Handling tool

Abstract

A handling tool (1) for handling an object to be handled, which is a molten metal or dross of a non-ferrous metal, has a protective layer (3) formed on the outermost layer, which comes into contact with the object to be handled, to suppress adhesion of the object to be handled and reaction with the object to be handled. The protective layer includes passivation formed on the outermost layer of a base material (2). For example, the base material includes an iron-based material containing chromium, and the protective layer includes a chromium oxide. The protective layer has a thickness greater than 2 nm. The surface (31) of the protective layer has an uneven shape. The uneven shape is formed so that the contact angle with the object to be handled is 90 degrees or more.

Description

handling equipment CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-114263, filed on July 17, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to a handling tool for handling molten metal or dross of non-ferrous metals.

[0003] It is necessary to prevent the adhesion of molten metal to tools used for handling molten metal. If molten metal cools while still attached to the tools, solidified materials such as metals and metal oxides will adhere to the tools, causing a decrease in workability. In addition, molten metals of light metals are generally highly reducing and may corrode the tools.

[0004] In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a casting tool having a boron nitride coating layer formed on at least the portion that comes into contact with molten aluminum or aluminum alloy. The boron nitride layer can be formed by, for example, coating or immersion.

[0005] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 56-6772

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses, as a specific example, a method in which a dispersion of boron nitride in a colloidal state in water is applied to an iron-based base material, and the coating is left to dry in the air at room temperature for one hour, and then heated and dried. As such, when using this type of coating technique, it takes time to dry the coating material, which increases the overall process time and cost.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the circumstances exemplified above, etc. That is, the present disclosure provides a technique for reducing the overall process time and cost in a process using handling tools for handling molten metal or dross of a non-ferrous metal, for example.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a handling tool for handling an object that is a molten metal or dross of a non-ferrous metal has a protective layer formed on the outermost surface that comes into contact with the object to suppress adhesion of the object to and reaction with the object, and the protective layer is made of a passivation layer formed on the outermost surface of a base material.

[0009] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a handling tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. It is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an example of an uneven shape of the surface of the handling tool shown in Figure 1. It is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another example of an uneven shape of the surface of the handling tool shown in Figure 1.

[0010] (Embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the following embodiments, their modifications, and the drawings related thereto are schematic or simplified for the purpose of concisely explaining the contents of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the contents of the present disclosure in any way. Therefore, it goes without saying that the descriptions in the drawings do not necessarily coincide with the specific device configurations actually manufactured, sold, or used. In other words, unless expressly limited by the applicant in the prosecution history of this application, it goes without saying that the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by the descriptions in the drawings and the corresponding descriptions of the configurations, functions, or operations described below.

[0011] 1 and 2, a schematic configuration of a handling tool 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The handling tool 1 is a tool or implement for handling a high-temperature fluid, such as molten metal or dross of a non-ferrous metal, as a handling object M, and has a structure in which a metal base material 2 is coated with a protective layer 3 at least in a portion that may come into contact with the handling object M.

[0012] The handling tool 1 according to this embodiment can be realized as a tool used by workers to pump out molten metal or remove oxides in a factory for die-cast products made of metal aluminum or its alloys. Specifically, the handling tool 1 can be used as a derelict for removing oxides, a ladle for pumping up molten metal, etc. The material of the part of the handling tool 1 that does not come into contact with the object M to be handled (for example, the rod-shaped part that is gripped and operated by the worker) is not particularly limited as long as it is fire-resistant.

[0013] The base material 2 is made of a transition metal and formed into a predetermined shape. Specifically, the base material 2 is made of an iron-based material containing chromium, more specifically, a steel material. In this embodiment, the base material 2 is stainless steel, and preferably contains 13 wt % or more (more preferably 20 wt % or more) of chromium. Furthermore, the base material 2 preferably contains 6 wt % or more of nickel and 4 wt % or less of molybdenum as metal elements that are added to improve the adhesion and heat resistance strength of the protective layer 3.

