Toolox® steel from SSAB for longer-lasting steel chains
2 min read
When SSAB required a new set of 20-m chains for the continuous casting equipment at its Oxelösund mill, the company evaluated internally available materials. The final choice was Toolox®, already produced at SSAB’s Oxelösund facility. Blue chips are characteristic when machining Toolox®, reflecting machining properties that direct heat into the chips rather than the workpiece and thereby minimize heat distortion.
Upgrading material performance
The new chains represent an upgrade from the previously used 25CrMo4 steel. Toolox® combines high yield strength, fatigue strength, and crack resistance, providing a robust solution for the application.
In addition, Toolox® is delivered with stricter specifications than standard 25CrMo4 steel, supporting predictable performance and consistent material properties throughout production and operation.
The chain is a critical component where reliability and service life are essential. The previous chains operated for 20 years, and by switching to Toolox®, SSAB expects an even longer lifespan.
The chain links were machined from flat plates of Toolox® 33 in thicknesses of 80, 90, and 110 mm. In total, 65 tons of Toolox® 33 were used to manufacture 288 chain links.
Made for efficient production
Toolox® is a highly homogeneous steel with low carbide content. This enables optimized machining parameters and stable production performance. The material supports high cutting speeds while maintaining tool life and process reliability.
As Hugo Lundkvist, Workshop Manager, explains:
“This is the first time we’ve carried out machining of this scale in Toolox®. The operators are very satisfied with the material. They can run high feed rates while maintaining cutting insert performance.”
Another advantage was the ability to start from flat plates. In these dimensions, 25CrMo4 steel is only available as round bars. This would require significantly more material removal to achieve the final geometry. The choice of Toolox® therefore reduced machining time as well as material waste.
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Distributor support adds value
The sawing of Toolox® plates into suitably sized workpieces was performed by the Swedish Toolox® distributor Eurosteel Nybro AB. SSAB maintains a global network of Toolox® distributors. They provide a Toolox® stock, processing capabilities, and technical support close to customers. You can find your nearest distributor at toolox.com.
“Our distributors not only handle pre-processing and delivery logistics, they also provide valuable technical guidance,” says Toolox® Sales Manager Marcus Augustsson. “Some customers are initially skeptical about working with steels at 45 HRC. That perception changes quickly once they test Toolox®. The material combines hardness with excellent machinability, thanks to its low carbide content and well-balanced alloy design.”