Contribution to Environmental Protection through
Products, Technologies and Services (1)
Kobe Steel has integrated its manufacturing
and engineering technologies, systems and know-how to provide eco-friendly
materials and products. We also provide equipment, plants and services
in the fields of effective energy utilization, waste recycling, utilization
of unused resources and environmental restoration.
Outlined here are noteworthy technologies and products of 2005.
Eco Materials
Development of lead-free free-cutting steel with 30%
larger sulfide inclusions
Kobe Steel has developed a lead-free sulfur
compound free-cutting steel with the same level of surface finish
as lead compound free-cutting steel. Lead compound free-cutting steel
with its excellent cutting performance has been conventionally used,
but it has a harmful effect on the human body and on the environment,
and so a lead-free replacement has been sought.
The major characteristic of this newly developed free-cutting steel
is its boosted machinability, with particulate sulfide inclusions
30% larger than in the conventional product. Using expertise built
up in the field of specialty steel wire, Kobe Steel has succeeded
in increasing the size of the sulfides by adjusting the chemical composition
in the manufacturing process and controlling the temperature during
rolling.
This product has gained approval among car component makers for use
in hydraulic parts such as brakes and automatic transmissions, and
some have advanced to the trial production stage for mass production.
Antibacterial aluminum foil launched
Sun Aluminium Industries,
Ltd., a leading manufacturer of aluminum foil for household use, has
developed and launched an antibacterial foil for household use.
This product was developed by adjusting the copper component and other
additive elements with antibacterial properties during the manufacturing
of the aluminum slab for foil use. Both surfaces of the foil are effective
in stopping bacteria from breeding and multiplying, and the foil itself
is stronger. As no chemical antibacterial agent is used, the foil
may be safely used to wrap foodstuffs.
High performance antibacterial coating technology
KENIFINE found effective against virus similar to SARS
Laboratory testing conducted by Associate Professor
Norio Hirano of Iwate University found that the KENIFINE antibacterial
coating technology developed by Kobe Steel is effective against a
virus that is a close relative of the SARS coronavirus. Both viruses
are in the same group of coronaviruses.
KENI FINE is a high-performance antibacterial coating that is more
than 10 times faster at controlling microorganisms than conventional
antibacterial paint or antibacterial stainless steel. It prevents
germs from multiplying and is effective in preventing the growth of
mold and algae. Eleven companies have been licensed to use this technology,
and mass production began in 2002. Improvements to KENIFINE have made
the coating resistant to discoloration. In addition to metals, the
coating is also available in powder form for use on plastic surfaces.
KENIFINE is currently being used in the food product, food preparation
and healthcare fields.
Non-copper-coated solid welding wire (SE wire)
Conventional solid
welding wires used to be copper-coated for smooth feeding. "SE
Wire," a non-copper-coated welding wire developed Kobe Steel,
has the same quality of wire feeding as conventional welding wires
and superior arc stability, due to a newly developed surface treatment
technology. As copper-coating treatment has been eliminated in the
production process, the environmental burden is reduced, thus improving
the welding work environment.
SE Wire has won numerous awards including a prize from the Japan Welding
Society.
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