[0014] The protective layer 3 is a coating layer formed on the outermost surface of the handling tool 1 that comes into contact with the object M to be handled, in order to suppress adhesion of the object M to be handled and reaction with the object M. In this embodiment, the protective layer 3 is made of a passivation layer formed on the outermost surface of the base material 2. Specifically, the protective layer 3 is a passivation coating made of elements that constitute the transition metals that are components of the base material 2, and is typically made of chromium oxide, i.e., Cr ２ O ３ It consists of:

[0015] The protective layer 3 has a thickness exceeding 2 nm, which is the thickness of the passive film naturally formed on stainless steel, preferably 10 nm or more, and more preferably 20 nm or more. Specifically, the protective layer 3 can be made stronger than the passive film naturally formed on stainless steel, for example, by doping the surface layer of the base material 2 with oxygen, heating in an oxygen atmosphere, or using an oxidizing acid (e.g., hydrogen peroxide or dilute nitric acid). There is no particular upper limit to the thickness of the protective layer 3, as long as the desired effect can be achieved by forming and maintaining a good protective layer 3.

[0016] By including 13% by weight or more of chromium in the base material 2, it is possible to improve the heat resistance of the protective layer 3, which is a passive film. ２ O ３ As a result, a part of the protective layer 3 made of FeCr is destroyed and oxidation progresses. ２ O ４This may cause a concern that the effect of suppressing adhesion of the object M to the base material 2 or reaction with the object M may be reduced. ２ O ３ It is possible to ensure the self-repairing properties of the coating.

[0017] Therefore, in this embodiment, it is preferable to use a high-chromium stainless steel material such as SUS310S as the base material 2. SUS310S contains 24 to 26 wt % of chromium. By increasing the chromium concentration in the base material 2, Cr, which effectively suppresses reaction with molten aluminum, is used. ２ O ３ The film can be stabilized. In addition, by setting the carbon concentration to 0.1 wt % or less, Cr ２３ C ６ It is possible to effectively suppress the decrease in chromium concentration due to the generation of

[0018] 2, by roughening the surface 31 of the protective layer 3 that comes into contact with the object M by forming an uneven shape and setting the contact angle θ of the object M to 90 degrees or more, it is possible to effectively suppress adhesion of the object M to the object M and reaction with the object M. Furthermore, by adjusting the depth of the recesses 32 in the uneven shape, i.e., the height of the protrusions 33, and the contact area with the object M, it is possible to suppress heat transfer to the base material 2 (specifically, to reduce the heat transfer coefficient to 1 / 2 or less). Any known method can be used for roughening the surface, such as fine particle shot blasting, laser processing, or chemical treatment including etching.

[0019] 2 shows the wet state of the object M based on the Wenzel model, which assumes that the entire surfaces of the recesses 32 and protrusions 33 in the uneven shape of the surface 31 are wet. The uneven shape of the surface 31 that realizes such a wet state can be realized, for example, by forming the recesses 32 into a mortar-like or dimple-like shape. Such an uneven shape can be easily formed, for example, by roughening the surface by shot blasting.

[0020] On the other hand, the example in Figure 3 shows the wet state of the object M based on the Cassie-Baxter model, which assumes that the recesses 32 in the uneven shape of the surface 31 are in contact with the trapped air without getting wet. In such a wet state, the contact angle θ can be made larger, and the effect of suppressing heat transfer to the base material 2 is also enhanced. Such a wet state can be achieved by forming the recesses 32 in the shape of pores, as shown in Figure 3. Such an uneven shape can be easily formed, for example, by laser processing.

[0021] There are no particular limitations on the sizes of the recesses 32 and protrusions 33 in the uneven surface 31 as long as the desired contact angle θ is formed, but the optimal value may vary depending on the fluid properties (e.g., viscosity) of the molten metal or dross. Specifically, for example, when using a handling tool 1 having a dimple-shaped surface 31 with a depth of about 20 to 50 μm, recesses 32 with a width of about 100 to 150 μm, and protrusions 33 with a top surface width of about 20 to 50 μm, a good non-wetting effect with respect to molten aluminum was obtained. The surface roughness is preferably, for example, about 10 μm in Ra and about 50 to 70 μm in Rz.

[0022] As described above in detail, in this embodiment, instead of providing a coating that requires drying or baking on the surface of the base material 2 in order to suppress adhesion or reaction of the object M to be handled in the handling tool 1, the protective layer 3 is formed as a passive film. That is, according to this embodiment, it is possible to achieve a coating-less handling tool 1. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a technology that reduces the overall process time and cost in a process using the handling tool 1 that handles molten metal or dross of non-ferrous metals.

