TOUGHMAX™
TOUGHMAX™ is a magnesia-carbon brick product used in converters of steel manufacturers’ steelmaking processes.
In the equipment where TOUGHMAX™ is used, the impact of steel scrap can cause cracks in the bricks, eventually leading to breakage.
However, compared to conventional magnesia-carbon bricks, TOUGHMAX™ has enhanced durability against both thermal shock and physical impact from collisions, with characteristics that make internal cracks less likely to grow and the bricks less likely to break.
Presentation Materials and inquiries for TOUGHMAX™
When bricks in the converter are damaged and need to be replaced, production stops. By using TOUGHMAX™ to reduce damage and decrease replacement frequency, idle time due to production stoppages can be reduced, leading to improved productivity.
Improved productivity per ton of steel results in reduced energy consumption and CO₂ emissions per ton.
By using TOUGHMAX™ in areas where bricks are damaged by the impact of iron scrap.
As a result, the service life of the equipment is extended, and customers can reduce their refractory usage.
Pig iron (molten iron) produced in blast furnaces contains about 4% carbon. The converter process in steelmaking involves refining pig iron and steel scrap remove carbon.
Using TOUGHMAX™ prevents brick damage caused by the impact of steel scrap during this process, making it possible to use larger amounts of steel scrap.
CO₂ emissions from blast furnaces can be reduced by increasing the amount of steel scrap and reducing the use of pig iron.
Presentation Materials and inquiries for TOUGHMAX™
By using TOUGHMAX™, the pig iron ratio can be reduced by approximately 5%. As a result, it is estimated that CO₂ emissions from blast furnaces can be reduced by approximately 5% a year.
(Approximately 150,000 tons of CO₂ reduction effect when producing 2,728 kilo-tons of steel per year)
Pig Iron Ratio
In the case of steel manufacturing with a production volume of 2,728 kilo-tons/year
TOUGHMAX™ Interview
（Team member Interviews）
Presentation Materials and inquiries for TOUGHMAX™
Steel
Features
Compared to conventional magnesia-carbon bricks, these refractory bricks are less prone to internal crack growth and less susceptible to breakage.
Durability is high, so...
Equipment service life is longer, reducing customers’ refractory consumption
Carbon dioxide emissions from blast furnaces are reduced by increasing scrap (reducing hot-metal)
Steel
Non-
Incine
Features
This is a groundbreaking monolithic refractory that eliminates the need for a drying process, significantly reducing heating time before use and making furnace startup easier.
No drying process is needed, so...
Construction and repair periods can be shortened, increasing furnace operation rates and improving productivity
Fuel consumption is eliminated, reducing CO₂ emissions
Steel
Features
Used in immersion nozzles and similar components, this technology has the characteristic that unwanted substances (inclusions) in molten steel are less likely to adhere to the nozzle and cause clogging.
Prevents nozzle clogging, so...
Molten steel flow stabilizes in the mold, leading to dramatic quality improvement
Reduced frequency of nozzle replacement leads to improved productivity and energy savings
RobotsSteel
Features
This product automates heavy physical labor in hot environments by using robots, thereby achieving work safety, security, labor savings, and reform.
Due to automation with robots...
Workers are liberated from heavy labor in harsh environments with high temperatures, dust, etc.
Labor-saving lowers the risk of being unable to secure workers and thus improves business sustainability
Semicon
Space
Features
This material has an extremely low thermal expansion coefficient on the same level as low thermal expansion glass, and because it has higher strength, it has the characteristic of being easily scaled up in size.
Due to the low thermal expansion coefficient and strength...
This can be used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment requiring extremely high precision
It can be processed into lightweight structures while maintaining strength, making it applicable for large mirrors in optical telescopes on satellites
FuelSteel
Industrial
Features
This insulation material has very low thermal conductivity and exhibits excellent thermal insulation performance. It features higher strength than conventional materials.
Insulation performance is high, so...
Temperature inside a furnace does not drop, reducing energy loss
Fuel cell products (ENE-FARM) can be made smaller and lighter, broadening options for installation locations
Electronic
Features
These are firing containers for electronic components with high thermal conductivity and long service life, boasting a roughly 40% global market share for multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) firing.
Due to high thermal conductivity & long service life...
These improve energy efficiency in the firing process, helping to reduce CO₂
Replacement work is reduced, for improved productivity and cost reduction in the firing process
*”ENE-FARM” is a registered trademark of Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., Osaka Gas Co., Ltd., and ENEOS Corporation.
