Heat-Treat Process -- need metal container

[pfengineer]

Hi folks,

Not sure if this is the correct forum, but the question's related to handling of materials, so here goes:

My company has been having problems with our heat-treater. When we send them small parts (.3"-.4" diameter, .1" tall cylinders), they have been coming back with severe damage. We had thought they were just tossing them in and not worrying whether larger parts bumped them or even sat on them throughout the heat-treat process. Turns out they've been vacuum packing them into foil bags, and so all the sharp edges of the little parts are digging into each other. Scrap rates have started to go through the roof with this method!

We've been with this company for a while so we're looking into a solution. (Or rather, my boss wants me to look into a solution.) Does anyone know of a source for small metal boxes, preferably with some or all mesh? Steel would work, but Hastelloy is requested. We can make our own if need be, but prefab is always faster.

Thanks for any help or tips!
Erica

 

[pfengineer]

Oops. Not handling of materials, metal engineering. Sorry!

 

[arunmrao]

There are more competetive materials which can be used for manufacturing small size charge baskets with woven wire mesh. Normally the mesh is in 310 grade wire and the supporting basket in 310 or 330. For a beginning you can fabricate in 304 grade and arrive at the optimum size of the basket. These are standard products available. However,the quantity spread and stacking of the baskets will determine the quality of your end product. Hope it helps.

 

[TVP]

The following companies all manufacture heat treating baskets of one form or another:

http://www.wirco.com/

http://www.tecnoalloy.com/index.html#contactinfo

http://www.fab-alloy.com

310 stainless is a typical material for heat treating accessories, and should be suitable for your application. I'm curious why your heat treat vendor has been using bags instead of a basket so far. Is decarburization a concern? Switching from the bags to a basket may result in some unintended consequences, so make sure you have thoroughly discussed this with them. Good luck.