Yongtong develops quake-proof steel
Firm aims to be trendsetter in global market for high-strength products
If Zhengzhou Yongtong Special Steel has its way, China could soon be a technology and product trendsetter in the global market with its specially developed structural steel products that are useful in earthquake-prone areas.
The company’s Sorbite High-Strength Stainless Structural Steel S600E not only has high strength and tenacity, but is also corrosionresistant and capable of handling extremely high and low temperatures.
“It is very rare to see steel with high strength and tenacity. This makes it an excellent choice for buildings in the seismic zone,” said Wang Ping, chief engineer of the Zhengzhou-based special steel producer.
“The steel is as earthquakeresistant as the H-SA700 steel made by Japan-based Sumitomo Metals, which represents the highest level of steel with earthquake resistance features. What’s more, our products are of the stainless category,” Wang said.
S600E is 150 times more corrosion-resistant than conventional steel, which means that buildings made from this steel barely need any maintenance for more than 100 years, making it suitable for coastal areas as well as sea-crossing bridges, he added.
With an investment of more than 100 billion yuan ($15.1 billion), the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the world’s longest sea-crossing project is expected to use around 520,000 metric tons of steel.
“If we were to replace the steel used in the bridge with S600E, it would only increase the cost by 2 billion yuan, around 2 percent of its total investment.
“However, it can significantly reduce its maintenance costs and increase the life span of the bridge,” Wang said.
The steel has successfully undergone four months of tests at the Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea.
The company has signed a cooperation agreement with State Grid Corporation of China for S600E to be used in its electric towers, with Zhengzhou Coal Mining Machinery (Group) Co Ltd for its underground mines, as well as with the Tubular Goods Research Institute of China National Petroleum Corp for its oil and gas pipelines.
The company is also working with the 713 Research Institute of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation for the military application of S600E.
On Aug 22, seven standards on S600E were officially released by the China Special Steel Enterprises Association.
A total of 73 domestic special steel enterprises included are members of the association.
According to Zhengzhou Yongtong, it is the sole producer of this new type of special steel.
“This special steel combines the strength of stainless steel and structural steel,” said Li Helin, an expert on materials science and engineering and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
“It is a major technological breakthrough and will be widely used for the building of offshore oil and gas drilling platforms and transmission pipelines,” Li said.
“We need more high-quality and high-strength steel for China to become a true steel giant,” Li added.
Yin Ruiyu, who is also a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said this variety of steel has wide applications in shipbuilding, marine engineering and offshore wind farms, and has a promising prospect.
It is a major technological breakthrough and will be widely used for the building of offshore oil and gas drilling platforms ...”
Li Helin,