Outokumpu's New Steel Grade Saves Lives in Mine Rescue Chambers
05/09/2014 - HEAT-IT Oy from Rovaniemi, Finland, has selected Outokumpu’s new high-chromium ferritic stainless steel Outokumpu 4622 as the material for its RESPETRA rescue chamber.
The RESPETRA rescue chamber is a stainless steel cabin used in underground mines. It provides shield and protection for miners for example in case of fire for as long as for four days. Outokumpu’s stainless steel is used for rescue chambers in mines in Kittilä and Kemi, Finland, as well as in underground construction sites in Oulu and Helsinki capital area.
“Outokumpu 4622 is a natural choice for a rescue chamber, because it is a perfect fit for the demanding environment in the mine. Stainless steel is practically maintenance free, which leads to low life cycle cost. In addition to good corrosion and heat resistance, weldability and deep-drawability 4622 has lower cost than stainless steel grades with nickel,” said Juha Kela from Outokumpu Tornio Research Centre.
Stainless steel surface doesn’t require any coating and therefore the air in the rescue chamber stays fresh. Outokumpu 4622 is technically very suitable for the rescue chamber due to its good combination of strength and toughness and can thus handle pressure relief well. The walls of the rescue chamber are curved to provide protection against pressure and gases.
“We have tested the rescue chamber in the mine near the blasting area and the chamber has performed well. We chose Outokumpu 4622 as it offers us the required technical properties with a lower cost. I am very pleased with the cooperation with Outokumpu,” said Pekka Kilpeläinen, CEO of HEAT-IT Oy.
New Outokumpu 4622 steel grade is a competitive alternative to traditional austenitic stainless steels. Outokumpu 4622 steel grade is a standard ferritic stainless steel by its technical properties. It can be used in a broad range of applications from home appliances, to exhaust systems, process equipment and cladding panels.
“Outokumpu 4622 is a natural choice for a rescue chamber, because it is a perfect fit for the demanding environment in the mine. Stainless steel is practically maintenance free, which leads to low life cycle cost. In addition to good corrosion and heat resistance, weldability and deep-drawability 4622 has lower cost than stainless steel grades with nickel,” said Juha Kela from Outokumpu Tornio Research Centre.
Stainless steel surface doesn’t require any coating and therefore the air in the rescue chamber stays fresh. Outokumpu 4622 is technically very suitable for the rescue chamber due to its good combination of strength and toughness and can thus handle pressure relief well. The walls of the rescue chamber are curved to provide protection against pressure and gases.
“We have tested the rescue chamber in the mine near the blasting area and the chamber has performed well. We chose Outokumpu 4622 as it offers us the required technical properties with a lower cost. I am very pleased with the cooperation with Outokumpu,” said Pekka Kilpeläinen, CEO of HEAT-IT Oy.
New Outokumpu 4622 steel grade is a competitive alternative to traditional austenitic stainless steels. Outokumpu 4622 steel grade is a standard ferritic stainless steel by its technical properties. It can be used in a broad range of applications from home appliances, to exhaust systems, process equipment and cladding panels.
