November 2023 Volume 5

MATERIALS

Soaring SBQ Steel Demand The worldwide market for SBQ steel is growing. In 2022, the global SBQ steel market boasted a valuation of $11.2 billion, and experts anticipate it to surge to approximately $15.3 billion by 2030, attributable to the widespread adoption of clean steel in diverse manufacturing processes including hot and cold forging, cold drawing, and machining facilities. SBQ steel's prevalence in both heavy-duty and light truck production is also fueling commercial sector growth, while the popularity of electric vehicles has piqued interest among OEMs in its lightweighting potential.1 The market’s future trajectory will be shaped by SBQ steel’s continued successful penetration into other industries including agriculture, power generation and transportation. From parts for loaders to ploughs, in valve and turbine forgings, and where diesel connecting rods are found, SBQ steels keep industry moving. This diversification presents exciting opportunities for those involved, as it implies a sustained demand for premium steel products across various sectors, leading to new forging applications.

From Ore to Excellence

On the opposite end of the scale, forgers of large parts also benefit from a thorough understanding of SBQ steel. Heavy-duty machines, such as mining trucks, rely on clean steel components to operate in unforgiving terrains. The forged steel spindle, for example, is a crucial workhorse that bears the weight and precision steering of these mammoth movers. Where spindles must withstand relentless shock and vibration, OEMs rely on their component suppliers—and their SBQ steel partners—to identify the right grades and the right processes to get the job done. Specialized SBQ steel manufacturing processes, like vertical casting, offer the efficiency of continuous casting with cleanness levels rivaling that of more traditional bottom-poured ingots. For example, TimkenSteel’s jumbo bloom vertical caster offers forgers optimal flexibility with sections of SBQ steel measuring up to 18 inches by 24 inches, which are later rolled into bars and tubes from 1 inch to 16 inches. Vertical casting provides uniform steel with better inclusion distribution, and the addition of in-line processes can offer superior surface quality and enhanced center soundness. In this quest, TimkenSteel’s 3,300-ton forge press works in tandem with rolling processes to produce bars with guaranteed sound centers and precise foot-weight and size tolerance control. Achieving excellence in manufacturing processes leads to superior SBQ steels, which, in turn, empowers forgers to deliver heightened value to their component suppliers seeking these advantages. Forging the Future The journey doesn't stop here as SBQ steelmakers are not content with the status quo. They also strive to broaden their sophistication in custom thermal-treat offerings to meet new strength and hardness requirements, empowering forgers with a full breadth of steel grades and processing options. As industries evolve, the bar is consistently raised for forged steel components. Forgers who work closely with component suppliers and SBQ steelmakers to leverage advanced materials science and manufacturing methods gain a competitive edge when engaging with their customers. For challenges large and small, the SBQ steel sector stands ready to meet the dynamic requirements of modern manufacturing.

OEMs are turning to forging experts to spearhead the development of tailor-made SBQ steel solutions. Forgers who establish close associations with their suppliers gain valuable insights into steel performance and its influencing factors, enabling them to offer guidance to their clientele in choosing the ideal grade for enhancing a forged product's quality.

As a leading SBQ steel supplier, TimkenSteel’s manufacturing processes integrate melting, rolling, piercing and finishing operations to offer forgers complete, cost-effective solutions. Contact the engineering team to learn more about TimkenSteel’s unique processes and offerings or to discuss your specific application and supply chain needs.

FIA MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER 2023 28