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Core applications

Core applications

Difficult molding application

Difficult molding application

Titan coating on top of tooling

Coating on Top of Tooling

Thermal Diffusion

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Titan FAQs

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What exactly is TITAN DC?
TITAN DC is a coating process that diffuses a layer of carbides onto and into the surface of the tooling. The TITAN DC layer is metallurgically bonded to the tooling providing superior adhesion strength which can drastically extend the life of your tooling. The adhesion strength coupled with an extremely dense and homogenous layer of coating is ideally suited for the Die Casting Industry. TITAN DC has seen outstanding results on severe applications within the Die Casting Industry.
What are the benefits of TITAN DC?
The benefits will largely depend on the application and casting conditions, such as, tooling location, casting alloy, casting pressure, etc…, but generally speaking the TITAN DC coating has been proven to show the following benefits at many of our customer’s casting operations:
  1. Increase in overall tool life
  2. Increase in die casting machine up-time
  3. Increase in casting quality
  4. Decrease in amount of soldering present on tooling
  5. Decrease in amount of polishing required during production (In some cases polishing during production required is eliminated with TITAN DC)
  6. Decrease in erosion on tooling
  7. Decrease in overall tooling expenditures
How long will it take to get my parts back?
Because of the high temperatures of the TITAN DC process, and the processing required, normal turn-around time is about 5 working days.
What if I need my parts back quicker than 5 working days?
Please make those needs known as you talk to us or fill out the process sheet. Depending on the existing work load at the time, we will attempt to accommodate your needs.
How is the TITAN DC process priced?
Small parts weighing less than 3 pounds will be priced by the part. All other items will be priced by weight (usually about $22.50 per pound). For core pins and trimming punches, a special price schedule by size will indicate the pricing (Please let us know if you need a copy).
What are some good applications for the TITAN DC process?
The Titan DC coating process is ideally suited for tooling which exhibits any sign of soldering or wear during the casting process. Good applications in the Die Casting Industry include:
  1. Core Pins
  2. Squeeze Pins
  3. Inserts
  4. Cores
  5. Sprue Bushings
  6. Ejector Pins
  7. Trim Punches
  8. Trimming Dies

The TITAN DC Process not only works extremely well in the aluminum high pressure Die Casting operations, but also in low pressure Die Casting operations, gravity casting operations, and Zinc Die Casting Operations.
What kind of movement can be expected in the hot process?
The precise movement of tool steel in a heat treat process is difficult to determine. Leaving grind stock on non-working areas can facilitate final sizing after the process. Call us for machining recommendations on various tool steels.
Do I have to fill out a process sheet to get work done?
No. If you prefer you can call or fax in the details. The completed process sheet does speed up the operation. Required items include the steel type, special processing instructions, a purchase order, and a ship to address.
Will the TITAN DC process make the tool steel too hard?
While the hardness of the TITAN DC coating exceeds Rockwell limits (over 90 RC), the hardness of the substrate is not affected by the coating. The coating is around .0005 inches thick (depending on the tool steel type), which does not change the ductility of the tool itself. Substrate selection and tempering will determine the overall hardness of the tool.
Can I send in steel that hasn't been heat-treated?
Yes. The TITAN DC process will also heat-treat the tool steel. Standard RC of TITAN DC processed H-series steels will be in the 44-48RC range. A, D, M, and CPM series steels will be in the 55-58RC range. However, "soft" or annealed steels are not as conducive to optimum surface finishing as steels that have been hardened, and the potential for dimensional movement is greater on a detail that has not been pre-hardened before the TITAN DC process. Additional vacuum heat treatment can elevate the RC of the substrate after TITAN DC processing if full hardness is required.
Will the TITAN DC process change the size of my parts?
The TITAN DC Process is similar to a heat treat cycle, so some dimensional change will occur. For jobs with extremely tight tolerances, or if you would like a machining recommendation, please call prior to final sizing of tooling. Parts with small diameters in comparison to overall length may experience some distortion during the TITAN DC coating process.
How large a part can be treated in the TITAN DC process?
Currently, parts up to 20" diameter and 25" long can be treated.
Should I polish my details before sending them in?
In most cases, a highly polished surface will enhance tool performance by decreasing the potential for wear / sticking and improve the quality and appearance of the cast part. TOOL DYNAMICS can provide this polishing service, or if customers prefer, they can send in details already polished. If TOOL DYNAMICS polishes the details, please send in a marked sketch / part showing the working area to be polished.
What kind of steel can be treated with the TITAN DC process?
Any air hardened tool steel that contains at least .3% carbon content. Most H, D, A, M, and CPM series tool steels fall into this category. The process also works well on carbide (10% Binder or higher) and some grades of stainless steel. It does not work with Anvilloy, TZM, Bronze or any steel that has been nitrided (unless the nitrided layer has been removed).
Does the grade of steel used make a difference?
Yes. Premium grade steels are highly recommended for the TITAN DC process. Inferior grades have many impurities that can impede proper finishing and processing. Impurities can cause problems during the coating process, and can give rise to stress risers.
Can the Titan process be applied more than once?
Yes. The TITAN DC Process may be re-applied several times, perhaps 3 to 6 times, or more, depending on the tool steel and the application.
Is tool maintenance different with a TITAN DC coated part?
You will likely notice a decreased need for grinding / polishing. In the event that galling does build up on the TITAN DC layer, do not use conventional hard fiber/carborundum/diamond media to remove! We recommend scotch-brite type discs, aluminum oxide papers, or chemical removal of any build-up. This will protect the TITAN DC layer from damage, and in many cases, allow the detail to be re-used.

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