SCOPE optimized component processing

BENSELER, a competent service provider and partner for technically demanding coating and deburring, has recently started offering CO2-free thermal deburring (TEM) using hydrogen. With this methane-free process, even delicate components can be SCOPE-optimized. This gives automotive and component manufacturers the opportunity to improve the CO2 balance of their products. All external and internal burrs and loose flitter burrs are thermally removed in a single work step without producing CO2. The process is suitable for parts made of aluminum and zinc die casting as well as steel and steel die casting.

The thermal deburring method, or TEM for short, is a proven process for deburring complex structures, such as components with internal holes and cavities. A gas-oxygen mixture flows through these in a pressure chamber and is then ignited. The explosive combustion removes both internal and external burrs as well as hidden contaminants. These are burnt off within a few milliseconds and the burr roots are sealed. Methane (CH4) is usually used as the gas. However, its combustion produces CO2.

Thermal deburring with hydrogen
The surface specialists at BENSELER are now breaking new ground: as an alternative to methane, they are also using hydrogen for the deburring process. The advantage: the oxidation reaction of hydrogen and oxygen only produces water vapor - no CO2. The company invested in a new system specifically for this purpose. "We were looking for a sustainable technology to optimize both our customers' carbon footprint and our own. By using hydrogen instead of methane for thermal deburring, we achieve both goals at once," explains Silvio Peschke, Head of the Deburring Division at BENSELER.

"In addition, the new process allows us to machine even more delicate components and thus offer our customers an extended product range. An absolute win-win solution."

Processing of delicate and complex structures
Due to its energetic properties, hydrogen is easier to dose in the low-pressure range than methane. This means that even more delicate components and more complex structures can be deburred with hydrogen compared to the methane method. BENSELER is thus expanding the product range for its customers. In principle, the process is suitable for all materials - from aluminum to zinc die casting, steel and steel die casting through to plastics. Thermal deburring is mainly used in the automotive industry and for hydraulic and pneumatic applications. Among other things, valve housings, housings for injection pumps or oil pumps, control blocks, hubs and gear wheels are deburred as set or bulk material - quickly, economically and reliably.

"We are currently using zinc die-cast hydraulic components to demonstrate the advantages of the hydrogen process. Liquids and other media flow through them, which is why no internal burrs or loose residues from drilling and milling must interfere. Thermal deburring with hydrogen now enables us to achieve even better results and finer surface structures," says Silvio Peschke. At the same time, the process improves the CO2 balance of the components and reduces their SCOPE values.

With the new hydrogen-based TEM technology, BENSELER is taking on a pioneering role in the sustainable thermal processing of components. The prerequisite for this is a deep understanding of the process and the necessary know-how for the subsequent post-treatment of components.