Euroblech 2012 – Highlights

EuroBLECH is the world's largest trade fair for the sheet metal working industry. Some 1,400 exhibitors from 40 countries presented a broad range of innovative machines, systems and materials at the Hanover Exhibition Center from October 23 – 27, 2012.

One of the focuses of the Salzgitter Flachstahl fair presentation this year was a look at HSD®. HSD® (High Strength and Ductility) steel has a high manganese content with added aluminum and silicon. The mechanical and technical properties of HSD® set it significantly apart from conventional high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels. Manufactured with the innovative BCT® (Belt-Casting Technology) process, it is both extremely strong and very tensile. Salzgitter Flachstahl provided information on the new material's outstanding properties in two expert lectures which were received with great interest.

HSD® steel was also a topic at the 5th meeting held by "Stahlmarkt" magazine. Here Dr. Sebastian Bross, Salzgitter Flachstahl CSO, presented the automotive market supply chain.

Car buyers at the end of this supply chain expect top quality - made in Europe. With HSD steel and the innovative Belt Casting Technology, Salzgitter Flachstahl largely contributes to keeping this promise. After all, the steel traders and steel manufacturers in this supply chain are all in the same boat, in his lecture Dr. Bross called for support from the distribution sector in maintaining it.

Further presentations were given on StronSal® and FolaSal® as well as FolaSal StronSal®. FolaSal® is the organically-coated thin sheet from Salzgitter Flachstahl. Among other uses, FolaSal® is deployed in the construction industry and in the household appliance industry. Two exhibits served as examples of this product group: the housing from BSH Bosch and Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH and a rain gutter system. Jana Heß, head of the construction, household appliance and end customer area in the Technical Customer Advisory Service, explained the broad range of possible applications for FolaSal® at the trade fair.

Dr. Maiwald, head of the commerce/SSC area in the Technical Customer Advisory Service, provided information on StronSal®, Salzgitter Flachstahl's zinc-magnesium coating. StronSal® ensures corrosion protection that is significantly better than that offered by conventionally galvanized material with the same coating thickness. It is furthermore possible, however, to reduce the coating thickness while retaining the same corrosion protection and consequently to reduce costs and conserve resources. At the fair, visitors has the opportunity to examine a wheelbarrow with a StronSal® coating and a wheel housing support as examples.

Salzgitter Flachstahl is one of the few steel manufacturers capable of offering metal sheets in outer skin quality with a maximum width of 1850 mm (up to 1860 mm after review of the individual case). This exceptional width makes it possible to minimize the cutting scraps when implementing the plate cutting for extensive components. The material savings that can be achieved are interesting from both economic and resource conversation standpoints. In her talk, Dr. Cathrin Mucha presented these and many other strengths of the Salzgitter Flachstahl product range for the automotive sector. The hood of the Ford Focus was presented at the trade fair as an example of the decisive advantages offered by the large material width that can be manufactured.

Matthias Schneider from Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH highlighted the special processing characteristics of SZBS800 and LH®800 in his talk. SZBS800, a bainitic hot-rolled strip grade, combines a high elastic limit and a high level of tensile strength with good formability and good fatigue properties.

LH®800 is an air-drying heat-treatable steel that has very good formability in its original state. During cooling after a final heating, for example, in a painting process, the steel then obtains its extremely high final strength. Thanks to their very good forming characteristics and high strength, air-hardening steels achieve high stability levels in connection with minimum weight.