“Handle with care” is a particularly relevant caution for light metal extruders, since scrap loss due to damage to the product after it leaves the die is an avoidable cost that extruders need no longer accept. Refractory felt roller covers, pads and belts specifically developed for aluminum extruders feature quality, strength, and durability never before achieved on the runout. Heat felts are a proven investment in both quality and productivity with a worthwhile return. They are an investment that is now very affordable.

THE ADVANTAGES OF FELT

Felt is formed by matting or pressing fibres randomly together. Its extraordinary strength comes from the essential cohesion of the fibres themselves, rather than from weaving them in only two directions. The self-healing property of felt considerably extends its useful life. The weakness of a woven fabric, for example, is that if a thread breaks, the fabric will usually begin to disintegrate from that point. A small cut in felt, however is soon integrated into the felt surface.

Several types of specially selected fibres are combined in refractory felts in order to maximize their tensile strength, durability, and resistance to heat, while remaining soft enough to avoid damage to even mirror-finish extrusions.

FELT VS. GRAPHITE

Graphite has traditionally been used on extrusion runout tables primarily because of its heat and abrasion resistance. It has, however, almost no impact absorbency. This often results in damage to the finished product.

Graphite was thought to be the only product able to withstand the high temperatures of the extrusion immediately after leaving the die. A new hightech fibre, PBO, is now used in Zylon refractory felts which combines extreme temperature resistance with impact absorbency and durability. PBO has the highest cross-sectional strength of all currently known synthetic fibres.

Graphite can now be completely eliminated from the extrusion handling system

AN INVESTMENT IN QUALITY

Refractory felts for pads, rollers and belts, are becoming the standard in the extrusion industry against which other products are measured. They are an investment in quality and productivity with a worthwhile return guaranteed.

PURPOSE

  • To reduce the friction between the profile and the table
  • To maintain the surface finish of the profile
  • To have a long life at elevated temperatures

FUNCTION

  • A mixture of Kevlar, Nomex and PBO are used to create a felt with a long life at elevated temperatures
  • The temperature requirements for the felt are dependent on the placement on the handling table
  • A mixture of rollers, pads and belts are used dependent on table design
  • Each product is engineered to give the longest life for the minimum cost

BENEFITS

  • Prevent damage to finished profile
  • Designed for all parts of runout table
  • Self-healing property extends operating life
  • Aid temperature control to improve product quality
  • Reduce unscheduled press downtime

With the Heat Felts, Castool again sets a new standard of excellence in the extrusion industry.

Results may vary depending on individual press characteristics and setup.

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