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Spring steel in life

Springs are the most commonly used parts in the machine industry and everyday life. For many people, springs should have been used. It is common that the ballpoint pens we use are equipped with springs. The springs that can be seen everywhere in our daily life belong to spring steel. Small ones can be used as parts. Large ones can be used as exercise equipment for exercising. Springs are a kind of parts that use elasticity to work. They are generally made of spring steel. Made of raw materials. This kind of spare parts is not only often visible in our daily life, but also used in many mechanical equipment. Because springs are widely used, there are many market demands.spring steel

We often use springs in our lives, such as springs in automatic ballpoint pens, springs in tensioners, springs in sofas, etc. Therefore, spring steel exists in all aspects of our lives. From small mobile phones, clocks, computers, large ships, and airplanes, the components are inseparable from springs. Springs are important for machinery and equipment.
In addition, when you are in the gym, the gym equipment is more comprehensive. Many fitness equipment we often use, such as treadmills, dumbbells, exercise bikes, etc., all of which require steel. This professional equipment generally needs to be used. Steel. High-quality steel equipment is more conducive to our effective fitness and fat reduction, you can choose the fitness equipment that suits you according to your fitness goals.

 

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Steel in kitchen-ASTM 8620 Tool Steel

In our kitchen, many kitchen utensils use steel material, when you use your knife to cut vegetables and fruits and prepare for dinner. Do you ever think that the knife in your hand is also made of steel? When you eat with your knife and fork or wash your hand with the tap, the knife, fork, and tap are made of steel.

I have a lot of friends who like to cook, and the friends who cook often should be able to feel the same. The difference in steel hardness is also crucial for cutting vegetables! They all said that a good kitchen knife will make the cooking process more convenient and interesting.

With a variety of steel accessories and designs to choose from, these kitchens tools offer more convenience for us in our daily life, that makes your cooking experience fun and enjoy it.8620 tool steel

ASTM 8620 Tool Steel is a high cobalt high-speed steel. And High-Speed Steel toughness and is mainly used for high toughness precision wear-resistant metal cold die. Moreover, it also can be used for the cutting tool and the knife in the cooling.

So, when you choose to choose kitchen utensils, you can pay more attention to the material of the steel they use. You can compare and choose according to your needs.

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Transportation and steel-ASTM 1020 mild steel

Transportation and steel-ASTM 1020 mild steel

When you are sitting on a crowded bus or subway every day, when you are on a high-speed train or plane for your holiday, comfortable and safe travel tools are inseparable from high-quality steel materials.

Transportation and steel-ASTM 1020 mild steelIn our daily lives, steel products have become a safety guarantee. Everyday transportation, common cars, buses, subways, high-speed trains, and airplanes all pay attention to the strength of steel. It is because of this high-strength steel that we can travel with peace of mind. 1045 steel and ASTM 1020 mild steel is suitable for making cars, tractors and general machinery small and medium-sized carburizing and carbonitriding and other parts, such as car hand brake shoe, fork lever shaft, transmission speed, transmission driven gear and the tractor on the camshaft, hanging equalizer axle, equalizer, inner and outer bushing, etc.;

In fact, in our daily life, Not only in daily transportation but also kitchen,gym or everywhere,as long as you are good at observing and thinking, you will find that steel plays an increasingly important role in our daily lives.

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Global short-term steel demand forecast for 2019

Steel demand in advanced economies will grow moderately

Among advanced economies, steel demand growth is expected to be 1.0 percent in 2018 and 1.2 percent in 2019. While growth in steel use in us construction sector slowed, demand for the metal grew strongly in 2017, helped by tax and regulatory reforms and strong consumer spending and corporate investment supported by fiscal stimulus.Us steel demand growth is forecast to slow in 2019 as the steel markets for car manufacturing and construction level off. However, with the good performance of the machinery market, is expected to boost manufacturing steel demand.
The eu is mainly driven by the domestic market, with the exception of the auto market where demand is likely to fall, but steel demand will continue to expand but at a slower pace due to a surge in business confidence and a recovery in investment and construction markets. While the fundamentals of the eu economy remain relatively healthy, steel demand is expected to slow in 2019 compared with 2017-18, partly due to uncertainty from global trade
tensions.
Steel demand in Japan is expected to grow steadily thanks to policy support on investment (record corporate profits, continued monetary easing, demand for venues for the Tokyo Olympics and a growing need for labor-saving investment). South Korea’s steel demand is set to shrink further in 2018, making it difficult to sustain all its major steel industries. Only a modest recovery is expected in 2019.

