CORPORATE NEWS:
Corus gears up for automotive spring market
A new high-performance grade of wire rod from Corus is rapidly becoming established in the demanding global market for oil-tempered automotive springs.
Recognising the extremely strict quality parameters required for such high-fatigue steels, Corus is keen to join the handful of steel manufacturers able to supply this quality of material – helping to increase security of supply for the automotive market. Automotive valve springs are one of the most demanding applications for any steel, since they are in constant motion when in use. Although the valve spring market is significant, very few manufacturers can supply steel of the required quality.
Corus Sales Manager John Morrisroe, says: “We know that the automotive spring market needs more quality suppliers, which is why we are developing our premium-grade steels for these essential components.”
Corus applied its ‘super-clean’ tech-nology to the development of valve spring steel, which requires low levels of non-metallic inclusions in the
surface layers of the steel and tight control over other metallurgical para-meters, such as surface cracks and decarburisation.
A lengthy development process, employing carefully controlled casting and rolling techniques, has resulted in the successful production of an automotive spring-grade steel. This steel is now undergoing rigorous
fatigue tests for valve spring applications. As these trials continue, Corus is in a position to supply material for other critical automotive spring applications, such as clutch, suspension and transmission springs.Feedback on the new Corus steel
from spring makers and car manu-facturers has been very positive, and springs made from Corus steel have already been used in car suspensions. There is considerable demand for this steel from the Far East, and other spring manufacturers are keen to use Corus steel for clutch and transmission springs.
To meet this demand, the Corus rod mill is now rolling regular casts of spring-grade rod – giving spring manufacturers a wider choice of supplier in this specialist market. John Morrisroe continues: “We are now looking to increase volumes to those customers who have already completed trials, and to support any others who wish to begin a trial
process. As a performance-critical product, automotive spring steel will benefit from our state-of-the-art automated warehouse facility, with its advanced handling processes to minimise the risk of damage.”
Company: |
Corus |
Country: |
UK |
Fax: |
+44 20 7717 4455 |
Email: |
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Website: |
www.corusgroup.com |