April 2024 | The Swiss Steel Group and its subsidiary Ugitech (F) are setting new standards in the production of drawn wire for spring applications. By integrating the value chain – from processing the raw material to drawing the finished wire – the Group guarantees the highest quality, purity, and precision.
At the wire & Tube 2024, Swiss Steel Group presents itself as a powerful innovator in a dynamic market.
The market for drawn wire for spring applications is demanding and constantly evolving. Industries such as aerospace, medical, pumps, automotive, fasteners, power generation and cosmetics demand products of the highest quality.
Innovative products and services are used to meet these demands. The Stainless Division’s research center plays a key role in this. In close cooperation with Customer Technical Support, products are designed and developed to meet customers’ needs and the requirements of tomorrow’s markets.
Spring steels with optimized hydrogen behavior
The Swiss Steel Group is a leader in the development of innovative steel products and solutions. Springs made from stainless steels and alloys are resistant to corrosion, oxidation, fatigue, and extreme temperatures, making them the ideal choice for demanding applications such as rail vehicles, nuclear technology and aerosol dispensers.
With UGI® 202N and UGI® 209, the Swiss Steel Group has developed two spring steels with optimized hydrogen behavior. This property is particularly important for automotive applications as it significantly reduces the risk of stress corrosion cracking.
Quality for long life
Another example of the company’s innovative strength is the optimization of the surface quality of drawn wires – a property that is crucial for the high-speed forming of springs and their service life. Through extensive research the manufacturing process has been optimized and maximum precision and reliability have been achieved.
The key to Swiss Steel Group’s success lies in 100% vertical integration, which guarantees complete control of the entire production process. From the processing of the raw material in the steelworks in Ugine (F) to the transformation of the wire into a spring in the specialized wire drawing plants in Imphy (F) and San Vendemiano (IT), the entire production process is controlled.
Extensive testing at all stages of production ensures that the requirements of special applications such as high frequency pump springs or solenoid valves are met. Customized grades are also available for specific spring life requirements. One example is UGIPURE®, a spring steel characterized by its purity and corrosion resistance.
Ongoing investment in research and development
The Swiss Steel Group has a state-of-the-art research and development center for stainless steels in Ugine (F). This center plays a key role in the development of tailor-made products that meet the specific requirements of customers and the challenges of the markets. Technical customer support at the research center is at the heart of the design and development of new products. Close cooperation with customers creates an understanding of their needs and leads to optimal solutions.
One example of research and development work is the optimization of the surface quality of drawn wires. This property is crucial for the high-speed deformation of springs and guarantees a reliable and precise solution.
Green Steel quality springs
The Group is at the forefront of stainless and alloy springs. The UGIPURE 4568 and UGIPURE 4462 grades are remelted round and shaped wires with diameters from 0.18 mm to 20 mm, characterized by improved inclusion purity and corrosion resistance. This makes them particularly suitable for heavy spring applications.
The duplex grade UGI4462 has been further developed to meet the ISO 6931-1 standard. The high-speed steels are characterized by high mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and stable material costs.
Together with the high level of quality assurance, these factors enable optimized production of spring applications, which are now also available in Green Steel quality.
About Swiss Steel Group
Swiss Steel Group is a global provider of customized solutions in the field of special steel long products. The Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of tool steel and stainless long products and one of Europe’s largest producers of alloy and high-alloy engineering steel. With nearly 10,000 employees and its own production and sales companies in more than 30 countries on five continents, the company offers a complete portfolio of production, sales, and services.
Die Swiss Steel Group auf der wire & Tube: Halle 12 / A 28