POSCO wins Gold, Silver, and Bronze for new technologies at the worldstainless-27 conference, a first among global steelmakers

Recognized superior technologies such as high-strength steel for large-scaled premium home appliances, non-magnetic steel for mobile devices, and low-cost brazing filler metal

“We will lead the global market and supply the highest quality products to our customers based on our stainless steel material development technologies,” said Lee Kyung-jin, Head of Office Stainless Steel Marketing at POSCO

POSCO made a groundbreaking achievement by winning three awards in the Technology Category at the worldstainless-27 conference. The company is the first global steelmaker to win three awards for new technologies.

POSCO garnered Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards in the Technology Category at the 27th the worldstainless-27 conference held in Brussels, Belgium, held on May 10 to 12 (local time). This is yet another global recognition of their technical prowess, following the Gold Award for the same category at the 26th conference last year.

The worldstainless is a representative organization in the global stainless steel industry. Established in 1996, it is a association for discussing and exchanging information on the challenges and development directions facing the stainless steel market, such as securing raw material competitiveness, developing new demands, and transitioning towards environmentally friendly practices. Since 2006, it has been awarding best practices in four categories—Technologies, Market Development, Safety and Sustainability—to enhance members’ efforts in developing technologies and expanding markets.

In the Technology Category, four steelmakers submitted a total of eight nominations, and POSCO won all three awards, including Gold, for its “High-Strength 430 Dual Phase (DP) Stainless Steel for Large-Scaled Premium Home Appliances”; Silver for its “Non-Magnetic and High Strength Austenitic Stainless Steel with 316 High Nitrogen (HN) for Mobile Devices”, and Bronze for its “Development of Low-Cost Brazing Filler Metal for Stainless Steel” for air-conditioning refrigerant piping.

The high-strength 430 DP steel, which won Gold, was developed in cooperation with Samsung Electronics based on original technology from the POSCO R&D Center. It is a highly innovative steel product that has increased its strength by 50% while reducing the material thickness by 20% compared to conventional steel. It has strong properties that can withstand dents and scratches and will be available later this year for exterior use, such as premium refrigerator doors.

Based on this joint development with Samsung Electronics, POSCO will expand its technology exchanges to produce eco-friendly and high-performance steel materials in the future. Ultimately, the two companies expect to reduce carbon emissions through lighter materials, contributing to the achievement of low-carbon and green goals.

The Silver award–winning 316 HN steel was developed for the non-magnetic, high-strength needs of mobile devices requiring high precision. Recently, mobile devices, such as smartphones, have been enhancing their camera performance by adding various sensors, bringing about the challenge to block electromagnetic waves inside the device to prevent camera malfunctions. As such, POSCO developed 316 HN steel, an improved version of existing steel grades that generates magnetism when processed. With its high strength and ability to prevent interference between electronic components, 316 HN steel is expected to be widely used in mobile and foldable devices with improved camera performance.

In addition, the Bronze award was given for low-cost brazing filler metal for stainless steel that uses more copper and significantly less silver than conventional welding materials, resulting in more than 80% reduction in costs.

“Winning the award in the Technology Category is the result of POSCO’s active identification of the needs of customers and the market, as well as researching and developing them in close cooperation with technical research institutes and steel mills,” said Lee Kyung-jin, Head of Office Stainless Steel Marketing at POSCO, who attended the conference. “We will continue to strive to lead the global stainless steel technology market and provide customers with the highest quality products.”

Meanwhile, POSCO has won 13 awards so far, including the 470 FC for hydrogen electric vehicle (EV) divider plate (Gold in Technology) in 2018, fuel tanks for plug-in hybrid EVs (Silver in Technology) and stainless steel sealed containers (Gold in Market Development) in 2020, and high-performance ferrite stainless steel manufacturing technology for large home appliances (Gold in Technology) in 2022.

▲ Stainless steel cold-rolled coil products produced by POSCO’s Pohang works.

STEEL Talk presents to you interesting stories of Science, Technology, Energy, Environment, Life — and of course STEEL!

Medical dramas depict events and stories that happen at a hospital. In a scene inside the operating room, a doctor asks for a scalpel, a surgical instrument. Then, it is handed over instantly. The shining silver-looking surgical tools here seem threatening, but they’re actually the opposite once you get to know them. In fact, these steel-made tools play a crucial role in saving our lives.

“Cleanliness” and “hygiene” would be the two keywords that people are most interested in these days, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government, local authorities, corporates, and individuals are all doing their best to sanitize public places, such as hospitals, theaters, and public transportation facilities. The most needed and useful thing here is medical stainless steel known as “Surgical Steel.” POSCO Newsroom presents to you the secrets of the life-saving surgical steel.

l No More Germs! Stainless Steel Innovates the Medical Field

Before we learn more about surgical steel, let’s first go back to when stainless steel was invented.

It was only after the invention of stainless steel in 1913 that patients could get medical treatments in sanitary environments. In the past, many people lost their lives due to infections while undergoing medical treatment in an unsanitary environment.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also cited that one of the most serious challenges that the modern healthcare industry faces is patient infections during treatment. Hundreds of millions of patients worldwide are exposed to diseases caused by infection every year, so maintaining a clean and healthy environment is paramount.

In fact, a publication by WHO in 2010 revealed that per 100 patients, seven in developed countries, and ten in developing countries suffer from healthcare acquired infections (HAIs). In high-income countries, about 30% of intensive care unit patients suffer from HAIs while the figure is two to three times higher in the case of low-income countries.

So what’s so special about surgical steel, or medical stainless steel? The answer is that it’s an excellent material in terms of hygiene! Surgical steel is resistant to corrosion, which means that there is no need to worry about any corrosion or degradation. Another advantage would be that it can be safely sterilized without any other side effects. Stainless steel is used in hospitals all around the world, in surgical knives, injection needles, and screws to hold broken bones, since it is safe to the human body — even inside!

