTA

Sandvik Materials Technology

Product Area Strip, Wire and Heating Technology

Tel cell phone: +1 209-728-7971

jon.hartmayer@sandvik.com

www.kanthal.com



Krister Wickman

Technical Marketing Manager

Sandvik Materials Technology

Product Area Strip, Wire and Heating Technology

Tel: +46 220-217 40

krister.wickman@sandvik.com

www.kanthal.com






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