Theme III Processing

After production, steel possesses a specific chemical composition but requires further processing to achieve the right microstructure and geometry necessary for its final application. These processing steps—such as heat treatments, forming, finishing, coating, and oxide removal—are crucial in enhancing mechanical properties like strength and ductility, as well as other attributes such as magnetic, thermal, and corrosion resistance. To meet circularity goals, industries must adjust procedures and equipment to minimize the use of raw materials, energy, and costs. In this context, Theme III focuses on generating the necessary knowledge to ensure that these processing modifications continue to produce high-quality steel. Its objectives include developing steels capable of handling higher concentrations of tramp elements from increased scrap usage, controlling surface processes under new atmospheric conditions, and avoiding critical elements. Additionally, the theme aims to create energy-saving processing routes, develop digital twins for modeling processing and microstructure evolution, and formulate more sustainable coatings to enhance scrap quality at the product’s end-of-life.