What if we don’t use surgical steel? Rusty steel will penetrate your body, which can eventually cause tetanus, a terrible disease, or infection of various germs. Then how come stainless steel can be rust-free? Let’s look into the answer!

l Stainless Steel: The Secret Lies on the Passive Film!

Stainless steel is alloy steel made by adding chromium, carbon, nickel, manganese, etc. to iron (Fe). So, it is a highly corrosion-resistant material and versatile because it has excellent malleability to deform and it can withstand high external impact.

Stainless steel does not rust easily thanks to its special protective film called, ‘passive film,’ on the surface. This special protective film is chromium oxide (Cr2O3), which is formed spontaneously through the oxidation of chromium (Cr). Approximately 2nm (2mm divided by 1 million) in thickness, the film is so thin that it is invisible to bare eyes but it’s extremely solid and protects the base iron from oxidation. Even when a part of the film is destroyed due to a scratch, it quickly regenerates as the chromium meets oxygen again.

l Sterilizing Power, the Amazing Property of Stainless Steel!

In 2017, the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) published a study result on its website demonstrating the amazing sterilizing power of stainless steel.

The study was jointly conducted by Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK and AgroParisTech, one of the most prestigious universities in the field of life and environmental science in France. The study explains how hygienic and crucial stainless steel is to use in environments where we are exposed to germs, like hospitals. Here is a brief explanation.

First, the researchers prepared two stainless steel samples. One was aged stainless steel (A), which was contaminated and cleaned repeatedly on purpose, and the other was newly-made stainless steel (B). Both sample (A) and (B) were exposed to ‘Staphylococcus aureus,’ a deadly bacteria responsible for food poisoning and infections, and ‘Pseudomonas aeruginosa,’ a bacteria difficult to treat. Both samples were then cleaned with the same disinfectant.

What was the difference between sample (A) and (B)? Surprisingly, the two samples showed almost no difference. Both samples were revealed to be 99.9 percent effective against Staphylococcus aureus and 97.6 percent effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The experiment confirms that stainless steel can be used hygienically and safely over a long period of time.

Today, we learned about stainless steel that saves our lives. The scary-looking medical tools in the hospital might look differently to you now that you know about what surgical steel is. Stainless steel in the hospitals might look threatening, but remember! They’re actually our life-savers!

STEEL Talk presents to you interesting stories of Science, Technology, Energy, Environment, Life — and of course STEEL!

Steel is used in the construction of large and heavy structures, giving POSCO this kind of impression. Other than the child who sent this question, perhaps a lot of people think this way too since POSCO Newsroom has been getting many questions regarding large steel used in buildings and cars.

Let’s see where steel is used. From high bars at playgrounds to skyscrapers, running cars and trains, steel bridges, and ships, most of them are considered heavy and square, giving them a chilly look. So it is a common belief that steel goes by this impression too. But actually, this doesn’t go to all of them. Steel can be large and heavy, but at the same time small and light!

l Overcoming Gravity And Into Space!

Did you know that steel can be used to make a spacecraft? You might think that this is obvious because spacecraft are large and heavy too! But if steel was just a heavy material, could it be used in building spaceships that have to go up high in the sky?

The material for a spaceship’s body must be as light as possible because the heavier the aircraft becomes, the more fuel it will consume, and the slower it would fly — due to gravity. However, light materials like plastic can’t be used as well since they aren’t durable. So special alloy materials such as duralumin are mainly used in making spaceships.

▲ If you want to see the stainless steel spacecraft from rocket maker SpaceX, click here!

January 2019, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, announced that he would build ‘Starship’ out of stainless steel. Elon Musk is the founder of SpaceX, a rocket & spacecraft manufacturer. SpaceX is working on the development of a starship that can transport people from Earth to space — specifically to Mars.

Originally, the starship was to be made of carbon fiber, which is both light and durable. However, the material was changed to stainless steel since it was cheaper — one-hundredth the cost of carbon fiber — and could better withstand high temperatures with a melting point of 1,538 ℃. The starship will be 50 meters long and nine meters in diameter. Steel isn’t just for structures on the ground, but suitable for space adventures as well. Isn’t it amazing?

l In Your Pockets Today

You might have read about it in the papers, but there is steel in our smartphones as well. The silver rim of the Apple iPhone X is POSCO’s stainless steel.

▲ The shiny silver rim of iPhone X! It’s made of POSCO’s stainless steel!

The POSCO product used here is ‘non-magnetic, ultra-clean stainless steel.’ It has quite a long name, but you can easily get the idea of the product from it. The steel used for phones should be non-magnetic since it shouldn’t interfere with the phone connection. Additionally, the surface of the product must be ultra-clean — without scratches, bubbles, or deformations. That’s why ‘non-magnetic, ultra-clean stainless steel’ is the perfect material for smartphones!

Steel that fits a smartphone — the size of a palm and weighing only 174g — is the same stainless steel used for spaceships. But much thinner and lighter. The sleek and ‘edgy’ design that the steel rim provides is an additional feature. It shows a glimpse of what steel can do!

The answer to the question of whether POSCO makes only large and heavy steel is ‘Half correct and half wrong.’ Like mentioned above, steel could be used on a giant spaceship, and also on a hand-sized cell phone. Whether it’s steel used for aircraft or steel used for mobile phones, they all start with the same molten iron, but the applied technology is diverse — From needle to aerospace. Don’t you think this is the real strength of steel and POSCO? ⌯’▾’⌯

Steel is everywhere, indeed. We don’t even have to go treasure-hunting to find where it is, but where do we run into it exactly, one might wonder. Let’s explore, from the moment we wake up in the morning until the light goes off before we sleep — with POSCO Newsroom.

