February 2012
6 posts
Impala platinum up in price.
Impala Platinum rose as much as 2,14% to an intraday high of R168,98 today, its highest since February 1, after saying it is working with its largest trade union to rehire dismissed employees and start output at its Rustenburg mine after it was closed by an illegal strike.
The strike has cost the market about 3000 ounces of metal a day, equivalent to be about 17% of estimated global supply this...
Gold mine to go ahead
A gold mine in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park is to re-open after the company behind the project lodged a series of bonds with the body.
It means the Cononish gold mine can restart production of the precious metal with the funds available to the park authority to take over the site if it is abandoned or not landscaped and protected in accordance with the requirements laid down when...
3 tags
Careful of Cadmium
Cadmium is a chemical element with the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. This soft, bluish-white metal is chemically similar to the two other stable metals in group 12, zinc and mercury.
Dr. Robert Wright, the study’s senior author, emphasized that the links to learning disabilities and special education were found at commonplace levels previously thought to be benign.
“One of the important points...
Vintage Molybdenum News
When looking through google recently we came across some classic news articles.
A molybdenum article from The Deseret in 1966 - they were speaking aboutMolybdenum then, just before they had blogs.
Click here to have a little read and also just have a browse at it.
It reads ‘ Two major producers of Molybdenum Wednesday backed off the price boosts, applied to the metal earlier this week, under...
What can SMF do for me?
Below you will see a list of everything that SMF can do for you.
Special Metals currently carry out fabrication towards some of the following products;
Furnace Heaters
Furnace Units
Glass Furnace Electrodes
Susceptors
Crucibles
Screens
Orifice Plates
Tank Linings
Vertical Strippers
Pump Parts
Discs
Tubes
Rivets
Shell & Tube Heater
Evaporation Boat / Trays
Rod Heaters
Special Vessels
Valve...
Plans unveiled for zirconia mine
Alkane Resources has submitted the concept plans for the mine, which will extract about 400,000 tonnes of ore a year.
Managing director Ian Chalmers says the company has also secured a $95 million deal with a European processor to buy the rare metal niobium, which will also be mined at the site.
He says the next phase of the project is ensuring the mine meets the New South Wales Government’s...
January 2012
12 posts
Zirconium…
Is a chemical element with the symbol Zr and atomic number 40.
The name of zirconium is taken from the mineral zircon.
Its atomic mass is 91.224. It is a lustrous, gray-white, strong transition metal that resembles titanium.
Zirconium is mainly used as a refractory and opacifier, although minor amounts are used as alloying agent for its strong resistance to corrosion.
Zirconium is obtained...
Job for gold miner!
IT is a management job offering a great opportunity for one successful candidate.
The National Trust is looking for a gold mine manager to run its Dolaucothi Gold Mines near Pumsaint in Carmarthenshire. Although they no longer operate as working mines, the site in the Cothi Valley is a tourist attraction which runs guided tours for visitors who can pan for gold.
The precious commodity had been...
Elements of heating
We have the capacity to manufacture a wide range of parts including heating elements to any given drawing, sample or customer requirement, using the most up to date Milling, Turning, Welding and Sheet Metal Working equipment available.
We specialize in the manufacture of components to very exacting quality standards, tight tolerance, customer specific requirements and offer a very responsive...
Niobium Suppliers
Niobium has a similar structure to Tantalum and is produced in a similar method.
It too has a very high melting point of around 2470°C. It has excellent corrosive resistance and has good cold ductility. It is however half as dense as Tantalum.
Applications include; sintering trays and boats, special chemical applications, superconductors, medical components, jet engine parts and is used in the...
Stock
Wrought Products As a stockist of Molybdenum, Tantalum and other refractory materials we are also able to offer a very reactive and competitive wrought product service.
We stock a wide range of materials in plate, sheet, bar, rod & wire form and can supply a range of standard sizes with a very quick turnaround & Delivery.
If you are interested in buying any of our stock then why not...
Information
If you would like any more information from SMF then please see our site for details.
Or feel free to take down the details below and contact us.
For all wrought Material and Fabrication queries and requirements please do not hesitate to contact us.
Tel: 01268 820409
Fax: 01268 280665
Email: sales@special-metals.co.uk
Having to beat metal thieves
Along with his usual church-related daily tasks, the vicar of St Augustine’s Church has had to add checking the roof for missing parts to his list.
“You quite often get damage to the stonework as well from people removing the lead and climbing around,” the Reverend Matthew Tomlinson said.
