Valve spring steel passes the test
A
Corus Automotive product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jun 16, 2004
The first fatigue tests of the most performance-critical grade of steel yet to be produced by Corus have been successful.
The first fatigue tests of the most performance-critical grade of steel yet to be produced by Corus have been successful.
The new grade of steel has been manufactured to meet the stringent quality requirements of valve springs.
These components, used in vehicle engines, are in constant motion when in use, making them one of the most demanding applications for any steel.
Around 80kt of rod a year goes into this market, but very few manufacturers can supply steel of the required quality.
Corus produced a trial quantity of valve spring steel, which was sent to specialist Swedish valve spring wire manufacturer Haldex-Garphyttan - one of the world's major suppliers of this special spring wire.
With a 35% market share, the company supplies its high-quality wire to many valve spring manufacturers around the world.
After continuous fatigue testing over a period of three months, the company reported that the Corus steel had performed well and it was keen to order further trial quantities.
"Valve spring steel is an advanced product, which is difficult to obtain at the quality we demand".
"However, we were impressed by the performance of the steel in the first trial from Corus", says David Thureborn, Development Manager at Haldex-Garphyttan.
"There is a limited supply of steel that can meet such stringent requirements, so we were delighted to discover that Corus was entering the market".
Michael Wild, Business Area Manager, Oil Tempered Wire, at Haldex-Garphyttan says: "For us to have a second Europe-based integrated supplier committed to this market would be a tremendous benefit to our business".
John Boddy, Technology Manager at Corus Wire Rod, says: "We are very pleased with these initial trial results, particularly since valve spring steel is one of the most technically-difficult steels to manufacture".
"Our successful record of manufacturing steel rod for tyre cord initially gave us the confidence to develop this new grade of steel".
"Tyre cord is another highly demanding application, and we now supply leading tyre producers around the world - so we knew we were capable of manufacturing very high-performance steels".
"The demand from customers was there and the timing was right for us to produce steel for valve springs".
The same steel composition that is used for valve springs can also be used in clutch and suspension springs.
Corus has supplied further trial quantities to leading wire drawers for testing in the production of these other spring types.
Following successful trials in 2003, one company is now regularly producing suspension springs for the Nissan Micra from Corus steel - the volume in 2004 will be around 2kt.
Peter Hogg, Corus Wire Rod Director, says: "We are very keen to put our new steel into full production, but it is likely to take at least 24 months before it is fully approved for valve spring applications".
"If successful, we would become one of only a 'handful' of integrated steel manufacturers in the world to supply this quality of steel".
"The trial programme is ongoing and we are actively seeking partners to join us in this process.
"However, with such promising initial results, everyone at Corus is looking forward to exploring this new market for our world-beating steel".
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Contact Corus Automotive
Tel (UK) 44 24 76 241200
Other Corus Automotive stories
-
Corus updates Vegter material model
Corus has announced Vegter Lite, an enhanced version of its original Vegter material model released in 2006. -
Argus analysis system helps in Volvo press shop
Corus has employed its Argus strain analysis system to help Volvo optimise its press shop tooling at the Torslanda manufacturing plant in Sweden, in support of the XC60 crossover vehicle launch. -
Predictive modelling validates component strength
Corus worked with Tallent to validate the F2S technique on a suspension lower control arm which uses Corus Tenform XF300 and XF400 HSLA steel grades. -
CAE system checks weld durability
Corus' new automated process will significantly speed up weld design modification and optimisation, leading to improved component performance. -
Latest grades of high strength steels
Corus has been working closely with Ford to help the carmaker develop and implement the latest grades of high strength steels into several key applications on the new Galaxy model range.
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (903)
- Machine Building (4,517)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,179)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (200)
- 3D CAD software (1,157)
- FEA and structural analysis software (369)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (914)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (196)
- Materials design and moulding design software (151)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (258)
- Electrical design software (164)
- Publishing and documentation software (229)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (317)
- Data, document management software (310)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (568)
- File conversion software, data capture (351)
- PLM and collaboration software (649)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,361)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (411)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,276)
- Linear Drives and Motors (114)
- Industrial Motors (497)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,060)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,975)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,028)
- Plantwide control (1,324)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,174)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (387)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (201)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (562)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (294)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (806)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,459)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (494)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (472)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (630)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (703)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (440)
- Data loggers (422)
- Materials testing equipment (421)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (500)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,222)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,160)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (555)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (679)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (709)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (420)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (798)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (369)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (630)
-
Materials and Processing (2,963)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,215)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (285)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,093)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (562)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (400)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (349)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (433)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (838)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (278)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (277)
-
Powertrain Design (3,598)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (939)
- Chains and belts (326)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,441)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (418)
-
Capital Equipment (3,387)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (510)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,093)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (930)
-
Sensors (7,080)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (427)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (699)
- Pressure sensors (621)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (618)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (527)
- Linear Position Sensors (399)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (546)
- Proximity Sensors (700)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (284)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (152)
- Temperature sensors (612)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,384)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,623)
