– Part of response to tensile test requirements for liquefaction temperature of -170 ℃ in LNG storage tanks
– Robust market competitiveness expected with reduction of test costs and time required
On April 19, Hyundai Steel announced it has produced the first cryogenic steel rebar tensile test equipment in Korea. The equipment is to be used to construct LNG storage tanks.
The specialized test equipment was introduced just one year after cryogenic steel rebars were ordered for the construction of tanks for Gwangyang LNG Terminal and the 5th LNG base in Dangjin.
The cryogenic steel rebar developed by Hyundai Steel in 2019 is able to retain its solidity and malleability even in ultra-low temperatures (-170 ℃). It is a high-performance and high value-added structural steel plate that is used in above-ground LNG storage tanks that are maintained in such temperatures.
Carbon neutrality has recently become a global topic that has led countries to expand their use of new renewable energy and natural gas. The increased demand for natural gas has led to a higher need for LNG transportation and storage facilities, which is expected to lead to a rapid rise in demand for cryogenic materials.
However, while cryogenic steel rebars must be tested with a specialized material property evaluation, as there has been no appropriate testing facility thus far in Korea, testing had to be performed by an overseas establishment. Due to this, testing required a separate testing fee and a testing period of about three months.
As the specialized equipment for cryogenic tensile testing was newly introduced in Incheon International Airport, accuracy of test results, reduced testing costs, and a shortened testing period can be anticipated.
Hyundai Steel established the conditions and operation standards for the cryogenic steel rebar tensile testing in March and plans to apply for a cryogenic steel rebar test certificate after going through the process of training testers among other steps.
1) Chamber: Equipment that controls and maintains temperature in a sealed space to allow the test to be operated at a certain temperature