The performance of high strength and ductility steels is superior to conventional steels, with strength levels of 600 to 1400Mpa corresponding with elongations of 70 to 20%, respectively.

Corus and Salzgitter have announced that both companies have formalised their efforts on joint product development co-operation in the area of High Strength and Ductility (HSD)-steels based on high manganese content. Corus and Salzgitter have been working together on identifying opportunities for the application of High Strength and Ductility (HSD)-steels in selected market sectors such as automotive and engineering. The performance of these High Strength and Ductility (HSD)-steels is superior to conventional steels, with strength levels of 600 to 1400 Mpa corresponding with elongations of 70 to 20%, respectively.

In this co-operation both companies will share complementary R and D expertise to develop and optimize these products.

The new (HSD)-grades will be developed for a variety of applications.

These refer in particular to parts with complex geometrical structure combined with high strength requirements, such as sophisticated components for mechanical engineering applications.

In the Automotive sector substantial benefits can be achieved by mass reduction, improved crash resistance, and by providing the automotive engineer with enhanced design freedom.

Timing and availability of products and applications will be included in progress updates that will be provided in the course of 2006.

Rauke Henstra, executive director, Strip Products for Corus, said, 'We are pleased and excited that both Corus and Salzgitter, who have been working together on identifying opportunities for the application of High Strength and Ductility will continue the efforts on this programme.' Hans Fischer, chairman of the executive board from Salzgitter Stahl, Germany, said: 'We are happy and proud that Salzgitter and Corus are working together in the development of a new generation of steels which will help our customers to realize their future innovations.