R&D
R&D

Panhua Group operates two key research bases: a comprehensive headquarters and a specialized facility in Chongqing. The Chongqing base is recognized as a municipal-level Enterprise Engineering Technology Research Center and is the only research hub in the city focused on automotive sheet metal. Covering over 1,400 square meters, it houses a team of 78 technical experts, including 12 senior and 28 mid-level professionals. We collaborate with several institutions including Chongqing University, Yanshan University, the Steel Research Institute, and the Heavy Machinery Research Institute. These partnerships include research bases, doctoral workstations, labs, and product display rooms. Panhua Group aims to establish a national-level research center, with RMB 30 million already invested in 30 advanced pieces of equipment and ongoing funding to enhance research capabilities.

The research center leads in experimental conditions, research strength, and product quality, making it a frontrunner in the domestic steel industry. It focuses on nine disciplines, with automotive sheet metal as a priority. Over the years, significant advancements have been made, such as the "Energy-Efficient Manufacturing Technology for Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel" and "Thermal Diagnosis for Galvanizing Furnaces," both recognized as scientific achievements in Chongqing. Additionally, high-tech products like "Pre-painted Steel for Laminates," "Double-sided Pre-painted Steel," and "Ultra-Precision Cold-Rolled Steel" have been certified as high-tech products in Chongqing, with "Energy-Saving Galvanized Steel" highlighted as a key innovation.

As a renowned enterprise in the steel industry, Panhua Group actively participates in developing national and industry standards. Our R&D center has contributed to drafting important guidelines, including YB/T4210 for heat balance in incinerators and curing ovens, and YB/T4211 for CGL furnace heat balance. Currently, our research center is involved in drafting three national and four industry standards, demonstrating its commitment to advancing the sector.
Color-coated steel strips designed for glazed tile applications
Research Equipment
Research Equipment

Over 2.7 million RMB has been invested in acquiring more than 20 advanced testing instruments and equipment sets.

Research Achievements
Research Achievements
Color-coated steel strips designed for glazed tile applications

Main Applications
Conventional color-coated steel often falls short when faced with complex deformations, leading to defects like paint peeling during manufacturing. This innovative product handles intricate shaping with ease, making it ideal for applications like glazed tiles. These tiles undergo longitudinal corrugation followed by deep transverse shaping to create realistic leaf-edge patterns, catering to the demand for high-end, environmentally friendly villa construction overseas.

Key Technologies
Achieving both flexibility and hardness in the coating was a significant challenge. Typically, organic resins harden in a way that prioritizes one over the other. During shaping, molds apply pressure on the coating, demanding enough hardness to prevent surface damage. Simultaneously, the coating must flex without cracking to match the mold's contours. Additionally, strong adhesion between the coating and the steel substrate ensures both layers deform together, preventing peeling or detachment during complex processes.

Innovation Highlights
After extensive testing, we successfully introduced an epoxy-modified polyester resin. Polyester offers great flexibility but lacks hardness, while epoxy provides strength but is less flexible. Combining these two has always been a challenge. By using a specialized modifier, we achieved a seamless blend of both properties, ensuring durability and flexibility in one.
We developed a unique formula that combines silicate and molybdate. Silicate acts as a bonding agent, improving adhesion between the coating and the steel. Molybdate, on the other hand, offers excellent anti-oxidation properties, boosting the product's resistance to corrosion and extending its lifespan.

Market Potential
Specialized colored coated steel strips is designed for producing glazed tiles, offering significant advantages over traditional clay tiles. These tiles not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also reduce weight, making them easier to handle and install. Additionally, their recyclability aligns with modern sustainability goals, making them an eco-friendly choice. In 2015 alone, the demand for such products in Russia was projected to exceed 800,000 tonnes, highlighting their growing popularity in international markets and their potential for widespread adoption.
Eco-Friendly Cold-Rolled Electrical Steel
Eco-Friendly Cold-Rolled Electrical Steel
Eco-Friendly Cold-Rolled Electrical Steel

Main Features
This eco-friendly cold-rolled electrical steel offers the same core benefits as standard electrical steel, such as surface insulation, coating adhesion, and corrosion resistance. However, it stands out for its compliance with strict environmental standards, including the globally recognized EU ROHS certification. This makes it ideal for applications requiring adherence to the most rigorous environmental regulations.

