Stop soldering of die casting dies and increase the life of drawing forming and stamping blanking tooling dies

TherMaLLifeÒ An exclusive Badger Metal Tech surface treatment that offers the benefits of ferritic nitrocarburizing performed in a fully automated system. The only one of its kind in the United States.

TherMaLLifeÒ is a ferritic nitrocarburizing treatment. Since it is done at a comparatively low temperature and is a diffusion process, distortion, size, and tolerance changes of the tool are not a problem. This process has application benefits not only for die casting dies but also for other forms of perishable tooling including:

	H-13 Die Casting Dies
	H-13 Thermoset Plastic Molds
	Permanent Molds
	Drawing Dies
	Stamping Dies
	Blanking Dies
	Forming Dies
	Forging Dies

With the addition of the TherMaLL ifeÒ we have expanded our capabilities to other areas of tooling and can now offer benefits such as:

	Increased wear resistance
	Anti-galling properties
	Improved fatigue strength
	High surface hardness
	Corrosion resistance (except in the case of stainless steels)
	Resistance to the softening effect of heat

Since 1983, MetaLL ifeÒ has become the standard in the Die Casting Industry for compressive protection against heat checking for NEW die cast tooling and its ability to close and retard additional thermal cracking on USED tooling. The MetaLL ifeÒ topography created in the case of H-13 or other hot work metal steels, aids in enhancing the surface's lubricity as well as providing a means to trap die lubricant. This prevents mechanical and inter-metallic soldering of molten aluminum to the die cast die's surface, and improves molten metal flow and fill characteristics.

TherMaLLifeÒ can be applied after MetaLL ifeÒ or as a stand alone single process as in the case of:

Die Casting Dies, Permanent Mold Dies

Where die topography is not desired or acceptable.
Where MetaLL ifeÒ is restricted by its "line-of-sight" characteristics such as in small rib or recessed areas.
Where there is a concern about sticking or drag on the low draft or shrink side of a die casting die which could be exacerbated by any topography of the tool steel's surface. Note: The topography can be polished without the loss of the MetaLL ifeÒ compression benefits.
Where there exists a strong possibility of inter-metallic soldering and extra soldering protection is needed - as is sometimes the case for aluminum or zinc alloy die castings.
Where premature wear or erosion of the tool's surface or gate is a problem.
Where heat checking and cracking is minimal or non-existent and crack closure is not necessary.

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H-13 Thermoset Plastic Molds

Where topography is not permitted or accepted.
Where sticking and drag are a problem.
Where hardness of the surface must be maintained.
Where fatigue is a factor in the accelerated failure of the mold.
Where premature wear or erosion of the tool's surface is a problem
as is sometimes the case when abrasive material is used.
Where quicker cycle times are demanded.

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Drawing, Forming Dies

Where sticking and drag are a problem.
Where galling and pickup are experienced.
Where loss of lubricant leads to galling ( MetaLL ifeÒ + TherMaLLifeÒ).
Where topography of the die could pose a problem. (TherMaLLifeÒ).

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Blanking, Stamping Dies, Forging

Where sticking and drag are a problem causing spring back.
Where edge breakdown is premature. ( MetaLL ifeÒ + TherMaLL ifeÒ).
Where fatigue failure of the die or tool is a factor.

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Click on this TherMaLLifeÒ link for more information on ferritic nitrocarburizing treatments.