Materials || KOBE STEEL, LTD.

At the Kobe Steel Group, we have established a wide range of comprehensive capabilities over the course of many years as a materials producer, in areas such as cutting-edge technology, manufacturing, processing and product development. We make the most of those capabilities to provide original “Only One” products – including steel products, welding materials and aluminum components – that help make the manufacturing process more environmentally friendly.

Superior Drawability (SD) Wire Rod for Steel Cords Eliminates Intermediate Heat Treatment

Steel cord is a type of extra-fine wire that is used toreinforce tires on vehicles. It is manufactured by drawing 5.5mm high-carbon steel wire rod to a diameter of approximately 0.2mm. The market for steel materials has grown considerably in recent years, as extra-fine steel wire has also started to be used as saw wire when cutting silicon wafers for use in solar cells.

Ordinarily, this type of steel wire is subjected to intermediate heat treatment partway through the manufacturing process, in order to restore levels of ductility lost during drawing. At Kobe Steel however, we have developed Superior Drawability (SD) wire rod that uses advanced production technology to substantially improve the drawability of rolled steel, enabling our customers to eliminate intermediate heat treatment. In addition to reducing the environmental impact, SD wire rod is a hit with our customers because it also helps to increase the lifespan of the drawing dies.

Cross section of a tire

Environmentally Friendly Welding Consumables for Structures

We were one of the first to successfully commercialize covered welding electrodes to reduce the impact of welding fumes. We have also commercialized new low-fume, low-spatter flux-cored welding wires, which have come into widespread use in the shipbuilding and other industries. and non-copper-plated solid wires. In addition to reducing the environmental impact by eliminating the need for copper plating in the wire manufacturing process, this also minimizes damage caused by welding fumes.

A selection of Kobe Steel Group welding materials

Aluminum Products Reduce Weight of Lithium-ion Batteries for Next-generation Vehicles

Kobe Steel is contributing to the development of lightweight next-generation vehicles, including hybrid and electric vehicles, to make them more environmentally friendly. In addition to aluminum alloy panels, which are highly effective in terms of reducing weight, we are also developing cases and foil for long-life lithium ion batteries. Using aluminum for battery components such as these will help pave the way for the development of more lightweight next-generation vehicles.

Structure of a lithium-ion battery

New Analytical Techniques in Design of Suspension Arms Lighten Vehicles

Forged aluminum parts have become the focus of much attention in recent years due to the fact that they are 35-40% lighter than steel castings. The suspension system is one area in which lightweight technology is particularly necessary, given that reducing the weight of parts helps to increase fuel efficiency and improve handling stability.

In an effort to reduce the weight of our forged aluminum suspension parts even further, we have developed new analytical technologies that have enabled us to decrease the weight of our parts by around 15%.

Orders for forged aluminum parts are on the increase, particularly in the Chinese market.

Changing the shape of parts to make them lighter