SCS UPDATE - November 2005

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Tube producers have been eager to get their hands on SCS in coil form. Why? This clean, dry, rust-inhibitive alternative to P&O or hot-rolled black could potentially solve a number of problems that routinely hamper tube production or result in poor product.

With the SCS Coil Line now in operation, tube producers are performing SCS production trials and product testing. A leading tube/pipe producer generously agreed to share results of their initial trials in this UPDATE. However, we won't reveal their name and risk diminishing their competitive "head start" with SCS.

SCS Tube Production Trials
Off to an Impressive Start

SCS Performance Update

Meet Servosteel - New SCS
Licensee From the UK

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This company's biggest problem was rust claims - not unusual given they were producing their tubing from hot-rolled black material. They learned of SCS, obtained samples, and set the samples outside "in the elements" for several weeks. When they saw no rust on the samples, they were ecstatic.

"I had to actually convince them SCS would eventually rust, even though their samples fared so well setting outdoors," explained TMW President Kevin Voges. With this understanding, the tube producer sent a coil of 11 gauge hot-rolled black to TMW for
SCS treatment.

During processing of the coil at TMW,

These sections are cut from 4 inch structural tubing produced from SCS coils. The very smooth, clean surface makes them both 'ready-to-weld' and 'ready- to-paint' as they come off the tube mill.	the tube producer representative was pleased to see benefits of SCS "coil conditioning" where light-to- medium coil breaks and surface rust
	were both completely removed!

The tube producer representative also saw how the SCS Coil Line removed edge wave in the coil. He pointed out that shape problems like edge wave can result in tube production problems, so their elimination is a big benefit. When the SCS coil arrived back at the tube producer's plant, they slit the coil and began running it on their tube mill. "Not only was the SCS very clean, but also very flat going into the mill," observed the plant manager.

Coming out of the mill, the quality of the SCS tubes was impressive -- excellent shape, a very smooth surface and no microcracking on the outside of the four corner bends. To test the rust-inhibitive qualities of the SCS tubes, samples were again exposed to the elements for a month. Again, no rust developed. The plant manager concluded, "These SCS tubes are ready to weld into structures, right off the mill. What's more, they will dramatically reduce rust claims which are our biggest quality headache."

He sees tube mill changes that should be made to
fully leverage SCS. One is to move from using an oil-based to water-based coolant in the tube mill. This
will remove any oil from the SCS tubing that keeps it
from being 'ready-to-paint' right off the mill. Also, the coolant will have to be filtered better so traces of scale and mill dirt aren't deposited on the otherwise very
clean SCS surface.

While the SCS performance as a tubing material has been impressive, another phase of SCS tubing trials
will be conducted after the coolant system changes
are complete. "Line speed is often limited by the seam
welding process," stated the tube producer's plant manager. "We're hopeful the cleanliness of the SCS surface will improve 'weldability', giving us an overall production speed increase."

He concluded," SCS has already shown its ability to reduce our big quality concern - rust - and allow us to deliver a better product that is 'immediately usable'.
Any increase in production speed we experience with
SCS would just be 'icing on the cake."

SCS Performance Update

Turning Garbage Into Gold

    Last issue, we told you how the SCS Coil Line
    was removing not just rust, but shape problems
    from coils of hot roll. You won't believe how well
    it can reconstitute bad coils until you see the
    one we captured on video. Watch it now !

Faster Laser Cutting With SCS

    The July issue documented our first experience
    with faster laser cutting using SCS. We recently
    performed more tests at Bystronic's Laser Lab.
    This confirmed faster laser cutting with SCS and
    resulted in revisions to the Recommendations
    for Lasering SCS. See the Test Results Here.

New Salt Spray Creep Test Results

    Salt spray tests were conducted on hot rolled
    from various mills that was SCS'd with either the
    'bristle' or the 'ScotchBrite' style of brush. The
    goal was to see if certain brush styles and steel
    from different mills resulted in any difference in
    corrosion resistance. See Test Results Here.

SERVOSTEEL Executive Team (left to right)

      Phillip Guest
      Roger Ree
      Jim Spencer
      Martin Skidmore
      Mark Anderson

Servosteel is a toll processor offering slitting, leveling and pickling services. This "one stop shop" is known for superb service and quality, detailed material traceability, and fast response.

Servosteel
Pensnett Road, Dudley,
West Midlands, DY1 2HA
United Kingdom
Tel: (44) 01384 471371
info@servosteel.co.uk

Earlier this year, when a client brought samples of SCS to Jim Spencer, Managing Director of Servosteel, one could understand if he didn't drop everything else to investigate this curious 'new steel'. After all, Jim and his team had just finished consolidating two Servosteel operations into one location, and were planning the integration of a pending acquisition, Ascot Processing Ltd., into the Servosteel family. There was no shortage of tasks to be done.

But Spencer's strategic instincts told him SCS was worth investigating. After some 'fact-finding' discussions with TMW, Spencer and his team traveled to Red Bud, Illinois to see the SCS process firsthand. They realized that if the claims of SCS advantages proved true, becoming an SCS producer would give Servosteel a unique opportunity to grow into new markets in both the UK and continental Europe.

"The SCS cleanliness and smooth finish were obvious attractions," recalled Roger Ree, Operations Manager. "The claims of long shelf life were what we needed to validate. We left samples in our pickling bay for several months and they showed no signs of deterioration at all. That would never happen with ordinary hot-rolled."

Martin Skidmore, Servosteel's Engineering Manager observed, "We process coils up to 66,000 pounds and 78" wide of hot-rolled up to 0.60 inch thick. We are the only toll processor in the UK that can slit, level and pickle, all under one roof. The opportunity to bring SCS coil processing into this mix presented an excellent fit that could complement what we already do and extend our capabilities at the same time."

Last month, Servosteel seized that opportunity by ordering an SCS Coil Line with specifications matched to the line now operating at TMW. In doing so, they will become the first European producer of SCS coils.
"We supply tube producers, roll formers and construction markets," explained Mark Anderson, Servosteel Finance Director. "These customers will love the cost savings they get when forming, painting and welding SCS. We hope that, as an alternative to pickling, SCS may help us solve some thorny environmental issues and natural gas pricing issues."

Servosteel's Commercial Manager, Phillip Guest concluded,"But in the end, we believe the biggest reward from committing to SCS production will be new customers. That's the cornerstone of the growth agenda that Jim and the whole team are working hard to achieve."