Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing metal-comprising geometrically complex pieces and/or parts. The method is specially indicated for highly performant components. It is disclosed a method for the production of complex geometry, and even large, highly performant metal-comprising components in a cost effective way. The method is also indicated for the construction of components with internal features and voids. The method is also beneficial for light construction. The method allows the reproduction of bio-mimetic structures and other advanced structures for topological performance optimization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to very high performant tool steels which can be produced at low cost. The high performance is achieved through an exceptional combination of thermo-mechanical properties attained trough novel alloying and microstructural guidelines. Several of the tool steels of the present invention can be obtained in large cross-section without significant deterioration of the most relevant properties.

Abstract: Steels, in particular hot work steels having high toughness even for high thickness, including steels having long durability combined with mechanical, tribological and thermal properties for highly demanding applications, and steels which can achieve a very good environmental resistance and resistance to certain aggressive media combined with other relevant properties, are described. These steels may also be obtained at low cost. A method for the manufacture of steels having high thickness and manufacturing methods to shape the materials of the invention through several steps, including an additive manufacturing step to manufacture at least apart of an intermediate mold, a mold or a model, a Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP) step, the elimination of the mold and densification among other steps, are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tool, die, piece or mould, which, in use, is able to transfer heat out, in and/or through it, and where high mechanical and/or tribological loads have to be withstand at least in one area of the component. The invention also relates to several steel compositions with high fracture toughness and/or high resistance to decarburization comprised in the tool, die, piece or mould of the invention.

Abstract: Steels, in particular hot work steels having high toughness even for high thickness, including steels having long durability combined with mechanical, tribological and thermal properties for highly demanding applications, and steels which can achieve a very good environmental resistance and resistance to certain aggressive media combined with other relevant properties, are described. These steels may also be obtained at low cost. A method for the manufacture of steels having high thickness and manufacturing methods to shape the materials of the invention through several steps, including an additive manufacturing step to manufacture at least a part of an intermediate mold, a mold or a model, a Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP) step, the elimination of the mold and densification among other steps, are also described.

Abstract: A method for the production of iron-based alloy powders, or particulate materials, through rotating or centrifugal atomization (CA) is disclosed. The invention is suitable for obtaining steel powder, especially tool steel powder, high strength steels and other iron-based alloys of similar properties by means of centrifugal atomization, particularly conducted by means of a rotating element atomization technique. The fine, smooth, low oxygen content and low satellite, or even satellite-free, powder is atomized by a cooled rotating atomization device (e.g. disk, cup, . . . ) with various geometries in an atomization chamber under a preferably non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A hot-work tool steel alloy comprising 0.26 to 0.55% by weight C, <2% by weight Cr; 1 to 10% by weight Mo, and W in a concentration of up to 15% by weight W. The tool steel has a thermal conductivity of more than 42 W/mK at room temperature. A process for making a hot-work steel having high thermal conductivity comprising formulating the hot-work tool steel alloy to comprise a microstructure comprising carbides in a surrounding metallic matrix, heat treating the hot-work tool steel alloy a) to reduce any fraction by weight of C, W, and Mo in solid solution in the matrix, b) to change a fraction by volume of carbides in the matrix, and c) to promote formation of a matrix composition and carbide fraction, distribution, and morphology that impart a thermal conductivity to the alloy of more than 42 W/mK at room temperature.

Abstract: A tool steel, in particular a hot-work steel, has the following composition: 0.26 to 0.55% by weight C; less than 2% by weight Cr; 0 to 10% by weight Mo; 0 to 15% by weight W; wherein the W and Mo contents in total amount to 1.8 to 15% by weight; carbide-forming elements Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta forming a content of from 0 to 3% by weight individually or in total; 0 to 4% by weight V; 0 to 6% by weight Co; 0 to 1.6% by weight Si; 0 to 2% by weight Mn; 0 to 2.99% by weight Ni; 0 to 1% by weight S; remainder: iron and inevitable impurities. The hot-work steel has a significantly higher thermal conductivity than known tool steels.

Abstract: A method for the production of iron-based alloy powders, or particulate materials, through rotating or centrifugal atomization (CA) is disclosed. The invention is suitable for obtaining steel powder, especially tool steel powder, high strength steels and other iron-based alloys of similar properties by means of centrifugal atomization, particularly conducted by means of a rotating element atomization technique. The fine, smooth, low oxygen content and low satellite, or even satellite-free, powder is atomized by a cooled rotating atomization device (e.g. disk, cup, . . . ) with various geometries in an atomization chamber under a preferably non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: A hot work tool steel family with exceptional thermal difusivity, toughness (both fracture toughness and notch sensitivity resilience CVN—charpy V-notch) and trough hardenability has been developed. Mechanical resistance and yield strength at room and high temperatures (above 600° C.) are also high, because the tool steels of the present invention present a high alloying level despite the high thermal conductivity. Given the exceptional resistance to thermal fatigue and thermal shock, wear resistance can be severely increased for many applications requiring simultaneously resistance to thermal cracking and wear like is the case for some forging and some parts of die casting dies.

