MATERIALS • PROCESSES • FINISHES


An ultra-clean steel bar used in the production of high performance mechanical power


transmission components


BATTLING BOTTLENECKS R


Manufacturers of high-performance components in demanding mechanical power transmission and mining applications are facing the challenge of scarcity for remelted steel. Jonas Osberg explains how ultra-clean air-melted steel is a possible alternative material for bearings, rollers and gears


ecent changes in the supply chain for remelted steel mean that buyers are now facing long lead times for orders. Waiting times can be as


long as two years with no flexibility to vary order quantity or dimensions. Tis presents a risk to production continuity


32 www.engineerlive.com


for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). To overcome this, it may be worth reviewing whether ultra-clean air- melted steel is a suitable alternative. Traditionally, remelted steel is used to make components that need to face demanding conditions over a long service


life. Te remelting process produces ultra- clean steel by reducing the number and size of non-metallic inclusions. In turn, this improves fatigue strength because inclusions can act as tiny stress-raisers over many loading cycles. Tis eventually leads to failure from metal fatigue.


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