Refractory Metals for High Temperature Furnaces

High Temperature Components

Refractory Metals in Furnace Construction and Engineering

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PLANSEE is the leading manufacturer of powder-metallurgically processed refractory and special metals.Based on our core competences in the areas of high performance materials, emerging applications and technologies, we have

been manufacturing products and components made from molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum, niobium, chromium and their alloys

for more than 85 years.

Refractory metals have various beneficial properties for use in high-temperature processing equipment: high melting point and

correspondingly low vapour pressure, low thermal expansion and heat capacity as well as excellent high temperature strength

and creep resistance. Through the development of special high performance alloys based on Mo and W (such as TZM, MLR,

WVM, etc.) PLANSEE has succeeded in significantly improving the microstructural stability and creep strength in comparison to

the pure metals.

PLANSEE together with its affiliates PLANSEE USA and JAPAN VACS METAL is the world’s largest producer of vacuum furnace

hot zones and engineered components and offers the most extensive range of high temperature products.

Global Leader in High Temperature Furnace Products

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Details about quality and recommendations about the use of materials and products are for descriptive purposes. They are based on the results of our research and development

work and on practical experience. Statements about certain properties are made to the best of our knowledge but are offered without guarantee. Statements on these matters shall

always require specific agreement in writing. All rights reserved, especially those relating to translation into foreign languages. This brochure, or parts thereof, may not be duplicated

without the express approval of PLANSEE.

Furnace Construction and Engineering Page

Global Leader in High Temperature Furnace Products 2

Application Fields of PLANSEE Materials 4

Broad Product Range 5

Customized Solutions for Individual Demands 7

Advantages of PLANSEE Materials 8

Product Portfolio for High Temperature Furnaces 9

Hot Zones for High Temperature Furnaces 10

Charge Carriers, Trays and Boats 12

Components for Special Equipment 13

Standard Components and Mill Products 14

Availability of Standard Mill Products 15

PLANSEE Materials for Furnace Construction 16

The Worldwide PLANSEE Network 18

Further Application Fields of PLANSEE Materials 19

CONTENTS

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Refractory metal components are used in a wide range of industries and applications for high-temperature furnaces and thermal-

processing plants.

Some important fields of thermal application for refractory metal products are:

- Sintering of metals and ceramics

- Powder processing (calcining, reduction, agglomeration)

- Brazing, high-temperature annealing and heat treatment

- Metal injection moulding (MIM)

- Annealing of stainless and electrical steel in N2/H2 atmospheres

- Aerospace including maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)

- Medical technology

- Electronics and semiconductor industries

- Lighting industry

- Production of nuclear fuel

- Thermal waste treatment

- Research and development

At the component design stage solutions are tailored to the application, taking into account important process parameters such

as temperature, size, atmosphere, environment, temperature uniformity and load. PLANSEE works in close partnership with both

OEMs and end users for all requirements of new equipment and replacement parts.

Application Fields of PLANSEE Materials

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Turbine blades after repair treatment

Sintered MIM parts

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Broad Product RangePLANSEE offers the widest range of refractory metal mill products and finished parts for thermal processing equipment available

anywhere in the world.

Semi-finished products in standard dimensions can be supplied in a matter of days from worldwide distribution centres. Finished

parts ranging from simple parts cut from sheet to complex furnace hot zones are manufactured at sites in Europe, Asia and Ame-

rica following uniformly strict quality guidelines.

PLANSEE supplies:

- Standard mill products (plates, sheets, ribbons, rods, wires)

and simple cut pieces according to customer’s needs,

despatched from central store

- Laser- or water jet-cut pieces with user-defined profile

according to customer drawing (EDI possible) from our

cutting center

- Processed and assembled components such as boats,

charge carriers, thermocouple protection tubes and other

furnace components according to customer drawings

- Complex components (hot zones, radiation shields, charge

carriers, HIP parts, tubes for rotary furnaces and other

engineered parts) are designed and manufactured by

PLANSEE together with the customer

Our innovative and experienced employees are ready to meet every challenge. Together with the customer they find the right

product design using the best choice of materials for individual applications.

Complex engineered componentsStandard mill products Furnace components and spare parts

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Customized Solutions for Individual DemandsPLANSEE offers much more than the on-time delivery of high-quality mill products and finished components for industrial plants

and furnaces. The customer can call on PLANSEE’s entire service package as a world market-leader. Especially important is the

expertise of our engineering in materials, products and applications.

