Railways and shipping

The speed of high-speed trains exceeds 300 km/h. Subways or city trains have increased the requirements for acceleration and braking. Operating conditions of the wheel are becoming increasingly harsh. NSSMC's wheel has the world's highest-level cleanliness from its excellent steelmaking technology. Consistent quality control is performed by highly advanced hot-rolled forming, processing, and inspection technology. It has obtained customers' trust together with a long-standing record. We are providing overseas countries as well as Japan with high-quality and high-value-added wheels.

It has been used for all Shinkansen cars. In the development of the forged steel brake disc with fin for the Shinkansen, we received an award from the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. In addition, the newly developed center-fastening brake disc was used for N700A, which started operation on February 8, 2013. If a hazard is detected, it enables quicker stop and stable and strong braking force. It has been successful in weight reduction by 20% or more compared to conventional products, it contributes to energy saving, and it improves riding comfort.

The axle is one of the most important parts in safety together with the wheels out of parts consisting of wheels and axle. We started manufacturing axles in 1916. Then, along with the high speed of trains, the operating conditions are harsh and we developed an induction hardening axle with extremely high safety. It has been widely used for high-speed/high-load trains including the Shinkansen. Moreover, we have developed a hollow axle to reduce unsprung weight and greatly contributed to improvement of energy saving and riding comfort.

The unit that transfers the power of the motor, etc. to the wheel through gears. NSSMC's drive unit has been used for many trains including high-speed trains like the Shinkansen. The drive unit for high speed has achieved about 10% weight reduction using aluminum alloy for the gear case. Also, we will implement the development of a drive unit meeting low noise requirements, using a design with highly advanced gear analysis technology and high-speed load-testing facilities under an anechoic environment.

The heaviest and the highest-quality rail with a weight of 60 kg per meter is used for Shinkansen rails, and strength and durability are ensured. When the 300km/h operation starts, high accuracy of +-0.3 mm or less for the rail irregularity tolerance is required. NSSMC achieved highly accurate quality control by introducing a shape inspection system using laser and it supports safe, high-speed operation of the Shinkansen.

High-ductility plate "NSafe^™-Hull" with advanced metal ductile property and unique composition design. Workability (cutting, bending, welding, and coating) equivalent to conventional steel is achieved. Safe and reliable marine transportation is achieved not only by tankers or bulk carriers but also by various ships.

To prevent corrosion of the cargo oil tank of an oil tanker, which may cause a serious accident including oil leakage, Nippon Steel has developed high-corrosion-resistance plate "NSGP^™-1 (bottom plate)" and "NSGP^™-2 (back of upper deck)" for oil tankers, and they show high corrosion resistance performance without coating. Both products show maximum corrosion resistance by adding a trace amount of alloy.

Alloy-saving-type duplex stainless steel "NSSC 2120^™" (ASTM UNS S82122),"NSSC^™ 2351" is excellent in resource saving by reduced addition of nickel or molybdenum, which are rare metals, and in cost stability. While maintaining corrosion resistance against chloride including seawater, weldability is greatly improved. A light-weight design with strength double that of conventional steel has been achieved.

Steel material with addition of 1% chromium to improve corrosion resistance in the sea. With the addition of chromium, the rust layer on the surface prevents entry of oxygen into the base metal. Progress of corrosion can be half or less compared to normal steel. It is suitable for seawater piping, gas coolers specified for seawater, and ocean structures.