The Research & Control (R&C) Laboratory at Steel Authority of India Limited’s Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) has been playing a central role in the Steel Plant’s quality and product-innovation efforts. Notably, RSP is the first SAIL unit to secure simultaneous certifications from DNV and IRS and a BIS license for SBQ-grade steel plates.
Leveraging the Lab’s testing and development capabilities, RSP has commercialised ASTM A387 Class 2 (Grades 11 & 12) N&T plates up to 40 mm, higher-grade CRNO coils (50C400 & 50C470) at 0.50 mm, and demonstrated normalized rolling of E410BR plates up to 70 mm. The plant developed DMR 249A HR plates via the HSM route for the Indian Navy, SiK Grade-1 HR coils for stamping, IS 10748 Grade V high-strength HR coils for sharp bending, and low-carbon EDD steel via the RH route for downstream cold-rolling. RSP has also produced SAIL WR400 quenched plates meeting required hardness and mechanical properties, with warpage-control.
On process optimisation, RSP reduced ferro-alloy consumption through adjusted Manganese and ultra-low Niobium strategies in key grades. The plant secured IS 3039 (BIS) plus DNV and IRS certifications for shipbuilding steels and vendor approval from IOCL for API-grade coils up to X70 PSL2, opening high-value pipeline markets.
The department has carried out infrastructure upgrades like setting up of new Test House with 65 testing/sample-prep equipment items. The facilities to test Calcium Silicon and ferromanganese have been enhanced, while the converter-floor container-lab robotic system has been revived.
These advances demonstrate RSP’s commitment to innovation, cost-effective production and stringent quality standards.
