September 06, 2008

Shanghai Krupp to purchase 443 SS from JFE

It is reported that Shanghai Krupp has sent a purchase agreement for 443CT hot rolling to JFE of Japan and the details including the related technology are waiting for further discussion.

443 series SS materials are mainly available from few sources including 443CT from JFE and TTS443 from Taigang of China. Their prices stand at CNY 17,500 per tonne to CNY 18,000 per tonne.

443 type non nickel stainless steel, with a high chrome content at 21%, has a comparatively good performance with SUS304 materials in corrosion resistance, forming and high temperature bearing, but the prices are only 65% of that for SUS304. 443 materials are suitable for manufacturing home applicants, automobile parts, kitchen machines, indoor or outer decoration materials of buildings, inter plate for containers, and so on.

POSCO is also producing 445NF materials, which has a similar performance with 443 products.