marshall, Author at National Material Company - Steel Processing Facilities

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So far marshall has created 17 blog entries.

5 02, 2019

Advanced High-Strength Steel Rules the Road in 2019

marshall2019-02-05T17:59:41+00:00February 5th, 2019|News Blog, NMC Media|

Advanced High-Strength Steel is a new generation of steel revolutionizing the automotive industry. The widespread use of advanced high-strength steel doesn’t seem to be slowing down as we move into 2019. This high-performance material offers high-strength and low weight, all while maintaining formability that is crucial to the automotive manufacturing process.

Strong and dependable, steel continues to be the frontrunner when it comes to car manufacturing. A recent survey showed that steel is the preferred material in automobiles, with 90% of consumers saying they believe steel is stronger than other materials used by automakers. 75% said that a car’s crash safety, and other safety features, were the most important factors when buying or leasing a vehicle.

Various automotive manufacturers have announced intentions to increase their use of AHSS in automobiles, and several 2019 and 2020 models made with higher proportions of the advanced high-strength steel have already been unveiled.

SUV’s

Source: Repairer Drive News

Last month, a large automotive manufacturer “…revealed its brand-new “flagship” three-row SUV, describing a steel body with a 13.7 percent higher average tensile strength than its next-generation 2019 coupe.”

The article continues to highlight the SUV’s new build, saying it has “…a very rigid structure, with strategic use of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) in key suspension and crash areas to provide increased tensile-strength. Use of Advanced High Strength Steel has several benefits: lighter overall vehicle weight and greater vehicle strength and rigidity without the excessive costs of more exotic lightweight materials.”

The SUV “…is expected to achieve TSP+ from the IIHS and a 5-star NHTSA rating. Robust underbody and side structures are designed to increase energy absorption and cabin intrusion in a severe collision, especially in the small overlap test. Further, its underbody uses multiple load paths to better disperse potential crash energy in the event of a collision.’”

Sedan

Source: Repairer Drive News

Another automotive manufacturer announced that “The 2019 sedan model ‘strengthens its bones’ for its third generation, describing a body made up of 54 percent advanced high-strength steel.”

The vehicle also added “hot-stamped components”, a reference likely to indicate ultra-high-strength steels.

This new configuration is likely to restrict what auto body shops can do to the popular sedan. Higher-strength steels tend to carry heat, sectioning and repair restrictions because of their metallurgy or role in crash protection.

“Because body stiffness plays a major role in NVH performance, engineers worked to increase rigidity for a quieter cabin and better handling tuned to match the car’s sporty and dynamic exterior appearance, resulting in a 16 percent stiffer body in white,” the automotive manufacturer wrote in a news release Wednesday.

“New subframe designs help to improve lateral responsiveness, while steering feel is upgraded compared to its predecessor’s thanks to enhancements within the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) system that reduce artificial steering feel and friction.”

Throughout the last year, we shared information on the […]

9 12, 2018

National Material Partner Taber Extrusions Shaping the Future of Aluminum Extrusions

marshall2018-12-30T21:58:45+00:00December 9th, 2018|News Blog, NMC Media|

National Material L.P. and its metal service centers have a long history of quality and service dating back to 1964. Since its founding, N.M.L.P. has grown to over 30 business units and is now one of the largest suppliers of steel in America. The National Material group of industrial businesses consists of the Steel Group, Stainless and Alloys Group, Raw Material Trading Group, Aluminum Group, and Related Operations. Today, we tip our hat to Taber Extrusions, as we recognize this aluminum extrusion company for their expanded capabilities and flawless teamwork.

Taber Extrusions, located in Russellville, Arkansas is a highly regarded full-service provider of aluminum extrusions to a wide variety of industries including aerospace, transportation, defense, and thermal management. Taber has completed the relocation and start-up of the recently acquired micro-extrusion press lines. ISO 9001 and AS9100 certified, Taber’s present and future customers can expect to see increased supply opportunities with the expanded set of extrusion solutions, programs, and services.

“It’s about having all the different capabilities we can to meet the extrusion end users growing needs,” states Jason Weber, Taber Extrusions Vice President of Sales and Marketing, in a recent article by Light Metal Age Magazine. “One of the taglines we use is ‘Shaping Endless Possibilities.’ With the extensive variety of extruded shapes Taber produces—from micro-extrusions to wide profiles and everything in between—Taber embodies that message.”

This couldn’t be more true as Taber also announces the planned addition of 7” billet molds to Taber’s existing extrusion billet casting facility in Gulfport, MS. Taber’s addition of the 7” molds further enhances Taber’s existing offering of extruded aluminum billet products to Taber’s newly refurbished Gulfport Casthouse. 7” extrusion log will be available for delivery beginning in January 2019.

