A new method for treating tool bit surfaces that makes an HSS tool bit perform better than a CVD-coated bit.

Less machine chatter and reduced galling enhance life and create a smoother cut, which is always a good outcome.

Quasi-R® and GoldenBlue® treatments reduce friction, improve machining outcomes, and reduce energy waste.

Users report over a 40% reduction in the coefficient of friction—improved hole circularity during drilling.

Easy multi-color tool-bit reconditioning with the cascade e-ion family of machines.

MHI offers a GoldenBlue^® and Quasi-R^® for tooling, parts and surfaces that need to be conditioned. This method provide greater hardness,  increase wear resistance, low friction that extend life for a variety of materials and alloys.  

Customer testimonial: “We ran one of the inserts on 17-4 stainless steel on our CNC lathe……..The (MHI treatment) coating   “We ran one of the inserts on 17-4 stainless steel on our CNC lathe……..The coating did seem to make a difference.  I would say at least 15 to 20% better than without it.  I ran the small insert on 1045 steel.  Bored 40pc with two passes for each bore.  One thing I noticed right off the bat was the coating gave an improved finish over a standard insert finish.  I did not have to change the insert and finished all 40 pcs without the tool breaking down!” did seem to make a difference.  I would say at least 15 to 20% better than without it.  I ran the small insert on 1045 steel.  Bored 40pc with two passes for each bore.  One thing I noticed right off the bat was the coating gave an improved finish over a standard insert finish.  I did not have to change the insert and finished all 40 pcs without the tool breaking down!”

What is GoldenBlue^®?

The Cascade e-ion Plasma is a versatile machine that may be used to impact the surface texture and roughness of metals (Cascade e-Ion source), ceramics (Cascade e-Ion EIZ), or soft plastics (e-Ion LIP).  With the e-Ion Plasma machine, one may rapidly “deburr” or create new surfaces, depending on the ions used and other correctly set conditions that change for specific alloy surfaces and temperature.  Nanoscale features of texture and porosity that are now known to be essential for surface bioactivity or roughness can now be engineered.  Sometimes, trial and error experimentation may be involved regardless of whether it is HSS, titanium, steel, cobalt, or PEEK alloy.  Contact the manufacturer, MHI.  The in situ-growth coating that forms on exposure to the cascade e-Ion beam very often has low lubricity and high surface hardness.  Saves the energy of machining.  It saves tool resources and offers many more benefits.  Improved coatings on high-speed machine tools, cutting knives, blades, and even recoating thin razor blades when appropriately coated.  Transform and reuse (recoat) at will, re-sharpening when possible.  To prolong tool life, identify the signs of wear like abrasion, fracture, chipping, etc.. Both thermal and mechanical stresses cause tool wear, with heat and abrasion being the primary culprits.  Reducing heat generation during machining by lowering the friction adds considerably to life.  This can be done with messy oils or using a GoldenBlue^®-treated surface.

GoldenBlue^® is the trade name for service and multi-color high-value surfaces created by the Cascade e-ion—ultra-hard and ultra-smooth.  A low coefficient of friction ~0.1 ( number depends on surface) with sharp edges is obtained.  A hardness of about 13 Gpa and low friction is obtained.  A hardness of about 13GPa is equivalent to a Rockwell C of about 75 Rc; however, the Rockwell C scale is not meant for such high hardness or coatings.  The Cascade e-Ion machines offer easy nano-nitriding/oxynitride of tungsten cobalt, stainless, and titanium alloys (almost all transition metal alloys) with just air use as the process gas (no toxic gas or vacuum treatment).

An extensive surface area treatment, when required, does not present a problem.  For example, if railway tracks were to be made by GoldenBlue^® treatment, it would not present a problem for size.  Consider automobile parts, from engine parts to shafts and gears.  When you purchase a machine, you are freely enrolled in the expanding cascade e-ion group knowledge base.  The coatings may be beneficial for bolts and nuts that seize during operations, i.e., for making non-seizing surfaces for automobiles, aircraft, and other high-temperature engine parts like bolts, even for corrosive outboards.  Each situation may be different.  However, MHI will happily do limited free parts for your verification while this offer lasts.  Please contact MHI for details.  It is a new type of heat treatment with vast possibilities.  MHI has introductory prices well below lasers, large vacuum and gas furnaces, or vacuum ion nitride.