Japanese steelmaker Kobe Steel has announced that Jiangyin Sugita Fasten Spring Wire Co., Ltd (JYSF), its joint venture with Chinese companies Sugita Wire, Ltd and Fasten Group, will install high-frequency induction tempering equipment and another wire drawing machine to produce oil-tempered wire at its plant in Jiangyin, China, in order to increase production. Production is planned to commence in October this year.
According to Kobe Steel, as the need for lighter automobiles increases due to stricter environmental regulations, demand for advanced oil-tempered wire for cold-coiled suspension springs is anticipated to expand in the future. The installation of induction tempering equipment will make possible rapid quenching and tempering to produce high-strength wire.
JYSF was established in 2005 to produce and sell oil-tempered wire for cold-coiled suspension springs. Full-scale operations began in 2007.