With the new mattress, I’ve been getting quality sleep. The mattress innerspring is so firm and stable and I could sleep like a baby. Quality mattress brings quality sleep. Every part of my body is truly feeling the impact of the new comfortable mattress.

The first thing I do when I wake up every morning is to turn off my smartphone alarm. It’s almost a reflex. I make myself a quick breakfast smoothie — with fresh milk and fruits from the refrigerator, washing the fruits in the sink, then tossing them into a blender. Thanks to these kitchen appliances — easy-to-use, efficient and hygienic — my morning is hassle-free. Drinking the morning smoothie, I read the news on my tablet PC.

To get dressed, I take out my work clothes from a steel wardrobe. The news alert from my tablet PC tells me it’s going to be quite brisk today, so I take out my autumn coat from the hanger. After putting on my watch, I get bundled up, zipping up my jacket all the way. Then, I head out for work.

Today will be another hectic day with the new project our department just acquired. I’m already pumped up with anticipation. I arrive at the office building and enter. Lots of people are waiting in front of the elevator. Some people take the escalator instead.

A few conference rooms are already occupied with those having early business meetings. Looking at the office furniture, I think it’s great that more companies take great care in office ergonomics and interiors. Environment and efficiency are also big factors these days, I hear, which is great. Everywhere I go, I notice this new trend.

Inside the building that embraces all these facilities, people, and their energy, made me feel as though the building itself had a life of its own — very much alive and breathing.

I walk into my office. There are so many things I need for work these days. A date-planner used to be pretty much what I needed, but tablet PCs and smartphones are becoming indispensable for checking emails and reviewing important files, images, or presentation. That doesn’t mean the paper is useless, of course. Paper is still very much part of my work routine, and I need a stapler, clips, and pens nearby. My glasses which I need to protect my eyesight, are on my desk at all times.

Heading out into the road after work, the rush-hour traffic is already quite heavy. In a busy city like Seoul, the best way to navigate around the city is the bicycle, which is my main mode of transportation. Though, sometimes I use electric scooters because it’s perfect for zigzagging around every little corner of the city. Today, I am heading to the Han River with my bicycle, and I only have to hit three more traffic lights to get there.

During the autumn, the sun goes down pretty early. Even if it’s a bit dark, I do want to spend more time outdoors as much as possible, before winter is here. I take a moment to check out the night scenery across the river. Lots of buildings still have lights on. Trains pass over the bridges to the other side of the river. Underneath the bridge, a cruise ship passes by. Soon, I will have to head home and prepare for the next day.

How was your day today? What did you see? Did you get to appreciate the small but beautiful things that surround us all? Sometimes the most precious stay hidden, invisible — like steel. It’s around us everywhere to help us live our day to the fullest. Whether we realize it or not, it’s with us. Always.

– Finding the Hidden POSCO! –

Inside the house, here we go.

① PosMarble Takes on Design, Function, Environment, and Costs

Marble brings stylish luxury to house interiors. POSCO’s brand-new PosMarble adds to the marble luxury in terms of design and functionality. PosMarble is a perfect marriage between the rust-free PosMAC and inkjet marble printing whose resolution far exceeding that of ordinary printing. Because of this, PosMarble can emulate the luxurious patterns and textures of top quality marbles, both natural and artificial. Not only that, it’s half the cost of natural marbles and more eco-friendly.

The recent discovery of formaldehyde and radon in synthetic and natural marble created a huge controversy in the market. Amid the controversy, PosMarble is being welcomed as a new and safe alternative.

② Emergency Safety with Stainless Steel Guard Rail

During non-emergency situations, fire exit stairs outside high-rise buildings serve as railings, preventing falls. During a fire emergency, the rail unfolds and provides direct exit routes for people. The railing at Mr. P’s apartment is made of POSCO’s high-strength stainless steel pipe. Rust-free and sturdy against big external impact, the material ensures safety — both in case of emergency and non-emergency.

③ A Quiet Comfort with POSCO floors

In apartment living, the noise transfer between floors can cause high anxieties for the occupants. Worried about the noises? Think no further, POSCO’s PosCOZY has the solution.

PosCOZY, the world’s first high manganese steel plate designed to reduce noises between floors, is a noise-proof floor system created by combining galvanized steel plates with high manganese clip whose vibration resistance is four times that of normal steel.

PosCOZY is the first steel floor material that received a certificate from Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology — a grade 1 certification given to the materials that minimize impact noises on the floor.

PosCOZY reduces heavyweight floor impact noises by over 10 dB and lightweight floor impact noises by over 20 dB. Even if children upstairs play soccer at home, the downstairs occupants won’t be able to hear a thing — as quiet as a library. Applying PosCOZY to older buildings, 15 years or older, with thin floors can significantly reduce noises — boosting the acoustic performance to the legal minimum level of grade 4. PosCOZY might just be the best solution for those who want to soundproof their floors.

④ The ‘Total Smart Home’ with POSCO E&C — the AiQ TECH

After a long hard cold winter day, imagine stepping into the empty apartment. Inside, what you find is the room toasty and cozy with just the right temperature and warm bright light — not a cold dark room. Not only that, the laundry you didn’t quite finish in the morning is now all done. What about the floors? It’s squeaky clean.

Thanks to ‘Total Smart Home’ with IoT platform, we are now living in a world where all this is a reality, not a fantasy. POSCO E&C recently launched “AiQ TECH,” Korea’s first smart home technology. AiQ TECH is a self-learning smart technology with emotional intelligence to serve customers. After undergoing a long R&D and prototypes after prototypes, POSCO E&C successfully developed the AiQ TECH with the three key functions that best suit market needs: AiQ Convenience, AiQ Safety, and AiQ Health.

