Tata Steel is one of the leading global suppliers of automotive steel products and one of the future challenges will be to produce steels with good formability for use in body in white applications. Currently this is done using ultra low carbon (ULC) interstitial free (IF) steels. IF steels allow automotive manufactures to produce aesthetically pleasing designs but one of the current challenges facing the steel industry is the need to decarbonise and utilise increasing levels of recycled steel. In order to meet these challenges various options will need to be explored. One option being considered by a number of European steelmakers, is to convert to electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking. For a range of specifications, EAF provides minimal challenges for switching from basic oxygen steelmaking. We believe IF steels will present a challenge due to the need for low carbon and low nitrogen levels not typically seen from EAF process routes. It is hoped that this project will develop knowledge in this field and the Research Engineer will accomplish the following objectives:

- Understand capability of EAF to produce low carbon and low nitrogen levels. Evaluate options to produce high formability steel specifications (DX56+Z/DX57+Z) via the EAF route.
Proposed Activities:
- Understand capability of EAF steel making especially with regards to producing interstitial free steel.
- Evaluate impact of steel cleanliness compared to BOF/RH route.
- Evaluate feasible levels of interstitial free elements and create lab casts to simulate (VIM).
- Develop lab-based processing route and evaluate mechanical properties (CASIM).
- Evaluate suitability for hot dip galvanising (HDSIM).
- Provide recommendations for future capability and process routes.