Commercialization and mass production of tungsten-free and tungsten-reduced materials

「For wear-resistant tools, we achieved both high hardness and high strength in our proprietary cermet material. By capitalizing on its advantages in both wear resistance and impact resistance, we are achieving results and expanding distribution channels in fields such as environmental applications, which are difficult to address with conventional mold materials.」

「We determined that the cermet material could be applied to special-purpose applications by bringing its magnetic properties to the level of cemented carbide, and achieved the target magnetic properties in prototypes. We will now proceed to customer evaluation testing.」

「For the cermet material, we have strengthened internal coordination, investigated applications that capitalize on its properties, and continued user trials and evaluation testing.」

「In R&D during the consolidated fiscal year, we established a path to market for tools using cemented carbide materials capable of machining a wide range of workpiece materials, as well as coated tools with inserts for cutting Ti-Al alloys. The cemented carbide material developed for molds, which enables direct machining, and the new cermet material are now being used by customers, and performance evaluations have begun.」

「In wear-resistant tools, the Company actively pursued adoption of its tungsten-free hard mold material “Cermetal CT500 Series” in new industries and development of new applications, including exhibiting at MF-TOKYO2019 for the first time. It also worked to develop new customers for forming molds.」

「The Company will also focus on developing high-value-added products using new grades and technologies.」

「The Company developed “CT505” and “CT530,” extensions of the environmentally friendly tungsten-free composite new material “Cermetal,” which uses neither tungsten nor cobalt, for mold materials used in forming lithium-ion battery cases for EVs and in hot forging.」

「In wear-resistant tools, the Company introduced a divisional structure to address increasingly specialized customer requirements and enhanced its technical services, thereby expanding the market and applications for the composite new material “Cermetal” and increasing sales of high-performance molds.」

「The Company also promoted further market expansion and application development for its proprietary composite new material “Cermetal.”」

「The Company intends to promote the commercialization and mass production of new products based on the theme of reducing or eliminating tungsten, such as the “Cermetal” composite new material that achieves “tungsten-free” performance, while also focusing on developing high-value-added products using new grades and technologies.」