The company said Thursday it has developed high-ductility steel and ballistic steel for warships for the first time in South Korea and received certification in January from the Korean Register (KR). POSCO said the certification followed a full process covering steel development, weldability verification and securing protective performance for naval vessels.
POSCO said its newly developed high-ductility steel improves elongation by more than 35% compared with conventional thick plate used in shipbuilding. In warship collision simulations, the company said, shock absorption improved by about 58%. POSCO said the material is designed to maximize deformation and minimize damage in collisions with other vessels or floating objects, improving survivability.
POSCO also said it developed ballistic steel that reduces thickness by about 30% compared with conventional shipbuilding thick plate. The company said the steel can be applied to areas such as the bridge, radar and zones where advanced weapons systems are concentrated to protect against external threats. POSCO said the lighter upper structure can also improve resistance to hull shaking and contribute to better stability.
POSCO said it conducted joint research for several years led by its Technical Research Laboratories, with production, quality and marketing teams working in a “One Team” structure. The company said it expects the results to support expanded South Korean defense exports and entry into the global naval ship market.
POSCO linked the development to the group’s future-industry strategy. POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa said in a New Year’s address that the group should “strengthen market leadership and optimize the profit structure by completing a product portfolio essential to future industries.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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