The AiQ Convenience uses voice commands and mobile messengers to control lighting, heating, and ventilation. It also alerts elevator arrivals and traffic conditions best suited to the lifestyle of each individual. The AiQ Safety auto-detects any malfunctions in the elevator alerting the building management personnel on duty. It also allows live-monitoring of CCTVs within the apartment complex through smartphone apps. Lastly, the AiQ Health analyzes the air quality and triggers the ventilation system when needed.

⑤Steel Home Appliances with POSCO

The increasing popularity of smart home appliances is also diversifying the designs of the appliances away from the monotonous coloring — mostly in white tones. As of late, vibrant colors, geometric patterns, and metallic texture are gaining popularity for interior designs. Steel plates from POSCO — cold-rolled steel, galvanized steel, and electro-galvanized — are especially worth noting. They are corrosion-resistant and allow generous freedom for surface treatment. POSCO steel plates allow very little power loss. That’s why everyday household appliances using POSCO materials — refrigerators, microwave ovens, and ovens — have high energy efficiency.

⑥ Stainless Kitchen Thinks Clean

When cooking, good cooking utensils are just as important as good ingredients. Stainless steel, found in various pots and pans as well as in storage containers, is one of the widely used materials in the kitchen. Among different grades of stainless steel, austenitic steel is the most widely used grade of stainless steel. It contains chromium and nickel components and is known for its formability and corrosion resistance. Austenitic steel is mainly used in kitchen appliances, building materials, and chemical facilities.

Heat transfer through stainless steel is not as superb as with aluminum. To overcome this shortcoming, POSCO developed clad steel by bonding stainless steel to aluminum. Clad steel has already made a name for itself as the top kitchenware material. Clad steel is made by rolling on stainless steel to the front and the back of aluminum plates. With triple layers, clade steel enhances the thermal conductivity, heat conservation, and efficiency of stainless steel. Furthermore, its resistance to acid and alkali makes clad steel not only eco-friendly but also harmless to humans.

⑦ Safe and Clean with Stainless Steel Water Pipes

The recent bout of rusty tap water in the Seoul Metropolitan area heightened safety concerns on drinking water. With stainless steel water pipes, however, you can rest assured that your drinking water will stay clean and toxic-free.

No matter how heat-resistant, plastic pipes can’t guarantee hygiene and safety 100%. Constant contact with hot water will inevitably cause deformation inside the pipes. Compared to plastics, however, stainless steel is incredibly durable — it’s clean, keeping its original shapes much better than plastics. No wonder why stainless steel is increasingly becoming the go-to material for food containers.

Through the episode #2 of ‘Find the Hidden POSCO,’ we spotted POSCO technologies found inside the house. Giant chunks of steel have transformed themselves into various products of all shapes doing the jobs that they were born to do. Stay tuned for the next episode of [Find the Hidden POSCO] where we will explore various spots of our city to discover more POSCO technologies.

It’s because stainless steel keeps it clean. Stainless steel keeps it safe. How? POSCO Newsroom reports.

l Surgical Steel Keeps It Sterile

Surgical steel is a variety of stainless steel used in biomedical applications. It’s commonly used in scalpel, screws that stabilize broken bones, and in needles, etc. Needless to say, hygiene comes as the utmost priority. It’s highly resistant to corrosion and heat, making it suitable as biomedical material — it can also be sterilized at high temperatures.

Some commonly accepted types of surgical steel include austenitic 316 stainless steel (STS) and martensitic 440 and 420 STS. 316 STS is highly durable and corrosion-resistant alloy steel with high amounts of chromium, nickel, and molybdenum. It’s a popular material for screws and joints that hold bones together. The 420 and 440 STSs are both chromium-alloy high-carbon steel — highly durable and corrosion-resistant just like 316 STS. The 420 and 440 STSs are excellent choices for general-purpose knife steel, including surgical scalpel.

| Hygiene Starts with Squeaky Kitchenwares

The first place to spot stainless steel is perhaps the kitchen. Before STS, most kitchen utensils came in cast iron or brass. Cast irons were heavy, and brasswares were prone to rust. Aluminum took over shortly after — but aluminum was susceptible to dents.

Enter stainless steel. It practically became a go-to material for kitchenware as well as tableware, because STS is lightweight — it’s easy to wash and rust-free. STS overcame all the shortcomings of previous metal kitchenware.

Highly resistant to corrosion, and toxic-free even when boiled, stainless steel is not only cost-efficient, but it also resists the buildup of harmful bacteria — which is why STS is increasingly becoming the popular choice for the kitchen industry. From baby feeding tools, cutleries, dishwashers to water purifiers, it’s easy to spot STS in virtually all cooking materials.

In the past, stainless steel was intended mostly as internal use. However, the demand for STS as external material is increasing along with the recent hype of metallic design. STS rice cooker, for example, is made of STS inside and out. Virtually everything that comes in contact with the rice grain is STS — from the cover to inner pot. STD rice cooker not only enhances hygiene and durability, but it also creates a sense of luxury.

| Surgical Steel Accessories, Goodbye to Metallic Allergy

Extremely hygienic, stainless steel is an ideal biomedical metal as it comes in direct contact with the human body. The human body is 70% water and is rich in chloride ions, which can cause corrosion. That’s why biometals must be rust-free. Iron, gold, silver, and platinum used to be favored choices for biometals, but as of late STS is also gaining popularity.