- Innovative materials and design concepts

- Individual product solutions

- Customer support at the design concept stage

- Realisation of turn-key solutions

- Engineering at the highest level

- Use of modern design tools including CAD,

finite element analysis or 3-D modelling

- On-site repair work and fitting of replacement parts

- Consultation partner throughout the entire project

In many cases selecting the most suitable material and design to fit the requirements leads to a noticeable improvement of the

entire plant. We also ensure future competitive advantages for our customers through continuous improvements in our materials,

products and capabilities.

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PLANSEE Materials for High PerformanceThe materials used in high-temperature furnaces and engineered components are regularly subjected to extreme thermal and

mechanical loading as well as harsh chemical environments. PLANSEE High Performance Materials based on refractory metals

exhibit many advantageous properties to withstand these demanding conditions.

Advantages of PLANSEE materials:

- High melting point permits operation up to 2800 ̊C / 5072 ̊F

- Excellent high temperature strength

- Suitable for use in protective atmospheres (e.g. Ar, He, N2, H2)

- Very low heat capacity reduces energy consumption

- Minimum distortion during rapid temperature changes

- Resistance to aggressive chemical environments

- Dense metallic surface avoids the absorption of gas and moisture

- Complex shaping by metal-forming and machining processes

- No contamination of equipment or product (carbon- and binder-free materials)

In addition to pure refractory metals, PLANSEE offers advanced high-performance alloys such as ML, TZM or WVM. The addition

of dopant elements in combination with special thermo-mechanical processing routes significantly improves the material proper-

ties and therefore the performance of the finished products.

For the first time the use of molybdenum in oxygen-containing and oxidising atmospheres up to 1700 °C / 3092 °F has become

reality by means of the new SIBOR® coating.

M o , T Z M , M L , W R e , M o R e , S I B O R ® , W , W L , W V M , Ta , Nb M o , T Z M , M L , W R e , M o R e , S I B O R ® , W , W L , W V M , Ta , Nb M o , T Z M , M L , W R e , M o R e , S I B O R ® , W ,

…

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Product Portfolio for High Temperature FurnacesPLANSEE supplies materials and components for various high-temperature furnaces. The two most important types are batch

and continuous furnaces operated under vacuum or protective atmosphere. Batch furnaces allow very flexible operation, in

which furnace parameters such as temperature, heating and cooling rate, cycling time, furnace atmosphere and batch size can

be changed from one cycle to the next.

PLANSEE supplies important furnace components which can stand up to these changing conditions:

- Complete hot zones

- Radiation shields

- Heating elements and connectors

- Furnace fixtures, racks, grids, sheets, boats, etc.

- Hearth components such as rails, posts and caps

- Sintering boxes and retorts

- Gas feeding and quenching systems

- Thermocouple protection tubes

- Replacement parts

- Small parts (screws, bolts, nuts, pins, wires, etc.)

Continuous furnaces allow very efficient, frequently automated operation with a high throughput of similar parts. For troublefree

operation high reliability is demanded from furnace components, where dimensional and form stability as well as life time are

critical. PLANSEE components for continuous furnaces are ideally suited to meeting these demands.

- Pusher plates

- Boats, frames and trays

- Heating elements

- Element connectors

- Fixing hooks and clamps

- Thermocouple protection tubes

- Small and spare parts

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Hot isostatic press (HIP)High temperature continuous furnaceHigh temperature vacuum batch furnace

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Hot Zones for High Temperature FurnacesPLANSEE is the world's leading manufacturer of metallic high-temperature hot zones. Through continuous development in ma-

terials and design PLANSEE is able not only to offer various standard and specialised hot zones, but sets the trend in technical

progress, for example in the form of low-energy hot zones (ENERZONE).

Hot zones are both designed together with the furnace OEM for new installations and offered to end users as exchange units for

existing furnaces. In the latter case the performance and durability of the hot zone can almost always be improved in comparison

to the original. The service package for replacements includes the complete dismantling of the old and installation of the new

hot zone.

PLANSEE supplies the whole spectrum regarding:

- Materials: Mo, W, Ta, Nb and their alloys

- Shielding/insulation: hybrid hot zones with graphite or

ceramic fibre insulation

- Dimensions: hot zones ranging from very small to

extremely large

- Temperature: from 1000 °C / 1832 °F to 2800 °C / 5072 °F

- Design: round, rectangular, vertical, horizontal

or special types

- Replacement of graphite with metallic hot zones

(usually without needing to change the transformers)

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Typical quality attributes of PLANSEE hot zones are:

- TIG welded stainless steel structure for support frame

and plenum

- ML for components subjected to extreme thermal and

mechanical load, such as heating elements, element

supports, hot face and gas nozzles

- Optimum choice of the type of heating element for the given

application (ribbon, sheet, wire, rod, stranded wire, mesh)

- Double V-groove design and free flowing support for wide

ribbon heating elements

- Radiation shielding design guarantees low energy

consumption over long-term operation

- U-rails (ML or TZM) replacing standard rails in hearth

design for minimum material usage and easy sliding of

the workpiece during thermal expansion

In recent years annealing boxes and retorts have been introduced in advanced furnace design of hot zones, which can ensure

better temperature uniformity and controlled gas flow. Here PLANSEE offers well-engineered and long-lasting solutions, which

have been proven excellent performance.

