With a target set on the high-performance materials market for electric vehicles (EVs), Hyundai Steel has developed alloy steel for reduction gears and related manufacturing technology and obtained the New Excellent Technology (NET) certification from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The New Excellent Technology certification based on the Industrial Technology Innovation Promotion Act is accorded to technologies that have been developed for the first time in Korea or that innovatively improves and enhances existing technologies. Through the certification, the Korean government officially acknowledges technologies that provide significant economical and technical contributions. Such technologies are expected to drastically augment product quality and performance through their commercialization.
NET-certified companies receive preferential treatment when applying for R&D projects invested by the government and also receive various benefits such as support for localization of core parts.
Hyundai Steel received NET certification for a technology that was jointly developed with the Hyundai Motor Company and Kia. Hyundai Steel was responsible for designing alloy components and optimizing the manufacturing process, while Hyundai-Kia oversaw material development planning and prototype production.
The alloy steel developed by Hyundai Steel boasts a 48% improvement rate in thermal deformation compared to the steel type used in existing reduction gear parts. This significantly reduces noise during gear operation thereby maximizing driving quietness.
In addition, by securing high-temperature stability, reduction gear durability has been enhanced by more than double compared to existing components. This technology will be applied to the EV6 GT, a high-performance electric vehicle to be released later this year, with future application being planned for more vehicles.
With the recent global carbon neutrality trend and the rapid expansion of the EV market, the demand for electric vehicle drive motor parts is expected to increase. Keeping pace with these changes, it is meaningful that Hyundai Steel is now equipped with core technologies related to high-performance specialty steel parts applied to reduction gears in EVs.