Mica is a naturally
occurring mineral and there are 37 varieties. However, the two we work with are
phlogopite, or green, and muscovite, or white, mica.
These two forms of mica
come in sheet form, in
two grades, MFSSP (phlogopite) and MFSSM (muscovite). Each of these two forms
of mica has qualities that make it suitable for different applications, used by
a broad range of industries.
Our phlogopite and
muscovite mica sheets are available in flexible or rigid grades, depending on
their required use.
In coreless induction furnaces, it is vital that the coil responsible for the melting process can work as effectively and efficiently as possible, with a minimum risk of disruption. Protecting furnace coils is essential.
Depending on the type of metals they are melting, coreless induction furnaces can be at risk from materials penetrating the layer of grout surrounding the coil and damaging the coil itself.
Elmelin has developed furnace safety systems, protecting furnace coils by giving an early warning where there is a risk of damage to the coil grout. These products are laminates that line the furnace, combining mica with innovative technology.
These furnace systems are Elmesh and Vapourshield.
In the foundry and steel
industry, production has been based on the principle of induction since the
early years of the 20th century. Allen Colby patented the first induction
furnace in 1900, and the induction heating of metal has spread since then, with
most modern furnaces now using this electrical process.
The coreless induction
furnace uses a crucible, into which metal is placed. A coil surrounds the
crucible, which generates the electricity required to melt the metal in it.
For modern foundries
using coreless induction furnaces to work efficiently, they must keep thermal
consistency throughout this process. Maintaining the optimum temperature for
the task will prevents the loss of valuable alloying elements, helping to
achieve uncontaminated, well-mixed results every time.
Elmelin is a specialist
manufacturer of products designed to
support coreless induction furnaces in achieving this thermal consistency.
For businesses to compete effectively, they must consider looking beyond productivity and invest in innovation through research and development. The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) is a cost effective means of enabling them to do this.
Innovation has its rewards, but it comes at a price. We recognise that, while we can offer a broad range of industrial insulation solutions and products, including specialist prototyping, many businesses need financial support to get to the stage where they can initiate these developments. Research and development (R&D) can be a fantastic way of not only growing your own business, but also growing your industry. But it can be costly. Tax breaks for R&D is a vital part of it, and a huge incentive for many.
For SMEs and others to
unlock innovation, they must first be able to identify which research and
development (R&D) costs are eligible for tax breaks and funding.
Induction furnaces provide
an energy efficient solution to processing for the foundry and steel
industry. The induction heating of metal involves applying heat to a coil of
copper wire that surrounds a non-conductive crucible, containing the material
to be melted down.
An alternating current
runs through the copper wire coil, which creates a rapidly reversing magnetic
field that can penetrate the metal. This penetration then induces circular
electric currents inside the metal, eventually breaking down its resistance.
The advantage of the
induction process for heating metal is that it avoids contamination of the
material through use of any other external heat source, such as burning fuel.
However, due to the intense heat involved, the crucible lining must be able to withstand high temperatures, to maintain consistency and productivity. This is where the slip plane characteristics of mica roll as a furnace lining are so critical to foundry processes.
What are the questions that drive business success? For many, innovation will the way that they can differentiate themselves and gain a competitive edge. To do this, they must be able to harness the potential of effective research and development, or R&D.
It’s the time of year when thoughts turn to festive things, and where considerations of high temperature insulation, furnace safety systems and thermal management for industry may take a back seat.
But please, bear with us, and let us take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year, with a few musings to go along with the mood of the season.
Research and development, R&D, can be the key to unlocking greater competitiveness for companies, whatever their size. Investing in R&D is what drives advances in innovation, and innovation is one way for a business to differentiate itself the marketplace. Is R&D worth the investment though?
R&D is where businesses can develop new products, or enhance existing ones and, through vigorous testing and prototyping, prepare them for market.
