Stainless steel rebar produced by Outokumpu, Finland, is being used to reinforce a spill basin at the new liquefied natural gas (LNG) Gate Terminal on Rotterdam’s North Sea coast. Both the basin’s concrete and reinforcement must withstand the extreme conditions of a cryogenic environment and temperatures as low as -165°C.
For the project, Outokumpu provided 10 tons of rebar formed from Core 304LN/4311. Testing was conducted at Tudor Advanced Materials & Structures in Luxemburg. The alloy retains its mechanical properties at temperatures as low as -196°C. As with all austenitic stainless steel, Core 304LN/4311 maintains its ductility at very cold temperatures, meaning that it will not fracture.
Using stainless steel prolongs the structure’s lifetime, reduces long-term costs, and minimizes maintenance needs. Stainless steel also has significant corrosion resistance, of particular importance in maritime environments where chloride-induced corrosion is a threat.
The material was customized for the Gate Terminal in four diameters (Outokumpu’s range is 6 to 40 mm) and in several lengths and shapes. The material is produced in coil form, straightened into standard lengths or cut and bent to custom needs.
Outokumpu has a century of experience creating efficient, long-lasting, recyclable stainless steels. Its global offering includes quality-critical Long Products for infrastructures.
