[ Editorial ]
Volume 35 , December 2023
Stainless Steel World is the global magazine for corrosion resistant alloy users , suppliers and fabricators . www . stainless-steel-world . net
Director KCI Publishing B . V Elisa Hannan e . hannan @ kci-world . com Tel : + 31 575 585 291
Editor-in-Chief Joanne McIntyre j . mcintyre @ kci-world . com Tel : + 31 575 585294
Editorial Team ( print & online ) press . ssw @ kci-world . com Alexandra Kist a . kist @ kci-world . com Gert Wijbrans g . wijbrans @ kci-world . com Sara Mathov s . mathov @ kci-world . com David Sear d . sear @ kci-world . com
Sales & Marketing Vera Solis Esquivel v . solis . esquivel @ kci-world . com
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At the heart of things
[ Editorial ]
“… watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places .” Roald Dahl , 1926 – 1990 . UK author , screenwriter , WWII fighter ace .
Our special focus topic this month is nickel , number 28 on the atomic scale and an essential ingredient in stainless steel . Its use has been traced back as far as 3500 BC , and the element ’ s name comes from a mischievous sprite of German miner mythology , similar to Old Nick . Nickel is relatively common and is mined from two types of ore deposits : laterite and garnierite . But did you know that a recent discovery suggests there may be a great deal more nickel on our planet than originally suspected ? A team of researchers at the Australian National University has found evidence that the earth has a fifth layer , a solid iron-nickel alloy ball in the inner core . The scientists found the hidden core by studying seismic waves that travel up to five times across the earth ’ s diameter – previous studies only looked at single bounces . The earthquake waves probed places near the centre at angles that suggested a different crystalline structure deep inside . Published in the journal Nature Communication , the findings state that probing the earth ’ s centre is critical for understanding planetary formation and evolution . The ANU researchers believe the innermost core could help explain the formation of the earth ’ s magnetic field .
Closer to home , the Stainless Steel World team has brought you several articles about Ni this month , including a look at how its use in stainless steel is helping to modernize India ’ s huge and complex railway systems . With 60,000 rail cars in the system , India uses up to 29,000 tonnes of type 304 stainless steel each year and 3,600 tonnes of 316L for accessories ; read more about this from page 37 .
Another massive user of stainless steel in the coming years will be bridges . James Chater has penned a feature on this topic , looking at how stainless steel , and particularly duplexes , are the ideal materials for construction , offering longevity , lower life-cycle costs , strength and aesthetic appeal .
This month , we are delighted to welcome Yada Piping from China to the cover for the first time . Yada is focused on becoming a one-stop piping solution by focusing on customer needs and innovations that promote sustainable development . My colleague in Shanghai , Laura Wang , met with the Yada team to find out how they are meeting their goal of becoming “ a leading green solution provider in the shipping and marine piping integration business .” You can read more from page 8 .
As this is the final issue of 2023 , I wish everyone in our global community the very best for the festive season . May 2024 be a healthy , happy and prosperous year for all our readers . As we move towards 2024 , remember that Stainless Steel World is here to support you and your business wherever you may be .
I hope you enjoy the magazine , and as always , your feedback is welcome .
Best wishes , Joanne McIntyre Editor-in-Chief of Stainless Steel World j . mcintyre @ kci-world . com
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Photo by NASA
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