The use of surgical steel reaches beyond the medical industry — it also makes for excellent accessories. Not only is it hygienic, but it also retains its original color even after long-term use. Compared to other metals, It is lightweight and is easy to work with. When set against gold or silver, surgical steel is more cost-efficient. It is highly corrosion-resistant, ideal for those susceptible to metallic allergies.

| Silver White Titanium, A Dream Material

Because of its eco-friendly nature, titanium is often called ‘green metal for the 21st century.’ Titanium comes in various colors and its excellent moldability is on par with that of 304 stainless steel. Not only is it corrosion-resistant, but it also requires virtually no maintenance, which makes it truly a dream material. It is 40% lighter than steel (carbon steel) but twice as strong. However, the cost of titanium is 40 to 80 times higher than carbon steel — and 10 to 20 times higher than STS.

Due to its outstanding biocompatibility, titanium is the premier biometal. Titanium creates no toxic wear or corrosion residue with minimal risks of inflammatory and toxic reactions. As for titanium implant, because of titanium’s ability to withstand the harsh bodily environment, a titanium implant is insoluble, and chemically impermeable preventing reactions between the metal and the surrounding environment even when the implant becomes loose. Titanium can also help prevent the risk of osteoporosis and bone destruction, which is why it is widely used in ergonomics and general medicine, such as artificial bones, heart valves, and implants.

| Both Steels — Still, Different All the Way

Steel products can be categorized into two main categories: carbon steel and stainless steel. Both are steel. Still, they are entirely different. By adding additional elements to Fe, the Fe becomes STS — immune to rust, i.e. stain-less, which is how it earned its nickname, ‘the flower of steel.’

Stainless steel is an alloy steel that enhances the properties of steel by adding extra elements to iron (Fe). The core element is chromium (Cr) — and it contains carbon, nickel, manganese, molybdenum, etc. depending on its target function. The innate surface aesthetics of STS can do away with the need for additional surface treatment. STS is highly corrosion-resistant, hygienic and widely applicable. Besides, it can also mold into various shapes and can withstand high external impact.

Stainless steel can be rust-free because of the ‘passive film’ formed on the surface. This special protective film is chromium oxide (Cr2O3). TheCr2O3 is formed spontaneously through the oxidization of the chromium. Approximately 2nm in thickness, the film is so thin that it is invisible to bare eyes, but it’s extremely solid. The passive film protects the base iron from oxidization, therefore, stopping it from going rusty. Even when the film gets a scratch, it quickly regenerates as the chromium encounters oxygen again.
* 2nm is an equivalent of 2mm divided by 1 million

Due to its high resistance to fire and heat, stainless steel is being widely applied to kitchen appliances, elevators, building interior and exterior materials, as well as other electronic appliances. It’s widely utilized across major industries such as chemical and heavy industry, etc. According to the Korea Iron and Steel Association, the demand for STS stood at 1 million tons in 2018 — in Korea alone. With 27%, the auto industry had the highest demand for the material, followed by home appliances (15%), construction materials (13%) and steel pipes (11%). Annually, POSCO produces 2 million tons of STS — 60% of which the company exports.

The annual titanium production is at 2,400 tons. POSCO imports Ingot, an intermediary material from POSUK in Kazakhstan, a joint venture between POSCO and UKTMP. The company produces and sells the metallic titanium of over 99% purity by rolling it at its steelworks. POSCO’s titanium steel sheets come in various sizes: over 0.4mm in thickness, 1219mm in width. POSCO also supplies hot-rolled and cold-rolled steels, and thick plates — as coils or as sheets depending on customer specification.

As for titanium, South Korea used to be 100% reliant on imports, until POSCO launched titanium business. Thanks to POSCO’s expansion into titanium, Korea became self-sufficient when it comes to the titanium used in shipping and nuclear industries. About 90% of POSCO titanium is used in heat exchangers for power generation in shipbuilding.

| Stainless Steel: How to Keep It Longer and Cleaner

Since the invention of stainless steel, many changes have occurred in our daily lives. Hygiene, in hospitals and kitchens, has improved above all. POSCO Newsroom came up a few commonly asked questions about STS.

Q. I heard that stainless steel products should be ‘conditioned’ before first use. What does it mean, and why?
A. Manufacturing oils are applied, so the stainless steel products retain their shiny surface quality. Before using an STS product, it’s important to remove any traces of manufacturing oils.

Here is how it’s done: put a small amount of vegetable oil on a soft kitchen towel and wipe your new STS cookware. Repeat this process until all the black traces of manufacturing oils are gone. Wash it in warm, soapy water with vinegar for ten minutes. Rinse thoroughly, and it’s ready for its use.

Q. How do I remove spots on my stainless steel cookware?
A. Occasionally, white, cloudy spots can form on kitchen utensils. These spots essentially come from mineral deposits left on the surface after boiling water — they can come from both salt and/or calcium deposits.

The spot is alkaline, so it can be removed with acid. If acidic detergent isn’t available, the spots can be removed by bringing water to boil with vinegar or citric acid inside.

If the inside of a stainless steel pot ever burns, the stain can be wiped by bringing it to boil with baking soda, wiping it with a sponge afterward.

It’s always a good idea to preheat the stainless steel utensils before cooking. If you add ingredients before it is preheated, it can cause smoke and food ingredients will stick to the pan. It may take a bit of getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, you will realize the STS is one of the safest and the most hygienic cookwares.

Q. Stainless steel isn’t magnetic, but why do they sometimes stick to magnets?
A. There are indeed STS products with magnets like STS cutleries. The parts that actually stick to magnets are often ordinary steel coating, not STS.

Also, it isn’t accurate to say that stainless steels aren’t magnetic. STS is divided into austenitic, ferritic, and martensitic based on their crystal structure. Austenitic stainless steels, which are most commonly used, aren’t magnetic — but martensitic and ferritic stainless steels can be slightly magnetic, albeit weak.

