steel

Powder Metallurgy High-Speed Steel: HAP40, ASP2052, and When to Upgrade from Conventional HSS

PM-HSS grades like HAP40 and ASP2052 break the toughness-wear trade-off of conventional HSS through fine uniform carbide distribution. Full guide: PM vs conventional microstructure, heat treatment, applications, and cost-justification threshold.

2026.06.20

steel

SZACC (Galvalume) Steel Sheet: JIS G3321 Explained — 55% Al-Zn Coated Steel for Long-Life Applications

SZACC is Japan's 55% Al-Zn alloy-coated steel sheet under JIS G3321 — the same product as Galvalume or GL steel. Aluminum provides barrier protection; zinc provides galvanic protection at cut edges. 2–4× longer corrosion life than equivalent-weight SGCC. Full guide with AZ coating codes and applications.

2026.06.16

steel

JIS SKS3 Steel: O1 Equivalent — Oil-Hardening Cold-Work Tool Steel for Short-Run Dies

SKS3 (JIS G4404) is Japan's O1-equivalent oil-hardening tool steel — simpler heat treatment than SKD11 with better toughness. Full guide: 1.2510 equivalent, heat treatment, and when SKS3 outperforms SKD11 for cold-work tooling.

2026.06.15

steel

JIS SKH55 Steel: M35 Cobalt HSS — Red Hardness for Difficult-to-Cut Materials

SKH55 (JIS G4403) is Japan's M35-equivalent cobalt HSS — 5% Co raises red hardness beyond standard M2. Full guide: 1.3243 equivalent, heat treatment, cutting tool applications for stainless, titanium, and Ni alloys.

2026.06.15

steel

JIS G4311 / G4312 Heat-Resistant Steel Guide: SUH Grade Families Explained

JIS G4311 and G4312 cover Japan's SUH heat-resistant steel series across four structural families: martensitic, ferritic, austenitic, and precipitation-hardening. Full grade overview with service temperature limits, ASTM equivalents, and application decision framework.

2026.06.12

steel

JIS G4804 Free-Cutting Steel Guide: All SUM Grades, Machinability, and Selection

JIS G4804 covers 15 free-cutting steel grades — SUM11 to SUM43. Full guide: S, P, and Pb additions explained, machinability by grade, applications, and regulatory status of Pb-containing grades.

2026.06.12

steel

JIS G4103 Ni-Cr-Mo Steel Guide: SNCM Grade Comparison from SNCM220 to SNCM815

JIS G4103 covers 11 Ni-Cr-Mo structural steel grades — SNCM220 to SNCM815. Full guide: composition table, Ni content vs section size selection, carburizing vs through-hardening grades, and ASTM equivalents.

2026.06.10

steel

JIS G3302 Galvanized Steel Sheet Grade Guide: SGCC to SGCE — Coating Weight, Grades, and Specifications

JIS G3302 covers hot-dip galvanized cold-rolled steel in five formability grades from SGCC to SGCE. Full guide to the Z-code coating weight system, surface treatment options, galvannealed (ZF) variant, and ASTM A653 / EN 10346 equivalents.

2026.06.10

steel

Galvanized vs Galvannealed vs Galvalume vs Pre-Painted: Which Coated Steel for Which Use

Four coated flat steel products — SGCC (galvanized), SGCC-ZF (galvannealed), SZACC (Galvalume), and CGCC (pre-painted) — protect steel through different mechanisms and suit different applications. Full comparison with corrosion life, cost, and application selection guide.

2026.06.09

steel

JIS SNCM240 Steel: Ni-Cr-Mo Alloy Steel for Medium-Section Shafts and Gears

SNCM240 (JIS G4103) is a Ni-Cr-Mo alloy structural steel — Ni addition over SCM440 improves toughness and hardenability for 30–60 mm sections. Full guide: composition, Q&T heat treatment, and when SNCM240 fills the gap between SCM440 and SNCM439.

2026.06.08

steel