The addition of the 7” molds complements the existing 8”, 9”, 11”, 16”, and 20” diameter molds. The various diameters of extrusion billet will be available in 6063 and 6061 alloy chemistries as well as specialized chemistries upon request. “Taber is excited to offer extrusion logs to our fellow extruders,” adds Weber. The Gulfport Casthouse is uniquely situated with port access as well as easy access to industrial scrap. These input factors coupled with the recently refurbished casting equipment with the LARS® in-line degassing and purification system supplies billet chemistries and consistencies which rival those of larger billet producers.

If you have any questions please visit taberextrusions.com or contact one of Taber’s Regional Sales Managers.

Follow Taber Extrusions
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/taberextrusions/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/taberextrusions/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/taberextrusions

Looking for a partner as strong as you are?

Founded in 1964, National Material Company L.P. offers 50+ years of leadership in supplying, processing and servicing the metal manufacturing needs of diverse industries. With processing facilities and service centers in the U.S. and Mexico, NMC is strategically located to deliver its substantial capabilities.

25 11, 2018

The Life Cycle of an Ultra High-Strength Steel

marshall2019-09-12T20:09:19+00:00November 25th, 2018|News Blog, NMC Media|

In recent years, the automotive industry has benefited greatly from the integration of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS).

Each step of the manufacturing process of a new advanced high-strength steel, the different configurations of chemical composition, and achievable microstructures, is a result of a closely controlled heating and cooling process. During these processes, several strengthening mechanisms are employed to achieve different levels of strength, fatigue tolerances, and toughness.

Among the advanced high-strength steel family are Dual Phase (DP), Complex Phase (CP), Transformation-Induced Plasticity (TRIP), Martensitic (MS), and Ferritic-Bainitic (FB). They are all produced by controlling the chemistry and cooling rate in the austenite-ferrite phase during the hot rolled phase or in the annealing furnace.

But, what are the steps that are taken to create each of these materials? What are all the factors that metallurgists are searching for when they undertake such a task?

Here’s a checklist:

Designed for mass production

The driving force behind creating any variant of AHSS is to produce it on a mass scale. Therefore, starting from day one, full-scale processing concerns are addressed in the design. Different compositions are simulated and tested to achieve the most optimal composition.

Forgeability

The materials’ forgeability refers to the total fatigue, fracturing toughness, and tensile strength tolerances of the steel alloy.

Machinability

Tests are rendered on the material to observe its boring, tapping, milling, threading, drilling, and turning capabilities. Everything is tested, from the optimal insert and cutting tool configurations to the best feed speed.

Heat treatment

The material will be tested for the mechanical differences between their annealed and hardened states.

Combination of properties

There are an incredible amount of possible alloying compositions using elements such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, carbon, chromium, and more. Rigorous testing is done on the different alloy compositions to achieve the optimal desired properties.

Strength

What’s the key factor in any structure material? Its functional strength. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) is the most important aspect of weight-limiting designs, so this property is the among the most crucial in the creation of new AHSS steels.

Fracture toughness

Another important element of the steel is its fracture toughness. This measures the materials’ ability to resist fracturing under stress.

Yield strength

As opposed to fracture toughness, yield strength refers to the point at which the fibers of the material begin to break down, and its form becomes plastic, instead of elastic. A higher yield strength will allow part designs to endure more stress before becoming disfigured.

THE RENEWABILITY OF ADVANCED HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL

Once the material is created and tested for mass production, it begins its life as it is machined into a useable part for the automotive industry. What happens as it’s made, put out into the world, and comes to the end of its life cycle?

Efficient steel production

Though AHSS is, at the moment, more expensive overall to produce than traditional steel grades, it […]

8 11, 2018

Pre-Painted Steel by NMC Partner Interstate Steel Company

marshall2018-11-09T16:25:35+00:00November 8th, 2018|News Blog, NMC Media|

National Material Company is proud to be a partner with Interstate Steel company, a leader in providing steel services and highly engineered, pre-painted steel products. ISC provides a variety of processes including slitting, blanking, pickling and oiling, hot dipped galvanized steel, configured blanking and cut-to-length.

What is pre-painted steel?

Pre-painted steel is manufactured through a continuous coating process that utilizes cleaning, pretreating, painting, and curing in coil form. Typically painted with two-coat paint systems, the coils receive a primer and a finish color coating on the side meant for exterior exposure and the reverse side receives a primer and topcoat. This system creates very uniform, aesthetically pleasing steel.

