HARDNESS TESTERS NEWS

An international technology service provider and materials science startup located in Cambridge, UK has formed a new technical collaboration with Ovako, a manufacturer of engineering steel with locations in North America. The collaboration is focused on extending the startup's new metal testing technology to be able to test very hard metals, including novel grades.

Testing the steel manufacturer's Hybrid Steel® is a particular focus of the collaborative efforts with Plastometrex. The novel grade results from the first successful combination of two well-established precipitation strengthening mechanisms – i.e. simultaneous hardening by both carbides and intermetallic precipitations. It is designed to meet the demands of high-stress, elevated-temperature applications where mechanical strength is critical.

Patrik Olund, vice president and Head of Group R&D of Ovako, comments on the technology, "Their platform methodology and innovative product provide a much-needed tool for both metallurgy R&D and production activities. By extending the capability of the technology to test the hardest metals, we will be able to use the technology to rapidly characterize and optimize our products as well as the novel Hybrid Steels."

From the Ovako collaboration, Plastometrex will release a product update that will enable the device to test the vast majority of very hard engineering metals. Professor Bill Clyne, Chief Scientific Officer and leader of Plastometrex's research and development activities, commented, "[OVAKO] are a company with excellent scientific capabilities and a forward-thinking approach. Our collaborative work has been highly fruitful and directly resulted in capability improvements to our flagship product, which will soon be able to test very hard metals."

To learn more about this technology, listen or read the transcript to this Heat Treat Radio episode.