Groundbreaking Steel Project Develops Robust Steel with Lower Emissions

By utilizing a new type of ausferritic nanostructure, the steel becomes stronger and more robust while also being cheaper to produce. Additionally, the manufacturing process requires significantly less energy, leading to lower CO₂ emissions.

This method minimizes both energy consumption and CO₂ emissions while also being significantly cheaper

Compared to conventional mild steels, today’s ultra-high-strength steels rely on a higher carbon content combined with a heat treatment (QT) that rapidly cools the material in an oil bath, resulting in a large carbon footprint—especially in countries that use fossil fuels in production.

"This new paradigm involves adding a high silicon content and hardening through austempering—cooling and heat-holding in a molten salt bath. For certain material dimensions, the ausferrite can begin forming during air cooling after hot rolling of bars or after hot forging and then be ‘baked’ in air at a low temperature. This method minimizes both energy consumption and CO₂ emissions while also being significantly cheaper than all other through-hardening methods for steel," says Richard Larker, Associate Professor at the Department of Applied Physics and Electronics at Umeå University, and the initiator of the project. 

Collaborations with Industry

To ensure that ausferritic steels offer competitive advantages, AUSNANITE collaborates with several leading companies, including the Spanish steel bar manufacturer Sidenor, Epiroc, and Rototilt, where Richard Larker previously served as Head of Research. These partners will manufacture and test the steel under extreme loads, also subject to impact and wear. 

Part of the EU’s Sustainable Materials Initiative

The project aligns with the EU’s Green Deal, as the high silicon content reduces the need for more critical alloying elements, while the process itself requires less energy and lowers environmental impact during hardening. If 10% of traditionally produced steel were replaced with ausferritic steel, greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by approximately 100,000 tons of CO₂ per year.

A Bright Future for Steel

In summary, AUSNANITE has the potential to take steel technology to the next level. By combining research and industrial practices with a strong focus on sustainability, the project could pave the way for more robust and long-lasting industrial materials while also strengthening Europe’s competitiveness.

More information can be found in this article published in the magazine "Gjuteriet" in 2021.