Demand for steel in developing countries continues to recover, but there are challenges

Indian steel demand is expected to return to a higher growth trajectory as the economy recovers from the twin shocks of demonetization and the introduction of the goods and services tax (GST). Steel demand is being driven by a combination of improved investment and infrastructure. But government finances and corporate debt weigh on the outlook.
Growth in steel demand in the asean region slowed in 2017 and 2018 due to slow construction activity and inventory adjustment but is expected to regain momentum in 2019 and beyond, supported by infrastructure projects. Much of the risk has to do with rising trade tensions, currency volatility, and political instability. Demand for steel in developing Asia excluding China is expected to grow 5.9 percent in 2018 and 6.8 percent in 2019.
In other emerging and developing economies, recovery has been slow as uncertainty about the domestic and international environment has increased.The main reasons include structural reforms in the economy, the high fragility of financial markets and possible monetary pressures from global economic tensions.

The outlook for steel in the construction and automotive industries is mixed in many countries

In advanced economies, steel demand in the construction sector is likely to slow after the strong recovery of 2017-18 is over due to a high base and rising interest rates. On the other hand, construction activity will continue to grow in most developing economies, particularly in India, asean and the Middle East and North Africa. Yet Brazil’s construction industry has yet to recover from a severe crisis.

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Welcome Indian customers to visit Otai special steel

With the rapid development of the company, Otai special steel is also expanding the international market and attracting the attention of many foreign customers. Recently, Indian customers visit Otai special steel to further understand the strength of our company and conduct on-the-spot investigations on the company. The two sides had a friendly conversation.

Indian customers visit Otai special steel
In this foreign customer visit, foreign customers further understand the strength of our company. The salesperson of the company warmly received the customers and had a detailed conversation with the customers on the steel materials. The customers were very satisfied with our product quality and service attitude. After the visit, the customer had a deeper understanding of the company. In the subsequent conversation, the two sides reached a further consensus on a number of cooperation intentions.
The visit of foreign customers has strengthened the communication between our company and foreign customers. At the same time, we welcome all users and industry peers to exchange and cooperate, on-site inspection, visit and negotiation; we supply kind of tool steel included high-speed steel,carbon steel and so on,we will be happy to provide you with high-quality steel material solutions.

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Circular economy – What does this mean for the steel industries?

If the building beams of existing buildings can be reused in new construction projects, this will reduce the need for newly produced steel beams. In order to achieve more widespread reuse practices, “circular design” will be required to reuse building materials and support logistics systems. This is a trend that the avant-garde construction industry has begun to pay attention to.

Although steel is considered to be one of the most cyclical materials, especially due to its infinitely recyclable nature, the wider implementation of circular economy principles (such as reduction, reuse and remanufacturing) will have a profound impact on China.

So,How does the steel industry form a circular economy?

Measures for the formation of circular economy in the steel industry:

1. Energy conservation and emission reduction, initiate green transformation, and formulate scientific production processes

The iron and steel industry is a typical energy and resource-consuming industry, and is often the source of pollution from waste gas, waste water, waste residue and waste acid. The concept of production in traditional industries is to maximize the exploitation and utilization of natural resources, create social wealth, and obtain economic benefits. The development concept of modern industry is to adhere to scientific development, energy conservation, emission reduction, cost reduction, efficiency increase, and achieve circular economy and sustainable development. In a sense, the competition between the steel industry is not only the competition for technological innovation, but also the competition for improving the efficiency of resource and energy use.

