POSCO supplies magnesium sheets for Samsung Electronics’ “2017 model of Samsung Notebook 9 Always.” The Notebook 9 series is Samsung Electronics’ flagship model that touts ultra-light, high-strength metal materials. (Photo courtesy of Samsung Newsroom)

Samsung Notebook has been working to develop laptops that are slim and lightweight without having to sacrifice durability. Typically, durable laptops and electronics had to come with heavy metals. In order to keep their laptops lightweight, Samsung previously used magnesium-lithium sheets from overseas suppliers, which had good machinability, but low hardness, making them vulnerable to dents.

Starting with duralumin (a high-strength aluminum alloy made by mixing copper, magnesium and other elements) in 2011, Samsung has been aggressively pursuing metals that are lightweight yet durable. In 2016, POSCO began supplying its magnesium sheets for the Notebook 9 that was just 840g. In 2017, Samsung’s Notebook 9 was brought down even further to 799g – helping to significantly expand Samsung’s presence in the ultra-light notebook market.

In World War II, magnesium sheets, known to be one of the lightest metals, were used in long-range bombers. More recently, they have been used in high-performance sports due to their high-strength and lightweight qualities. POSCO leveraged its own process technology to further enhance these properties and began to mass-produce and supply them in 2015. These magnesium sheets, made with a rapid solidification process that is capable of precision control, are tempered several times and undergo a special heat treatment until they reach a final thickness of 0.5mm. POSCO succeeded in improving the surface hardness by more than 20% and the yield strength by more than 50%, compared to its competitors, while still maintaining a high level of machinability.

In addition, Samsung Electronics applied the state-of-the-art plasma surface treatment method, the MAO (Micro Arc Oxidation) method, to the formed magnesium body. This improves its durability against external impacts, corrosion, and scratches – further enhancing its value as a premium product.

POSCO’s magnesium sheets were used in the bottom casing of the Samsung Notebook 9

POSCO is continuing to develop new products through close cooperation with Samsung Electronics – the two companies plan to leverage their respective strengths and technologies to launch various products according to customer needs. By developing their technology and customized materials, POSCO aims to reach their goal of providing more magnesium materials for mobile devices as well as making magnesium sheets the new standard for various mobile products.

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By the early 1960’s, skateboarding had achieved mass popularity. Downhill competitions were held by the largest surf companies in the area, and a few stand-out names in the blossoming sport were made. However, as quickly as the sport grew, it began to fade just as fast. The dangers brought on by the clay wheels that were then being used led to fewer skaters and thrill-seekers willing to take the risk of serious injury. By 1965, the sport seemed to have completely faded away, with only a few disciples true to the sport remaining.

Skateboards, comprised of a wood deck, steel trucks, bolts, bearings, and clay wheels, desperately needed an upgrade that would improve stability and safety. While hanging out in friend’s backyard one day in 1970, Frank Nasworthy took notice to some urethane roller-skate wheels that were being tested. Immediately, Frank new that this is exactly what skateboarding needed to revive the sport and take it to the next level.

After demoing the urethane wheels on a skateboard, Nasworthy realized that he was on to something huge. The jarring motion caused by steel wheels, and the instability from clay wheels were replaced by an incredibly smooth, almost liquid motion. Properly calling his newly created skateboard wheels ‘Cadillacs,’ Nasworthy took to the streets and began spreading the news. Tim Piumarta, one of skateboarding’s pioneers of innovation, says that the urethane wheels took skateboarding “from a funky, surfing activity, what you would do when the waves were down, into a real bonafide sport.”

With urethane wheels now in mass production, skateboarding resumed where it had left off. Competitions started back up, and skateboarding’s style and direction began to evolve once again.

The Steel Mechanics of the Skateboard

The construction and materials used to build skateboards have gone through many evolutions with advancing technology and factory capabilities. However, key components and materials have remained true to their original form and function, although upgraded quite a bit over time. Primarily, the skateboard deck is still made of wood, but is now infused with composite materials and produced with state-of-the-art pressing techniques to maximize durability and flexibility.

Other key components which make up a complete skateboard, are the trucks, bearings, wheels and hardware – most of which are comprised of steel, minus the wheels.