Examples of high-temperature hot zones engineered and built by PLANSEE

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Charge Carriers, Trays, Plates, and BoatsThe special quality of PLANSEE charge carrying fixtures (racks, grids, baskets, base plates, boats, trays) is based on the outstan-

ding properties of PLANSEE High Performance Materials. The choice of material has a significant effect on the functionality and

reliability of the entire plant. Therefore PLANSEE prefers to use ML and TZM in furnace furniture, which exhibit up to 10 times the

creep strength of and have better ductility than pure molybdenum.

The advantages of PLANSEE High Performance Materials are exploited with the help of modern design tools to achieve high

strength, form stability, and easy handling for smooth operation together with minimum material usage:

- Rails, posts, caps and grids

- Furnace racks, inserted, screwed or riveted

- Stackable charge carriers with fixed or variable spacing

- Base plates, boats and frames for pusher furnaces

As an option trays, plates and boats can be supplied with ceramic coatings to prevent them from reacting with or sticking to the

products being processed.

- Riveted boats for walking-beam furnaces

- Intermediate trays and frames

- Special requirements according to customer demand

Various types of furnace fixturesVarious types of furnace fixtures

Various types of furnace fixtures

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- Riveted boats for walking-beam furnaces

- Intermediate trays and frames

- Special requirements according to customer demand

Components for Special EquipmentIn metallic HIP (Hot Isostatic Press) plants sintering, joining and densification processes are carried out at temperatures up to

around 1450 ̊C / 2642 ̊F and gas pressures up to 200 MPa. This emerging technology faces continuously increasing demands with

respect to large dimensions, high temperatures and rapid temperature changes. This is also an area where PLANSEE supplies key

components of high quality with long service life.

- Metallic components in PLANSEE High Temperature Materials such as TZM and ML

- Mantles and support baskets with integrated heating systems

- Charge support plates and furnace hearth with bottom heating

- Gas circulation devices

- Fixings and spare parts

Rotary furnaces

Rotary furnaces offer an efficient method for homogenous treatments of bulk material, powder and waste. PLANSEE supplies

the tubes for such furnaces, specially adapted to the application.

- Almost unlimited dimensions through multi-part design

- Increased gas tightness through multi-layer construction and coating

- SIBOR® coating for use in oxidising atmospheres or highly corrosive media

Special Parts and Engineered Components

PLANSEE works in partnership with its customers. The effect: Many developments in the steel industry, waste incineration and

plant construction have been implemented successfully in recent years.

Hot zone with annealing muffle HIP mantle (TZM)

Tube for rotary furnace (ML)

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Standard Components and Mill ProductsPLANSEE always has a comprehensive range of standard components and mill products in stock, deliveries can be made in a

few days. Various material grades based on Mo, W and Ta are available.

- Sheets, plates and foils

- Rods with random or cut length

- Small parts such as screws, bolts, nuts, rivets and washers

- Rails and posts for load support

- Threaded rods

- Support studs, bolts and pins

- Wires and bundled wires for heating elements

- Tubes and thermocouple sheaths

- Ceramic isolators

Mill products are offered in standard dimensions, aimed specifically at furnace applications, particularly for heating elements and

radiation shields. The table on page 15 provides an overview of the main standard components and typical mill product dimensions.

Additional stock sizes are available via PLANSEE Express, and non-standard sizes are offered on request.

PLANSEE ExpressMill products in standard sizes are offered online via PLANSEE Express, with the following advantages:

- Easy, rapid order processing

- Guaranteed availability

- Shortest possible delivery times

- High delivery reliability

An overview of all the products available from PLANSEE Express together with information on the ordering procedure can be

found at www.plansee.com.