Reduction, reducing material and energy flows into the production process. Standardization, in the design of process equipment, try to adopt standard design. Cleanliness, in the production process, to minimize adverse effects on human health and the environment.

2. Actively adjust the layout of the steel industry and optimize the structure of steel varieties

Optimizing the structure of steel products, expanding the production capacity of domestic tight products, developing high-end sheet and strip and high-efficiency steel, and eliminating outdated processes and products are the top priorities for the adjustment of product structure in the steel industry. Carry out the necessary industrial restructuring, implement a strong joint effort to jointly create a rational layout of the steel industry, optimize the integration of resources and reduce unnecessary waste.

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The downstream market of steel industry- steel is indispensable in our modern life

Countries all over the world are seeking to improve people’s living standards and get rid of poverty. The increase in steel demand is inevitable. While addressing the needs and challenges of today’s economic environment, the steel industry is also looking at the challenges that will emerge in the near future. We will need materials that are stronger and meet higher environmental standards.

downstream market of steel industry

With the continuous development of new generation steel, manufacturers and construction can be designed to be durable and lightweight. In addition, steel can be recycled indefinitely without losing strength, durability, or any other characteristic property.

The key to steel is that no other material can be as steel, with the same unique strength, forgeability and multifaceted nature.

Today’s society has relied on steel – although we may not know it yet. The challenges of humanity’s future success in addressing climate change, poverty, population growth, water allocation, and low-carbon social energy constraints also depend on steel applications.

Steel plays a vital role in almost every stage of our lives. Steel is used in railways, roads and vehicles in our transportation system. Steel provides high-strength frames and connectors for the buildings we work, study and live. Steel protects and supplies us with water and food. Steel is a fundamental component of energy generation and transmission technology. The downstream market of steel industry include below:

Construction industry and infrastructure
Half of the world’s steel is flowing into the construction and infrastructure sectors. The population will increase by 2.7 billion in 2050, and the urbanization process will accelerate. Steel demand for construction and infrastructure will continue to grow globally over the next few years. Steel companies around the world continue to offer new construction steel solutions for building energy-efficient and carbon-neutral buildings that must be efficient and recyclable materials.

Transportation industry
Mobility is at the heart of our modern lifestyle. In response to the continuous development of economic globalization, efficient transportation of goods has become the key to solving problems. In the past 30 years, the volume of freight has almost doubled. More than 15% of the world’s steel production is used to meet the transportation needs of society. Steel is also indispensable in other related infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, ports, stations, airports, etc.

Automotive industry
Nowadays, almost every new car design uses advanced high-strength steel. Compared to conventional steels, the use of new grades of advanced high-strength steel allows automakers to reduce body weight by 25-39%. Taking a typical family car with five people as an example, the overall weight of the car is reduced by 170-270 kilograms, which is equivalent to saving 3-4.5 tons of greenhouse gases throughout the life cycle. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions exceed the total amount of carbon dioxide emitted by all automotive steel during production.

Use of steel in the energy production and distribution industry
Energy is indispensable for social development, and steel plays a key role in supplying energy to the world. Whether it is fossil fuels, nuclear technology energy, or renewable energy, steel is essential in the production and distribution of energy. In addition, steel also plays an important role in improving energy efficiency.

Food and water industry
We need steel to grow, store and deliver our food. We also need steel to collect, store, purify and distribute water. The annual production of canned food is nearly 200 billion cans. Compared to other food preservation methods, steel cans save energy because they do not require refrigeration and freezing. Steel tanks can be recycled 100% and the global average recycling rate is 68%. In addition, by improving the design and the canning process, the re-utilization and weight reduction of the steel can can be further improved.

Tool and machinery manufacturing
Even if it is not a steel product, it may be produced by steel machinery. Steel is everywhere in our lives: your cars, cell phones, refrigerators – even plastic and glass bottles in the refrigerator – all made of steel or made using steel tools. Plastic automotive parts, glass cups and computer bases are made of steel molds. Steel is indispensable in our modern life.

