On July 23, POSCO’s new product POSCO-Box Column (P-Box column), along with the P-Box pillar and ledger beam bonding technology received designation as ‘new construction technology #868’ by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport.

The core of the new technology is to connect horizontal reinforced concrete to the P-Box steel pipe column filled with concrete. This POSCO-exclusive technology is likely to innovate the market.

<Connecting P-Box Column and Horizontal Reinforced Concrete>

P-Box was created off of HSA600*, one of POSCO’s World Top Premium (WTP) products with a guaranteed tensile strength of 600 megapascals (MPa). POSCO is currently the only steelmaker capable of producing hot-rolled steel with that level of tensile strength equipped with seismic performance.

*HSA600: High-performance Steel for Architecture 600

P-Box has been created by first bending HSA600 into square columns – inside the columns were then filled with concrete to boost strength.

The conventional pipes are in square shapes, which required welding all four corners. The multiple welding incurred high costs where high quality wasn’t always reciprocated.

The P-Box reduced the number of welding by folding hot-rolled steel – it only needs one welding in the center. This simplified manufacture process, and thanks to the stiffening member, constructors can apply 6mm boards instead of the previously-used 9mm boards.

<P-Box Column Diagram>

The new building technology starts with manufacturing long P-Box columns at factories, then attaching anchors to the columns beforehand. Anchor connects girders to columns.

Then, the connected anchors and P-Box columns are transported to the construction site where reinforced girder is horizontally attached to the anchors.

Because the height of a P-Box is 15 meters, the new technology can erect three floors at one go, instead of one floor, to dramatically save costs and time in constructing a building.

Replacing the conventional columns straight with P-Box columns posed as the main challenge because of the cost. To address the conundrum, POSCO decided to utilize girder, a wider beam that connects columns. These girders have a wider width than the columns. Since the girder width increased, it could sustain more weight. This meant constructors could use less number of girders. For example, conventional technology requires two girders whereas the new technology needs only one. Also, the new technology can do away with beams (smaller version of girders) that connect girders.

Additionally, conventional technology required 1,000mm x 1,000mm columns whereas the P-Box technology can sustain the same weight with just 500mm x 500mm columns. Smaller columns meant added spaces that can be utilized inside a building. The new technology brings down construction costs by 15% — it’s also a sustainable technology as it reduces carbon emissions.

<Conventional vs New P-Box Technology>

POSCO jointly led the research on the new technology with POSCO E&C — construction companies like Halla Corporation, Hanyang, Hoban Construction and engineering company P&Coms also participated in developing the technology. The collaborative efforts aim to allow practical technology development by encompassing the whole production and implementation stages: from materials, design, and actual construction. Dukam Technology, POSCO’s own customer, participated in actually manufacturing the product, a good opportunity to advance the customer company’s technology and sales.

The technology has already proved its marketability — it has been applied to more than 11 buildings, including an attached parking lot at Shilla Seoul hotel in Jung District of central Seoul, city development business district and facility in Munjeong-dong, Songpa District, and new apartment complex in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province. An architect from Hoban Construction, one of the participating construction companies, expressed his satisfaction with the new technology by saying, “the new technology reduced the construction cost as well as the construction period by 15%. The column width was also reduced by 40%, so the areas we can lease increased.” The Hanyang technology engineer said, “POSCO’s P-Box allows 15 meters height at one go, a huge improvement from conventional construction technology.”

Designated as ‘new construction technology,’ the P-Box bonding method will have 8 years of term of protection period. During this period, the Land ministry will advise ordering organizations to place priority in applying the new technology and provide merits or additional points to builders upon contractor qualification evaluation.

<Construction Site: P-Box & Horizontal Reinforced Concrete Attachment>

Jin-Won Kim of POSCO Technical Research Laboratories who led the research and development of the technology said, “The conventional construction method required lots of human labor in the field. The high labor costs posed as a major challenge. We developed new technology to provide solutions in construction business through POSCO materials and technology.”

With such determination, POSCO’s cross-department collaboration not only created HSA600, the base material for the new technology, but also led to the successful mass-production of the HSA600. The subsequent development of P-Box bonding technology and the new technology designation process took about three years. Kim expects the P-Box will help increase the demand for the more economical and stable new technology (over labor-intensive conventional technology, both in Korea and abroad.

