Materials

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Contact corrosion: Chemical affinity and its impact

Corrosion is much more than just superficial rust. When incompatible metals are joined, their direct contact can cause profound damage due to galvanic corrosion. The process behind galvanic corrosion is based on electrochemical processes and preferentially occurs in wet, salty, or aggressive environments. Under these conditions, it leads to the inevitable degradation of the less noble metal. In this article, we show how contact corrosion works, which materials are particularly affected and which preventive measures are effective.

Basic knowledgeConstructionMaterials
14 Minutes read

Steel Hardening Processes - An Overview

Steel is a versatile material in industry and is particularly popular for its robustness. However, this robustness is not a fundamental property of steel, but rather the result of purposeful hardening processes. In this article, we introduce the processes of steel hardening, provide an overview of hardening methods, and list common errors and problems.

Basic knowledgeMaterials
2 Minutes read

Correct selection of gearbox synchronous belts

A precisely designed synchronous belt drive is key to efficient and durable power transmission in industrial applications. However, what is important when choosing the right belt? From calculating the rated power to determining the optimum belt width to verifying the center distance between shafts, each step affects the performance and service life of the drive system. Excessive tension can overload components; insufficient tension can cause slippage or tooth failure. That’s why the right belt tension is critical for reliable operation. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to determine the ideal belt configuration step-by-step, which calculation formulas are available to assist you, and what to look for during adjustment and maintenance.

ConstructionMaterialsTransmission
28 Minutes read

Cutting Tools - A small introduction

Whether it’s building machines, repair work in trades, or manufacturing precision components, cutting tools are used everywhere. Turning tools, milling tools, drilling tools, and grinding tools are used whenever material needs to be removed in the form of chips. This article explains the types of cutting tools available and what matters when using them.

Basic knowledgeMaterialsStandard parts
11 Minutes read

Damping Materials - Rubber and PU Rubber

Effective damping of mechanical oscillations, shocks and vibrations is a central criterion in the design of technical systems. Materials such as rubber and polyurethane rubber (PU) are characterized by high damping power, viscoelastic behavior and adjustable mechanical characteristics. Their targeted selection and modification allow for application-specific adaptation to dynamic loads, environmental conditions and service life requirements. We highlight the typical material properties, use cases and current developments in the area of damping polymer materials.

ConstructionDampingMaterials
21 Minutes read

Damping materials - Gel dampers

Whether in precision mechanical assemblies, automated equipment or the vibration isolation of sensitive components, gel dampers provide a highly effective, compact solution for energy absorption during motion, shock and vibration. This blog shows how mechanical damping works with gel, what the differences are from classic elastomer solutions, and what really matters when it comes to selection, installation, and material choice.

Basic knowledgeDampingMaterials
15 Minutes read

Spacer sleeves and spacer discs – Materials and shapes

Spacer sleeves and spacer discs are important elements for joining and design engineering solutions. They perform several tasks: They are spacers, distribute incident forces, secure components and are needed for precision adjustments. In addition to classic metal washers, this article also discusses other special shapes and configuration options, such as round plates.

ConstructionMaterialsStandard parts
16 Minutes read

Linear shafts: Selecting the right material, hardening, and surface treatment

Linear shafts perform demanding tasks in industrial applications: They permit precise and repeatable linear movements under high mechanical loads. To meet these requirements, proper material selection, hardening, and surface treatment is critical. All of these factors directly affect the service life, precision and performance of a linear shaft. This article introduces these three aspects and highlights their dependencies so you can select the best linear shaft for your application.

Linear MotionMaterialsSurfaces
11 Minutes read

Specialty plastics for practitioners – Properties, resistance and application examples

Specialty plastics are used when applications place high demands on the material or special properties are required. They frequently have insulating properties and their high resistance to water and chemicals makes them a reliable, low-maintenance material. It is then no wonder that specialty plastics are used in many technical fields and also in fasteners such as screws and nuts. The following article provides an overview of various specialty plastics and their applications.

Basic knowledgeConstructionMaterials
12 Minutes read

Neodymium magnets: Special features, production and uses

Neodymium magnets are the strongest permanent magnets available and can produce very strong magnetic fields in the smallest of spaces. This property allows them to be integrated into a variety of devices and applications even when space is limited.

What makes neodymium magnets so strong, what applications are available, how they are made, and what to consider when using them is discussed in this article.

Basic knowledgeMaterials
9 Minutes read

Steel materials, steel and industrial materials: A guide to choosing the best steel for your applications

Industrial materials are very diverse and include metal (e.g. steel), polymers, glass and composites. It is important to take a look at these materials as they are used for a wide range of applications.

Basic knowledgeMaterials
5 Minutes read