Otai Special Steel is a supplier of kinds of Steel included hot work tool steel, high speed tool steel and more. We are looking forward to cooperating with you.

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Tata and ThyssenKrupp steel merger faces EU probe

Brussels will open an in-depth investigation into the planned merger of Tata Steel and ThyssenKrupp, saying it could cut competition.

The European Commission said it was concerned that customers would face higher prices and fewer suppliers if the merger was allowed to go ahead.

The deal includes the UK’s biggest steelworks, at Port Talbot in Wales, and has been welcomed by unions.

It would create Europe’s second-biggest steelmaker after ArcelorMittal.

The Commission said it was concerned that combining Tata and ThyssenKrupp’s European carbon steel and electrical steel businesses could result in market dominance.

“Steel is a crucial input for many of the goods we use in our everyday life, and competitive steel prices are vital for the European economy,” said Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.

A Thyssenkrupp spokesperson said an in-depth probe was to be expected given the size of the deal and that it would continue to work closely with the Commission.

 

Some asset sales may be needed to win approval for the merger.

Although Moody’s said the combined venture would account for just 14% of European crude steel production, far behind ArcelorMittal’s 29%, another industry expert said it would have about half the packaging steel, or tinplate, market.

The merged firm would be called Thyssenkrupp Tata Steel and be based in the Netherlands.

It would have annual revenues of about €15bn (£13bn) and 48,000 employees across 34 sites, producing about 21 million tonnes of steel a year.

Brussels now has 90 working days, until 19 March, to reach a decision.

Tata employs almost 7,000 people in Wales, including more than 4,000 in Port Talbot.

When the proposed deal was announced in June, Roy Rickhuss, of steelworkers’ union Community, said measures including a commitment to avoid compulsory redundancies until October 2026 meant it “had the potential to safeguard jobs and steelmaking for a generation”.

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AK Steel: Run For The Hills

Summary

AK Steel reported strong EPS and sales growth. The problem is that both numbers came in below expectations.

Q4 is expected to see flat shipments growth and lower selling prices.

I remain on the sidelines as I expect the pressure on the company to rise even further.

AK Steel (AKS) did it again. The company reported rising sales, net income and stronger shipments. This is everything I had hoped for. However, this time the problem is that these numbers came in way below estimates. It was not even close. Moreover, it seems that the company’s expectations of a strong economy are not being bought. Traders caused an ugly after-earnings sell-off which I think should be avoided at all costs. There is no value here. At least not yet.

 

Earnings And Sales Miss

First and foremost, AK Steel reported the strongest adjusted third quarter earnings since Q3 of 2016. Third quarter EPS came in at $0.21 which is significantly higher than the adjusted EPS of $0.02 in Q3 of 2017. Personally, I am a bit disappointed that EPS is still below $0.30. I had hoped that AKS would have been able to push EPS up above 2016 levels after being in an economic/commodity upswing since Q1 of 2016. It also seems that the trend is losing some momentum.

Sales came in at $1,735 million which is a 16% increase compared to Q3 of 2017. 16% is not that bad at all. The problem is that expectations were at $1,821 million, which means the company had one of the worst sales misses in years.

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The Steel Industry Gets What It Wants on Tariffs

U.S. steel producers, which prevailed in their push for the Trump administration to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum, have also proved equally effective—and far more effective than many other industries—at avoiding tariffs they don’t want.

Steel producers petitioned the U.S. Trade Representative in September for relief on 132 tariff lines, primarily for raw materials and chemicals used in the steelmaking process that members of the Steel Manufacturers Association import from China. They were able to get 66, or half, of them removed from the final list.

Overall, the U.S. took nearly 300 tariff lines off the list, meaning about one out of every five removals was backed by the steel industry. A tariff line can refer to a single product but sometimes includes more than one.

Most other major industry groups had a much lower success rate in petitioning for exemptions on the grounds that tariffs would hurt members’ ability to do business, according to a Wall Street Journal review of letters from more than a dozen groups that filed such requests to the USTR. The National Retail Federation and National Restaurant Association were granted less than 5% of their requested exemptions. The National Association of Home Builders got two of its nearly 500 requested exemptions removed from the list.