Along with HSA600 and P-Box column technology, POSCO is providing various WTP products and solutions for the construction markets. In addition to structural materials, POSCO also developed products utilizing its PosMAC — interior-exterior materials, solar furring, etc that can sustain longer. Meanwhile, POSCO will use this opportunity to extend the implementation of the ‘Business With POSCO’ vision by customizing products and technical supports to boost its marketability.

*POSMAC: POSCO Magnesium Aluminum alloy Coating product

POSCO continues the pursuit of global dominance in energy steel market by participating in the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), the world’s top technology fair.

▲ POSCO exhibition booth at OTC in Houston, Texas – from May 6th to 9th, POSCO participated in the world’s top offshore tech conference showcasing the company’s World Top Premium (WTP) products.

The four-day conference kicked off on May 6 in Houston Texas. OTC draws over 2,000 companies and more than 60,000 visitors every year. For industry participants, it provides an excellent opportunity to showcase cutting-edge technology for offshore drilling, exploration, and environmental protection . The meeting also offers venues for industries to identify potential clients. POSCO has been attending the OTC for twelve straight years.

Taking forward the company’s ‘Business with POSCO’ principle, POSCO jointly hosted the exhibition booth with its client companies, who specialize in offshore resources. For the first time in the OTC 2019, POSCO is also organizing a customer-invitation seminar aimed to promote mutual growth with its customers. The seminar is scheduled to take place on May 8.

This unprecedented seminar is set to showcase POSCO’s World Top Premium (WTP) products and its technology and is open to engineers and all affiliated personnel from major energy and EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) sectors. The forum expects active knowledge and technology sharing on POSCO’s WTP products that will help boost the competitiveness of POSCO and its customers.

Among POSCO’s many products, high value-added steel plate products such as cryogenic high manganese steel, wind tower steel, and extremely thick steel plates for offshore structure are expected to draw visitors’ interests.

One such product is POSCO’s cryogenic high manganese steel which received IOM (International Maritime Organization) approval in December last year. The demand for high manganese steel is likely to grow as the market for LNG carriers expects growth because LNG is being recognized as one of the eco-friendly energy sources. POSCO’s wind tower steel was used in Hornsea, the world’s largest offshore wind farm in which its excellent durability and corrosion-resistance were duly recognized.

POSCO will also showcase PosMC (POSCO Mega Caster), extremely thick steel plates for offshore structure – by far holding the world’s top spot for its thickness. Developed exclusively by POSCO, the PosMC is capable of producing slabs of up to 700 mm in thickness, which means the company can supply steel plates of up to 233 mm in thickness.

Furthermore, POSCO’s client companies –TK Corporation and Chang Won Bending Co., LTD.— will showcase heavy-wall welded pipes and pipe fitting , both produced using POSCO’s steel plates. The seminar attendees will have the firsthand experience to observe POSCO’s steel from materials to its final products.

▲ POSCO’s exhibition booth at OTC main conference hall

POSCO opened a brand-new website dedicated to industry promotion, client services, and much more.

The new site just launched on Monday (http://product.posco.com) featuring detailed reference on the company’s various steel products.

The ‘POSCO Products’ site consists of six categories: Industries, Products, Mega Trend, Application Technology, Media, and Customer Support which aim to make technical products information more accessible for the general public and their clients.

‘Industry’ displays various steel products of everyday use through the following sub-categories ranging from automotive, construction, shipbuilding to home appliances.

‘Products’ provides comprehensive information on POSCO products like hot rolled steel, cold rolled steel, steel plate as well as the products of affiliates: secondary battery materials (POSCO Chemical), color coated steel sheet (POSCO C&C), stainless steel (POSCO International), electrical steel and processed steel plates.

Under ‘Mega Trend’, ‘Neo Mobility’ features sustainable future modes of transportation like EVs, whereas a ‘Mega City’ unveils a futuristic city with long-span bridges, mega-tall buildings, and modular housings. Through ‘Eco Energy,’ the last sub-category of ‘Mega City,’ visitors can browse products related to sustainable future energy like wind and solar power.

The site utilizes creative visual contents like informational video footage to explain specific features of POSCO’s products, which promotes a more comprehensive understanding for the visitors. There is also a virtual exhibition which gives a 360-degree view of the company’s steel products. Rather than a simple list-up of their products, the site guides the visitors through the original application of storytelling approach and 3D-visuals. These contents can be found in ‘PR Movies’ under the Media section.