There are many options when it comes to pre-painted steel and they can vary in:

Metallic coating thickness
Types of top-coatings (polyesters, acrylics, silicone-polyesters, etc.)
Color
Treatments and primers

Pre-painted steel is typically used when the appearance of the steel matters and the steel is meant for long lasting durability. For example, primer coats can help prevent undercutting of paint and make the steel corrosion resistant.

Interstate Steel Company pre-painted steel and services

ISC has had decades of experience and knowledge in painting systems for steel, coil coating, and painted end use applications. They are well known as a leader in pre-painted steel and their expertise shows when NMC conducts business with them.

Some of the many benefits we’ve found in working with ISC is their:

ISO-certified quality system
In-line shape enhancement
In-house metallurgy and testing lab
Customized inventory program
High-quality parts
Environmental consciousness
Speedy processing and delivery

Together, National Material Company and Interstate Steel Company try to provide the most reliable, long-lasting steel in the industry and by working together, believe we can go above and beyond our customers’ requirements. Whether you are looking for pre-painted steel or one of our many other steel offerings, if you believe your company can benefit from our services, please visit us at https://www.nationalmaterial.com/ or call (U.S.) 847-806-7200 to discuss how we can be of service.

About National Material L.P. – Since its founding in 1964, National Material Limited Partnership has grown to over 30 business units and is now one of the largest suppliers of steel in America. The National Material group of industrial businesses consists of the Steel Group, Stainless and Alloys Group, Raw Material Trading Group, Aluminum Group, and Related Operations.

16 04, 2018

Complex Phase Steel: An Introduction

marshall2018-04-16T23:30:52+00:00April 16th, 2018|News Blog, NMC Media|

WHAT IS COMPLEX PHASE STEEL?

Complex Phase steel (CP steels) is a part of the Advanced High-Strength Steel (AHSS) family.

Complex Phase steels gain their strength through extremely fine grain size and micro structure containing small amounts of martensite, pearlite and retained austenite embedded in a ferrite-bainite matrix. High grain refinement is achieved by precipitation of micro alloying elements such as Nb, Ti or V or retarded recrystallization.

Complex Phase steel is being produced as both hot-rolled and cold-rolled which can be hot dipped galvanized for corrosion protection. Hot-rolled products are available in the higher thickness ranges needed to produce structural type parts.

The chemistry and microstructure of CP steels is similar to Trip Steels, except for the addition of some quantities of the Nb, Ti and or V to cause a precipitation strengthening effect.

The bainite complex phase microstructure exhibits improved strain hardening and strain capacity over the bainite structure alone.

Properties of CP steel

CP steels have a higher minimum yield strength in comparison with dual phase steels of identical tensile strengths of 800 Mpa and greater. When compared to DP steels, CP steels have a much higher yield strength to tensile strength ratio.

CP steels have high work hardening capability at low strain, high fatigue strength, high energy absorption, wear resistance and bake hardening potential.

Heat treatment of hot-rolled CP steels at 500-700 C can further increase the yield point of the material by up to 100 MPa.

CP steels are readily welded to itself or other common grades of steel, spot welders for other lower strength grades can be used with the appropriate adjustments.

Current and developmental strength grades range from 780 to 1470 Mpa minimum tensile strength with 5-30% total elongation.

Formability

With high uniform elongation and continuous yielding CP steels have excellent formability and are suitable for stretch forming, roll-forming, bending and hole expansions.

Applications of CP steel

Due to CP steels high capability to absorb energy during a collision they are particularly well suited for weight saving manufacturing of cold formed crash relevant parts in automobiles. There are several automotive applications in body structure, suspension and chassis components.

Current production grades of CP steels and examples of automotive applications:

CP 600/900 Frame rails, B pillar reinforcements, tunnel stiffener
CP 680/780 Frame rails, chassis components, cross members
CP 800/1000 Suspension brackets, fender beams
CP 1000/1200 Frame rail reinforcements, rocker panel supports
CP 1050/1470 Bumper beams, side sills

To summarize complex phase steels’ properties:

Tensile strengths that meet and exceed 800 MPa
High ratio of yield to tensile strength
Great for cold forming, bending, and hole expansion
Strong bake-hardening qualities
High durability and wear resistance
High crash energy absorption
Good weldability

About National Material L.P. – With more than 3,000 employees from a multinational portfolio of companies, NMLP provides engineered metal products, which include steel processing, aluminum extrusion and stainless steel rolled product companies, to automotive, aerospace, construction, defense, electrical, and industrial markets.

Visit National Material: https://www.nationalmaterial.com or call (U.S.) 847-806-7200, Diana Pulido

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