1. International Nickel Study Group
6th-10th October 2008
Lisbon, Portugal
Special Steels
Speaker:
Salvatore Pinizzotto
Xida (Market Research) Ltd.
2. Definition STATO DELL’ARTE
All steels are “SPECIAL” in some way, since even “ORDINARY” steel is a mixture of
carbon and iron and the result of careful heat-treatment and forging.
However, the term “SPECIAL” (or in the US, SPECIALTY) steel usually defines those
steels that contain elements other than carbon in sufficient amount to modify
substantially some of their useful properties .
Usually SPECIAL steels contain alloying elements, thus the terms SPECIAL and ALLOY
STEELS are often used interchangeably.
6. Bearing Steels
These steels often contain 1 percent carbon, 1.2 percent
chromium, 0.25 percent nickel, and 0.25 percent molybdenum
and are very hard after heat treatment.
Most important, however, they are extremely clean, having
been purged of practically all inclusions by vacuum treatment of
the liquid steel. Inclusions are very harmful in bearings because
they create stress concentrations that result in low fatigue
strength.
7. Microalloyed Steels -
The microalloyed steels, also known as high‐strength low‐
alloy (HSLA) steels, are intermediate in composition
between carbon steels, whose properties are controlled
mainly by the amount of carbon they contain (usually less
than 1 percent), and alloy steels.
Developed in the l960s and resurrected in the late 1970s
to satisfy the need for weight savings through greater
strength, the HSLA steels tend to be low in carbon with
minute additions of titanium or vanadium, for example.
8. Microalloyed Steels -
They are considered to be quite competitive with
aluminum substitutes for two reasons:
they are relatively inexpensive (steel sells for one‐half the
price of aluminum on a per‐unit‐weight basis);
and very little change in fabrication and processing
procedures is needed in switching from carbon steel to
HSLA steel, whereas major changes are usually required
in switching to aluminum.
14. Tool Steel -
Tool steel refers to a variety of carbon and alloy steels
that are particularly well‐suited to be made into tools.
Their suitability comes from their distinctive hardness,
resistance to abrasion, their ability to hold a cutting edge,
and/or their resistance to deformation at elevated
temperatures (red‐hardness).
With a carbon content between 0.7% and 1.4%, tool
steels are manufactured under carefully controlled
conditions to produce the required quality.
15. Tool Steel -
The most important alloying elements are vanadium,
chromium, nickel, tungsten, cobalt and
molybdenum.
Tool steels have an average alloy content of 5% to
15%, but this figure can range up to 50% for high‐
alloy steel.
16. Tool Steel (continues) -
The main users of tool steel are tool builders.
Tool builders construct a large range of industrial
tools and forms for cutting, punching, milling or
forming metals and plastics and supply these tools to
a wide variety of manufacturers.
17. Tool Steel (continues) -
Total European production of tool steel is about 600,
000 tonnes.
European producers are facing strong competition from
non European producers.
The strong European currency reduces the
competitiviness of export and opens the door to new
international players. Chinese tool steel producers show
a constant growth of supplies into Europe as well as in
North America.
19. Engineering steel : end-use markets -
Automotion
Hot forging
Springs
Ball Bearings
Trucks & Capital Goods
Mechanical Engineering
Energy
20. Tool Steel (continues) -
Main End‐use sectors
Automotive and automotive suppliers
Tool and machinery manufacturers
Aircraft manufacturers
Consumers and electronics industries
Wood and saw industries
Textile and Paper Industries
Power Generation
Oilfield generation and plant construction
22. Energy -
Electricity generation is predicted to grow globally in excess of
85% by 2030.
Electricity generation from fossil fuels will remain dominant.
Meeting policy targets will require a “portfolio” approach.
25. Nuclear plant key components -
Capacity and Demand for Heavy Nuclear Forgings
Large pressure vessels
(Kt)
Heavy duty cooling pipes
Large Pump castings
27. Component Components Free Carbon steel for Alloy Bearing
Category Cutting machine Steel Steel
Steel structural use
Engines Crankshafts X X
Connecting rods X X
Common rail systems X
Drive train Transmission gears X
Differential gear units X
CVT X
Steering Hubs X
joint
STAINLESS STEEL
Constant velocity X X
Steering
X X
Electrical Alternators X
Bearings Bearings X
Other Bolts, nuts X X
Hydraulic
components X
28. Automotive (continues) -
Specialty steel are used for safety related parts in power train
and chassis.
STAINLESS STEEL
Quality, therefore, is critically important.
Cost competitiviness and product development are key to
profitability.
30. Stainless Steel: Emerging Fields -
STRUCTURA
• Transport
(flat – long – welded tubes)
L USE
• Building and Infrastructures
(flat – long – welded tubes)
• Potable Water
(flat – welded tubes)
• Waste Water Treatment
(flat – welded tubes)
• Desalination
(flat – welded tubes)
Source: Centro Inox- Italian Stainless Steel
• Pulp and paper Development Assn.
(welded tubes – castings)
31. The “Nido” project by Pinifarina -
Centro Inox supported
the project providing the
know‐how about the
material and as go‐
between with SS
producers