The skateboard trucks are the metal T-shaped pieces that mount onto the underside of the skateboard deck. Warehouse Skateboards, a leading authority in skateboards and parts, explains that “there are several parts that make up the skateboard trucks. The axle is the spine that runs through the trucks to which the wheels will attach. The hanger, usually made of [steel], is the largest part of the skateboard truck that is somewhat triangular in shape. The axle runs through the hanger. The kingpin, also made of steel, is the large bolt that holds these parts together and fits inside the skateboard bushings.”

A skateboard’s bearings are used to mount the wheels to the skateboard axle, and are what controls how well the wheels rotate. Recreational, non-professional bearings are made of steel. All bearings are circular with flat sides, and house seven to nine lubricated steel balls used to disperse the weight of the skateboard rider, as well as ease the tension between the wheels and the axle. Bearings have a 9-point rating system that is used to determine quality, and are tested and rated by the Annular Bearing Engineering Committee, more commonly referred to as ABEC. Steel bearings typically come in at an ABEC 7-point rating, where their ceramic, more expense counterpart, rate at ABEC 9 because the ceramic can withstand heat and friction better, but are also quite a bit more expensive.

Lastly, the nuts, bolts, locknuts, and screws that hold all of the pieces together, called mounting hardware, are made from steel. Each skateboard hardware set includes 8 bolts and 8 locknuts that attach the trucks and wheels to the skateboard deck. Now, skaters can get colored hardware sets to match their deck art, or to show off their style while triple-flipping down a flight of stairs.

Skateboarders, it’s Time to Thank Steel

Looking back at the very beginning, if were not for steel roller skate wheels, skateboarding might not have ever been invented – or at least until sometime later. Even with the progression of materials used to build skateboards today, wood and steel remain the two of the biggest components needed.

Strength and durability are certain criteria that the sport needs to continue to progress into a world-wide, mainstream sport, which it is vastly becoming, and of which steel will always be able to contribute to.

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Just about everything – from the roof over your head to the device you’re reading this on – contains steel. It is one of the most commonly used materials in the world and has been for quite some time.

World crude steel production added up to about 1.662 billion tons in 2014, based on the 2014 World Crude Steel Production Performances reported by the World Steel Association (worldsteel). Yet despite these numbers, the outlook for the steel industry suggests slow growth for global steel demand, which is mostly a result of the deceleration in China and structural adjustments in most world economies.

Nevertheless, The World Steel Association’s Short Range Outlook (SRO) for 2015 and 2016 notes that even though the growth is expected to be slow, demand is still growing. They forecast that the apparent steel growth will increase by 0.5% in 2015 and 1.4% in 2016. Additionally, in developing and emerging nations, there is an increased optimism for growth, as the steel markets are beginning to exhibit the characteristics of mature markets.

For more information on The World Steel Association’s expected outcomes for 2015 and 2016, click here.

So, which countries claim the spots of the world’s top steel producers for now? Read on to find out and to learn some interesting steel-related facts about each.

5. South Korea

Crude Steel Production: 71 million tons

Interesting Fact:

Rising 270 meters above sea level, The Yi Sun-shin Bridge was opened in 2012 and links the cities of Gwangyang and Yeosu. It is the first suspension bridge to be made solely with Korean state-of-the-art technology and equipment, including 26,000 tons of steel rods and 24,000 tons of steel products. Extending 2,260 meters, it is the longest in Korea and the fourth longest in the world, surpassing even the Golden Gate Bridge. (Source: http://bit.ly/1crFdzx)

4. India

Crude Steel Production: 83.2 million tons

Interesting Fact:

The Lotus Temple, a Bahá’í House of Worship, is one of Delhi’s most iconic architectural feats and was designed in the form of a lotus flower to symbolize the religion’s cornerstones of purity and simplicity. The lotus has three sets of leaves or petals which are made out of thin concrete shells. At the top, a glass and steel roof provides protection from the elements and facilitates the entry of natural light. The temple also utilizes a number of steel reinforcements and structural steel staging. (Source: http://bit.ly/1zWQCTh)

3. United States

Crude Steel Production: 88.3 million tons

Interesting Fact:

In 1943, more than 1 billion pennies were made with steel because the United States was, at the time, engaged in World War II and copper was being rationed to make artillery. Steel pennies weigh 2.70 grams and are fairly lighter than traditional copper Lincoln pennies that weigh 3.11 grams. Today, these pennies are quite popular among coin collectors and are worth about 25-75 cents each. (Source: http://bit.ly/1cooLjx)

