Advanced CFC Fixture Applications, their scientific challenges and economic benefits

In the mid-1990’s material developed by NASA came into focus with engineers at Fraunhofer institute in Stuttgart, Germany. The lead engineer asked if CFC-material (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Carbon) could substitute graphite used for trays in a soldering process of drills? Yes!

This project was the beginning of the development a new generation of racks, CFC racks. In the end the heat treatment industry in Europe was the biggest profiteer of this development.

Mr. Kowalewski said for example that for Additive Manufacturing (AM) “lightweight fixings, such as coated CFC grids, are highly recommended.” They might help reach targets like “increasing the load density” or increasing “vacuum furnace capability”. In automotive industry “from a heat-treating perspective, controlling distortion is a primary goal in reducing manufacturing cost” Mr. W. Titus said.

This presentation shows by industry mainly for gear, tool, automotive and aviation manufacturers that CFC-Racks can increase net-load up to 100 %, reduce rack weight up to -80 %, decrease energy consumption and process time up to -30 %, extend rack life time over +100 % and avoid waste and distortion to 90 %.

This discussion hopes to show heat treat users the many benefits of CFC Racks.