GRAPHALLOY® Solves a Proton Beam Problem

The Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) is a Department of Energy atomic particle research lab in Batavia, IL. Fermilab specializes in high energy physics research and devotes much of their efforts toward understanding the basic properties of fundamental particles including neutrinos and other subatomic particles.

Fermilab turned to GRAPHALLOY® bearings from Graphite Metallizing Corporation to solve a problem in a critical "neutrino target adjustment" mechanism when previous solutions had failed.

Fermilab's MINOS (Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search) is designed to observe neutrino beam composition and energy distribution as it travels underground from Fermilab in Illinois to the Soudan Iron Mine in Minnesota. Neutrinos produced by the particle accelerator at Fermilab are "beamed" 450 miles through the earth.

To produce this beam of neutrinos, a proton beam starts at the Main Injector accelerator. The protons are magnetically focused onto a target. Once the protons strike the target, secondary particles are produced, focused by a pair of magnetic focusing "horns". The particles of interest then decay into neutrinos. It is the mechanical adjustment of these focusing horns that requires GRAPHALLOY bearings.

This operation runs in a particularly hostile environment. It is radioactive and corrosive and is exposed to nitric acid and ionized air. Metallic bushings cannot be used. In addition, polymers, organics, plastics and oil cannot be used in the operation. Finally, the bearings must run dry.

The unique properties of GRAPHALLOY provided the solution to this application. GRAPHALLOY bushings were used to target and position the horns because other materials would corrode and freeze up...and continue to outlast the other materials in this target assembly.

(Image courtesy of Fermilab Visual Media Services)

GRAPHALLOY for Bakery Applications

High temperature GRAPHALLOY® bushings have been the choice of oven manufacturers for many years. GRAPHALLOY bushings extend bearing life and reduce maintenance costs for bakeries in temperatures reaching 1000° F (535° C). GRAPHALLOY may be the answer to the most difficult operating problems.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted GRAPHALLOY for "repeat use in food contact equipment" in bakery ovens, pumps, mixers and conveyors. Ovens and conveyors, in particular, undergo high heat and continuous operation that challenge the life and durability of critical components. Self lubricating GRAPHALLOY bushings and bearings perform in temperature extremes...when conventional materials fail.

GRAPHALLOY, a graphite/metal alloy, prevents unnecessary downtime and lost production. It also survives wash down conditions common in many food applications. With its low coefficient of friction and high strength, GRAPHALLOY bearings deliver long life and are not subject to seizures binding or sudden failure. In addition, the high temperature, self lubricating capabilities of GRAPHALLOY bushings reduce maintenance costs

GRAPHALLOY® Provides Help With Bearing Maintenance Problems

Need help with your bearing maintenance problems?
GRAPHALLOY® - a unique graphite/metal alloy commonly used as a bearing material - may be the solution. Self-lubricating GRAPHALLOY has provided solutions in pumps, dampers, turbines, valves and other process equipment.

What can GRAPHALLOY bushings do for you?
Deliver simple solutions for your design and maintenance problems;

◦Self-lubricating; requires no grease or oil
◦Low maintenance: install & forget
◦Non-galling; no metal to metal seizure
◦Stable; does not melt or cold flow or swell when submerged
◦Operates in temperature extremes: -450° F to +1000° F (-240° F to +535° F)
◦Low, constant coefficient of friction
◦Dry; does not collect dust or contaminants
◦FDA accepted grades available

GRAPHALLOY® Turns Lead-Free Into Problem-Free

In an effort to address environmental concerns, a manufacturer of fluorescent lighting tubes initiated a program to remove lead from the glass. When this move to lead-free glass caused manufacturing problems,GRAPHALLOY® came to the rescue.

Lead was beneficial to the production process. The move to lead-free glass caused a problem with the bushings in the machine that flared the end of the tube and prepared it to attach and seal to the end plugs.

The lead in the glass had provided additional lubrication and kept the units from “gumming up” and sticking. With lead-free glass, the maintenance crew went from rebuilding the units once a year to once every three months.

The plant engineer contacted GRAPHALLOY engineers who then designed copper-grade self-lubricating GRAPHALLOY bushings to test in the machine. The GRAPHALLOY bushings were installed and the machine ran for three months with no problems. At that time, the plant placed a production order for an additional 200 pieces.

The machine fitted with GRAPHALLOY bushings has been operating for over one year without failure...four times the life of the original bushings.

The success of these GRAPHALLOY high temperature bushings provided this plant with better performance and significant cost savings. It demonstrates the potential for GRAPHALLOY upgrades in other manufacturing applications.

GRAPHALLOY® Attending International Exhibition in 2012

SEPEM Industries
Practical solutions on operation, maintenance and development to energy, chemicals, wood and furniture, metallurgy, plastics, rubber and various other sectors. For more information about this conference, please click here.

January 31, 2012 - February 2, 2012
Avignon Sud Parc des expositions
Avignon, France

High Temperatures Pose No Problem for GRAPHALLOY® 845 Inserts

Graphite Metallizing Corporation announces GRAPHALLOY® 845 Spherical Inserts as a replacement for traditional ball bearings in many hightemperature applications. GRAPHALLOY, a graphite/metal alloy, is designed to operate without lubrication which makes 845 Spherical Inserts especially suited for operations where temperatures can reach — or exceed — 750°F (400°C).

GRAPHALLOY 845 Spherical Inserts are intended for use in standard pillow and flange blocks without the need to alter or redesign equipment. 845 Spherical Inserts are used in a variety of high temperature applications including ovens, furnaces, conveyors, glass lehrs, dampers, dryers as well as other environments where oil and grease cannot be used. Metric shaft sizes and stainless steel housing and inserts are available along with FDA accepted grades.

According to Eben Walker, General Manager of Graphite Metallizing Corporation, “Using GRAPHALLOY 845 Spherical Inserts has proven time and time again that significant ROI, cost savings and reduced maintenance can be achieved, especially in difficult applications where high temperatures are a concern.“
 

Other benefits of GRAPHALLOY include a low coefficient of friction and dimensional stability. Like all GRAPHALLOY products, 845 Spherical Inserts will not soften at high temperatures or extrude under load. GRAPHALLOY bushings also operate at longer intervals without the need for frequent replacement or maintenance which helps reduce costly downtime.

GRAPHALLOY is also an excellent choice for any application where service and maintenance tasks are cumbersome or difficult to perform. GRAPHALLOY is a proven solution for even the most challenging plant maintenance and new equipment design.

For more information about GRAPHALLOY products, visit http://www.graphalloy.com/.

GRAPHALLOY® at Heat Treat Conference in Cincinnati

Graphite Metalllzing Corporation will be exhibiting at the 2011 ASM Heat Treating Society Conference and Exposition from October 31 - November 2, 2011. This event will be held at the Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.

Visit us at Booth #1925.

For more information about the 2011 Heat Treating Society Conference, click here.