Most of the world’s major car manufacturers now have operations in India. The automotive sector overall is a significant contributor to the country’s economy. However, the industry is having to prepare for the introduction of stricter emissions regulations, in line with the United States and Europe. To meet these higher standards, in the future, all vehicles will need to be fitted with stainless steel exhaust systems. AMETEK SMP Eighty Four, one of the world’s primary producers of the speciality water atomized powders used to manufacture such systems, has been gearing up for the anticipated growth in demand for stainless steel by investing substantially in the country.
Based in Pennsylvania, and a unit of the AMETEK Specialty Metal Products, AMETEK Eighty Four is a global leader in the design, development and production of both water atomized powders and roll bonded clad metal products. Water atomized powders are used in a variety of applications in which corrosion, wear/abrasion, magnetic properties, permeability or high temperatures are a concern. Eighty Four produces structural powders typically used in a variety of solid-state compaction technologies, including press and sinter, CIP (cold isostatic press), HIP (hot isostatic press) and roll compaction. Other powder metallurgical (P/M) technologies include MIM (metal injection molding) and MAM (metal additive manufacturing) in which water atomized structural powders are used due to their morphology and physical properties.
For the automotive industry, the main stainless steel alloy powders used are 409L and 434L as well as 304L and 316L.
