High-toughness steels are the materials of choice for applications in which the steel has to withstand static loads and resist crack propagation and fracture. But high toughness normally restricts the ways in which the steel can be processed, because tough steels with their large elongation at fracture values are difficult to machine.
But Steeltec’s high-strength and higher strength steels are different. In their as-delivered state, these steels already exhibit high toughness (and strength), as well as excellent machinability.
Steel grades from our HSX® family are ideal for applications where material toughness is crucial:
By selecting these steels, customers can manufacture components that are particularly light and compact, but still able to withstand high static loads.
Optimizing the complex interplay between material strength and material toughness requires an advanced understanding of the chemical composition of steel. Our extensive range of analytical techniques allows us to monitor and control the composition and structure of the steel from the melt to the final stage of production to produce steels that are able to meet the demands of customer-specific applications. If a customer needs a steel with good forming properties and a high level of toughness, we make sure that the steel will comply with the hardness requirements after undergoing various processing steps.
In practice, this means that we adjust the microstructure of the steel during a controlled thermomechanical processing stage and then fine tune it by precisely controlling the temperature during the cooling phase. The result is a steel with a very uniform microstructure and the exact physical and mechanical properties specified by the customer.
Yield strength
Toughness
Hardening
Weldability
Around 85% of the costs in parts manufacturing are attributable to process costs. It is therefore worthwhile to optimize these costs with the targeted use of materials. Steeltec free-cutting steels are optimized for machining. Steeltec has also developed high-strength special products with outstanding machining properties. Short chip breaking, longer tool life and high uniformity across batches open up new possibilities in the design of manufacturing processes.
High dimensional stability and uniform machining behavior are decisive for an economical and plannable manufacturing process. The manufacturing costs per part are decisive, especially in high-volume production. Our low-distortion steels are designed to meet specified geometries and tolerances and minimize financial risk.
The required properties - for example in terms of machinability, cold formability or weldability - can be precisely adjusted to customer specifications during the process. Thanks to very good cold forming properties, steels are formed into components, e.g. fasteners, by cold forming. Depending on the application requirements, they exhibit high strength and high durability. To achieve this, the materials must combine high initial strength with good formability. Special steels from Steeltec enable efficient and resource-saving production.
Thanks to in-depth chemical analysis, Steeltec is able to design materials in such a way that desired mechanical-technological component properties are achieved after heat treatment. This results in a wide range of high-quality steel designed to meet individual customer requirements. In the bright steel sector, we will be pleased to advise you on what needs to be taken into account in the case of additional hardening.
Welding is particularly important for chains and structural grades, but also for applications such as the manufacture of wire baskets. Steeltec's rolled steels can be welded using various techniques. Welding requires materials that are alloyed. In addition, just as in bending, the steel needs a certain hardness, but it must be possible to machine it. And it must be possible to heat it without creating too much stress.
