TECH TRAK Unlocking the world of dual-phase, trip and twip steels

Aug 01, 2007 | 07:21 AM |

Technological advances in the production of new types of steel are driving steel producers forward in their quest to develop new products, but the needs of customers have settled behind the wheel as dual-phase and transfer-induced plasticity (trip) steels come to the fore.

Steelmakers such as ArcelorMittal, the world's largest producer, are heavily involved in the development of new advanced high-strength steels (AHSS), including dual-phase steel, trip steel and the next stage, which is coming to be known as twinning-induced plasticity (twip) steel.

"With our operations in the Americas and in Europe, ArcelorMittal is focused on the high-value-added products," Pinakin Chaubal, director of process research for Mittal Steel USA Inc., Chicago, said. "What we are continuing to look for is ways to make steel a more formable product. That really is being driven by increasing needs for safety and fuel efficiency on the part of our (automotive) customers."

Pittsburgh-based Integ Process Group Inc. is mining some of the same territory with its Hot Strip Mill Model (HSMM), an off-line PC software product that allows steelmakers to simulate the steel rolling process for hot mills. In partnership with the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), Integ is marketing the HSMM to mills worldwide—and finding customers that are seeking ways to use more dual-phase and trip steels.

"We are now adding features to the model, including dual-phase steels," Richard Shulkosky, president of Integ Group, said. "We're finding that's what the customers want."

Such steels are considered advanced high-strength steels and are seen to a large degree as key to steel potentially gaining market share among automotive customers. ....