Metal Watch

WORLD CRUDE STEEL PRODUCTION UP 2.5 PERCENT

World crude steel production in 1995 was 748 million metric tons, according to the International Iron and Steel Institute, Brussels, Belgium. Compared with 1994 results, 1995 production increased in all regions except South America, where demand remained relatively low. In most regions, except for the restructuring economies of Eastern Europe and the former U.S.S.R., 1995 production hit record levels unseen in the past 20 years. The 1995 figure is the highest level since 1990 and is 4.8 percent below the peak production of 786 million tons recorded in 1989.

The country with the biggest increase was the Republic of Korea which achieved a 9 percent increase from 33.7 million tons to 36.8 million tons.

BUREAU EXPIRES, EXPERTISE CONTINUES

The U.S. Bureau of Mines, Washington, is gone but not forgotten. Although the 85-year-old agency was abolished at the end of 1995, a "minerals information team" has been established at the U.S. Geological Survey National Center in Reston, Va. The minerals information team, comprised of many former U.S. Bureau of Mines commodity specialists, will continue to provide statistical information on various metals and elements and their scrap components.

SERVICE CENTER SHIPMENTS OF ALUMINUM SET RECORD

Following the 15.4 percent increase in 1994 of aluminum service center shipments, 1995 saw another 4.1 percent increase in shipments. This is the third year in a row that a shipping record has been set in North America. For 1996 distributor shipments should surpass 2.2 billion pounds, which is 34.5 percent more than the peak volume set in 1988, according to the National Association of Aluminum Distributors, Philadelphia.

STEEL SHIPMENTS HIGHEST IN 16 YEARS

Shipments of steel mill products by United States mills during 1995 where 1.9 percent more than in 1994, and at their highest level since 1979, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute, Washington. Steel mill shipments in 1995 totaled about 96.8 million net tons. The 1995 increase in domestic steel shipments marks the fourth consecutive year of industry growth.

WASTE RECOVERY STARTS WIRE RECYCLING

Waste Recovery Inc., Dallas, a tire processor and producer of tire-derived fuel, has begun recycling wire at its TDF plant in Baytown, Texas. The company plans to install two additional wire recycling systems at its Atlanta and Portland, Ore., facilities later this year, and will eventually have such systems in all six of its plants.

Previously, the wire that was generated in tire processing was landfilled, and represented a significant cost for WRI. Recycling the wire is expected to lower the cost of producing TDF by about a third, according to company officials.

NEW METAL BORALYN ENTERS THE MARKET

A new boron carbide metal matrix known as Boralyn has been introduced to the market. The metal, which is patented by Alyn Corp., Costa Mesa, Calif., is currently being used for sporting goods and commercial and industrial applications. Specific applications include bicycle components, golf clubs, automobile and engine structures, neutron shielding components and wheelchairs.

About 20,000 pounds of the material is currently being made a month. Boralyn is stiffer and lighter than aluminum, harder than steel, extremely fracture resistant, and much more predictable than carbon fiber or ceramic composites, according to Robin Carden, president of Alyn. The metal is available in cast ingots and extrusions.

"Boralyn costs about three times as much as aluminum 7000, and is about three-fourths the price of titanium," says Carden. "It has properties similar to titanium, but is easier to weld and costs less. We expect major applications in the aircraft industry."

Any scrap processor who comes across Boralyn should contact Alyn Corp. directly at (714) 641-8021. The company will buy it back at the market price of new Boralyn.

SALOMON PRODUCES STEEL GLOSSARY

Salomon Bros., Highland Park, Ill., has produced a guide to the steel industry called "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Steel...A Glossary of Steel Terms and Concepts." The glossary lists steel-related associations and explains terms used in steelmaking, from annealing to vacuum degassing. The guide is available by calling (847) 266-7081.

JAPANESE STEEL MAKER MOVES TIN MILL TO CHINA