Sumitomo Metals’ New Corporate Research & Development Laboratories Introduces State-of-the-Art Equipment to Lead Cutting-Edge Technology
- Will Lead to Customer Solutions in Shortest Time through Material Analysis at Atomic Level -

December 7, 2011

  • Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.

Today, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. (Sumitomo Metals) is opening the research and laboratory building at its Corporate Research & Development Laboratories in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture. Sumitomo Metals completed construction of the facilities based on a design concept that is integrated from analytical equipment to office layouts on October 19. The facilities have also reflected our wish to enable customers to see the actual site of research and development in close proximity and connect cutting-edge scientific results with the resolution of customers’ issues and the enhancement of their product performance in the shortest time.

1. Introduction of state-of-the-art equipment
Sumitomo Metals has installed the world’s most cutting-edge ultra-high resolution electron microscopes. Most solid materials have polycrystalline structures that enable large and small crystals to gather together. It is known that the properties of the boundaries of adjoining crystals often determine the the performance of the materials such as hardness and corrosion resistance. The new ultra-high resolution electron microscopes will enable the researchers to observe the behavior of every single atom in these grain boundaries while distinguishing which element the atom is in real time. By making use of the scientific knowledge obtained here in the design of new materials, we will greatly speed up the development of new materials such as high-grade oil well pipes that can withstand high-temperature and highly corrosive environments.

2. Improvement of layouts, equipments and environments that suit proposals to customers

The laboratory building contains material analysis facilities featuring equipments that can analyse at the atomic level what the substances of materials are composed of and what degree of defects exist. The new building has brought together analytical equipment and enhanced the flexibility of researchers.


By adopting a glass-sided open environment within the laboratory building, we have created an laboratories tour course that will enable customers to experience actual research in close proximity. By using state-of-the-art devices in a flexible way, researchers will carry out multilevel examination and analysis of macro-phenomena (cracks and corrosion, etc.) at the micro, nano and atomic levels and clarify the nature of phenomena together with customers. These research results will enable us to propose reliable materials and their usage to customers.


Sumitomo Metals will continue to contribute to society by playing a leading role in cutting edge technology and creating next-generation highly functional, high-performance products together with customers.

 


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