ArcelorMittal Dofasco Develops New Ultra-Low Carbon Steel Technology
08/06/2010 - ArcelorMittal has unveiled a new ultra-low carbon production technology at its Dofasco plant in Hamilton, Canada, that will allow the production of more advanced grades of automotive steel. The technology was recognized with the Leadership and Innovation Award as part of the Group's Performance Excellence Awards.
ArcelorMittal has unveiled a new ultra-low carbon production technology at its Dofasco plant in Hamilton, Canada, that will allow the company to produce more advanced grades of automotive steel. The new production technology is said to enable closer tolerances, lower weight, and improve functional performance of finished car parts.
Ultra-low carbon steel at ArcelorMittal Dofasco is made via the vacuum degas tank process without the ability to sample steel chemistry during processing. Because of this constraint, the deep vacuum degassing time was fixed historically at 13 minutes to cover variation in the process.
A solution was developed that involves real-time slag chemistry measurement together with laser-based tank off-gas analysis. These two new technologies combined with newly developed control strategies have improved carbon capability by up to 20% and reduced average decarburization time by 23%, according to ArcelorMittal.
The research team at Dofasco delivered the findings of its low carbon steel project to ArcelorMittal employees and key stakeholders during ArcelorMittal Group's annual Global Leadership Convention in Chicago, Ill. The team received the Leadership and Innovation Award as part of the Group's Performance Excellence Awards—one of six performance-based accolades recently awarded by the ArcelorMittal Group.
ArcelorMittal Dofasco was one of 28 submissions for the award and surpassed three other finalists from Global R&D, Global R&D Distribution Solutions, and ArcelorMittal Bremen. The Canadian plant was recognized for its notably low capital expenditure while being highly innovative.
"This award recognizes the importance of driving continuous improvement through the effort of our people—empowering teams and challenging their hearts and minds," said Sean Donnelly, Vice President, Technology and Continuous Improvement at ArcelorMittal Dofasco.
The Performance Excellence Awards were established in 2007 to recognize and promote excellence and innovation within the ArcelorMittal Group.
ArcelorMittal is the world's leading steel company, with operations in more than 60 countries. ArcelorMittal Dofasco is a leading North American steel producer and supplier of high-quality, flat-rolled steels.
