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 and improved hole circularity during drilling.

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

MHI offers GoldenBlue® and Quasi-R® for tooling, parts, and surfaces that need conditioning. This method provides greater hardness,  increased wear resistance, and low friction that extends 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.  It’s at least 15 to 20% better than without it.  I ran the small insert on 1045 steel.  Bored 40 pcs 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; it did seem to make a difference.  It’s at least 15-20% better than without it.  I ran the small insert on 1045 steel.  Bored 40 pcs 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 can rapidly “deburr” or create new surfaces, depending on the ions used and other properly set conditions that vary by alloy surface and temperature.  Nanoscale texture and porosity features now known to be essential for surface bioactivity or roughness can 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 when exposed to the cascade e-Ion beam often has low lubricity and high surface hardness.  Saves machining energy.  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 signs of wear such as 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.  You can do this with messy oils or 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.  It delivers a low coefficient of friction (~0.1; number depends on surface) and sharp edges.  It achieves a hardness of about 13 GPa and low friction.  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 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 made by GoldenBlue® treatment, size would not be a problem.  Consider automobile parts, from engine parts to shafts and gears.  When you purchase a machine, you are automatically enrolled in the expanding cascade e-ion group knowledge base.  The coatings may help prevent bolts and nuts from seizing during operation, i.e., by creating 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 provide a limited number of 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.