The greater rate of success seen by the steel industry, which has close ties to the Trump administration, has sparked criticism of preferential treatment.

“This type of process is relatively opaque and inherently prone to favoritism,” said Clark Packard, trade-policy counsel at the free-market think tank R Street Institute, and a former Republican policy adviser. The process of petitioning for relief from tariffs requires hiring international trade lawyers, a group of attorneys that Mr. Packard said is “relatively small and expensive to retain.”

Career staffers at the USTR made all the decisions regarding exclusions, a USTR spokesman said in a written statement. “By far, the sector that received the most exclusions by value was consumer products,” the spokesman said. “We completely reject the notion that favoritism played any role in this process.”

The 27-member Steel Manufacturers Association, whose biggest member is NucorCorp. , said the tariff lines it pushed to remove include products that aren’t available from domestic sources, either because there are no U.S. producers or because domestic producers can’t supply enough of them. Many of the petitions for relief from other industries made similar claims.

 

In March, President Trump pledged to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. Steel-industry executives had championed that effort, saying they needed the tariffs to compete with cheap imports.

The industry continues to support the tariffs and the Trump administration’s trade objectives broadly. But “we wanted to inform the U.S. trade representative about the impact these tariffs would have on certain products that are critical for domestic steelmakers,” said Philip K. Bell, president of the Steel Manufacturers Association. As for the industry’s relative success in lobbying for relief, Mr. Bell said, “It’s really due to our hard work.”

 

More than 6,000 letters were submitted by different trade groups, small-business owners and corporations requesting exemptions from the final list.

 

The National Retail Federation, whose members include Amazon.com Inc. and Walmart Inc.,asked for the removal of 1,100 tariff lines and was granted 48 of its requests, including for high chairs and infant car seats. The Consumer Technology Association, whose members include giants such as International Business Machines Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. , wanted to remove nearly 400 tariff lines; 10 were taken off.

The NRF said in a written statement that the final tariff list unfairly punishes U.S. companies and consumers because it includes a significant number of products made solely or mostly in China, and that it can take months or years for companies to find new suppliers.

The CTA said it was pleased to see the tariff line that includes parts for smartwatches was removed from the list but said retaliatory tariffs are a “bad policy.”

The National Association of Home Builders said the tariffs ultimately will result in a tax increase on housing of $2.5 billion.

The number of tariff lines exempted doesn’t fully reflect an industry’s lobbying success, partly because some lines can account for a much bigger dollar value than others. For instance, the steel industry’s 66 exemptions accounted for about $600 million in Chinese imports last year, out of about $8.3 billion of Chinese imports removed from the list. The total figure excludes the tariff line for smartwatches that Apple Inc. and others succeeded in getting removed from the list.

U.S. Steel Corp. , which isn’t part of the steel trade group, petitioned unsuccessfully for more Chinese imports to be added to the latest tariff list, including tin-mill products. The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker said the exclusion of these products would likely cause “disproportionate harm to other U.S. commercial interests.”

The steel industry’s ties to the Trump administration include Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, who led the process resulting in global steel and aluminum tariffs earlier this year and had long been an investor in steel companies. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer previously spent two decades as a corporate lawyer, often representing the steel industry. A former member of Mr. Lighthizer’s staff, Jean Carroll Kemp, joined the steel trade association in January as a senior vice president.

The Steel Manufacturers Association said it is “not unique in having hired former government officials for their expertise and analysis of trade issues, consistent with post-government employment ethics rules.”

Some trade experts and industry representatives say the system is geared toward companies with the most resources and access to government officials.

“If you have a close relationship then you can make a case,” said Kerry Stackpole, executive director of Plumbing Manufacturers International, which only got four out of 75 tariff lines removed from the list.

Mr. Bell said there was no advantage for his steel-industry group. “We just followed the instructions like everyone else and worked hard to represent our members’ interests,” he said.

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