The ‘Virtual Tour of Products,’ also nestled under Media category, provides a replica of the POSCO Global R& D Center located in Songdo. With the ‘Virtual Tour,’ visitors are just a few clicks away from the Songdo as they virtually navigate various spots of the R&D center.

The new website also demonstrates POSCO’s constant endeavor to improve their client relations – it allows more prompt response for POSCO customers by providing specified channels through which they can send their inquiries about the specific category of their interest so that their question can be promptly directed to the relevant department.

Meanwhile, through the establishment of the new website exclusively dedicated to product promotion, the company seeks to actualize their management principle ‘Business with POSCO’ to advocate for mutual growth with POSCO’s partners and clients. The site is also likely to be utilized to expand the sales of POSCO’s World Top Premium (WTP) products.

Korea’s self-developed new material ‘cryogenic high manganese steel’ is going global – the cryogenic high manganese steel (HMS) has been specifically developed with the storage and transport of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) in mind.

In its 100th session on December last year, International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee approved interim guidelines on applying HMS in cryogenic LNG storage and fuel tanks setting forth requirements for designing and manufacturing HMS for LNG cargo and fuel tanks so ensure compliance with the agency’s safety codes.

IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships. IMO currently has 174 Member States and three Associate Members.

The approval of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) allows cryogenic HMS to be applied to LNG carriers and LNG-fueled vessels, which is unprecedented. Korea’s self-developed technology earned global validation, opening the way for sales of the material to IMO’s 170-plus member countries.

Not only POSCO developed the world’s first cryogenic HMS, but the material is also part of the company’s World Top Premium Product (WTP) – a line of high-end products the company is relying on as its future growth engine.

What is the cryogenic high manganese steel and what does POSCO stand to benefit from the IMO approval? POSCO Newsroom got down to the basics of this innovative material and looked into the details of the approval process.

l What is Cryogenic High Manganese Steel?

The cryogenic high manganese steel is a new material POSCO developed with the storage and transport of LNG specifically in mind. POSCO undertook the project back in 2010 finalizing the development in 2013.

The material contains 22.5% to 25.5% of manganese and can withstand temperatures as low as -196 °C. It has also shown superiority over existing cryogenic materials in terms of elongation and ultimate tensile strength.

On the ground, HMS can be used for LNG terminal storage tank. On the sea, the material can be used for LNG transportation as well as for storage and fuel tank for a marine propulsion system.

l A Challenging Journey towards the IMO Approval

Thus far, IMO has allowed only four kinds of materials for LNG tanks: nickel alloy steel, stainless steel, 9% nickel steel, and aluminum alloy. The prerequisite for the cryogenic HMS to be used as LGN tank material was to be recognized and officially registered as a standard technology. Since the IMO approval takes place every four years, so not only was it a lengthy process, but it also had another hurdle: support from other member states.

POSCO has been striving to list the cryogenic high manganese-steel on IMO standard material together with the following stakeholders: Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, Korean Register of Shipping, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., LTD, as well as with Professor Kyu-Baek Ahn of Chosun University. Countless experiments and studies on the suitability and safety of cryogenic high manganese steels helped rally support from many member countries. As a result, the IMO approved the material, and the member states could use the cryogenic HMS for LNG tanks as early as this year.

This is the first case ever where a new material like HMS received IMO approval. It was a bumpy ride for POSCO of course – one of the biggest challenges being persuading the member countries who were on the fence.

l POSCO’s Technology to the Global Market

Over the next three years, experts predict cryogenic HMS products will generate annual sales of 100 billion KRW (approx. 88.4 million USD).

Currently, the most widely used material for LNG tanks is nickel allow steel – which is produced only in a limited number of countries, so the supply was unreliable. Accordingly, the price fluctuation was a major issue depending on the supply and demand.

The POSCO-developed cryogenic HMS has high production rates across the globe and is relatively inexpensive. It is superior in toughness and tensile strength compared to conventional materials and is 30% cheaper than 9% nickel steel. This makes HMS a competitive enough to replace existing materials.

