Outokumpu's new steel grade saves lives in mine rescue chambers
OUTOKUMPU OYJ
PRESS RELEASE
May 6, 2014 at 11.00 am EET
HEAT-IT Oy from Rovaniemi, Finland has selected Outokumpu’s new high-chromium ferritic stainless steel Outokumpu 4622 as the material for their RESPETRA rescue chamber.
The RESPETRA rescue chamber is a stainless steel cabin used in underground mines. It provides shield and protection for miners for example in case of fire for as long as for four days. Outokumpu’s stainless steel is used for rescue chambers in mines in Kittilä and Kemi, Finland, as well as in underground construction sites in Oulu and Helsinki capital area.
“Outokumpu 4622 is a natural choice for a rescue chamber, because it is a perfect fit for the demanding environment in the mine. Stainless steel is practically maintenance free, which leads to low life cycle cost. In addition to good corrosion and heat resistance, weldability and deep-drawability 4622 has lower cost than stainless steel grades with nickel,” says Juha Kela from Outokumpu Tornio Research Centre.
Stainless steel surface doesn’t require any coating and therefore the air in the rescue chamber stays fresh. Outokumpu 4622 is technically very suitable for the rescue chamber due to its good combination of strength and toughness and can thus handle pressure relief well. The walls of the rescue chamber are curved to provide protection against pressure and gases.
“We have tested the rescue chamber in the mine near the blasting area and the chamber has performed well. We chose Outokumpu 4622 as it offers us the required technical properties with a lower cost. I am very pleased with the cooperation with Outokumpu,” says Pekka Kilpeläinen, CEO of HEAT-IT Oy.
New Outokumpu 4622 steel grade is a competitive alternative to traditional austenitic stainless steels. Outokumpu 4622 steel grade is a standard ferritic stainless steel by its technical properties. It can be used in a broad range of applications from home appliances, to exhaust systems, process equipment and cladding panels.
For more information:
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Outokumpu Group
Outokumpu is a global leader in stainless steel. We create advanced materials that are efficient, long lasting and recyclable – thus building a world that lasts forever. Stainless steel, invented a century ago, is an ideal material to create lasting solutions in demanding applications from cutlery to bridges, energy and medical equipment: it is 100% recyclable, corrosion-resistant, maintenance-free, durable and hygienic. Outokumpu employs more than 12 000 professionals in more than 30 countries, with headquarters in Espoo, Finland and shares listed in the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. www.outokumpu.com
