| Metallurgical Research
Laboratory |
| Metallugical Research Laboratory |
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The Metallurgical Research Laboratory, the oldest
research institute in Japan for high-quality speciality steels, began its work
in 1934.
Originally set up to research the manufacture of TamaHagane,
the base steel of the Japanese sword, it has earned a global
reputation for tool steels and has become a leading institution
in the fields of electronics, aviation, energy-related new materials
and new materials R&D.
As an establishment supporting the materials research of the whole Hitachi Metals
Group, it uses processing research and technology and computer simulation to ceaselessly
pursue the development of the new products and technologies described below.
The resolution of each of the experts gathered at the Metallurgical Research Laboratory
is "to be the master of materials." Here, a drama is being played out
by pioneers who identify customer needs independently and dream of harnessing
their own creativity to meet them. |
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Electronics Materials
In recent years, new materials have played a major role in the technological innovations
needed to propel the rapid development of high-performance electronics products
that are ever lighter, thinner, shorter and smaller.
The laboratory is ahead of rival institutions in developing semiconductor lead
frames, glass-sealing adhesive alloys, invar alloy for CRT shadow masks and permalloys
for magnetic cores and shields for office equipment, as well as commercializing
a number of breakthrough products. Each of these products has a large market share,
and our lead frame materials have the largest share of the world market.
In addition to production equipment, the laboratory has equipment for highly accurate
evaluation in such areas as etching processes and magnetism measurement, enabling
it to continue new product development on an integrated basis with the manufacturing
facility. |
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| Target product for sputtering |
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New Materials
The laboratory, which ceaselessly strives to develop high-performance, highly
functional specialty steel materials, is working to add still more value into
products as customer needs diversify in the 21st century.
In the electronics field, it has developed many highly advanced products, such
as semiconductor and magnetic recording sputtering target material, of which the
high purity, high density and uniform structure have contributed greatly to high-accumulation
mass storage technologies; magnetic core materials using powder metallurgy methods;
tool materials that use super-hard alloys to achieve superior abrasion resistance;
and the nano-crystalline material FINEMET™ and amorphous metals with independently
developed soft magnetic properties. |
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| High-temperature fatigue testing |
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Highly Resistant Environmental Materials
Gas turbines, thermal and nuclear-energy plants as well as automobile engine combustion
chambers require operating environments of an extremity that does not occur in
nature.
Hence, there is a need for the development of functional materials with very high
heat and corrosion resistance. At the laboratory, alloy design theory and evaluation
technology have been employed to develop a wide range of materials, such as stainless
steels, heat-resistant steels, nickel and cobalt superalloys and titanium alloys.
These materials not only support our Earthly ambitions and lifestyles but also
have applications in outer space.
We will continue to produce highly resistant environmental materials with high-energy
efficiency that protect the environment and open up the cosmos for exploration. |
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Tool Materials
Our Metallurgical Research Laboratory was the first in Japan to engage in research
into steel for high-speed tools and retains its lead in Japan and overseas in
the research of tool materials.
As demand for cutting tools and dies becomes more diversified, Hitachi Metals
is developing not only new alloy technologies but also high-performance tools
and materials that integrate materials processing, heat treatment, surfacing and
other technologies.
Drawing on its deep materials design expertise, the laboratory has created isotropy
steel with computer simulation, stress analysis and equipment for testing tool
wear behavior and duplicability and continues to develop tool materials that win
over customers and match their needs. |
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| The microstructure of H 34A |
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Processing Technologies
"New Products by New Processes" is our basic philosophy for enhancing
the functionality of specialty steels and new materials.
Moving beyond conventional processes, the laboratory is pursuing technologies
that best harness the special qualities of materials.
It is engaged in the development of a wide range of processing technologies, such
as our world-beating nano-crystalline soft magnetic material FINEMET® RIBBON
for superquenched solidification applications, the production of superhard metal
powders, the application of Near Net Shape to high-performance specialty steels
using MIM (Metal Injection Molding) and extrusion as well as combinations of thin-film
evaluation and powder metallurgy technologies used in sputtering target development.
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| Stereoscopic texture image |
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Analytical Technologies
The laboratory researches and develops materials used at extremely high and low
temperatures and in severely corrosive environments, and materials with special
physical properties.
For research of all new materials and material types, analytical technologies
are essential. Using state-of-the-art analytical tools, the laboratory is equipped
to carry out integrated theoretical research from structural observation and state
analysis to physical measurement at the nanometer level.
In addition, through experiments using models and computer simulation, it can
offer rapid problem-solving services in such fields as solidification of specialty
steel, stress analysis of machine parts, wear and corrosion and alloy design.
It also contributes to local community life by using our accumulated expertise
to analyze iron relics excavated around the country. |
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