POSCO’s HMS maintains excellent strength and withstands impact even in a cryogenic environment of -196 °C. Expected to boost the competitiveness of Korea’s several industries, from steel, shipbuilding, to small-medium enterprises manufacturing LNG tanks, it’s indeed a ground-breaking innovative material that can further encourage industry’s ongoing effort to develop alternative material for cryogenic service.

As cold wave freezes the Korean Peninsula, a sharp drop in temperature is creating slippery road conditions – it’s time to gear up for winter driving safety.
The Korea Transportation Safety Authority compiled numbers to uncover the relationship between road conditions and mortality rates during traffic accidents.

According to their finding, between 2015 and 2017, the mortality rates on the icy road was at 3.65 persons – about 1.95 times higher than the mortality rates on normal roads which were 1.87 persons.

The frequency of accidents and mortality rates are closely connected to the road conditions and weather. Driving on snow is inevitable during winter, so a meticulous car inspection is a must for accident-free driving. Tires especially need to be double-checked for safety, as they come in direct contact with the road surface. POSCO Newsroom looked inside tires to address the specifics of tire parts that enhance tire safety.

l Steel Boosts Tire Durability

Tires are made up of various layers. A tread that comes in direct contact with the road surface is made of durable rubber against wear and tear. On the tread, ‘tread patterns’ are imprinted to help maintain the directionality of a vehicle and to maximize the performance during cornering and braking.

Then, there is a carcass which functions as a skeleton inside the tire sustaining the weight of a vehicle. Overlapping the carcass are tire cords. There is also a part called tire bead bundles which secure the tire to the wheel. Tire cords on the carcass get wound together at the end of the bead.

Tire cords are used as reinforcing materials for tires, designed to keep tires in shape and to enhance durability. In the early days, cotton was used, though nowadays, steel, nylon, rayon, and polyester are the core materials.

The steel cord is a combination of several thin wires that help tires absorb shock while improving comfortability for passengers. If the steel cord is made of highest grade steel, the tire can withstand high stress, thereby improving the stability and safety during driving.

Steel started drawing attention as a material for tires from 1958 when steel cords were used for tire belts. Since then, radial tires for passenger cars gained popularity. Radial tires require high tensile strength – and compared to rayon or nylon, steel has higher tensile strength, which is how it became the core material for tire cords.

l POSCO’s WTP Tire Cord Steel

Tire chords are undeniably an essential part of a tire, and POSCO product is used to make tire cords. POSCO’s World Top Premium Product (WTP) refers to a line of products that enhance clients’ competitiveness with its high technology – the wire cords for POSCO’s WTP steel wire for tire chords are highly regarded for its ability to improve stability while minimizing the overall weight of the tire.

POSCO’s WTP tire cord steel is produced by twisting high carbon steel wire rod into a fine wire which is 0.4 to 1.15mm in diameter. To withstand various dynamic loads on the vehicle, the tire cord steel undergoes a rigorous quality control. Though invisible, POSCO’s technology is firmly present in all the cars we use and see every day.

l What to Prepare for Safe Winter Driving

During winter, the road condition is highly unpredictable. Each road has a different condition – the amount of snow varies; the slipperiness differs also. Maintaining a normal safe distance doesn’t guarantee safety, so longer breaking distance is needed. Drivers are more likely to lose control, hence a higher chance for accidents.

What should be on the checklist for road safety during winter? A tire safety check should be on the list, and snow tires. Also called winter tires, snow tires have tread designs with larger gaps than those on standard tires, with higher traction on snow and ice.

Snow chains help prevent wheels from slipping when roads freeze. If used on a regular ground surface, the snow chains will quickly wear out and will hinder efficient driving, which is why they must be taken off immediately once off an icy road

When parking cars outside during winter, it is a good idea to lift a windshield wiper before driving the car. It can prevent wiper blades from getting stuck onto the windshield. Leaving the wipers propped up overnight is another way to prevent it from being frozen to the windshield.

Another to keep in mind is antifreeze fluid. Although antifreeze doesn’t evaporate easily, it can deteriorate over time – so it’s a good idea to run a color test with a toilet paper or cloth. The colors of antifreeze vary from car to car, but most antifreeze fluids tend to be green. If the color is different, it is time for a replacement.

From commuting to road trips, cars are essential parts of modern-day transportation, and safety is the utmost priority that can’t be ignored. Tire cords are an invisible and yet crucial part of car safety. For a safe winter driving, a thorough car inspection, including tires, is highly recommended.