AK Steel has received the 42nd Outstanding Author Award from the Galvanizers Association for a technical paper entitled “Furnace Atmosphere Monitoring at AK Steel Coating Lines.” The 2009 award marks the tenth time that the company has received the honor.
“AK Steel is proud to receive this important recognition,” said James L. Wainscott, AK Steel’s Chairman, President and CEO. “The award is a testament to our talented and innovative research organization, as well as to AK Steel’s long-standing commitment to excellence in steel research.”
The award-winning paper highlights the importance of careful monitoring and control of thermal and atmospheric profiles within continuous coating line furnaces for finishing processes such as hot-dip galvanizing and aluminizing, which require heating steel in a highly-controlled, hydrogen-containing atmosphere for good adherence of coatings, such as zinc and aluminum. Coatings help to provide corrosion resistance in a variety of applications, primarily for automotive bodies, appliance and construction uses.
Authored by AK Steel research center associates Joyce Niedringhaus, Rob Comstock and Luis Garza, the winning paper was originally presented at a previous association meeting by Niedringhaus. Additional contributors included AK Steel researchers Jeff Alder, Jerry Arnold, Sandi Gillum, Jeremy Hansman, Glenn Huppi, Bob Kelly and Farrell Kilbane.
The award was presented at the Galvanizers Association’s annual meeting held in October in Louisville, Ky.
Founded in 1936, the Galvanizers Association is a worldwide organization with nearly 150 member companies. Members are producers of continuous galvanized iron, steel sheet and pipe products, along with their suppliers.
AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, primarily for automotive, appliance, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets. The company employs about 6000 men and women in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler, Pa.; Ashland, Ky.; Rockport, Ind.; and its corporate headquarters in West Chester, Ohio.
AK Tube LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AK Steel, employs about 250 men and women in plants in Walbridge, Ohio, and Columbus, Ind. AK Tube produces carbon and stainless electric resistance welded (ERW) tubular steel products for truck, automotive and other markets.