Nano-Engineered Lubricants suit hot forging of superalloys.

Press Release Summary:



Based on nano-structured formulations of aqueous dispersion of lubricants and release agents, Aqualub Lubricants are relatively smokeless and protect forging dies from scoring, sticking, and other deformation defects such as adiabatic strain banding. Lubricating film is continually renewed and reinforced with severity of work being done during forging process. Supplied in paste, slurry, or neat consistency, lubricants are free from ammonia, chlorine, and phosphates.



Original Press Release:



Nano-Engineered Lubricants for Hot Forging of Superalloy Components



Durrans, a global manufacturing and trading company in graphite products, announces the successful development of a range of forging lubricants based on nano-structured formulations of aqueous dispersion of proprietary blends of lubricants and release agents. These products, launched as Aqualub range, are the result of Durrans' strategic approach of collaborating with her clients in developing innovative solutions to challenging problems encountered in forging processes. Particular emphasis had been placed on problems associated with hot forging of superalloys and the new lubricants are tailored to offer maximum benefits for these group of alloys. Components based on superalloys are often used in critical applications such civil and military aircrafts, turbines, automobile industries and orthopedic implants. Therefore the advances underpinned by the new lubricants highlight Durrans' understanding of the role lubricants can play in providing improvement in quality of these pro ducts and to the forging processes in general.

It has long been desirable to improve the performance of water based forging lubricants so that they can compare with that of oil based counterparts. Although the benefits of water based lubricants are compelling, they are often limited by poor wettability of the dies, poor adhesion of lubricating pigments and uncontrolled dynamic friction characteristics that can result in lack of fill in deep impression forgings, high wear rates of dies, poor size tolerances and surface finish of forged items. The newly developed lubricants are relatively smokeless and are characterized by their ability to protect the forging dies from scoring, sticking and other deformation defects such as adiabatic strain banding. The lubricants are designed to form tenacious lubricating film that is continually being renewed and reinforced with the severity of the work being done during the forging process. Die cooling and good release characteristics of the lubricant range have been achieved by incorporating advanced thermodynamic concepts in the formulations encompassing endothermic release of smokeless and nonflammable gas at the die interface during hot forging operations.

Aqualub lubricants meet the strictest tests of health and environmental compliance. They are free from ammonia, chlorine and phosphates. The lubricants are highly stable and free from hard settling during long periods of storage. They can be supplied in paste, slurry or neat consistency with stable dispersion of 5% to 30% by weight of pigments.

These lubricants and the technology underpinning their development have been rigorously evaluated in some of UK's best forging companies with proven application and performance results. We are pleased with the outcome of our efforts and we have demonstrated that by embracing new technologies in finding solutions to present day challenging problems in forging operations, we are able to offer revolutionary cost effective lubricant range with comparable performance characteristics to oil based lubricants. The development and marketing of this lubricant range is part of Durrans' strategy to manufacture innovative products that seek to exceed customer experience and expectations.

Further details about the product range can be obtained from the group's research and development office headed by Dr Henry Okojie on tel no +44 1226 372005 or by e-mail at hokojie@durrans.co.uk.

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