On the direction of steel technology of Korea

Abstract

Science and technology of ferrous materials must continue to be advanced to create steel that nurtures an affluent eco-friendly society and contribute to the sustainable development of modern society. Korea has prepared a roadmap for technology development of steel which aims at leading the nation's steel industry to the leading edge in terms of technology. The Korean Government also has launched the development strategy of steel industry as a driving force of next generation growth. The strategy includes the selection of five strategic areas, namely, life line steels, mega structural steels, nano-steels, transport steels and zero emission processes. A number of specific steel grades and processes were selected for intensive development by the industry initiative: these are sheet steel for automotive application, high grade line pipe steel, TMCP steel, silicon steel, high grade wire rod, ferritic stainless steel, finex process, strip casting, endless rolling, and ultra-fine grain structure steel. Scholarship in ferrous materials has declined dramatically in many parts of the academic world. POSTECH, a research oriented university in Korea, initiated a proactive program in which graduate students are inspired into a deeper understanding of ferrous metallurgy through appropriate teaching and research.