Youngwood Electronic Metals West, a major metal fabricator for the electronics industry, needed a punch and die to form a 0.090 thick electronic iron material. The blank was 6” by 8” with a 90° form up with a leg off it at 84°. The die was designed to bottom and stipple two surfaces for part stability. The material used was A-2 Steel with a Rc hardness of 60-62. The deep cryogenically treated die was compared to a nitrided die.
THE CRYOGENICALLY TREATED DIE:
- Lasted 200% longer with no signs of wear.
- Could be reground. The nitrided die could not unless it was re-nitrided.
- Maintained a #4 micro finish.
NITRIDED DIE | CRYOGENICALLY TREATED | |
---|---|---|
Punch & Die Life | – | 2X Longer |
#4 Micro Finish | Worn | Maintained |
Able to Redress | No, not without re-nitriding | Yes |