The Steel Behind Aerospace Reliability

Aircraft bearings and actuators operate under high mechanical loads, repeated stresses and, in some applications, corrosive conditions. Aerospace applications introduce further challenges, including extremely low temperatures.

Energietechnik Essen GmbH (ETE) produces High Nitrogen Steels (HNS®) for these applications, including bearings, ball screw drives and actuators.

One example is Cronidur® 30, a high-nitrogen martensitic stainless steel that combines strength, toughness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance. It is particularly suited to highly loaded components in challenging environments.

From aircraft to rocket technology

Cronidur® 30 is also used in components for space applications, including actuators for controlling propulsion systems, fuel delivery components and rolling bearings.

These components must operate reliably under demanding mechanical conditions, sometimes at extremely low temperatures. The combination of strength, toughness and corrosion resistance demonstrates the material’s suitability for such applications.

Why pressure matters

Cronidur® 30 is produced using Pressure Electroslag Remelting (PESR). During remelting, nitrogen-containing additions are introduced into the steel. Operating under pressure allows nitrogen concentrations beyond conventional solubility limits to be achieved and retained during solidification.

Subsequent forming and heat treatment establish the required mechanical properties.

ETE’s new PESR facility operates at pressures of up to 40 bar and can produce ingots weighing up to 18.5 tonnes

€11 million investment in remelting technology

ETE has invested more than €11 million in new and modernized remelting equipment at its Essen site.

The new PESR facility doubles annual shipping capacity for pressure-remelted steel from approximately 1,300 tonnes to at least 2,600 tonnes.

The expansion increases the availability and security of supply of Cronidur® 30 and other High Nitrogen Steels for aerospace, medical technology and a variety of industrial applications.