Alloyed steels are steel alloys that contain iron and carbon as well as other alloying elements. These elements, such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium or silicon, are added to improve certain properties of the steel.

Alloyed steels are characterized by the following properties:

1. Increased strength : Through the targeted addition of alloying elements, the tensile strength and hardness of the steel can be increased.

2. Corrosion resistance : Alloys such as anoxidizable steel, for example, contain a higher amount of chromium, resulting in improved resistance to rust and corrosion.

3. Heat resistance : Some alloy steels are suitable for use at high temperatures while maintaining their strength and structure.

4. Impact and shock resistance : Alloy steels can be designed to be more resistant to mechanical stress and impacts.

Examples of alloy steels include tool steels, stainless steel and high-alloy steels. These materials are used in various industrial and technical areas, such as mechanical engineering, the automotive industry and aerospace engineering.

High-strength steel (HSS) and advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) are special types of steel designed to provide high strength at a relatively low weight. Here are brief descriptions of both types of steel:

High-strength steel (HSS)

- Definition : High-strength steel is a group of steels that have higher tensile strength and hardness than conventional steels. They are often used in structures that require high resilience.

- Properties : They are characterized by good shaping properties, weldability and corrosion resistance. HSS is often used in the construction industry, automobile manufacturing and other technical applications.

- Applications : Commonly used in beams, vehicle frames, bridges and other structural applications.

Advanced High-Strength Steel (AHSS)

- Definition : AHSS is an advanced form of high-strength steel that incorporates additional alloying elements and special microstructures to achieve even greater strength and ductility.

- Properties : AHSS offers a combination of high strength, good formability and impact resistance. These steels can allow complex geometries, which are crucial for weight savings and the rigidity of components.

- Applications : Particularly important in automotive manufacturing for body parts where weight saving and safety are of great importance. They improve the crash properties of the vehicles.

Both types of steel are critical to modern design and manufacturing technologies because they increase the performance of products while reducing weight.

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron that contains at least 10.5% chromium, giving it high corrosion resistance. The specific composition may also include other alloying elements such as nickel, molybdenum, titanium and vanadium, which vary depending on the desired properties.

Properties of stainless steel:

1. Corrosion resistance : The high chromium content forms a protective oxide layer that protects the material from rust and other chemical influences.

2. Hygienic properties : Stainless steel is easy to clean and hygienic, which is why it is often used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

3. Strength and durability : Stainless steel offers high strength and good mechanical properties, even at high temperatures.

4. Aesthetics : Stainless steel has an attractive, shiny surface that is used for decorative applications in architecture and design.

Areas of application:

- Construction and architecture : facades, railings, and furniture.

- Kitchen and household appliances : pots, pans, sinks and appliances.

- Medical technology and pharmaceutical industry : Instruments, equipment and systems that place the highest demands on hygiene and corrosion resistance.

- Automotive industry : components that require corrosion protection.

The versatility and durability of stainless steel make it a popular material in numerous industries.

Coated steels are steels that are provided with an additional layer or coating to improve their properties, particularly in terms of corrosion protection, wear resistance and aesthetic appearance. These coatings can consist of various materials, such as: B. paints, powders, metallic coatings or plastic films.

Key features:

1. Anti-corrosion : Coatings help protect the underlying metal from oxidation and other environmental influences, which can significantly extend the life of materials.

2. Improved appearance : High-quality coatings can improve the appearance of steel products, which is important in many applications such as architecture or automotive manufacturing.

3. Easy to clean : Many coatings are designed to make cleaning easier by minimizing the adhesion of dirt and chemicals.

4. Increased wear resistance : Some coatings are specifically designed to increase abrasion resistance, which is beneficial in applications with high mechanical wear.

Areas of application:

- Construction industry : railings, roofing materials and facades.

- Automotive industry : body parts to prevent corrosion and improve design.

- Household appliances : Devices that require an aesthetically pleasing and robust surface.

- Electrical equipment : housings and components that require additional protection.

The use of coated steel is widespread in numerous industries as it provides a cost-effective solution to increase the durability and performance of steel products.

Tool steels are special steels used for the production of tools and machine components. They are characterized by high strength, toughness, wear resistance and heat resistance. Tool steels are divided into several categories including:

1. Cold work steel : Used for tools that work at room temperature, such as: B. punching or cutting. It is high-strength and wear-resistant.

2. Hot work steel : Designed for applications that involve high temperatures such as: B. in molds for die casting.

3. High-speed steel : Special alloys used for the manufacture of high-speed cutting tools. They retain their hardness even at high temperatures.

4. Steel for molding tools : Used for injection molding and die-casting molds and must have high strength and toughness.

Tool steels often contain alloying elements such as chromium, molybdenum, vanadium or tungsten to improve certain properties. They are crucial for the manufacturing industry as they ensure the functionality and longevity of tools and machines.

Electrophoretic dip painting, also known as KTL (cathodic dip painting) or E-coating, is a coating process that is primarily used in the automotive industry and in the production of metal parts. An electrically conductive paint is used in an immersion bath that is connected to a direct current source.

The procedure works like this:

1. Preparation : The parts are cleaned and degreased to ensure optimal adhesion of the coating.

2. Diving : The metal parts to be coated are immersed in a bath with the water-diluted paint dispersion. The paint contains electrically charged particles.

3. Electrophoresis : By applying an electrical voltage, the charged paint particles migrate to the opposite electrode, where they deposit on the surface of the workpiece. The workpiece is usually used as a cathode.