[0023] (Modifications) The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, the above-described embodiment can be modified as appropriate. Representative modifications will be described below. In the following description of the modifications, differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are identical or equivalent to each other in the above-described embodiment and the modifications. Therefore, in the following description of the modifications, the description of the above-described embodiment can be used as appropriate for components that have the same reference numerals as the above-described embodiment, unless there is a technical contradiction or special additional explanation.

[0024] The present disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations or structures described in the above embodiments and examples. That is, for example, there are no particular limitations on the use of the handling tool 1 or the shape, structure, material, etc. of the base material 2. Specifically, for example, the molten metal as the object M to be handled by the handling tool 1 is not limited to aluminum or its alloys, but may be magnesium or its alloys.

[0025] It goes without saying that the elements constituting the above-described embodiments are not necessarily essential unless expressly stated as essential or clearly considered essential in principle. Furthermore, when numerical values ​​such as the number, amount, and range of components are mentioned, the present disclosure is not limited to those specific numerical values ​​unless expressly stated as essential or clearly limited to specific numerical values ​​in principle. Similarly, when the shape, direction, positional relationship, etc. of components are mentioned, the present disclosure is not limited to those shapes, directions, positional relationships, etc., unless expressly stated as essential or clearly limited to specific shapes, directions, positional relationships, etc. in principle.

[0026] (Aspects of the Disclosure) As is clear from the above description of the embodiments and modifications, this specification discloses at least the following. [First Aspect] A handling tool (1) for handling an object to be handled, which is a molten metal or dross of a non-ferrous metal, comprising a protective layer (3) formed on the outermost surface that comes into contact with the object to be handled, for suppressing adhesion of the object to and reaction with the object, the protective layer comprising a passivation formed on the outermost surface of a base material (2). [Second Aspect] A handling tool according to the first aspect, wherein the base material is made of a transition metal, and the protective layer comprises a passivation formed by elements that constitute the transition metal. [Third Aspect] A handling tool according to the second aspect, wherein the base material is made of an iron-based material containing chromium, and the protective layer comprises a chromium oxide. [Fourth Aspect] A handling tool according to the third aspect, wherein the base material contains 13 wt % or more of chromium. [Fifth Aspect] The handling tool according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the base material is made of a steel material having a carbon concentration of 0.1 wt % or less. [Sixth Aspect] The handling tool according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the base material contains a metal element as an additive component for improving the adhesion and heat resistance strength of the protective layer. [Seventh Aspect] The handling tool according to the sixth aspect, wherein the base material contains, as the metal elements, 6 wt % or more of nickel and 4 wt % or less of molybdenum. [Eighth Aspect] The handling tool according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the protective layer has a thickness exceeding 2 nm. [Ninth Aspect] The handling tool according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the surface (31) of the protective layer has an uneven shape. [Tenth Aspect] The handling tool according to the ninth aspect, wherein the uneven shape is formed so that the contact angle of the object to be handled is 90 degrees or more. [Eleventh Aspect] The handling tool according to the ninth or tenth aspect, wherein the uneven shape is formed so as to suppress heat transfer to the base material.

Claims

1. A handling tool (1) for handling an object that is a molten or dross non-ferrous metal, the tool having a protective layer (3) formed on the outermost surface that comes into contact with the object to suppress adhesion of the object to the handle and reaction with the object, the protective layer being a passivation layer formed on the outermost surface of a base material (2).

2. The handling tool according to claim 1, wherein the base material is made of a transition metal, and the protective layer is made of a passivation material made of elements that constitute the transition metal.

3. The handling tool according to claim 2, wherein the base material is made of an iron-based material containing chromium, and the protective layer is made of chromium oxide.

4. The handling tool according to claim 3, wherein the base material contains 13% by weight or more of chromium.

5. The handling tool according to claim 4, wherein the base material is made of a steel material having a carbon concentration of 0.1% by weight or less.

6. The handling tool according to claim 3, wherein the base material contains a metal element as an additive component for improving the adhesion and heat resistance strength of the protective layer.

7. The handling tool according to claim 6, wherein the base material contains, as the metallic elements, nickel in an amount of 6% by weight or more and molybdenum in an amount of 4% by weight or less.

8. The handling tool according to claim 1, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of more than 2 nm.

9. The handling tool according to claim 1, wherein the surface (31) of the protective layer has an uneven shape.

10. The handling tool according to claim 9, wherein the uneven shape is formed so that the contact angle of the object to be handled is 90 degrees or more.

11. The handling tool according to claim 9, wherein the uneven shape is formed so as to suppress heat transfer to the base material.

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