Abstract: A hot work tool steel family with exceptional thermal diffusivity, toughness (both fracture toughness and notch sensitivity resilience CVN—charpy V-notch) and trough hardenability has been developed. Mechanical resistance and yield strength at room and high temperatures (above 600° C.) are also high, because the tool steels of the present invention present a high alloying level despite the high thermal conductivity. Given the exceptional resistance to thermal fatigue and thermal shock, wear resistance can be severely increased for many applications requiring simultaneously resistance to thermal cracking and wear like is the case for some forging and some parts of die casting dies.

Abstract: The present invention develops dies, moulds, tools, workpieces and structures with active protection against corrosion (cathodic protection) in cooling circuits, often internal, independent of its complexity. Moreover, the protection can be renewed if considered appropriate. The protection is achieved through a thin coating layer which contains metallic elements more electronegative than the substrate to be protected and which is properly adhered to the mentioned substrate in order to ensure an efficient cathodic protection.

Abstract: A tool steel family with outstanding thermal diffusivity, hardness and wear resistance has been developed, also exhibiting good hardenability. Also its mechanical strength, as well as its yield strength, at ambient and high temperature (superior to 600° C.) are high, due to a high alloying level in spite of the high thermal conductivity. Because of its high thermal conductivity and good toughness, steels of this invention have also good resistance to thermal fatigue and thermal shock. This steels are ideal for discontinuous processes where it is interesting to reduce cycle time and that require high hardness and/or wear resistance (plastic injection molding, other plastic forming processes and curing of thermosets, hot forming of sheet . . . ). These tool steels are also appropriate for processes requiring high wear resistance and good resistance to thermal fatigue (forging, hot stamping, light-alloy injection . . . ).

Abstract: A tool steel, in particular a hot-work steel, has the following composition: 0.26 to 0.55% by weight C; less than 2% by weight Cr; 0 to 10% by weight Mo; 0 to 15% by weight W; wherein the W and Mo contents in total amount to 1.8 to 15% by weight; carbide-forming elements Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta forming a content of from 0 to 3% by weight individually or in total; 0 to 4% by weight V; 0 to 6% by weight Co; 0 to 1.6% by weight Si; 0 to 2% by weight Mn; 0 to 2.99% by weight Ni; 0 to 1% by weight S; remainder: iron and inevitable impurities. The hot-work steel has a significantly higher thermal conductivity than known tool steels.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the production of highly demanded pieces at low cost. The method is especially well suited for deep drawing dies, but also any other type of tooling. It is also very well suited for machine components of big dimensions and with high mechanical solicitations, like rotors and cages in wind mills and other big machines. The pieces or tools are cast with a low cost ceramic, like a high resistance concrete (with special mention to HPC or UHPC) or a low water admixture castable or any other low cost high mechanical resistance material (low cost ceramics or high resistance polymers are especially suited). Once cast, the working surface of the die or piece is coated with a metal, an intermetallic or a high performance ceramic. Projection or deposition techniques are used to obtain the high value working surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the production of highly demanded pieces at low cost. The method is especially well suited for deep drawing dies, but also any other type of tooling. It is also very well suited for machine components of big dimensions and with high mechanical solicitations, like rotors and cages in wind mills and other big machines. The pieces or tools are cast with a low cost ceramic, like a high resistance concrete (with special mention to HPC or UHPC) or a low water admixture castable or any other low cost high mechanical resistance material (low cost ceramics or high resistance polymers are especially suited). Once cast, the working surface of the die or piece is coated with a metal, an intermetallic or a high performance ceramic. Projection or deposition techniques are used to obtain the high value working surface.

Abstract: A method for producing a workpiece, particularly a shaping tool or a part of a shaping tool, includes the following steps: providing a heat-resistant mold (2) with a first molded part (2a) and at least a second molded part (2b) in a chamber that can be evacuated (1); filling a metal-containing material into the heat-resistant mold (2); producing a vacuum in the chamber that can be evacuated (1); heating the metal-containing material; compressing the heated metal-containing material in the heat-resistant mold (2) by hot pressing under vacuum conditions. The present invention further relates to a device for producing a workpiece, particularly a shaping tool or a part of a shaping tool.

Abstract: A tool steel, in particular a hot-work steel, has the following composition: 0.26 to 0.55% by weight C; less than 2% by weight Cr; 0 to 10% by weight Mo; 0 to 15% by weight W; wherein the W and Mo contents in total amount to 1.8 to 15% by weight; carbide-forming elements Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta forming a content of from 0 to 3% by weight individually or in total; 0 to 4% by weight V; 0 to 6% by weight Co; 0 to 1.6% by weight Si; 0 to 2% by weight Mn; 0 to 2.99% by weight Ni; 0 to 1% by weight S; remainder: iron and inevitable impurities. The hot-work steel has a significantly higher thermal conductivity than known tool steels.