Technical Details
The key innovation in cold-rolled electrical steel is the development of an environmentally friendly insulation coating. This new formulation is free from harmful substances specified under the EU ROHS certification, addressing the long-standing reliance on chromium in silicon steel insulation coatings.
Chromium is a unique element due to its ability to exist in multiple oxidation states, ranging from -2 to +6. Common chromium oxides include CrO (+2) and Cr2O3 (+6). While higher oxidation states provide superior oxidative properties, they are also more easily reduced to lower states. Unfortunately, hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) compounds, such as CrO3, are highly toxic. Prolonged exposure to these compounds can lead to serious health issues, including nasal inflammation, bronchial asthma, kidney damage, and even cancer. As a result, Cr6+ is strictly regulated under environmental protection guidelines.

Innovation Highlights

  • Eliminating Hexavalent Chromium
    Through extensive research and testing, molybdate and phosphate compounds were successfully introduced as replacements for chromate-based compounds. This is the first instance globally to achieve such a breakthrough in electrical steel coatings. The new insulation layer achieves equal or superior performance compared to traditional Cr6+ coatings while adhering to strict environmental standards.
  • Enhancing Compatibility of Organic/Inorganic Coatings
    Inorganic materials are crucial for chromium-free insulation coatings, offering excellent surface resistivity and heat resistance. However, they can lead to excessive wear on stamping tools and poor adhesion to steel sheets. By incorporating organic resins, the coating’s lubrication improves, reducing tool wear. The inherent incompatibility between hydrophilic inorganics and hydrophobic organics was resolved through advanced treatment processes, ensuring a cohesive and effective coating.
  • Improved Adhesion Performance
    Addressing poor adhesion was a critical challenge. Issues such as overly thick coatings, improper drying or baking temperatures, often led to reduced adhesion. Poor adhesion can cause edge coating flaking during slitting or continuous stamping, compromising insulation and corrosion resistance. Additionally, stress relief annealing can worsen adhesion problems, resulting in rough, uneven oxide films on the steel surface. The new coating process overcomes these obstacles, ensuring robust adhesion for enhanced durability and performance.
Continuous Hot-Dip Galvanized Carbon Steel Sheet for Stamping Applications
Color-coated steel strips designed for glazed tile applications
Color-coated steel strips designed for glazed tile applications

Applications
Continuous hot-dip galvanized carbon steel sheets are ideal for manufacturing parts with complex shapes that require both excellent corrosion resistance and high structural integrity. These sheets are particularly suited for the production of high-end motorcycle components and other industrial parts demanding advanced stamping processes.

Key Technologies
The core challenge in developing this product lies in enhancing the stamping performance of galvanized steel. This requires low yield strength and high elongation to ensure uniform deformation during complex stamping processes, avoiding defects like cracking or orange peel. The internal grain structure must be moderately coarse to counteract the Kirkendall effect caused by interstitial atoms such as carbon (C) and nitrogen (N), facilitating smooth deformation without slip lines.

Innovation Highlights
This research project introduces breakthroughs throughout the entire production process, from steelmaking to cold rolling and annealing:

  • Steelmaking
    During steelmaking, carbon and nitrogen levels are reduced, and 0.04% to 0.5% aluminum (Al) is added to bind with nitrogen, forming AlN compounds. This prevents nitrogen from acting as an interstitial atom. Additionally, titanium from Panxi iron ore helps stabilize interstitial atoms, reducing the risk of Cottrell atmospheres and enhancing stamping performance.
  • Cold Rolling Adjustments
    A lower reduction ratio, typically between 65% and 75%, minimizes deformation of the initial grains, preventing excessive fiber structure formation and paving the way for pancake-shaped grains.
  • Advanced Annealing Techniques
    Annealing temperature is raised from 720°C to 760°C to compensate for energy deficiencies during cold rolling. This requires oxygen-free heating technology, which significantly increases heating speed and efficiency. The resulting transformation from elongated grains to pancake-shaped grains enhances deformation properties, avoiding slip lines and ensuring superior stamping performance.
China’s Leader in Flat-Rolled Steel & Coil Products

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