According to Baogang's announcement, rare earth elements are used in the developed steel for steel purification and inclusion control. This method is applied together with controlled rolling and cooling technologies during the production process.
According to data shared by the company, the product achieved a tensile strength of more than 800 MPa and an elongation of more than 20%, while its hole expansion ratio exceeded 70%. The steel was reported to have completed trial forming and batch application validation processes conducted by automotive manufacturers.
Baogang stated that the material could enable the use of thinner and lighter steel, particularly in structural components of commercial vehicles.
Rare Earth Elements Also Used in Textile Applications
Baogang is also extending its research on rare earth element-based materials to the textile sector. As part of the company's research activities, textile materials have been developed by incorporating nanoscale functional components into fibers to provide cooling, heat shielding, antibacterial properties and ultraviolet protection.
According to information shared by the company, more than 10,000 garments using these functional fibers were used during the 16th Olympic Games held in Inner Mongolia.
Baogang did not disclose technical data regarding the detailed composition and amount of rare earth elements used in the fibers.
Baogang to Increase New Material Activities Focused on Rare Earth Elements
Expanding the use of rare earth elements in end-use and advanced material applications is also among Baogang's priorities.
It was reported that the Communist Party Committee of Baogang instructed the company's management to accelerate the transformation of the business toward new material activities driven by rare earth elements.
In this context, Baogang's efforts focus on expanding the use of rare earth elements beyond raw or processed products into different end-use applications, such as automotive steel and functional textiles.
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