2. Japan

Crude Steel Production: 110.7 million tons

Interesting Fact:

Tokyo Tower, a communications and observation tower in Japan’s capital city, was built in 1958. It was constructed of steel, a third of which was scrap metal taken from 90 US tanks damaged in the Korean War. At 4,000 tons, it is significantly lighter than the Eiffel Tower, which weighs 7,000 tons, a result of exceptional advances in construction technology and steel manufacturing. (Source: http://bit.ly/1K3tHbS)

1. China

Crude Steel Production: 822.7 million tons

Interesting Fact:

The Chinese were the first people to combine carbon and iron to make steel. They’ve been making it since the first century BC in blast furnaces powered by the Asian monsoon winds. In recent years, they’ve become the world’s largest producer of steel, and consume twice as much steel as the US, Europe and Japan combined. (Source: http://bit.ly/1KzAKpG)

Production rates according to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) 2014 World Crude Steel Production Performances.

A Breathtaking Sound Experience, ‘Korando C’ Speaker System
For the first time in Korea, Ssangyong Motor offers the state-of-the-art sound quality through speakers with POSCO’s magnesium sheet applied, to 2015 ‘Korando C’, Ssangyong’s new automobile. The sound quality of the speaker is far beyond the quality of 6.5 inch-paper speaker, which is applied to 2000cc SUVs of default features.

As a component that plays sounds, the magnesium diaphragm of ‘Korando C’ receives electronic signals and sends out vibrations into the air. Since a diaphragm is the main component that determines the sound quality, it must be lightweight, high in rigidity and automatically dissipates resonance which is irrelevant with the genuine signal. Previously, speaker’s diaphragms were mostly created with paper materials but they were insufficient in high-tone playback due to paper’s shortage in intensity. In order to improve the audio quality, various materials have been considered for development.

Magnesium Diaphragm: the Secret of Full Spectrum Audio Performance
Magnesium sheets are evaluated as the most idealistic material for speaker diaphragms so far. Lightweight and stern, the magnesium sheet can create high-pitch yet pure sound due to the material’s expansive range of frequency. As an ultra-light material, the magnesium sheet can cover a full spectrum from a low note to a high note even with a feeble driving force. Compared to other materials, the magnesium diaphragm provides softer and richer pitch while also offering refined tone with its excellent transmissibility. Especially, the magnesium sheet is less susceptible to unnecessary vibrations that lead to an unpleasant resonance noise. As a result, the high-quality dynamic speaker device, which realizes the sound that is closest to the original tone, is obtained.

POSCO’s Magnesium Sheet behind Your Dynamic Sound on the Road
The magnesium sheets supplied by POSCO undergo the process of figuration, surface treatment, speaker manufacturing, and finally get installed in automobiles. Currently, the magnesium sheets are produced at POSCO’s magnesium plant, located in Suncheon, Jeonnam Province, where the ultra-thin warm-rolling technology is secured. As Ssangyong Motor successfully implemented the magnesium diaphragm speaker to their new ‘Korando C’, they are considering the application of the magnesium diaphragm for other automobiles in the future.

More Applications of POSCO’s Magnesium Sheet in the Auto Industry
Last September, prior to ‘Korando C’, POSCO has already conducted a joint development with Renault Samsung Motors for magnesium sheet auto parts. In fact, POSCO’s magnesium sheet was applied to ‘New SM7 Nova’, specifically where the back seat and the trunk meet, largely contributing to vehicle weight reduction. Being the world’s first case of automobile application, POSCO’s magnesium sheet reduced up to 2.2 kg by replacing the previous component of 3.6 kg with the magnesium piece that weighs only 1.4 kg. Since the outstanding quality of the magnesium sheet has been confirmed through POSCO’s current step into the automobile market, POSCO is planning to accelerate development of the magnesium sheets for television and audio in the upcoming future.

What is SkyCube? 

SkyCube will provide an accessible means of transportation to experience the great natural surroundings found in Suncheon. Suncheon Eco Trans’ SkyCube was made possible through investments between POSCO and Suncheon City’s Private Enterprise Investment Agreement. As the nation’s first PRT, it is a big deal. SkyCube runs for 4.64 km from Suncheon’s Dream Bridge to Suncheon’s Literature Center. The path that it runs is surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Suncheon.

Pictured here: PRT car passing through the track

SkyCube has a total of 40 cubicles and is a unique system in that it allows the surrounding environment to be preserved. The implications of these benefits may prove to be beneficial for transportation systems built in the future.

