According to a company statement, Slovenian steel produced by local manufacturer SIJ Group will be used in a spacecraft for the first time, marking a major milestone for the country's metallurgical sector.
SIJ Group has developed a special steel alloy with a specific chemical composition and mechanical properties, designed to meet the extreme demands of the aerospace environment. The material was created for structural elements subject to high thermomechanical loads and rapid temperature changes, including transitions from the intense heat generated by propulsion systems to the extremely cold temperatures in space.
Development from laboratory to industrial production
The project began with laboratory tests conducted in collaboration with the Institute of Metals and Technology (IMT) in Slovenia.
Researchers produced experimental melts to test chemical composition and evaluate mechanical and physical properties before scaling up the technology for industrial production.
Materials designed for extreme aerospace environments
Aerospace requires materials that can maintain structural integrity under extreme temperature cycles, mechanical stress and harsh environmental conditions.
According to the company, the specially developed steel offers:
- exceptional mechanical strength
- high thermal stability
- resistance to fatigue and thermal cycling
