Your global view on the world of stainless steel
Amidst the daily reality of the current financial crisis we feel it’s important to use this time to strategise and adopt a forward thinking growth mindset. For that reason we put together a monthly package of articles that provide market intelligence from across the globe and Southern Africa. Here we’re proud to present our latest picks of the top articles from the past few months
NEW STUDY PROVES STAINLESS STEEL HAS IT ALL!
Stainless steel supports many essential applications in our modern world and with sustainability high on the world’s agenda, there is an increasing call to quantify the material life cycle of stainless steel and their efficiencies from production to fabrication, manufacturing, use, recycling and disposal.
The latest results from a study titled ‘The Global Life Cycle of Stainless Steels’ quantify the stocks and flows cycle of stainless steel, confirming its high end-of-life recyclability and high recycled content; clearly demonstrating stainless steels credentials as a sustainable material of choice.
REVIEW OF NINE AFRICAN ‘BLUE ECONOMY’ PROJECTS SHOWS WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T
A recent report reviewing nine case studies of blue economy projects across the continent has found that while governments had the right intentions albeit with a focus on economic outcomes, social equity and ecological sustainability got limited attention.
The report’s findings reveal how coastal states with blue economy goals must reconsider their strategies or face the negative consequences which can lead to instability or secessionist movements.
TESLA’S CYBERTRUCK IS AUDACIOUSLY AUSTENITIC
A proprietary 301-series stainless steel gives Tesla’s first electric pickup truck strength and durability beyond that of its competitors. Due to start production in late 2021, Elon Musk described the corrosion-resistant, 3-mm-thick sheet specified for Cybertruck as "ultra-hard 30X cold-rolled stainless-steel,” indicating an alloy variant developed from 300-series stainless steel.
It’s not the first attempt at a stainless steel car following attempts by DeLorean, Ford, and even Porsche; but what is different is Tesla has engineered a material and manufacturing solution that requires minimal forming operations, enabling huge potential savings in presses, dies and related operations for its radical new pickup.
THOUSAND YEAR OLD PRECURSOR TO STAINLESS STEEL FOUND IN IRAN AMAZES ARCHAEOLOGISTS
Chromium steel, commonly referred to as stainless steel, is thought to be a recent manufacturing innovation, but new evidence suggests ancient Persians stumbled upon an early version of this alloy 1 000 years ago, in what is a surprise to archaeologists.According to new research published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, Ancient Persians were forging alloys made from chromium steel as early as the 11th century.
FIRST THERE WERE THREE AND THERE COULD ONLY BE ONE
The Apple Watch Series 6 is the most advanced wearable that Apple has ever made and is available in three versions - aluminium, stainless steel, and titanium. Featuring the same hardware and software features - they can track your heart rate, measure your blood oxygen levels, monitor your sleep - the questions is which is better? Aluminium or stainless steel? Apple calls on consumers to look at durability, weight, price and peace of mind when making their personal preference.
ROBOTS, PIGS AND PIPES HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN YOU THINK!
What began as a pipe dream, the UK’s Project GRAID has since produced ground-breaking robots which eliminate the logistical and environmental impacts of gas line excavation by taking measurements from inside the pipe.
Posing many complex engineering challenges, 2507 super-duplex stainless steel was chosen for the robot’s chassis – an agile robotic inspection device, required to operate in high velocity pipe labyrinths, live gas and extreme pressures - equivalent to more than five times the maximum pressure experienced by a typical submarine.