Outokumpu stainless steel creates a first ever maintenance free boat
OUTOKUMPU OYJ
TRADE PRESS RELEASE
September 22, 2014 at 11.00 am EET
Outokumpu duplex stainless steel is used in the first ever boat built entirely out of stainless steel. The boat represents true innovation in the shipbuilding industry. The use of high strength and durable duplex stainless steel makes the boat entirely maintenance free and resistant to hard weather conditions during the winter.
Outokumpu’s units in Nyby, Avesta and Degerfors in Sweden delivered around five tonnes of super duplex 2507 stainless steel to the construction of the 10,5 meter-long boat. The boat was constructed and built by Swedish Steel Yachts (SSY) based in Gävle, Sweden.
The use of durable super duplex stainless steel grade 2507 in combination with SSY’s patented construction ensures that the hull of the boat can be made extremely thin without compromising strength. The construction provides a progressive flexibility, which means that the hull moves in a controlled manner when subjected to powerful wave pressure. Mirror finish surface on the bottom of the boat also ensures that water elements don’t attach on the boat surface.
“Commonly boats are produced using glass fiber or carbon steel which requires a lot of maintenance in the form of painting. With the use of stainless steel, no maintenance activities are required. Additionally, thanks to the high strength of duplex, considerable weight savings in the boat structure were achieved since thinner material could be used,” says Pernilla Wangenborn, sales manager at Outokumpu’s sales office in Sweden.
The hull and super structure of the boat weighs some 2000 kg which is one third compared to common steel boats.
“We are very excited to have completed this flagship boat built entirely out of stainless steel. Our vision was to construct a boat that honors the long shipbuilding history in the Gävle region in Sweden and combine it with our desire to build strong and sustainable boats. The use of stainless steel enabled us to meet both of these goals,” says Håkan Rosén, SSY.
The boat called Elvira was christened for its maiden voyage on July 27, 2014.
For more information:
Corporate Communications, tel. +358 9 421 2569
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
