In this interview, individuals from H.C Starck Solutions talk about their refractory metal forging and extrusion capabilities, and how that benefits their customers.
Can you give us a brief introduction to the forging and extrusion services that H.C. Starck Solutions offers?
In 1976 H.C. Starck Solutions, (fka. AMAX Specialty Metals), acquired a 5500 Ton extrusion press to be used as a process step in producing refractory metal products such as molybdenum, tantalum, and niobium. Because of low utilization for that need and the high cost of operation, excess capacity on the press was sold as a tolling service.
It did not take long to capitalize on our niche market for extrusion. An extrusion press with 5500 Tons of available force and ram speed ranges from 0.01-12ips coupled with technical expertise proved to be a highly sought after asset.
To this day H.C. Starck Solutions proudly offers their services where most say extrusion is impossible.
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What are the main metals and other materials that you work with?
We pride ourselves on our extensive resume of materials that we have successfully extruded and forged. We start with light metals and cover the entire spectrum up to the most difficult alloys.
Production throughout a typical week might include copper alloys, refractory metals, stainless steels, nickel alloys, and titanium alloys all in different sizes and shapes.
What sort of customers do you tend to work with? Is there a particular market you are focusing on?
Our customer base is quite large from large metal manufacturers to the mom-and-pop businesses that need extrusions & forging services but cannot justify the large amount of capital to install the equipment themselves. We offer our services for single piece development through high volume production.
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What can H.C. Starck Solutions offer that differentiates you from competing services?
There is no other extrusion press in the world that has a greater combination of capabilities to offer. Our vast ranges in temperature, speed, tonnage, and extrusion sizes coupled with a team with over 50 years of experience.
Combining these attributes with our extensive resume of producing hundreds of alloys to thousands of different sizes clearly differentiates us from the competition. H.C. Starck Solutions has the ability to take a unique application and develop a process that will help you get to the market faster than any other method or service.
What are the main benefits of both being a metal supplier and offering processing/manufacturing services?
Being both a supplier and manufacturer of refractory metals allows us to be flexible with the development of new materials and processes. Being fully integrated allows us to be creative with the entire manufacturing process and allows for easier experimentation to develop an entire supply chain that is optimized for success and cost. We have transferred these technologies to many applications to support our toll customer’s needs.
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What are the most challenging applications you have dealt with?
H.C. Starck Solutions is constantly pushing the envelope on extrusion technology. We perform best when others believe it can’t be done.
For example, the development of pure niobium tube produced from solid ingot in a 1 step operation. Core material that once was trepanned and written off as scrap could now be converted into usable product without any additional processing considerations.
In addition, H.C. Starck Solutions is known for its recycling capabilities, which differentiates us from other refractory metals companies.
What are your plans for 2014?
We will continue our advertising online and in trade magazines, and we are represented at various expo’s and conferences that relate to the services we offer.
We are promoting a story about an extrusion press that has the greatest combination of capabilities offered in the world. And also, our expert sales teams are constantly promoting our extrusion and rotary forging capabilities to potential customers.
Where can we find more information about your extrusion and forging services?
On our website, www.hcstarcksolutions.com or you can contact customer services at 517-279-3668.
About H.C. Starck Solutions
The H.C. Starck Group is a leading global supplier of technology metals and advanced ceramics. The company operates modern manufacturing facilities in Europe, America, and Asia and serves growing industries such as the electronics, chemicals, automotive, medical technology, aerospace, energy technology, and environmental technology industries, as well as engineering companies and tool manufacturers.
On December 31, 2017, the H.C. Starck Group had 2,600 employees in the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, China, Japan, and Thailand.
H.C. Starck’s products are predominantly based on technology metals: Tantalum, Niobium, Tungsten, and Molybdenum.
The Fabricated Products Division converts technology metal powders into customized semi-finished and finished products through pressing, sintering, rolling, melting and thermo-mechanical processing and surface treatment.
The Tungsten Division provides high performance products for the mechanical engineering and tool making, automotive and energy industry, aviation industry, and the chemical industry, for example:
- tungsten carbides for carbide tools and wear parts
- tungsten and cast tungsten carbides for oil and gas drilling
- tungsten metal powders for heavy metal alloys
- tungsten chemicals as precursors for catalysts
The Advanced Ceramic Components (CER) Division manufactures specialized technical ceramic parts and films. CER produces engineering parts such as sealing rings, functional parts including fuel cells for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems and products for dental applications as well as for armor and wear protection. Furthermore, CER focuses on technological developments to expand the portfolio toward product applications in the semiconductor industry.
In 2018 H.C. Starck sold the division Surface Technology & Ceramic Powders to the Swedish Höganäs Group, effective March 1st and the division Tantalum and Niobium to the JX Nippon Mining & Metals Group, effective July 1st.
The group is led by a two-member Executive Board: Dr. Jens Knöll (Chairman of the Executive Board), Dr. Jan Lösch (Member of the Executive Board).
H.C. Starck was founded in Berlin in 1920. Since 2007, the company is owned by financial investors Advent International and The Carlyle Group.
H.C. Starck is registered in Goslar (Germany) and the Group’s headquarters is located in Munich (Germany).
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by H.C. Starck Soutions.
For more information on this source, please visit H.C. Starck Solutions.
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