MetaLL ifeÒ offers other significant benefits to proactive die casters besides the compressive stress layer that protects against initial metal fatigue and crack propagation. These benefits are just as REAL and show up on the bottom line as cost justified savings. Our resulting topography should not be compared with processes that cause only a cosmetic change to the surface. These types of topography do not protect the tool from premature or subsequent heat checking. Beneath the readily distinct MetaLL ifeÒ topography, however, is a proactive layer of residual compressive stress. This layer raises the effective yield strength of the die steel. Metallurgical existing cracks are prohibited from propagating into or through the layer. Smaller cracks that may already exist are closed and put into compression to retard future site cracking. Texturing by acid or photo etching does not generate this compressive layer and can only create a cosmetic change to the surface. The difference is like comparing apples to oranges. Here is a recap of some of the other proactive benefits that MetaLL ifeÒ provides.