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Terneplate may not be the best-known or biggest enduse coated steel product, but much of the world's road vehicle system would still grind to a halt without it. The lead/tin coated steel sheet has been used for decades to fabricate petrol tanks, and although it is steadily losing out to plastic alternatives at some Western car manufacturers, growing automotive industries in many parts of the world are offering potential new markets for this mature product.
It was these new opportunities that prompted British Steel Strip Products to upgrade and expand its Cookley works in the English West Midlands, the only terneplate producer in the UK and one of only a handful in the world. The 2.5m (US$4.1m) upgrade, which was completed last August, increased capacity for its "Ternex" brand from 26,000 tpy to 60,000 tpy, with the maximum strip width increasing from 1,150mm to 1,300mm and maximum strip speed increasing from twelve to 30 metres/min. Why is terneplate still retaining its main markets? The combination of deep-drawing cold rolled steel substrate and lead-tin coating results in a highly corrosion-resistant material that can be drawn or pressed into complex shapes while retaining coating integrity. In addition, it is also easily soldered or welded for rapid fabrication. Fuel tanks comprise at least 80% of the sales of Cookley's output, estimates David Parry, business manager, Ternex, while other uses include domestic and industrial gas meter housings,...