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QuesTek is a global leader in the field of Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) and has proven that new, ultra high performance materials can be designed much faster and at lower cost than traditional trial-and-error development methods.

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  +1 847-328-5800
  www.questek.com

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QuesTek & Daido Steel: Partners in Innovation through Materials by Design

Evanston, IL – June 23, 2022 – QuesTek has long been a company which empowers innovators by solving materials challenges. Very often, achieving next level success in advanced material design, production, and application leads to strategic, long-term relationships. A great example of QuesTek empowering innovation in materials is our long-standing partnership with Daido Steel Co., Ltd. For many years, QuesTek has supported Daido in rapidly and cost-effectively completing the materials cycle from novel design to marketplace, resulting in game-changing impacts on industries that Daido serves.

Daido, one of the world’s largest specialty steel, nickel, and alloy manufacturers, headquartered in Japan, first visited QuesTek’s office in Evanston, IL in 2014 to learn more about Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME). At that time, Daido had an interest in seeing what computational methods could do to augment its already robust materials development capabilities. 

That meeting quickly led to an initial engagement where QuesTek used its Materials by Design® technologies to optimize chemistry, forging practice, and heat treatment temperatures and times to maximize the strength-toughness combination of a Daido-proprietary high-performance steel. This approach and outcome showed Daido how to greatly reduce traditional trial-and-error methods of material experimentation, production trials, and testing. 

“Traditionally, we have conducted many experiments to develop and improve the properties of our materials,” said Mr. Shigeki Ueta, Deputy General Manager of Daido corporate R&D center. “But QuesTek’s ICME’s approach has dramatically streamlined these investigations and changed the way we think about materials development.”

QuesTek has applied its Materials by Design® technologies to support Daido on many other material development priorities, including:

• Carbides precipitation and microstructural evolution predictions in steels for improved performance by avoiding abnormal grain growth.
• Anti-phase boundary (APB) energy and strength calculations, recrystallization, and grain refinement of γ’ strengthened Ni based superalloys by optimizing the composition, forging and heat treatment process.
• Assisting in the accelerated qualification of Daido’s proprietary Ti alloys into demanding aerospace material specifications.

Additionally, Daido is currently considering trials for production of QuesTek’s Ferrium® PH48S™ steel and is conducting market research in parallel. This proprietary QuesTek alloy has a rare combination of high strength, high impact toughness even at low temperatures, and stainless corrosion resistance. The application opportunities for Daido include oil and gas and aerospace applications. 

“We greatly value our relationship with Daido Steel over the years. Their materials challenges and desired future state are always clearly defined, and they were an early and visionary supporter of QuesTek’s ICME methodologies,” said Jeff Grabowski, QuesTek’s Manager of Business Development. Adding, “They were one of our first repeat clients in Japan, and that experience in part led us to form our QuesTek Japan joint venture with CTC-ITOCHU. We are now talking with Daido about QuesTek’s cloud-based software platform, ICMD®. This platform will allow end users to design novel materials under license and subscription agreements.”                                                                                                                      

“To establish a presence as a materials manufacturer, it is essential to develop materials and improve their properties,” said Mr. Ueta. “As environmental issues and technological trends change dramatically, needs for materials are also diversifying, and it is becoming increasingly important to respond quickly to these changes. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with QuesTek to develop materials technologies that respond to technological changes in a variety of fields.”