Workholding & Work Supporting with Low Melting Point Alloys

MCP supplies a range of low melting point alloys which are specially formulated to support irregular or flimsy shapes during machining. These bismuth based alloys have the mechanical properties easily sufficient for the necessary rigidity and control in locating and supporting operations. The low temperatures at which they are used also ensure that heat distortion during setting up and melting off is minimised.

Turbine blade manufacturers are key customers for these alloys, as are pipe and other manufacturers who use the alloys as a filler to support fragile hollow shapes.

A choice of three alloys is available for workholding and supporting applications. MCP 70 is recommended as a temporary filler for hollow shapes such as setting a hollow part of a spindle. It has a melting point of 70 - 75ºC (158 - 167ºF). MCP 137 is a lead and cadmium free formulation which is suitable for encapsulating irregular parts. A removable steel bolster provides an external shape, and parts to be machined can be kept in an exact spatial relationship to the references faces so formed. The melting point is 135ºC (275ºF).

Cadmium free MCP 220 only becomes completely molten above 250ºC (482ºF) and remains completely solid below 95ºC (203ºF) and this long melting range allows the partly solid alloy to accommodate to a shape being filled. This alloy can be used to make perfectly fitting, re-usable split chuck jaws by sawing through the pattern and the encapsulating alloy.

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