Press brake tooling is exposed to repeated contact, friction and demanding production environments. Wilson Tool’s patented Nitrex® high-endurance surface enhancement strengthens the tooling surface to deliver longer life, less galling and greater resistance to corrosion.
Nitrex is standard on all Wilson Tool press brake tooling—helping manufacturers increase productivity without adding another upgrade or treatment to the order.
Built to Perform Longer
Nitrex is a specialized heat-treatment process that permeates the tool steel rather than simply coating its surface. The process creates a surface hardness of up to HRC 70, increasing durability in demanding bending applications.
Nitrex provides:
- Surface hardness of HRC 70
- Significantly longer tool life
- Reduced galling
- Corrosion resistance
- Faster tooling cleanup
- Increased productivity
- Lower overall tooling costs
Reduce Friction and Galling
As sheet metal moves across the die’s V-opening, friction can contribute to galling, material buildup and premature tooling wear. Nitrex adds lubricity to the tooling surface, reducing friction during bending and minimizing galling—even in challenging applications. Less buildup means easier cleanup, more consistent performance and less time spent maintaining tooling.
Extend Tooling Life
Untreated tooling can wear over time, affecting bend consistency and increasing replacement costs. Nitrex increases surface hardness and durability, allowing press brake tooling to maintain its performance through longer production runs. The result is fewer tooling replacements and more value from every tooling investment.
Protect Tooling Against Corrosion
Corrosion can shorten tooling life, complicate setup and require additional cleaning before production. Nitrex-treated tooling provides corrosion resistance that helps keep tooling ready for use and reduces the cleanup associated with ordinary untreated tooling.
Lower the Cost of Every Bend
Longer-lasting tooling affects more than replacement costs. It can also reduce maintenance, cleanup, setup interruptions and avoidable production delays. By extending tooling life and maintaining a durable working surface, Nitrex helps manufacturers:
- Replace tooling less frequently
- Reduce galling-related cleanup
- Maintain more consistent bend quality
- Keep press brakes running longer
- Lower the total cost of tooling ownership
Exclusive to Wilson Tool
Nitrex is available only from Wilson Tool International and is included as a standard feature on Wilson Tool press brake tooling. That means greater surface durability is built into the tooling from the beginning—not treated as an optional upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is a Nitrex-treated surface?
Nitrex-treated tooling achieves a surface hardness of up to HRC 70.
How does Nitrex reduce galling?
Nitrex adds lubricity to the tooling surface. This reduces friction as sheet metal travels across the die opening, helping minimize galling and material buildup.
Does Nitrex help prevent corrosion?
Nitrex provides corrosion resistance that helps protect press brake tooling and reduces the need for corrosion-related cleanup.
How can Nitrex lower tooling costs?
The enhanced surface helps tooling last longer and require less cleaning and maintenance. This can reduce replacement frequency, limit production interruptions and lower overall tooling costs.
Is Nitrex optional?
Nitrex is a standard offering on Wilson Tool press brake tooling. Customers receive the enhanced surface durability without needing to specify an additional upgrade.
Is Nitrex right for my bending application?
A Wilson Tool specialist can review your material, tooling style, machine and production requirements to recommend the appropriate press brake tooling for your application. Contact us at 800-445-4518 or [email protected]