4. Curing : After coating, parts are removed from the dip and heated in an oven, causing the paint to cure and form a long-lasting, corrosion-resistant protective layer.

This method is characterized by an even and homogeneous coating even in hard-to-reach areas and provides excellent corrosion protection. It is more environmentally friendly than many traditional painting processes because fewer solvents are used in the process.

Powder coating is a process for surface finishing of metal that offers both protection and an attractive appearance. A fine powder made of plastic or epoxy resin is applied to the surface of the metal. This process takes place in several steps:

1. Cleaning : The metal is thoroughly cleaned to remove dirt, oil and rust. This can be done using chemical cleaners or mechanical methods.

2. Pretreatment : The metal can be additionally subjected to chemical treatment to improve the adhesion of the powder and provide corrosion protection.

3. Powder application : The powder is applied electrostatically to the metal. A high voltage causes the powder to be negatively charged while the metal is positively charged, resulting in good adhesion of the powder.

4. Agreement : After applying the powder, the workpiece is placed in an oven where the powder melts at high temperatures (approx. 160-200 ° C) and liquefies to form a uniform, hard and resistant coating.

5. Cooling : After heating, the workpiece is cooled, which hardens the powder coating and creates a durable, scratch-resistant surface.

The advantage of powder coating is its durability, environmental friendliness (no solvents) and the ability to achieve a variety of colors and surface textures.

Phosphating is an electrochemical process for the surface treatment of metals, especially steel and iron. This process involves applying a thin, protective layer of phosphate to the metal surface. This is usually done by immersing the metal in a solution that contains phosphates.

The main goals of phosphating are:

1. Anti-corrosion : The phosphate layer provides some protection against rust and corrosion.

2. Adhesion promoter : The rough surface of the phosphate layer improves the adhesion of subsequent coatings, such as paints or varnishes.

3. Friction Reduction : In certain applications, phosphating can reduce friction between moving parts.

The process was primarily used in the automotive and mechanical engineering industries and is known for its cost-effective and environmentally friendly application.

Chromating and passivating are chemical processes that are often used for anti-corrosion treatment of metals, especially aluminum and other light metals.

Chromating : This is a process in which a protective layer of chromate is applied to the surface of a metal. Treatment often involves chromic acid solutions. This layer has good adhesion and can both increase corrosion resistance and improve the adhesion of paints and coatings. Chromated surfaces are often identified by a characteristic yellowish-green color, indicating the presence of chromates.

Passivation : This process refers to the creation of a thin, protective oxide layer on the metal surface that slows corrosion. For example, passivating stainless steel typically uses an acidic solution to strengthen the natural oxide layer and remove unwanted inclusions. The resulting passivation layer is usually very stable and protects the metal from environmental influences.

Both processes are used to improve the corrosion resistance and longevity of metal surfaces, but are used with different chemical treatments and for different applications.

Hard chrome plating is a surface treatment process in which a thin layer of chrome is applied to metal components. This process is usually carried out by electrolytic deposition, in which a current is passed through a chromium electrolyte solution. The resulting chrome layer is very hard and has excellent properties such as high corrosion resistance, wear resistance and reduced friction.

Hard chrome-plated components are used in industries such as mechanical engineering, automotive and tool making, where they extend the life of components and improve their performance. The process can also be used to reconstruct and repair worn parts.

Anodizing is an electrochemical process often used for surface finishing of metals, especially aluminum. This creates an oxide-like protective layer on the metal surface, which is reinforced by anodization.

The process typically takes place in several steps:

1. Pretreatment : The metal surface is cleaned to remove dirt, grease and oxidation.

2. Anodization : The metal is immersed in an electrolyte bath as an anode and exposed to an electric current. This causes the formation of a thick, stable oxide layer on the surface of the metal.

3. Coloring (optional) : During or after anodizing, the oxide layer can be colored to achieve aesthetic or functional properties.

4. Sealing : Finally, the oxide layer is often sealed to increase corrosion resistance and close the pores of the layer.

Anodizing not only improves the metal's corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance, but also allows for a variety of decorative surface treatments.

Nitriding is a thermochemical process in which nitrogen is introduced into the surface of a material, usually steel, to increase its hardness and wear resistance. This process usually occurs at temperatures between 500 °C and 600 °C and can take place in various atmospheres, such as: B. in gaseous nitrogen sources or salts.

Nitriding creates a hard nitriding zone, which improves the mechanical properties of the material. At the same time, the core of the workpiece remains relatively tough, ensuring a good combination of hardness and impact resistance. Nitriding is often used in the automotive industry, mechanical engineering and tool manufacturing.

The carbon diffusion process, also known as carburizing or carbonitriding, is a thermochemical process used to surface harden steel. In this process, the carbon is diffused into the surface of the workpiece to increase hardness and wear resistance.

Carburizing : This process involves heating the workpiece in a carbon-containing environment (e.g. carbon gas or solid carbon sources such as cementite), typically to temperatures between 800 °C and 1000 °C. The carbon diffuses into the surface of the steel, creating a hard, carbon-rich layer that improves the material's properties.

Carbonitriding : This variant adds additional nitrogen to the process to increase hardness and corrosion resistance. Instead of just being treated in carbon-containing environments, the workpiece is heated in a mixture of carbon and nitrogen gases. This creates a particularly hard and resistant surface layer.

Overall, these processes are widely used in the automotive industry and other applications where high strength and abrasion resistance are required.