“Why Swiss Steel Group’s E 40 K Superclean is the key to more efficient manufacturing processes”
Emmenbrücke, Witten, August 2024 – When it comes to choosing the right tool steel, there is often only one criterion in the foreground: the price. But this is exactly where it pays to take a closer look. The special steel Thermodur E 40 K Superclean from the Swiss Steel Group impressively demonstrates that a supposedly more expensive steel can be a significantly better choice from an overall cost perspective. Thanks to its unique properties,E 40 K Superclean not only offers outstanding performance, but also significant advantages in terms of production efficiency and component service life.
Outstanding purity for maximum reliability
Thermodur E 40 K Superclean is a high-purity tool steel with a microstructure designed to meet the special requirements of modern, highly stressed tools. In the production of E 40 K Superclean, the Swiss Steel Group relies on particularly careful control of the alloy components and an optimized melting process. In order to achieve the best degree of purity, this special steel is remelted using the electroslag remelting process (ESR). The resulting steel is characterized by an extremely low proportion of non-metallic inclusions – a feature known in the industry as “superclean”.
Technical advantages at a glance:
High toughness and strength: Thermodur E 40 K Superclean offers an excellent combination of high strength and toughness. The result is significantly increased resistance to mechanical stresses and alternating thermal stresses that often occur in highly dynamic manufacturing processes.
Reduced cracking: Thanks to its extremely clean microstructure, the special steel E 40 K Superclean has a significantly lower tendency to crack and chipping.
Excellent polishability and wear resistance: The exceptional purity of E 40 K Superclean enables excellent polishability, making it ideal for applications that require a precise surface finish. It also offers high wear resistance, which remains constant even under extreme conditions and at high temperatures.
Good thermal conductivity:
The improved thermal conductivity of Thermodur E 40 K Superclean ensures more efficient heat dissipation, resulting in better cycle times and more efficient processes and significantly reducing the risk of thermally induced tool damage.
Total cost of ownership:
More expensive to buy, cheaper to use Engineers and production managers know: Using the right material can make all the difference. The E 40 K Superclean impressively demonstrates that a slightly higher material price pays for itself after a short time through increased efficiency and reduced tool downtime. While cheaper steels often lead to production interruptions, higher maintenance costs and a shorter tool life, the Thermodur E 40 K Superclean scores with long-term stable processes and an outstanding tool life.
The economic advantages in detail:
Reduced maintenance and downtimes:
The E 40 K Superclean reduces the number of maintenance intervals required thanks to its high resistance and resistance to cracking. Less maintenance means more machine uptime and increased overall productivity.
Longer tool life:
Thanks to its superior material properties, Thermodur E 40 K Superclean lasts on average up to 50% longer in critical die casting applications than conventional tool steels. This reduces the need for frequent tool changes and saves costs.
Improved component quality:
The low susceptibility to cracking and the high surface quality achieved by the Superclean effect contribute to improved component quality. This in turn leads to greater customer satisfaction and reduces rejects.
Areas of application:
Developed for demanding applications, Thermodur E 40 K Superclean is used in a wide range of demanding applications in die casting, low pressure die casting, forging, extrusion and plastics processing. It is primarily used where maximum precision and durability are required – for example in the automotive industry, aerospace, plastics processing and mould making.
Typical applications:
Highly stressed tools in the die casting sector that are prone to thermal shock cracks or have a difficult geometric design.
Components that require a high surface quality and wear resistance. Tools for use under extreme conditions, such as high temperatures and dynamic thermal shock loads. Thermodur E 40 K Superclean is also available as Green Steel, allowing users to significantly reduce their CO2 footprint.
Conclusion: Quality pays off Choosing
Thermodur E 40 K Superclean is an investment in the future of your production. Even if the steel is more expensive to purchase, the long-term savings through increased productivity, reduced downtimes and higher component quality clearly outweigh the costs. With the E 40 K Superclean, you can rely on a tool steel that meets the increasing demands of modern manufacturing processes and, thanks to its outstanding properties, proves to be the more cost-effective solution throughout the entire production process.
Further information: https://swisssteel-group.com/en/products/tool-steels
We would also be happy to help you personally:
Anina Berger
Vice President Corporate Marketing and Communications
Steeltec AG
Emmenweidstrasse 90
CH-6020 Emmenbrücke
P: +41 41 581 4121
communications@swisssteelgroup.com
Helmut Freiherr von Fircks
Communications
Steeltec AG
Emmenweidstrasse 90
CH-6020 Emmenbrücke
M +41 79 54 84 895
M +49 172 296 2222
h.freiherrvonfircks@ext.swisssteelgroup.com
Über Swiss Steel Group
Swiss Steel Group mit Hauptsitz in Luzern (Schweiz) gehört zu den weltweit führenden Produzenten von Spezialstahl-Langprodukten. Dank des ausschliesslichen Einsatzes von Stahlschrott in Elektrolichtbogenöfen zählt die Gruppe zu den europaweit relevantesten Unternehmen in der Kreislaufwirtschaft und ist im Bereich nachhaltig produziertem Stahl – Green Steel – unter den Marktführern. Swiss Steel Group verfügt über eigene Produktions- und Distributionsgesellschaften in über 30 Ländern und bietet über ihre starke Präsenz vor Ort eine breite Palette individueller Lösungen in den Bereichen Edelbaustahl, rostfreiem Stahl und Werkzeugstahl an. Swiss Steel Group ist an der SIX Swiss Exchange kotiert, erwirtschaftete einen Umsatz von rund EUR 3.2 Mrd. im Jahr 2023 und verfügt über eine Belegschaft von rund 8’800 Mitarbeitenden.
