Japan has developed high corrosion-resistant stainless steel with excellent machinability
Northeastern University of Japan and Northeast Special Steel Company announced on September 5, 2013 that they have jointly developed a "single tap" for electromagnetic valve cores used in controlling the flow of pure water in solid polymer fuel cells (PEFC). This innovation involves a high corrosion-resistant electromagnetic stainless steel. It marks the first time a stainless steel material with both excellent machinability and strong corrosion resistance has been developed for such applications. By using this new material, it is expected to significantly lower the manufacturing costs of solenoid valve components that operate in water environments.
In PEFC systems, pure water plays a crucial role in cooling humidified electrolyte membranes, reforming city gas into hydrogen, and managing electrode temperatures. During these processes, electromagnetic valve components that regulate the flow of pure water are often exposed to corrosive conditions. This can lead to component dissolution, which degrades water quality and, in turn, reduces the efficiency of power generation. Therefore, materials with high corrosion resistance are essential for these parts. One such material is the “K-M38†electromagnetic stainless steel, known for its excellent corrosion resistance and magnetic properties. However, K-M38 lacks free-machining additives like manganese sulfide (MnS), which can affect its machining performance, resulting in lower processing efficiency.
To address this issue, a new material called “K-M38CS†has been developed. This material incorporates carbon sulfide (TiCS) as a free-machining component, improving its machinability without compromising its corrosion resistance. The development of K-M38CS leverages lead-free free-cutting steel technology pioneered by Tohoku University, the Northeast Center of the Japan Industrial Technology Research Institute, and local special steel manufacturers.
Professor Shinichi Shinohara from Tohoku University conducted tests on K-M38CS under ultra-pure water conditions simulating those found in PEFCs at 80°C. The results showed that even when TiCS is dispersed within the material, the corrosion resistance remains comparable to that of the original K-M38. Based on these findings, Northeast Special Steel has decided to position K-M38CS as an alternative to K-M38. The company plans to distribute samples to solenoid valve manufacturers and gradually transition to mass production.
This groundbreaking research will be presented at the “60th Material and Environmental Symposium†hosted by the Japan Society for the Prevention of Corrosion Engineering on September 24, 2013, at CORASSE Fukushima in Fukushima City. (Reporter: Enohara Hiroyuki, “Nikkei Manufacturingâ€)
STAINLESS STEEL Y Strainer,SS Y Strainer
WENZHOU DIYE VALVE&FITTINGS CO.,LTD , https://www.diye-valve.com