Although stainless steel is spotted everywhere, until now, it wasn’t always clear why it was called ‘flower of steel.’ Stainless steel is an indispensable material when it comes to hygiene, health, and safety. POSCO will continue to research to innovate the material to make our lives even safer and cleaner.

What makes stainless steel  the go-to choice for the conservationists at St. Catherine’s? POSCO Newsroom presents worldsteel, “Stainless steel cases safeguard ancient manuscripts.”

St. Catherine’s monastery in Egypt is protecting its priceless collection of ancient manuscripts using precision-engineered stainless steel cases.

Situated on the sun-baked slopes of Mount Sinai is the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site of St. Catherine’s, the oldest continuously working monastery in the world.

With a history stretching back more than 17 centuries, the Greek Orthodox monastery has been able to endure, untroubled by physical attack, under the constant and careful watch of its monks.

This has left both its historic buildings and precious relics completely intact, making the institution’s library a treasure trove of irreplaceable texts, with a collection of early codices and manuscripts second only in size to the Vatican’s.

▲ St. Catherine’s is also known as the Sacred Monastery of the God-Trodden Mount Sinai

With such a vital store of ancient and delicate manuscripts, artworks and architectural structures, a UK-based, non-profit organisation the Saint Catherine Foundation – which has Prince Charles as its patron – was formed to preserve the monastery.

Working in partnership with the Ligatus Research Centre at London’s University of the Arts, the Foundation commissioned a set of steel boxes for storing and transporting rare and precious documents from the ancient library.

Part of a huge conservation project to protect the manuscripts for future generations, these ground-breaking stainless steel cases vastly improve the documents’ longevity and safety during transport and storage.

“These cases are not an inexpensive option, but it is fully justified by each and every item they contain being part of an invaluable collection.” Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees Dimitri Dondos explains that the decision to make these manuscript cases from stainless steel was based on the material’s “inert, non-corrosive properties which are free of acidic emissions.”

“These cases offer superb mechanical protection in the event of impact, if they are dropped, or if they undergo physical stresses during transportation. They also have indefinite endurance.

“These cases are not an inexpensive option, but it is fully justified by each and every item they contain being part of an invaluable collection,” adds Dimitri.

The cases also make use of an “oxygen starvation” system, which, in conjunction with the cases’ physical resistance, provides crucial protection from potential fire damage.

The case design was put together by the Ligatus Research Centre, with Professor Nicholas Pickwoad one of the principle designers. For his research team, the decision to look beyond the choice of materials made in traditional manuscript cases was based on certain key factors.

First, in the extremely dry conditions of the Sinai desert more traditional case designs would deform, whereas steel is unaffected by low humidity and retains its structure. The cases also make use of precision manufacturing techniques borrowed from the steel industry, which allow for rapid and precise production of the cases.

Professor Pickwoad’s team concluded that although the cost of manufacture for a stainless steel box was far higher than traditional alternatives, their superior strength and durability, as well as their near-infinite lifespan, made these manuscript cases more than competitive in price.

With the cases currently in operation, the properties that underpin their stainless steel construction are ensuring that many generations to come will be able to marvel at St. Catherine’s irreplaceable historical artefacts.

Images: The Saint Catherine’s Foundation, iStock

The original content published on the worldsteel’s ‘Our Stories’ section is available at: https://stories.worldsteel.org/innovation/stainless-steel-cases-safeguard-ancient-manuscripts/

In just three years of founding the AirLab, they went on to compete in the prestigious 2019 Singapore Design Award with prominent contestants from across the globe. AirLab made it to the finalist on their first try – the stainless AirTable was one of their entries.

POSCO Newsroom reached out to the designers of the stainless AirTable, who shared stories about their design process and philosophy behind the table, their interest in 3D printing, and experimentation with different materials. POSCO Newsroom reports:

Designers of the stainless AirTable: Carlos Baňon (left) and Felix Raspall (right)

l Team AirLab, the Finalist on 2019 Singapore Design Award

Congratulations on becoming the Singapore Design Award Finalist! Tell us more about the award, and about your entries.
Thank you! Singapore Design Award has been acknowledging outstanding design practitioners and students from across the globe. The award itself has been around since 1988 and remains as one of the leading design awards in Southeast Asia. We are so thrilled to join the finalists along with a very qualified group of architectural and design firms.

For the SDA 2019, we presented a broad scope of risk-taking projects, exploring practical 3D-printing techniques applied to architecture and furniture design, in combination with parametric design thinking.

Our entry was a selection of built works that we designed and fabricated at our firm, AirLab at the Singapore University of Technology and Design. Via proof-of-concept designs, all the works, including the stainless AirTable explore relations amongst geometry, material, and workflows across a wide range of scales and functions.

l The Product: Stainless AirTable

Stainless AirTable, structure (Source: AirLab @SUTD)

Let’s discuss the stainless steel AirTable, which was included as one of your submissions to the SDA 2019 Award. Looking at the photos of the stainless steel AirTable, it’s incredible how a massive tabletop of 120 kg can balance on just three small tips. How did you achieve this structural balance?
We always work with the idea of lightness and smooth load transfer as a premise. For the AirTable, the challenge was basically how to transfer the heavy load from the table top to just three small points on the floor.

So we developed a 3D mesh capable of carrying the weight in a distributed manner, trying to avoid overstressing any particular spots. We employed a structural strategy where the loads are transferred through very thin elements to the ground. In our initial concept models, we wanted to manifest the contrast between the heavy top piece of white Corian and the extreme lightness of the 6mm stainless steel profiles.