The 19th Century church, in Edgbaston, has been targeted by metal thieves six times in two months, something...
Metal theft leave people in darkness
Peterborough Lions Rugby Club has been left powerless after the latest in a string of clubhouse break-ins saw thousands of pounds worth of electricity cable stolen.
Today Malcolm Larrington, clubhouse manager, said the latest theft was a “kick in the teeth” to staff and players who had battled to fix the clubhouse.
He said: “We have had five or six metal thefts over the past couple of months,...
Miners injured when gold mine
Three men injured while working at an underground gold mine site in the state’s Goldfields have been taken to Royal Perth Hospital for further treatment.
The men were flown to Perth by Royal Flying Doctor Service and then taken by St John Ambulance to hospital as trauma patients suffering from chest injuries, bone fractures and a suspected spinal injury.
The two miners and a contractor were...
Gold forecasts after sell-off
Two bullion banks lowered their gold price forecasts for 2012 even though they maintained their bullish view, after the metal’s decline last week briefly sent it into a bear market.
HSBC and Barclays both cut their 2012 gold price targets by over $100 an ounce after the metal posted a gain of 10 percent last year to extend its run to an 11th consecutive year. It was, however, its smallest annual...
Final crackdown on special metal thefts
A new scheme to tackle the problem of metal theft has launched, making it easier to trace sellers of scrap metal and harder to pass on illegitimately obtained copper and other metals.
Operation Tornado is starting as a trial project in the north east of England, and will require people who are selling scrap metal to provide proof of their identity and address.
CI Robin Edwards said: “There is a...
Happy New Year
We will be re-opening on Tuesday 3rd January (tomorrow).
So if there is anything that you ned doing or any questions that you have then please contact us.
Open from 9am tomorrow morning.
Look forward to hearing from you all throughout 2012.
December 2011
8 posts
Christmas
As christmas nears closer and closer we thought we would let you know that SMF shuts on Thursday 22nd December and will reopen again wednesday 4th January.
So if you would like to contact us when the office is shut then please drop us an email we will get back to you when we are back in.
10 days until christmas
As it is now the 15th December you can still give SMFUK a call if you need anything done by us before christmas.
You can give us a call or email us.
Christmas is almost here now and it has come around quicker than ever..
So if you need something done by us then please contact us as soon as possible.
6 tags
Christmas in 12 days
As Christmas is coming and we will be shutting next week..
We are writing to say that if you will be needing SMFUK for any work commitments or just to speak to about any in general then please do contact us before the following date.
Thursday 22nd December 2011 - we will be closing for the Christmas.
Until Wednesday 4th January 2012 when we will be re-opening again.
If you need to speak to us...
4 tags
Christmas Opening Times
Here at SMFUK we try to keep our closure minimum.
So will be updating out blog with what days and times we will be shut over the festive period next week.
If you have any questions or would like some more information then please contact us.
4 tags
New team set up to target metal thieves
A team of police officers has been set up in Mexborough to target metal and cable thieves.
Chief Inspector Neil Thomas said: “Due to a restructure across the Force, five officers from Barnsley will be coming over to Doncaster with three of them being based in Mexborough.
“We have also set up a dedicated team of officers to work on metal and cable thefts across Doncaster.
“These officers will...
4 tags
Scrap metal petition started
A district councillor says she is supporting a petition to stop metal thefts following a crimewave which has sparked calls for changes to the law that governs scrap metal dealers.
Tory Jenny Antill, who represents Acton and Great Waldingfield, has signed a petition seeking to stop the rising amount of thefts of metal, including cable and lead from church roofs, by making it illegal for scrap...
4 tags
Man has titanium jaw
NILS Grimley fought his way back from a coma after a devastating car accident, but two years on a problem with his jaw meant talking and eating still eluded him.Doctors told Mr Grimley the problem was neurological.
But a dentist determined the problem was mechanical and a referral from a specialist surgeon in Western Australia, where Mr Grimley’s accident occurred, led him to Lake Macquarie.
...
6 tags
Gold on downfall
Gold declined today as the dollar, an alternative asset to the yellow metal, was on the rise thanks to renewed concerns about Europe’s ability to resolve its fiscal problems, which the euro and boosted the grenback’s safe haven appeal.
Standard & Poor’s yesterday warned that 15 members of the 17-national euro zone could see their credit ratings cut if the EU fails to make changes to the EU...
November 2011
8 posts
4 tags
Silver or stocks?
