The Swiss Steel Group is active in the segment of stainless, non-magnetic steels, supplying industries such as offshore, chemical and food processing as well as medical technology. For several years, high-strength grades for marine applications have also been part of the portfolio. In a current project in Canada, the Group is now applying this expertise through its subsidiary Finkl Steel – Sorel.
Finkl Steel – Sorel, a Canadian manufacturer of forged steel components, is currently pursuing qualification as a supplier of high-grade stainless steel materials for marine applications. This effort is based on the metallurgical know-how of the Swiss Steel Group as well as the integrated manufacturing capacities at the Sorel site. The relevant requirements are aligned with international standards and regulations – including those of the German Institute for Defence Materials and Manufacturing Technology (WIWeB), the classification society Det Norske Veritas (DNV), and Building Regulation 1050 for shipbuilding of the German Navy.
Material 1.3964: Stable Fully Austenitic Steel with Low Magnetic Permeability
The project focuses on the production of steel grade 1.3964 (comparable to UNS S20910), a chromium-nickel-molybdenum steel with niobium stabilization. The austenitic microstructure of this steel remains stable even under mechanical stress, resulting in extremely low magnetic permeability – a key requirement, particularly for military naval applications.
In addition, the steel exhibits good resistance to seawater corrosion and is resistant to intergranular corrosion as well as stress corrosion cracking. It is suitable for use at arctic temperatures and withstands high hydrostatic pressures at greater ocean depths. With a tensile strength between 700 and 950 MPa and a yield strength of at least 365 MPa, it significantly exceeds the strength values of other stable austenitic grades. At the same time, the material offers good ductility and weldability.
Production and Further Grades at Deutsche Edelstahlwerke
Within the Swiss Steel Group, production expertise for non-magnetic stainless steels lies primarily with Deutsche Edelstahlwerke (DEW). Material 1.3964 is manufactured at the Witten site via several production routes. In addition to this grade, DEW produces other fully austenitic steels: material 1.4435 for use in the chemical, food and pharmaceutical industries; material 1.4441 (UNS S31673) for the manufacture of medical implants; and grades 1.3891 and 1.3892 (UNS K94610), which are required in the offshore industry, for example for drilling tools.
Source: Swiss Steel Group
