Can tooling components
AssigneeGolden Technologies, Inc.
InventorsChester J. Dziedzic, Andre Ezis, Roblee L. Talbott
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to improved materials for fabricating can bodies. In particular, the present invention relates to can tooling components fabricated from whisker-reinforced silicon nitride having from about 5 to about 15 weight percent whiskers with an average diameter of at least about 0.75 micrometers. The material preferably has a thermal expansion coefficient of less than about 3.5.times.10.sup.-6 per .degree.C. and a friction coefficient of from about 0.20 to about 0.24. The present invention also provides a method for reducing the trim height of can bodies formed using a can tooling apparatus.
Claims33
A can tooling component comprising whisker-reinforced silicon nitride, said whisker-reinforced silicon nitride consisting essentially of silicon nitride, from about 5 to about 15 weight percent silicon carbide whiskers and a substantially amorphous second phase and said component having a surface finish of between about 12 microinches and about 16 microinches RMS.
A body-forming punch for fabricating aluminum can bodies, wherein said punch comprises whisker-reinforced silicon nitride comprising from about 5 to about 15 weight percent silicon carbide whiskers and a second phase that is substantially amorphous and wherein the surface finish of said punch is between about 12 microinches and about 16 microinches RMS.
A body-forming punch for fabricating aluminum can bodies, said punch being fabricated from a whisker-reinforced silicon nitride material comprising:
- (a) from about 5 to about 15 weight percent silicon carbide whiskers having an average diameter of at least about 0.75 micrometers;
- and
- (b) a silicon nitride matrix comprising a substantially amorphous intergranular phase comprising from about 2 weight percent to about 12 weight percent rare earth oxide and from about 0.5 weight percent to about 8 weight percent alumina wherein said punch has a thermal expansion coefficient of less than about 3.5.times.10.sup.-6 per .degree.C. and wherein said punch has a coefficient of friction of from about 0.20 to about 0.24.
A body-forming apparatus for forming aluminum can bodies, comprising:
- (a) a body-forming punch having a coefficient of thermal expansion of less than about 3.5.times.10.sup.-6 per .degree.C. and a coefficient of friction of from about 0.20 to about 0.24;
- (b) a redraw die;
- (c) an ironing die;
- and
- (d) a doming die.
A method for reducing the gauge of aluminum sheet stock for the production of aluminum can bodies, comprising the steps of:
- (a) stamping a substantially circular disk from an aluminum sheet;
- (b) forming a cup from said disk;
- and
- (c) forcing said cup through a body-forming die with a body-forming punch, said punch comprising whisker-reinforced silicon nitride having a thermal expansion coefficient of less than about 3.5.times.10.sup.-6 per .degree.C. and a surface finish of between about 12 microinches and about 16 microinches RMS.
A method for producing an aluminum can body, comprising the steps of:
- (a) stamping a substantially circular disk from an aluminum sheet;
- (b) forming a cup from said disk;
- and
- (c) forcing said cup though a body-forming die with a body-forming punch, said punch having a thermal expansion coefficient of less than about 3.5.times.10.sup.-6 per .degree.C. and a coefficient of friction of from about 0.15 to about 0.35.
A method for producing an aluminum can body, comprising the steps of:
- (a) stamping a substantially circular disk from an aluminum sheet;
- (b) forming a cup from said disk;
- and
- (c) forcing said cup through a body-forming die with a body-forming punch comprising whisker-reinforced silicon nitride having a thermal expansion coefficient of less than about 3.5.times.10.sup.-6 per .degree.C. and a coefficient of friction of from about 0.20 to about 0.24, wherein said coefficient of friction is from about 0.20 to about 0.24 after said body-forming punch has produced about 12.6 million aluminum can bodies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.