Press Release
Steeltec optimises process parameters
Improved drawing technology yields
greater steel strength
Steeltec’s HSX® range of high-strength and higher strength bright
steel products is now being offered to customers at optional
strengths of more than 1400 MPa. Steeltec has achieved this by
reducing friction effects during the bar drawing process, as friction
has a direct influence on the mechanical properties of the drawn
steel. It also results in enhanced productivity, as a ten percent
reduction in friction has enabled Steeltec to a 25 percent increase
in the speed at which bright steel bar is drawn through the dies.
These technological improvements are Steeltec’s response to the
growing demand from innovation-driven industries for ultrahighstrength steel products. The automotive sector, for example, needs
access to these steel products in order to manufacture lightweight
high-performance components such as automotive drive shafts
thus enhancing vehicle efficiency.
“Consolidating and strengthening our position as the leading provider of
quality steel solutions means working continuously to improve our
technological efficiency and the quality of our steel products,” explains
Guido Olschewski, Head of Management Systems and Product
Development at Steeltec. “We therefore examined the tribological
properties (i.e. the friction, lubrication and wear) of our bar drawing
processes. The parameters of the bar drawing process influence not
only the efficiency of our manufacturing operations, but also the physical
and mechanical properties imparted to the steel bar. To make
improvements in the drawing process measurable, Steeltec – a
subsidiary within the SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Group – quantitatively
determined all of the relevant parameters. The drawing force was
SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH GROUP
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recorded using sensors mounted on the forming dies. This enabled
Steeltec to assess how the drawing force depends on the lubricating oil,
the surface roughness of the stock, the drawing speed and the surface
quality of the drawing dies. Technical fine tuning enabled Steeltec to
lower frictional forces by around ten percent. That means, conversely,
that by using the previously high drawing forces, Steeltec is now able to
produce bar material of even higher strength. These developments have
effectively expanded the technical capabilities of the company’s existing
drawing benches. Other benefits include reduced wear on the drawing
dies and shorter throughput times. The result is greater flexibility and
improved manufacturing productivity. Guido Olschewski summarised
Steeltec’s motivation in improving its process technology as follows:
“Our motto is ‘Contributing ideas’ and at Steeltec we work with our
customers as partners to develop special steel solutions that reflect the
latest technological progress in the industrial sectors that use our
products.”
Text size:
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German original last revised:
27 October 2015
Figure 1:
Diagram showing improved material strength, source
Steeltec
Figure 2:
HSX® special steel, source Steeltec
Caption – Figure 1: By reducing friction during the drawing of its bright
steel bars, Steeltec is now able to optionally offer its HSX ® steel
products with strengths of more than 1400 MPa.
Caption – Figure 2: Steeltec’s HSX® series of higher strength steel
products already exhibit excellent strength and high toughness when
supplied to customers.
SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH GROUP
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About the Steeltec Group
With a workforce of around 620 in six locations in Denmark, Germany, Sweden,
Switzerland and Turkey, the Steeltec Group is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of
special bright steels. Steeltec’s four self-owned production centres fabricate highstrength and higher strength special steel, high-quality bright steel, special quenched
and tempered steel, free-cutting steel, case-hardening steel and engineering steel. Core
areas of expertise include the application-specific development and production of highquality bright steels, precision finishing operations and professional technical advice that
is provided locally. The Steeltec Group works closely with customers, suppliers and
research institutions to continually improve the production and engineering properties of
steel, driving competitiveness across the entire value chain. Thanks to its Europe-wide
distribution network, Steeltec can guarantee delivery reliability to its customers in the
automotive, hydraulic and mechanical engineering industries.
About SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH
Today, the SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Group is one of the world’s leading providers of
customised solutions in the specialty steel long products business. A global name in tool
steel and stainless long steel, the Group is one of two largest companies in Europe for
alloy and high-alloy engineering steel. With around 9.000 employees at its own
production and distribution companies in 35 countries across five continents, the
Company supports and supplies customers wherever they operate. Besides the
comprehensive Production and Sales & Services portfolio, customers benefit from the
Company’s technological expertise, consistent high quality worldwide and in-depth
knowledge of local markets.
Your contacts
Guido Olschewski • Steeltec
Head of Management Systems and Product Development
Phone: +41 (0)41 209-5619 • Fax: +41 (0)41 209-5605
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.steeltec-group.com
Dr. Ulrich Steiner • SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH
Phone: +41 (0) 41 581-4120
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.schmolz-bickenbach.com
SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH GROUP
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External media contact
Hanna Hagedorn • additiv pr GmbH & Co. KG
Pressearbeit für Logistik, Stahl, Industriegüter und IT
Graf-Adolf-Straße 72 • D-51065 Köln
Phone: +49 (0)221 964769-45
E-mail: [email protected] • Internet: www.additiv-pr.de
SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH GROUP
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