Laboratory further processing
Processing of semi-finished steel products in the laboratory
Flat steel products can be characterized as prototype pipe or they can be further processed into prototype components. A closed laboratory process chain for discontinuous pipe production provides us with a wide range of testing opportunities.
From blank to pipe
The flexible and modularly structured U-O pipe forming tool enables us to produce pipes with diameters ranging from 30 to 100 mm and wall thicknesses from 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm in lengths of up to 1,500 mm. Laser beam welding is used to close off the pipes. Modern laser technology makes the welding of new grades and experimental materials possible. To improve the gap-bridging capability of the laser process, the installation also combines arc welding technology (hybrid welding process) and laser beam oscillation through a cross-section of the weld seam. To influence the weld microstructure, process-integrated inductive heat treatment is possible learn more
Final tests are oriented towards the future intended purpose of the pipe. Pipes for internal high-pressure forming, for example, can undergo burst testing. We also perform ring tensile tests, ring expansion tests and cyclic torsion tests. » learn more
Material characterization of flat steel products
The determination of material characteristics required as a basis for the optimization of materials and the development of new ones. To determine flat steel product material characteristics with regard to forming technology, we have state-of-the-art test equipment. This includes the analysis of conventional material characteristics (determination of the forming limit diagram, etc.), for example, and the tribological evaluation of sheet surfaces and surface finishing systems.
We can, among other things, represent practically oriented material loads with the 1,000-ton high-speed tryout forming press with fully regulated drawing speed (1 to 500 mm/s). In combination with the chamber furnace, there is the potential to conduct hot forming at up to 1,000 °C with the incorporation of cooled dies. » learn more