Multistranded wire (ML)Mo and ML coils Spare parts for standard hot zones

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Delivery Program for StandardSemi-Finished Products

Availability Mo TZM ML W (WVM)

Length x widthmm (inch)

thickness / Ømm (inch)

Length x widthmm (inch)

thickness / Ømm (inch)

Length x widthmm (inch)

thickness / Ømm (inch)

Length x widthmm (inch)

thickness / Ømm (inch)

Sheets < 1.0mm (0.039)

609.6 x 1981.2(24 x 78)

0.127 (0.005)0.254 (0.010)0.381 (0.015)0.508 (0.020)0.635 (0.025)0.762 (0.030)

609.6 x 1981.2(24 x 78)

0.254 (0.010)0.381 (0.015)0.508 (0.020)0.762 (0.030)

508x838.2(20x33)

0.127 (0.050)0.254 (0.010)0.508 (0.020)

Sheets >= 1.0mm (0.039)Cut to requirements

1 - 3 mm: 600 x 2000(23.6 x 78.7)

4 - 5 mm:500 x 1000(19.7 x 39.4)

1.0 (0.039)1.5 (0.059)2.0 (0.079)2.5 (0.098)3.0 (0.118)4.0 (0.157)5.0 (0.197)

max size: 600x2000(23.6x78.7)

1.0 (0.039)1.5 (0.059)2.0 (0.079)3.0 (0.118)

max size:600x2000(23.6x78.7)

1.0 (0.039)1.5 (0.059)2.54 (0.10)3.17 (0.125)5.0 (0.197)

1 - 2 mm: 500 x 1000

(19.7 x 39.4))

3 - 5 mm:200 x 600(7.9 x 23.6)

1.0 (0.039)1.5 (0.059)2.0 (0.079)3.0 (0.118)4.0 (0.157)5.0 (0.197)

Plates >=6.35mm (0.25)Hearth rails cut to requirements

max length:2000 (78.7)

6.35 (0.250)7.94 (0.313)9.52 (0.375)

max length:1828.8 (72)

6.35 (0.250)7.94 (0.313)9.52 (0.375)

Coiled sheet609.6x>7600

(24x>299)

0.127 (0.005)0.254 (0.010)0.381 (0.015)

Coiled ribbon (Heating elements)Cutting, rolling and grooves applied to requirements

width:76.2 (3.0)101.6 (4.0)127 (5.0)

0.635 (0.025)0.762 (0.030)

WirePins cut to length

acc. PLANSEE Express

0.5 - 3.0(0.020 - 0.118)

3.17 (0.125)

0.5 (0.020)0.8 (0.031)1.0 (0.039)

1.524 (0.060)2.286 (0.090)

WVM

0.635 (0.025)0.8 (0.031)0.9 (0.035)1.0 (0.039)

RodPosts cut to length;Heating elements bended to require-ments

6.0 (0.236)6.35 (0.25)8.0 (0.315)9.52 (0.375)10.0 (0.394)19.05 (0.75)25.4 (1.0)

19.05 (0.75)25.4 (1.0)

6.35 (0.25)9.52 (0.375)19.05 (0.75)25.4 (1.0)

acc. PLANSEE Express

Multistranded wire(Binding wire, Heating elements)

0.35 (0.014) x 30.8 (0.0315) x 3 x 70.8 (0.0315) x 7 x 71.0 (0.039) x 7 x 7

All threads 1000 (39.4)

M6M10

¼"- 20" UNC⅜"- 20" UNC

M6¼“- 20" UNC

Hex NutsM6

¼" UNCM10

M6¼“- 20" UNC

M10

Threaded pins with 1 hole (rolled thread)

¼"- 20" UNCM6

Tubes(Thermocouples)

3.175 x 0.381 (0.125 x 0.015)6.35 x 0.508 (0.25 x 0.02)

10 x 1 (0.39 x 0.039)12.7 x 1 (0.50 x 0.039)16 x 1 (0.63 x 0.039)

19.05 x 1.524 (0.75 x 0.060)25 x 1.5 (0.98 x 0.059)

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PLANSEE High Performance Materials for Furnace ConstructionMoPure molybdenum finds many applications in high-temperature furnace building because of its high availability, good workability

and favourable high-temperature properties (low vapour pressure, high melting point).

TZM(molybdenum doped with titanium and zirconium)TZM contains small additions of finely dispersed particles (consisting of Ti, Zr and C), which inhibit grain growth at high tem-

peratures. This significantly increases ductility and creep strength. TZM has a higher recrystallisation temperature than pure Mo.

It is best suited to components subjected to both high thermal and mechanical loading such as hearth assemblies, racks and

fixtures.