Why buy silver whеn уоu knоw the financial media put sо muсh emphasis on stocks? Wall Street makes its billions bу promoting stocks аnd bonds. That`s whеre thе big commissions arе made buying and selling paper assets.
For thіѕ reason precious metals do not get muсh attention. For the retail investor whо іs prepared to thіnk independently оf thе crowd silver сan be а good investment alternative...
5 tags
Did you know?
In July 2004 the West Horndon plant was officially closed and most of the West Horndon employees were made redundant.
Gary Cook, one of the skilled and experienced machinists took this opportunity to set up and establish the new Special Metals Fabrication Ltd at premises based in Wickford.
The new Special Metals Fabrication was thus born and is now a thriving and successful fabrication company...
5 tags
Markets gain metal shares
Markets ended with marginal gains, albeit off the day’s high, as buying continued in metal and IT shares.
BSE Sensex touched a high of 16,213 after gaining steadily for most part of the day. The Sensex edged up 119 points to 16,065. Nifty ended up 34 points at 4,812.
“A pullback is due. However, there would be fresh selling at higher levels, as the overall trend has turned negative for our...
5 tags
Duran expands molybdenum mineralization areas
Canadian-based Duran Ventures has expanded the areas of known copper and molybdenummineralization of its Aguila project located in the department of Ancash in north-central Peru, after finishing the final eleven drill holes of the 2011 drill program, the company reported.
Drilling has intersected mineralization over 800 metres in an approximately east-west direction, 400 metres in a north-south...
4 tags
Molybdenum Long, strong intersections at former...
Avanti Mining of Vancouver is hitting long and strong intersections at the former Kitsault molybdenummine north of Prince Rupert.
The best hole returned 0.378% Molybdenum over 85.4 metres. The company is drilling south of Patsy Creek near the mine and at Roundy Creek 4 km to the west.
At Roundy Creek, the strongest mineralization is in ‘unidirectional solidification texture quartz’ layers...
4 tags
Gold back on track
Gold has moved a little way helped by a weaker dollar and buying after the prior session’s fall..
but was still on track for its largest weekly loss since September as euro zone debt contagion worries spooked investors.
A weaker dollar makes dollar-priced commodities such as precious metals more affordable for holders of other currencies.
“I think it’s a bit of a bounce back after a shock...
4 tags
Chinese Metal Firm to Invest $500m in Cambodia
China’s Guangxi Nonferrous Metal Group has planned to invest 500 million U.S. dollars in a steel plant and an industrial zone in Cambodia.
“Now, it is the phase of iron ore exploitation and the firm is to build a steel plant and later an industrial park in Cambodia,” he said. “My visit is to ask for full support from the ministry in order to find a proper location to build the plant.”
“I hope...
4 tags
Metal futures plunge on Europe worries
Metals prices fell sharply Thursday on fears that Europe’s spreading financial crisis will slow the fragile U.S economic recovery.
On Thursday, traders moved money into cash and other safe investments. Jon Nadler stated the bleak mood in note to clients:
“Sell everything. Run to cash. Hide. Take cover,” he wrote.
Even grain and soybean prices fell steeply as hedge funds and other investors...
October 2011
14 posts
6 tags
Essex metal thefts
OPERATIONS are being launched across Essex to target metal thieves who are making life a misery for residents.
Det Chief Insp Mark Wheeler has spoken out following a massive increase in the theft of lead, copper and other valuable sheet metals and cables which are delaying trains, damaging buildings and leading to the breakdown of telecommunication systems.
He said: “Metal theft is a serious and...
5 tags
Heavy metals link to horse deaths
It has come to the attention that a horse, that seemed every inch okay, suddenly died in Australia.
Steve Hogno said tests of horse-hair samples sent to a US laboratory had turned up high levels of heavy metals including manganese and zinc, among others
“They’re saying they’ve got some of the highest levels of heavy metalsthey’ve even seen,” Mr Hogno said.
“Now we’ve got to try and find out...
6 tags
Former Gurkhas defending rail network from metal...
The use of the Nepalese ex-soldiers was the latest evidence of the havoc being wrought by the criminal gangs who have targeted railway track, war memorials and churches over the past year.
Mounting concern was reflected in the Commons where David Cameron said he was determined to put a stop to “this really appalling crime”.
The Prime Minister added: “The theft of metal, particularly from war...
6 tags
Metal welders
Specialist Stockist, Welders, Suppliers & Manufacturers of Machined and Fabricated products.s.
