METAPOR® -
General Information METAPOR® is a composite material consisting of two
major components. Different granules, such as aluminium
or ceramic materials, and binders are currently used in
various applications. The material is air-permeable over
the entire surface, because of its micro-porous structure.
In contrast to sintered materials, the pores are not closed
off after machining.
The numerous advantages are useful in the thermoforming industry
as well as for vacuum
clamping and air
cushion devices. Design flexibility is enhanced
because micro-vents are an integral part of the complete
surface. The material‘s
inherent properties eliminate the need to design and manufacture
complex venting systems.
For
various applications, five different METAPOR® products
are
available at present. The major differences are
within
the air permeability, pore size and temperature
stability.
Product
Thermoforming
Vacuum
clamping
systems
Air
cushion
systems
Ceramic
Industry
Temperature
stability
Air-
permeability*
Non-Transparent
Transparent
BF
100 AL
X
X
X
108°C
100%
HD
100 AL
X
X
108°C
50%
HD
210 AL
X
X
210°C
50%
MC
100 AL
X
100°C
800%
CE
100 WHITE
X
X
X
100°C
100%
*
Reference values to air permeability of BF100AL
Machining
METAPOR® machines faster than aluminium, and since it is naturally
porous, there is no need to drill holes for vacuum.
METAPOR® has to be machined dry, without any coolant
liquid using sharp tools made of HSS or carbide with
edge angles as for aluminium.
Best
results in milling 3D geometries
have been achieved with following parameters:
Cutter
Type:
SANDVIK,
6 mm ball nose, uncoated
R216.42-06030-AK10A H10F
Speed
rpm:
7750 min -1
Step
over:
0.05 mm
Feed
per tooth:
0.05 mm
Coolant:
compressed
air
Availability
METAPOR® is available in square slabs of 500 x 500 mm
with thickness ranging from 10 – 420 mm.
HD 100 AL and HD 210 HL are also available
in slabs of 1000 x 500 mm
Larger dimensions up to 3500 x 2000 mm can be
bonded
at our facilities upon request.
METAPOR® is
a registered trademark of Portec in Switzerland.
