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Erik Claesson

erik.claesson@swerim.se +46 (0)72 710 88 57

Laboratory process simulation for steel and metal production

Swerim’s test bed for process simulation is a useful resource when it comes to simulating all critical processes in the manufacture of advanced metallic materials on a laboratory scale, from casting to finishing (final heat treatment).

After having performed thermodynamic calculations, it is possible to set up and run large trial matrices in order to establish the relationship between process parameters, phase constitutions and material properties across a wide range of parameters. This enables us to drastically reduce the number of costly pilot-scale and full-scale trials needed for product and process development.

The test bed is now considered an important resource for development, particularly for national steel and metal industries. It is also a useful resource for heavy material consumers, e.g. the engineering and automotive industries, as well as small foundries, etc.

The test bed comprises of vacuum furnaces, casting simulation equipment, heat treatment furnaces, and equipment for simulating thermomechanical processes. The combination of the test bed, process modelling and expertise for charting metallographic and mechanical corrosion makes for an almost unique solution.

This breadth of facilities and expertise is only available at a very few large research institutes and steel manufacturers. 

Equipment

Casting

  • Leybold vacuum furnace (size of cast 2kg)
  • Balzer vacuum furnace (size of cast 12kg)
  • Thermal analysis rig (casting simulations)

Thermochemical process

  • Rolling mill
  • Gleeble
  • Dilatometer
  • Welding simulations

Our test and demonstration facilities

Metal powder gas atomization

The test bed enables development of new alloys for metal powder applications and process development trials. The test bed offers development along the complete value chain, from idea to validation of the final product or process.

Measuring thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat capacity

Understanding thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity is fundamental for comprehending and optimizing heat transfer processes in a variety of applications, from industrial manufacturing to high-tech devices and renewable energy production. Specific heat capacity describes a material's ability to store energy. These measurements help ensure that materials and systems operate efficiently, safely, and energy-efficiently.

Product development of metals

Swerim provide the expertise and resources for advanced product development, from idea to finished product. Depending on your preferences, we can take on all or parts of the product development chain. When you want to increase your company's competitive strengths through innovative products, we can give you the support you need.

Joining for lightweight technologies

The test facility for lightweight technologies enables the industry to resolve issues affecting multi-material-based lightweight and high-strength structures. The test facility is flexible and combines many different technologies and methods, making it an important national resource within the field.

Pilot plant – pyrometallurgy

Our metallurgical pilot plant provides a unique testing environment where we, together with you, the customer, improve existing manufacturing processes or develop new ones. Our environmental permit also allows the handling of complex materials, while our environmental facility enables us, for example, to study both the metallurgical process and exhaust cleaning in parallel.

Pilot plant – heating and metalworking technology

Our pilot plant for heating and metalworking provides a unique testing environment where we, together with you, the customer, improve existing heating and metalworking processes or develop new ones. The facility is perfect for developing equipment and measurement methods within the steel and metal industries. It is also useful for studying reduced energy use and climate impact.

Analytical process monitoring

The test bed for analytical process monitoring develops and provides new technology for process monitoring, data analysis and optimization. Collaboration between Swerim and Swedish ICT has enabled unique skills and technologies to be developed, which are now being offered to both companies and academia.

Laboratory process simulation for steel and metal production

Swerim’s test bed for process simulation is a useful resource when it comes to simulating all critical processes in the manufacture of advanced metallic materials on a laboratory scale, from casting to finishing (final heat treatment).

Agglomeration

Our agglomeration lab provides the industry with research and development facilities within agglomeration and pretreatment. This includes everything from product development of fine-grained raw materials to recycling of metal-bearing residual products such as sludges and dust. Higher material efficiency is becoming ever more important.

National Hydrogen Research Center for Metallic Materials

Hydrogen as an energy carrier has great potential to transform the metallurgical, automotive and energy industries towards carbon neutrality. In order to support the industry, Swerim has started the National Hydrogen Research Center for Metallic Materials at Swerim.

Fluidized bed pilot plant

With our advanced fluidized bed pilot plant we are in a position to offer large pilot-scale development of metallurgical processes and energy conversion and gasification processes.