Reasons to Visit Suncheon

 Pictured here: PRT routes in Suncheon that preserve the natural environment

Suncheon is a unique wetland ecosystem that needs to be preserved as much as possible. SkyCube passengers can enjoy superb views of Suncheon. The area in which SkyCube runs is a vast natural wetlands area with 120 native marsh plants and over 240 species of migratory birds. It is currently registered within the Ramsar Convention which is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands. In 2006, the Korean Tourism Organization selected Suncheon as one of the top 5 wetlands in the world.

Pictured here: Suncheon Bay Garden (Photo from http://bit.ly/PJSJTB)

Besides, Suncheon Bay Garden, which opened on April 20, became a landmark after successfully completing the very first Korean garden festival, ‘Suncheon Bay Garden Expo 2013’. Suncheon Bay Garden consists of Cypress Forest and Autumn Tint Path and more, divided into sections in accordance to the tree species and features various themed attractions such as Meditation Path and Meditation Place. While there are many places to visit throughout the Korean peninsula, many people recommend the ‘ecological tourist travel course’ in Suncheon.  

Pictured here: Suncheon Eco Trans opening ceremony

What is the Significance of SkyCube?

In January 2011, POSCO and Suncheon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the basis of jointly developing technology for the nation’s unique state-of-the-art transportation system. A test track was set up in Sweden and the system performance was verified to meet the safety requirements of northern Europe. The culmination of these efforts was precisely “SkyCube”.

 Pictured here: Beautiful natural scenery as scene from the PRT

The technology behind SkyCube is more economical compared to former technologies as the train can be controlled 24 hours without human involvement. With the same transportation capabilities, PRT are more cost-efficient in terms of construction as well as operating costs. SkyCube advantage is it is an eco-friendly solution since the PRT system runs on electric energy 100% and therefore does not generate exhaust emissions.

Moreover, polyurethane coated wheels were used in lieu of steel wheels in order to reduce noise and preserve the natural environment.

For these reasons, this state-of-the-art transportation technology seamlessly fits in with the natural ecosystem.

Pictured here: Internal arrangement of the PRT which is being seen as the future for eco-friendly transportation

The Advantages of the PRT System

Pictured here: PRT cars waiting at a station

PRT is an ecofriendly alternative to the regular public transport system. The system covers all necessary elements for the best green transportation solution including punctuality, safety, reliability, accessibility and privacy. Installation and operation is possible even in urban areas and short interval stops, with distance of 1 to 2 minutes, is achievable.

Unlike existing public transportation that runs on predetermined timetables, PRT runs based on passenger needs. At times when there are not many passengers, empty cars will wait before passing through stops and during rush hours, nearby cars will be called to meet service needs. Passengers do not need to wait over one minute for the PRT. Like taxis, passengers can get on the PRT and travel to their final destination without making stops in between. Passengers can have their privacy and travel within efficient timeframes.

System installation costs about 1/10^th of the cost it takes to build subway systems. They are also 1/3^rd the cost of light rail train systems and capacity is about the same. Because operation of PRT is automatic, cost efficiency is high and costs can be further reduced if cars are not operated when there are no passengers. PRT is an advantageous solution for development of new cities or new routes or advancements to existing routes.

Capable of being constructed with 90cm of concrete, 60cm of steel, the PRT tracks have the flexibility to be installed on main roads as well as sharp curves.

Pictured here: SkyCube passing through a station

Foreign PRT Systems

First developed in the 1970s, a small track rail system for 20 people was developed at Morgantown West Virginia University. PRT (Personal Rapid Transition) and GRT (Group Rapid Transition) were used as routes to connect the college campus with the city.

This was followed by further developments in Japan, France and Germany. Of these, the Cabintaxi developed in Hamburg, Germany, was the most advanced. The Cabintaxi developed in 1970 was in commercialization stage in 1980 however due to German government budget issues, the full development was postponed indefinitely.

By 1990, the PRT was a step closer to becoming fully commercial, but was not readily available still. Many studies were in place, however many were stopped. Systems under current operation were ULTra in England and 2getthere in Netherlands.

Thus, SkyCube is a superior operating system that supplies electricity to the track by using a third rail. In addition, compared to competing systems, it has already received safety system certification and is recognized in the world market for excellence and responsiveness.