A sample of Hybrid Steel on high temperature tensile test .
Hybrid Steel - a potential to rival stainless steel
In 2017 , Ovako introduced a step-change in the evolution of steel metallurgy with the launch of Hybrid Steel . The aim was to challenge the long-established divisions between the specific steel categories of tool steel , maraging steel , and stainless steel , merging their unique properties into one high-performance steel grade with the production economy of conventional engineering steel . This invention was enabled by professional alloying and a successful combination of alloy carbide and intermetallic precipitation hardening .
By Dr Steve Ooi , Ovako , Dr Cem Örnek , Leibniz Institute for Materials Engineering and Istanbul Technical University
Hybrid Steel offers superior strength over conventional steels , especially for high temperature applications . It has a particular appeal for use in engine components , bearings and tools that operate in extreme environments and in demanding conditions . Due to its high hardenability , Hybrid Steel does not need to be quenched to achieve a fully martensitic structure for the subsequence tempering process . This results in minimum component distortion and enables a reduction in final machining processes . Furthermore , Hybrid Steel has remarkable corrosion and oxidation resistance . Even with a much lower chromium content , it still has similar corrosion resistance levels as the lower end of stainless steels . This exceptional corrosion resistance can be attributed to the balanced presence of alloying elements , including nickel , molybdenum , aluminum , and chromium . These elements , in their proportionate amounts , collectively form a mixed oxide layer that exhibits a synergistic effect . This means that when one type of oxide layer faces deterioration , the others continue to support the overall structural integrity , contributing to the material ’ s outstanding corrosion resistance in acidic and chloride-bearing solutions . The aim of this recent research was to gain a deeper insight into the corrosion performance of Hybrid Steel .
Stainless steel relies on a protective native passive film Stainless steel owes its exceptional corrosion resistance to its protective passive film that forms spontaneously on the surface . The native passive film of most standard stainless steel
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