The production of
ultra-high performance steel components that
perform better,
consuming fewer energy,
environmental and process resources: this, in short, was the goal of the
LIFE 4 Green Steel project, co-funded by the
European Union’s LIFE program and developed by a partnership between
SACMI, University of Trento, TFM Automotive Industries (project leader) and
K4Sint.
The project - which lasted four years and ended in August 2021 - will be presented as part of an on-line meeting on
Thursday 7th October 2021 at 3 p.m. The aim of the webinar is to present the results in detail: these include the ability to make - using
wall lubrication pressing (DWL) systems - sintered steel components with a
density of between 7.5 and 7.7 g/cc (well beyond the target of 7.3 g/cc).
LIFE 4 Green Steel was set up to demonstrate the
industrial feasibility of producing these component types via an HDPM (High Density Powder Metallurgy) process instead of the traditional "
chip removal" techniques. This was done by developing a press prototype, in this case the
SACMI MPH 200, capable of working in an actual industrial line.
This project was developed against a backdrop of extensive, ever-greater use of such components and the parallel need to develop innovative solutions that
limit the use of pre-mixed lubricants, thus reducing consumption and emissions.
From this perspective, LIFE 4 Green Steel has shown that it’s possible to make "nearly finished" components (in this case,
steel cogs) via a series of "compaction" steps. This technique
increases the utilization coefficient of the raw materials by up to 95% and reduces waste by at least 50%. There’s also a
70% reduction in
lubricant use, with a general increase in
energy efficiency of 50% compared to a traditional process.
The LIFE 4 Green Steel project is co-funded by the
European LIFE program, the European Union’s financial tool for the development of projects for the environment, nature conservation and climate change containment. During the
2014-2020 plan (to which the LIFE 4 Green Steel project belongs) the LIFE program financed
over 5,500 projects throughout the EU, delivering resources valued at over
€4 billion and driving investments worth over
€9 billion.
To register for the
webinar - which will present not just Life 4 Green Steel but also the Forture project on eco-design in the ceramic sector -
please email bianca.tampieriATsacmi.it