ML/MLR/MLS(molybdenum doped with lanthanum oxide) ML is used whenever embrittlement after recrystallisation must be avoided and when dimensional and shape-stability must be

ensured at high temperatures. Heating elements, thermal-radiation shields and sintering boats are good examples. Doping of Mo

with small quantities of La2O3 increases the recrystallisation temperature to 1400 °C / 2552 °F. After recrystallisation the resultant

elongated grain structure with jagged grain boundaries (in contrast to the coarse-grained structure of recrystallised pure Mo)

allows a considerable increase in ductility. Furthermore the creep resistance strength of ML is significantly higher than that of the

pure metal.

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1100 1450 1800

2012 2642 3272

0

25

20

15

10

5

1652 2012 2372 2732 3092 3452

900 1100 1300 1500 1700 1900

1000

100

10

1

0.1

SIBOR® coated MoMolybdenum starts to react with oxygen at approximately 400 °C / 752 °F and forms a yellow, sublimating oxide at higher temper-

atures. This reaction excludes the use of unprotected Molybdenum at high temperatures in oxygen containing atmospheres.

SIBOR® is the first successful coating system to be developed, which reliably inhibits oxidation at temperatures up to 1700 °C /

3092 °F for long periods. Molybdenum-SIBOR® also offers considerable protection against corrosive atmospheres and inhibits

carburising and nitriding reactions.

SIBOR® generates a dense, stable coating with a sealing surface layer of SiO2 above layers of molybdenum silicide. Protection

against oxidising and corrosive media can be maintained for up to several thousand hours of high-temperature operation.

WTungsten has the highest melting point of all refractory metals and possesses excellent resistance to hot gas corrosion. It is brittle

at room temperature and must be handled and worked with great care.

WL (tungsten doped with lanthanum oxide)This material can be worked more easily and has a higher creep strength than pure W.

WVMWVM is doped with calcium aluminium silicate, which gives it higher form stability at high temperatures than pure tungsten. WVM

is used for heating elements for very high furnace temperatures up to 2800 °C / 5072 °F in the form of single or stranded wires

and mesh heaters.

TaTantalum is easy to work and can be used in cold forming. It is readily weldable and retains its ductility after being subjected to

high temperature. However the high material price usually restricts its use to special applications, mainly in corrosive atmospheres.

NbLike tantalum, niobium is used in corrosive environments because of its outstanding passivating properties. Niobium is equally

suited to welding, but has a lower mechanical strength than tantalum.

Creep resistance (sheet material)

Temperature [°F]

Temperature [°C]

Str

ess

for

1% c

reep

in 1

000h

R p

1.0/

1000

[MP

a]

Temperature [°F]

Exposure temperature [°C]

Duc

tility

aft

er 1

00h

exp

osur

e at

tem

per

atur

e(Im

pac

t b

end

ing

test

, rel

ativ

e va

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, Mo=

1)

Ductility after high temperature exposure

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PLANSEE Global NetworkPLANSEE is the world's largest manufacturer of metallic hot zones and components for furnace construction. Together with its

affiliates PLANSEE USA and JAPAN VACS METAL, PLANSEE offers a comprehensive technology package and provides solu-

tions wherever they are needed.

Fully owned production facilities in the most important markets and a worldwide service network consisting of sales companies

and exclusive agents ensure short delivery times, a high service level and uniform quality standards.

Worldwide Production Network

The worldwide PLANSEE production network is tailored to the current and future needs of our customers. Each development and

production centre in the PLANSEE group offers a service support package throughout the region.

Worldwide Sales Network

A worldwide sales network supports the regional production facilities and provides a rapid on the spot response to customer

enquiries.

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Parts for ion implantationTIG ElectrodesTargets for hard coatings

DENSIMET® boring bars used for machining Insert for Al die castingWCu plasma spray nozzles and electrodes

Based on many years of experience in the field of powder metallurgy, we supply a wide range of products made from refractory

metals including molybdenum, tungsten, tantalum and chromium as well as their alloys and composite materials.

The unique properties of PLANSEE materials make them indispensable to many industries such as:

- Lighting Industry

- Electronics

- Coating Technology

- Medical Technology

- Power Technology

- Material and Processing Technology

Selection of PLANSEE Products made of High Performance Materials:

Further Application Fieldsof PLANSEE Materials

We reserve the right to make technical changes for improvement of the product. 7000953 - 699 E 09.11 (2500) RWF

Close to the customer - our global network

PLANSEE manufactures and markets its products worldwide. Production sites in Europe, USA and Japan and a global network

of sales subsidiaries and sales partners, enable outstanding customer service and product quality delivered by local teams.

Stronger than any alliance and more diversified than single producers, PLANSEE is the most reliable source for high performance

components made of refractory metals.

For more information and local contacts please visit our website:

www.plansee.com