We have the capacity to manufacture a wide range of parts to any given drawing, sample or customer requirement, using the most up to date Milling, Turning, Welding and Sheet Metal Working equipment available.
We specialise in the manufacture of components to very exacting quality standards, tight...
6 tags
Gold mine approved
National Park convener Linda McKay said: “Without question, this has been the largest and most complicated planning application we have ever had to consider.
“As guardians of some of the most stunning scenery in Scotland, it would have been easy to refuse the second application if we were considering the short-term impact on the landscape, but this National Park plans for long-term conservation...
6 tags
Scaffolding stolen from Hull
Just when you thought that people couldn’t steal anything any more random for scrap metal, they are now after scaffolding!
We seem to blog about scrap metal thieves alot, its just so that know what area and what is being stolen so that you can be aware.
Sergeant Julian Hart, neighbourhood policing metal theft lead for Hull, said: “Metal theft nationally is on the rise and in Hull, we have also...
4 tags
Niobium Supply
Niobium has a similar structure to Tantalum and is produced in a similar method.
It too has a very high melting point of around 2470°C. It has excellent corrosive resistance and has good cold ductility. It is however half as dense as Tantalum.
Applications include; sintering trays and boats, special chemical applications, superconductors, medical components, jet engine parts and is used in the...
6 tags
Basildon male arrested for metal thefts
The police are upping their game against metal thieves who have caused havoc across Essex.
A male in his early 40’s from Basildon, Essex is the 2nd to have been arrested in recent weeks after trying to sell metal to a scrap dealer in Laindon. He gave the dealers false details as he tried to sell them metal on Tuesday.
Sgt Paul Costin, of Laindon police, who is heading up the ongoing...
6 tags
Signs in stations.
If you get the train regularly or have got one lately, you may of noticed new signs that have gone up.
Basically they are posters that are on some train lines basically explaining the recent metal thieves and how much it has been costing people.
Just a little post - as you may notice it next time your on the train, and its crazy to think how much it costs and how far people will go for some...
6 tags
Radioactive metal found
The random metal has been contaminated with radium and is now being tested before the environmental team can be 100% sure about the threat it poses to public health.
Dr Paul Dale, Sepa radioactive substances specialist, told the BBC Scotland news website: “When the detector has an increased count rate you start moving the sand away to see if it gets stronger and on this occasion it gave me...
7 tags
Bike blaster
Do you have a bike/ped that needs a good clean? Like a really good clean?
Then why not bring it on down to us here at SMFUK, as we can blast it.
Sounds scary but its not, its a way of cleaning and we call it aqua blasting/bead blasting.
If you were to bring down your engine or other part and it needed blasting it would look as good as new again when we are finished with it.
If this sounds...
5 tags
‘Garbologist’ not happy about scrap metal thieves
Alyce Dunn has been collecting scrap metal to take to recycling centers for close to 25 years.
“I said, ‘Whoa, cans are everywhere!’ That’s money on the street,” Dunn said.
Rising prices for scrap metal and high unemployment have encouraged more and more people to turn to the type of searching she has performed for many years.
“People are more inclined to save aluminum cans when they need...
6 tags
Metals decrease makes financial worry
That lack of demand has driven metals prices down…
During September, copper futures in New York lost more than a quarter of their value which is the biggest quarterly derease since 2008.
“That could take a big, big hit,” Bradford said of Freeport’s earnings. “It’s not something they did wrong, but the copper price plummeted when the dollar rallied.”
Any 5 cent change in the copper price...
4 tags
Talk to us..
For all wrought Material and Fabrication queries and requirements please do not hesitate to contact us at:
Special Metals Fabrication Ltd 31 Bowlers Croft Basildon Enterprise Zone Essex SS14 3DZ
Tel: 01268 820409 Fax: 01268 280665
Email: sales@special-metals.co.uk
September 2011
14 posts
4 tags
Zirconium stockists
Zirconium is a lustrous, greyish-white, soft, ductile, and malleable, it is highly resistant to corrosion by alkalis, acids, salt water, and other agents.
The melting point of zirconium is approx 1855°C
Applications include; laboratory crucibles, metallurgical furnaces, surgical appliances, missile components and vacuum tube filaments.
5 tags
who are we?
Gary Cook, MD Gary founded the company in 2004 having worked for many years machining and fabricating refractory metals. Having served a full apprenticeship at Vaccumatic in Harwich and subsequently working for a number of engineering companies including the previous Special Metals Fabrication Company which was taken over by H C Starke. Gary has now 30 years of experience within the engineering...