High Strength Steels Through Batch Annealing

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Stelco is an independent Canadian steel producer. The company recently completed the construction of a state of the art batch annealing line in Hamilton, ON. The new production line utilizes 100% hydrogen gas atmosphere, which is the most efficient technology on the market. It results in a 58% reduction of natural gas consumption compared to most conventional batch annealing facilities. This translates into shorter cycle times, lower operating costs and a cleaner final product surface. Since the facility was launched in June 2019, Stelco has successfully produced a wide range of low-strength, high-formability steels. To differentiate itself from competitors, and to increase margin contribution, Stelco needs to act quickly to produce new batch annealed products such as high strength steels and electrical steels. In the medium to long term the batch annealing line could also be leveraged to produce third generation (3G) advanced high strength steels (AHSS) based on innovative state of the art medium manganese chemistries. The proposed project has two goals. The first is to develop a suite of through process modelling tools that would help Stelco accelerate the design of new chemistries and processing conditions for construction and HSLA steels. Over the next two years, these tools along with experimental work at McMaster and CanmetMATERIALS will allow Stelco to produce grade 70 and grade 80 steels. These steels will be 30-50% stronger than the grades that the company presently produces. The second goal of the project is to demonstrate the possibility of producing chromized 3G medium Mn steels at Stelco using a disruptive process developed by Arcanum Alloys Inc. This novel process allows steel producers to introduce new alloying elements during the final step of processing. This is a game changer for companies that don't have the infrastructure to produced specialty steels. We will demonstrate that Cr can be added during batch annealing to produce a corrosion resistant outer surface. This would allow Stelco to compete in a new segment of the market (stainless steel sheet), that no other Canadian company competes in. The project will also train two HQP in areas of great importance to Canada's manufacturing sector.