Raw Materials
ZMF has specialized in brass forging from its beginning.
Over the years, there has been constant expansion in processed raw materials through the introduction of aluminium and then other metals and light non-ferrous alloys.
The production process begins by acquiring raw materials in bars, certified according to strict quality standards.
The possibility of working with a wide range of diameters, even of preformed bars and the use of special alloys for diverse applications, allow processes and the manufactured to be significantly optimized.
The analysis of the exact chemical composition of raw materials is the fundamental basis for the exact determination of the production cycle and the setting of the working parameters: moulding temperature and lubrication.
The quality of the raw material used is essential for the quality of compone
- CW617N
- CW602N
- CW510L
- CW511L
- ECOBRASS
- AVIONAL (2000)
- ERGAL (7000)
- ANTICORODAL (6061-6082)
- SAE430B
- UZ36
- UNI5275
- NIBRAL
- ASTM B348
- Grade 2
- Grade 5
Brass
Brasses are metal alloys composed mainly of copper and zinc. They are divided in families according to the number of elements present in the alloy: binary brasses when they are simply composed of the two above-mentioned elements , and tertiary and quaternary when other chemical elements are present.
Examples of brass that are particularly indicated for hot forging are lead defined like the alloy CW617N, which is 59% copper, 39% zinc and 2% lead that is finely distributed in the microstructure and makes it ideal for mechanical processing. This minimum lead percentage facilitates the break-off of the shaving by containing temperature and improving the wear in the tools.
Brasses that are suitable for hot forging and used by ZMF belong to the CW617N, CW602N, CW510L and ECOBRASS classes. Brass has a wide field of applications and the main ones are listed. It is a ductile, malleable and conductor material and is used for electric equipment, contacts, lamp sockets, T pieces, pressure washers. It has got a good resistance to corrosion and can therefore be widely used in the field of hydraulic taps and fittings, mixers, in the nautical field and in the production of valves and exchangers. The same characteristics allow it to be used in the field of construction and forged accessories like handles, key locks and parts of furniture.
Aluminium
The aluminium alloys used for forging vary according to application sector. Quality and predisposition to pressing of these depend on the alloying materials.
The technical characteristics like machinability, resistance to corrosion, predisposition to anodization and weldability are decisive in the selection of the type of alloy.
Alloys commercially defined as AVIONAL are aluminium alloys class 2000 that have a wide application field. Although they are not extremely resistant to corrosion, have a low predisposition to anodizing and are just sufficiently weldable, these alloys have excellent mechanical characteristics and show a good machinability. They are therefore used for general mechanical uses, Aviation, bicycles, motorcycles and sports.
ANTICORODAL (6061-6083) formed by Mg and Si is ideal for the field of aesthetics where a higher predisposition to anodizing and resistance to corrosion are necessary.
ERGAL, aluminium with a numeric designation in the 7000 class (7075), is widely used and is hard, resistant and mechanically excellent thanks to the addition of copper. It is self hardening and has got a good recovery in the welded areas allowing it to be used in various fields: automotive, transport, bicycle, motorcycle aviation, hydraulics and sports equipment.
Bronze
It is one of the non ferrous alloys that has been used for forging since the ancient days because of its excellent predisposition to processing and hot pressing. It is very elastic and resistant to corrosion (particularly to sea water) and is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity. For this reason it is used for forging of nautical and electrical components as well taps and fittings in general.
The main alloys forged by ZMF are SAE430B, UZ36, UNI5275 and NIBRAL, a very resistant alloy made up of Nickel, Brass and Aluminium.
Copper
It is the only coloured metal. When pure its colour is red, while the colour of its alloys varies from white to yellow. The copper alloys mainly used by ZMF in the forging process (CW105C – Cu-ETP UNI5649 – CW111C – CuNi2Si – CW101C – CuBe2 – CW106C) contain Beryllium, Nickel, Chromium or Zirconium, all of which improve their pressing predisposition and mechanical properties.
Its historical success and variety of applications are due to a combination of qualities like high conductibility, easy processing, predisposition to form alloys and good resistance to corrosion. These peculiarities make it suitable for the production of semi-manufactured copper forges used in the oil, biomedical and navigation fields and for forged electrical components.
Titanium
The titanium alloy forge offers and exceptional combination of low density, resistance to corrosion, high resistance and hardness, which make it ideal for the production of forged structural components.
Titanium alloy forged products are mainly used in the field of aviation, cars, chemicals and petrochemicals.
The key to their success is the control of the microstructure that, thanks to its ductility, allows for pressing of complex shapes.
The titanium alloys used ZMF are ASTM B348, Grade 2 and Grade 5.
Interactive brochure of aluminium
Interactive brochure of brass
Interactive brochure of new non ferrous alloys
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