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Innovative AFP steels revolutionize the wire industry

22 August 2024 | 

In an exclusive report, Bernd Strohhäussl, Head of Sales and Application Engineering, provides insights into an innovative material concept for AFP steels (advanced ferritic-pearlitic steels). Together with the teams from voestalpine Stahl Donawitz, voestalpine Wire Rod Austria and voestalpine Wire Austria, this sustainable wire solution was implemented. It shows how this concept revolutionizes the manufacturing process.

From idea to reality: the development process

The concept of AFP steel grades has been known for some time, but transferring it to different components (e.g. vehicle door strikers) is a challenge, as the individual requirements have to be understood very precisely. Thanks to our newly developed material concept, it is now possible to simplify the manufacturing process by using micro-alloys.

This achieves the goal of an optimum ratio between ductility (or formability) and strength without additional energy-intensive heat treatment steps, as would be the case with conventional material concepts.  This reduces both manufacturing costs and CO2 emissions. Our customers benefit from our expertise with customized wire solutions for many areas of application and specific requirements.

With this material concept, we have achieved outstanding interdisciplinary cooperation. Customers can therefore benefit from solutions from a single source.

Caterina Benigni, Technical Quality Engineer, Quality Management and Production Planning, voestalpine Stahl Donawitz

AFP steels and their use

Typical applications for these steel grades include fastening elements, ball studs in the steering area of motor vehicles and vehicle door strikers. "These safety-critical components have to withstand the highest loads and therefore place enormous demands on material quality and the consistency of material properties," emphasizes Bernd Strohhäussl.

Special properties of these steel grades

Compared to conventional concepts, the new AFP steel grades are less complex and energy-intensive to process into the end product. This leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions and considerable cost savings, as complex heat treatments are no longer required.

A benefit for customers and the environment

This approach enables customers to dispense with heat treatment to increase strength, which leads to significant CO2 and cost savings.

"One customer reported that CO2 emissions per tonne of steel can be reduced by up to 20%", says Bernd Strohhäussl happily, "Technologically, the material also offers advantages such as the reduction of thermally induced distortion, especially for very long products."

Bernd Strohhäusl, Head of Sales and Application Engineering

This material concept has great future potential for numerous industries. Many customers are open to the concept and recognize the numerous advantages of AFP steel grades.

Bernd Strohhäusl, Head of Sales and Application Engineering

He emphasizes with great pride that the teams at voestalpine Stahl Donawitz, voestalpine Wire Rod Austria and voestalpine Wire Austria - especially the employees in the drawing shop - have succeeded in meeting customer requirements with smart and individual solutions of consistent quality.

WHERE PREMIUM QUALITY MEETS ECO-FRIENDLY EXCELLENCE 2027

Develop with us, test with us, increase your cost efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint - thanks to premium wire solutions that enable fewer process steps and optimized processing times. From 2027, our greentec steel will set new standards. Join us on this journey and let us develop customized solutions for you together.

Developing premium wire solutions together