Stainless AirTable (Source: AirLab @SUTD)

For the overall strategy, we used a structural topology capable of transferring the loads gradually. We made design variations and tested the structural performance on the computer. Those that performed better were chosen, and we subsequently built variations out of them – not too dissimilar from the evolutionary process of natural selection. We also worked with physical models to actually feel the structure and to visualize its structural properties alongside aesthetics.

What were some of the advantages of working with stainless steel?
The good thing about stainless steel was its structural stability and performance. In our test, the structural performance of stainless steel was excellent, rendering surprisingly sturdy result. Deflections result was smaller than our initial calculations, so we were able to reduce the number of ‘divided’ sections for each component.

And any challenges? If yes, how did you overcome them?
This is always a key part, pertaining not only to our designs, however. Connecting different elements is sometimes the bottleneck of a system, and we have tried many alternatives using epoxy (high-performance adhesives widely used in buildings and constructions) – or we threaded components which was the case for the AirTable. The challenge when you are connecting more than 15 bars in a single node, you cannot slot inside the connector if the material is too rigid to bend. That problem is solved in the upcoming AirMesh stainless steel pavilion, where we conceal a bolt inside the structural bar, so it fits nicely with less than a millimeter tolerance.

The AirTable was initially designed as a hot desk. How is it being used now, by whom? Do you have any plans for broader distribution?
It is indeed being used as a hot desk. Mainly people from DmanD (SUTD Digital Manufacturing and Design Center, who was also behind the creation of the stainless AirTable) are using the desk to have quick conversations, using their laptops on it. The height of AirTable is 1.05 meters, taller than a standard desk. We believe it works very well for its purpose, being closer to the height of a bar counter than a typical desk.

As for the wider distribution, we got offers from LEGO and other industry partners that are interested in developing the prototype further, but it’s not yet crystallized, as it has just been presented to the public.

l White Spaces: The Seoul Connection

Back in 2017, AirLab participated in Seoul Biennale. Tell us about your experiences then.
‘White Spaces’ was the Singapore Pavilion exhibited at Seoul Biennale 2017. We designed the structure as a very lightweight mesh of thin bamboo poles. Conceptually, the mesh first occupies the whole room, but we carved it out to let the visitor pass and visit the content.

The whole pavilion was designed to be brought from Singapore in check-in luggage, so it had to be super light and compact when disassembled. Our students at the SUTD, as well as a group of students from Kookmin University, helped us with the assembly on site.

l What’s Next? Stainless Steel AirMesh

So what’s next for AirLab? Anything you can share with us at this time?
AirMesh is coming up. It’s a 3D-printed lantern — a contemporary interpretation of lantern in stainless steel. All the connective materials will be 3D-printed, and it is going to be the world’s first fully functional code-compliant structure of its kind. AirMesh will be erected in Gardens by the Bay in Singapore, this Fall.

l Creativity Charging at Full Speed

AirLab designers are not afraid of getting their hands dirty with new materials, constantly trying new approaches they firmly believe in, even if it largely remains an unchartered territory – like 3D printing. Thanks to the creative adventurers like the AirLab designers who’re tirelessly running at full speed even at this moment, the potential for our materials like stainless is endless.

Steel is everywhere, and the Super Bowl 2019 is no exception. With POSCO Newsroom, let’s take a journey to explore hidden steel stories across various sites of the Super Bowl 2019:

l 27,000 Tons of Steel, the Backbone of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium

▲ Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Source: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Media Hub)

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened in 2017 after a 39-month construction period. With over $1.5 billion that went into the project, it is a cutting-edge, state-of-art stadium and one of the most expensive in the world, along with New York’s Yankees Stadium ($1.5 billion) and Las Vegas Raider Stadium ($2.4 billion).

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium replaces the Georgia Dome, which had served Atlanta as its beloved NFL stadium from 1992 to 2016. The Super Bowl 2019 was especially meaningful because it was being held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the first time following the demolition of the Georgia Dome in 2017.

There are altogether 32 national football teams across the United States – every year, they compete for a spot in the Super Bowl during the NFL season from September to December. There are 31 NFL stadiums across the country, and five of them are equipped with retractable roof system. Completed in 2017, the roof system at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the newest.

The height of the stadium is 93 meters, equivalent of a 30-floor building, and it can accommodate about 71,000 spectators. The steel used for the stadium is about 27,000 tons, 3.2 times more steel than those used for its predecessor Georgia Dome, which used 8,300 tons of steel.

On top of its vast size and the amount of investment, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium also made history for its data usage. During the Super Bowl 2019, the amount of data used on that single day reached 24 terabytes, setting a world record for any single gathering in history. To put it simply, 24 terabytes is the equivalent of transferring 68 million selfies. Compared to the Super Bowl 2018 in Minnesota, the data usage shot up by 48% this year.

The 360-degree video board at the Stadium is 328 meters in circumference and 18 meters in height, allowing the spectators to truly feel the heat of the game.

▲ Atlanta Falcons Sculpture (Source: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Media Hub)

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium is also famous for its unique art collections, with over 180 commissioned works attracting spectators from all over the stadium. Each work honors Georgia fans’ football love and passion. Among all these art collections, the most notable piece is the statue of the Atlanta Falcons.

Named after Atlanta’s home team, Atlanta Falcons, the statue is made of stainless steel by Hungarian sculptor Gábor Miklós Szőke. According to the artist, it is the world’s largest free-standing bird sculpture. The falcon perches on a 4-meter-high bronze football, and is 12 meters high (an equivalent of a 4-story building) with a wingspan of 21 meters. The Atlanta Falcons sculpture weighs over 3.3 tons.

l Tallest Outside New York and Chicago?

The Super Bowl 2019 is Atlanta’s first Super Bowl game in 19 years. As the capital of the state of Georgia, the city also hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics. Though America’s tallest buildings are mostly located in New York or Chicago, Atlanta also has an architectural monument that represents the city: the Bank of America Plaza, the tallest building in the city.

