Steel Research Programme
Background
At the end of June 2006, the Swedish government assigned VINNOVA (Swedish Agency for Innovation Systems) the task, in collaboration with Jernkontoret, of carrying out a Steel Research Programme 2007–2012. This is a sector-based research programme in which the steel industry has a decisive influence on the research content and the drafting of the programme.
Influence is exercised through a programme board in which representatives from the steel industry together with VINNOVA decide on which projects are run within the programme as well as the forms that the work will take within the project.
Objective – A competitive Swedish steel industry
The object of the steel research programme is to strengthen the steel industry’s competitiveness in a globalised world through maintaining a high level of research and an effective collaboration between industry, institutes and universities as well as minimising the impact on the environment caused by steel manufacture.
The programme covers four key areas:
- Development for sustainable growth
from reduced emissions to high-performance steel with lower input material consumption - Materials and production methods of tomorrow
from development of lighter and stronger steels to the composition and shaping of the material - Advanced modelling
from studies of the properties of the atomic structures to how the steel performs in different applications - Improved process technology
from enhanced characteristics to cleaner, more efficient and more intelligent processing
The programme projects shall cover the entire value chain from iron ore/scrap to finished product. Up to 15% of the project volume may also be used for so-called ‘innovative projects’ that imply high risk both in respect of strict adherence to scientific standards and industrial relevance.
Financing
The steel research programme comprehends a total of SEK 240 million over a period of six years (2007-2012). The financing takes the form of SEK 120 million in cash funding from VINNOVA which shall be co-financed with at least as much coming from the steel industry itself. Co-financing may consist of cash funds and/or inputs in kind.
Programme board
There is a programme board to guide and monitor the programme as well as to decide on the projects to be implemented. Decisions on projects are taken by the programme board after project applications are obtained via open announcements and are prepared by the drafting group appointed by the programme board. The majority of the board members work in the steel industry.
Programme board composition
Bo-Erik Pers, Jernkontoret (President)
Hans Klang, SSAB
Peter Samuelsson, Outokumpu Stainless
Kerstin Konradsson, Åkers Sweden
Olle Wijk, Sandvik Materials Technology
Tomas Thorvaldsson, Swerea
Ulf Holmgren, VINNOVA
There is also a director for the Steel Research Programme who is appointed by Jernkontoret, which is the reporting party on the programme board. The interim programme director is Lars-Henrik Österholm.
Review of research projects and decisions on financing
The steel research programme obtains project proposals by way of open announcements. Two announcements have been made; one at the programme’s beginning (which was closed in 16/10/2006) and one during 2008 (which closed 1/11/2008). A review panel is responsible for the scientific examination of the projects as well as sorting and prioritising amongst the project proposals that have come in. The review panel consists of all the chairpersons of Jernkontoret’s technical areas and includes co-opted representatives from those who conducting the research. The review panel submits proposals to the programme board which then decides which projects shall be granted funds. So far, 28 projects have been allocated grants from VINNOVA for a sum total of just over SEK 111 million:
Decision 18 December 2006:
- Automation, measuring and control of quality determining parameters in wire drawing.
From 1/6/2007 to 31/5/2011. - On-line dimension measuring and control of wall thickness in rolling of tubes.
From 1/6/2007 to 30/9/2010. - Feasibility of welding and cutting of stainless steel tubes with fiber laser ("FIBERTUBE").
From 1/1/2007 to 30/6/2008. - N-CORINOX – Limits for localised corrosion of stainless steel.
From 1/6/2007 to 31/5/2011. - Production concept for growth of powder metallurgy.
From 1/4/2007 to 15/12/2009. - Construction products based on slag Phase 1.
From 1/4/2007 to 30/6/2009.
Decision 7 March 2007:
- Optimising of secondary metallurgy in respect of non-metallic inclusions for improved steel properties, quality and production efficiency with focus on special and high alloy steel.
From 1/7/2007 to 30/6/2010. - LOWWEAR hot (WP1).
From 1/6/2007 to 31/5/2011. - LOWEAR cold (WP2).
From 1/6/2007 to 31/5/2011. - Multiscale modelling of steel deformation processes.
From 1/6/2007 to 31/5/2011. - Improved follow-up and control of metallurgical processes through reliable determination of incorporated elements and non-metallic inclusions in steel samples Phase 1 ("INNESTYR 1").
From 1/7/2007 to 31/12/2009.
Decision 14 June 2007:
- Development of calculation models for scale-up of moulds taking account of the flux powder’s properties.
From 1/9/2007 to 31/12/2009. - Model-based process analysis and development.
From 1/9/2007 to 31/8/2009. - Optimisation of costly alloying agents in high strength steel.
From 1/9/2007 to 30/8/2010. - Development of pickling process to meet demand for pickling of new, difficult to pickle, special steels.
From 1/9/2007 to 31/8/2010. - Temperature determination for optimal annealing.
From 1/9/2007 to 31/1/2011.
Decision 11 October 2007:
- Non-destructive determination of microstructures, hardness penetration and inner stresses.
From 1/11/2007 to 31/12/2010.
Decision 10 April 2008:
- Structure and phase stability of steels.
From 1/10/2008 to 30/9/2011.
Decision 28 August 2009:
- Construction products based on slag Phase 2 ("Konstslagg 2").
- Advanced fiber laser welding and cutting of stainless steel tubes ("FIBERTUBE ADVANCED").
- Improved follow-up and control of metallurgical processes through reliable determination of incorporated elements and non-metallic inclusions in steel samples Phase 2 ("INNESTYR 2").
- Improved process technology in continuous casting of steel especially sensitive to clogging ("IGENSÄTTNING")
- On-line control of temperature and decarburisation in the converter process ("LD AOD Direktmätning").
- Next generation of ingot casting system ("GötgjutNextGeneration").
- Development of flux powder for niche steel ("Gjutpulver för nischstål").
- Prediction, verification and consequences of duplex microstructures ("PREDUP").
- Modelling of loss of flatness on tempering, straightening and cutting ("ModFlat").
- Material performance in cold forming operations ("COLDMAT").
