New Outokumpu Steel Grade Selected to Protect Miners

Finnish company HEAT-IT Oy has selected the new high chromium ferritic stainless steel Outokumpu 4622 as the material for the RESPETRA rescue chamber, which uses stainless steel for a cabin in underground mines. It provides protection for miners, for example, in the event of a fire for four days.

A spokesperson for the Outokumpu Research Center noted that the Outokumpu 4622 is the natural choice for rescue chambers because it is ideal for tough mine conditions. Stainless steels are virtually maintenance-free, resulting in low life cycle costs. In addition to good corrosion resistance, heat resistance and weldability, 4622 has a lower cost than nickel stainless steels.

The stainless steel surface does not require any coating, and therefore the air in the rescue chamber remains fresh. The Outokumpu 4622 is technically very suitable for a rescue chamber due to its good combination of strength and toughness, thus coping well with pressure relief. The walls of the rescue chamber are curved to provide protection against pressure and gases.

The CEO of HEAT-IT Oy said that “We tested the rescue chamber in a mine close to the blasting site and the camera showed good results. We chose Outokumpu 4622 because it offers us the technical properties we need at a lower cost. I am very pleased with the cooperation. with Outokumpu ". Outokumpu Stainless Steel is also used for rescue chambers in the mines in Kittilä and Kemi and in underground construction sites in Helsinki.