▲ Bank of America Plaza, Atlanta (Source: Pixabay)

It’s no Empire States Building in New York or Chicago’s Willis Tower (previously Sears Tower), but the Bank of America Plaza (hereafter BOA Plaza) was once the highest building outside of New York and Chicago. The 55-story building, measuring 312 meters high, is currently the 16th tallest building in the United States and still the tallest in the Southeastern United States.

Completed in 1992, Bank Plaza has the postmodern art deco style similar to that of New York’s leading steel structure, Chrysler Building. Art deco is characterized by geometric patterns and intense colors and was popular in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s.

▲ The spire of the BOA Plaza (Source: e.kassa, Bank of America Plaza)

The BOA Plaza’s core is made of reinforced concrete. Concrete-encased steel was applied to the columns, and steel was also used as the floor spanning. One of the distinctive features of the BOA Plaza is its pyramid-shaped spire, which is an open frame steel structure with a height of 27 meters. Steel beams support the slabs of the spire’s each floor, and they act as point loads to the columns, which distribute the load onto the foundations.

l Countdown Begins until 2020 Super Bowl

In the 2019 Super Bowl, the 2016 Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots faced the Los Angeles Rams, who was going after their second Super Bowl win. The New England Patriots defeated the LA Rams, winning their sixth Super Bowl.

▲ 2019 Super Bowl Champion, ‘the Pats’ (New England Patriots) celebrating its victory (Source: New England Patriots Press Room)

The Super Bowl 2020 will be held at the Miami Hard Rock Stadium, a multipurpose football stadium located in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Miami Hard Rock Stadium opened in 1987, 30 years before the Mercedes-Benz Stadium opened to the public.

Which two teams will deliver the next game, and what other steel stories are yet to be discovered? The countdown to the Super Bowl 2020 has already begun.

▲ Miami Hard Rock Stadium (Source: Hard Rock Stadium)

Compared to aluminum, stainless steel is rust-free, durable and harmless to the human body, so it has been considered the best material for kitchens where hygiene is the utmost priority. However, it comes without the benefit of the aluminum’s high thermal conductivity, which puts stainless steel at a critical disadvantage. As stainless steel doesn’t spread heat as evenly as aluminum, a brilliant control in the kitchen is a tricky business with 100% stainless steel.

So what would be the answer? What is the best-suited material for kitchenware? Clad steel plate might hold the key to the solution. It’s a composite steel plate made by bonding aluminum to stainless steel. Together with a world class steel producer POSCO, KCT (Korea Clad Tech Co., Ltd) developed this innovative material, now pioneering the domestic market for clad steel. POSCO Newsroom reports.

┃Clad Steel Plate: A Modern-Day Alchemy

A clad steel plate is produced by combining different metals (or non-ferrous metals) using only heat and pressure. The whole process is not just about attaching different materials. It creates an entirely new product by optimizing the natural asset of each component while remedying the shortcomings of each. The clad production procedure is even comparable to Egyptian alchemy, which was all about concocting an original material through an intricate process of mingling pre-existing materials. The analogy is fair: clad production technology transforms original materials to create an entirely new element.

┃Clad Steel Plate, an Up-and-coming Star of the Kitchen

Clad steel is most welcomed in the kitchen — it’s where clad steel truly shines. Once cooking pots started using clad steel, not only did it improve food taste but it also brought convenience and hygiene up to a new level. How?

Mainly because of its high heat conductivity, most kitchenware used to be in aluminum which allowed timely cooking. On the other hand, because it is a very soft metal, it tended to warp easily — not as durable. Another to keep in mind was potential exposure to aluminum poisoning, a known cause of Alzheimer’s disease.

Of course, both stainless steel and titanium are good alternatives for aluminum as they are both rust-free, durable and harmless to the human body. Unlike aluminum, they came with no health risks and were highly hygienic. The low thermal conductivity of both materials, however, sacrificed cooking efficiency.

Clad steel plate comes to the rescue: it’s made by pressing stainless steel (or titanium) to the front and the rear of an aluminum plate. It’s a cutting-edge, dream union between the high thermal conductivity of aluminum and the durability of stainless steel.

“The demand for clad steel is growing. POSCO interviewed the celebrity chef Yeon-Bok Lee some time ago, who talked about how often he had to replace his cast iron wok because it just doesn’t last long. So we collaborated with KCT to custom-make a clad wok for him. He was very pleased with the product.” – Hyun-Wook Chang: POSCO Stainless Steel Marketing Dept.

┃KCT and POSCO Collaboration: Why It’s Special

On top of its pioneering role in the domestic clad steel market, KCT also invented ‘coil style rolling’ method for the first time in Korea. POSCO’s stainless steel on its part also deserves special notice. First of all, it’s exclusively developed for clad steel plate where stainless steel is the external material, which is visible. So a delicate finish is a must. POSCO meticulously adhered to all the complex polishing process required for clad steel plates, producing stainless steel with excellent moldability.

Japan used to lead clad steel industry, but KCT-POSCO partnership took Korean clad technology up a notch. Korea now produces high-quality clad steel plates whose quality surpasses that of Japanese products. Korea’s clad steel rice cooker is being exported to Japan, dominating 60% of its market for induction rice cookers.

KCT continues to spearhead the domestic clad market with its tireless dedication to new material development for various industrial components such as home appliances and automobiles, well beyond kitchen utensils. Likewise, POSCO is devoted to providing top quality steel material for clad steel plates. The POSCO-KCT joint effort that created an innovative solution out of obstacles will continue to inspire the industry as an exemplary and ideal collaboration.