The Timken Company announced that it has further expanded its rolled carbon and alloy steel round bar capabilities and can now produce a maximum diameter of 15 inches. The additional capabilities are the second expansion of the size range in less than a year.
The rolled bar, developed for specific applications, is easier for customers to work with as they manufacture their own products. The new product features a consistent diameter along the full length of the bar, which can significantly improve the cutting of tight mult weights versus using other types of products such as tapered cast ingots. In addition, Timken's large round bars have more hot work than cast ingots, which may allow more flexibility in the size of products that a forger can make.
Rolled bar is used to produce parts for applications such as rolled rings, forgings, gears, bearings and valves for users in the industrial, energy and bearing markets.
Timken is the only domestic U.S. manufacturer to roll 13-, 14- and 15-inch round bars and can produce them in lengths up to 27 feet, 23 feet and 20 feet, respectively. In addition to those capabilities, Timken recently announced a $60 million expansion to enable it to competitively produce small bar steel down to 1 inch in diameter.
"The technological advancements that make this new 15-inch product line possible are part of our strategy to bring new and differentiated product solutions aimed at improving our customers' performance," said Rick Brown, director of advanced product and new business development for Timken's Steel Group. "These larger-diameter, longer bars help reduce handling by our customers and are part of our drive to continually deliver dynamic steel solutions tailored to our customers' growing needs."