EcoEco PickledPickledSurfaceSurface

A truly green technologyA truly green technologythat replaces acid pickling ofthat replaces acid pickling of

flat rolled steel, the EPS processflat rolled steel, the EPS processdelivers savings to steel mills anddelivers savings to steel mills and

processors and brings a clearly betterprocessors and brings a clearly betterproduct to steel users. product to steel users.

Eco Pickled Eco Pickled Surface Surface

®

Successful EPS Processing

For steel mills, service centers and toll processors, the simplicity and economics of EPS processing are compelling. And the modular nature of EPS cells offers remarkable flexibility for implementing this advanced technology in production facilities.

The Material Works, Ltd.

Most important, the EPS Service Technicians are accessible 24/7 to answer questions and guide operations personnel to the best solution for any issues they encounter.

Comprehensive EPS Support

Learn more about becoming an EPS Processor.

Then, please contact EPS Sales for additional information or a quote for environmentally friendly EPS Technology.

www.TheMaterial orks.com

EPS Outperforms Acid Pickling

Even the newest acid pickling technology involves serious risks and unavoidable costs:

EPS eliminates these problems, yet has a 30% capital cost advantage over acid pickling.

EPS overcomes these limitations of acid pickling.

.

.

.

The Four Cell EPS Coil Lineat Steel Technologies, Mexico

Productivity & Flexibility Gains

Advantages for Mills and Processors Flexible Production Line Configurations

These applications all benefit from the fact that EPS processed steel is dry - there’s no oil or other surface contaminants

Eco Pickled Surface (EPSEco Pickled Surface (EPS) is a proven, patented process invented and developedis a proven, patented process invented and developed by The Material Works to replace acid pickling of flat rolled steel. Like acid pickling,by The Material Works to replace acid pickling of flat rolled steel. Like acid pickling, EPS removes mill scale from the surface of hot rolled steel, including stainless.EPS removes mill scale from the surface of hot rolled steel, including stainless. Unlike acid pickling, EPS pickling is safe and completely harmless to the environment.Unlike acid pickling, EPS pickling is safe and completely harmless to the environment.

Instead of caustic acids, EPS uses steel grit mixed with ordinary water and continuously recycles and re-uses these two process ingredients. Thecore technology, called Slurry Blasting, propels the grit and watermixture onto the strip in uniform streams that remove surface scale without removing the base steel. The resulting stripsurface is remarkably clean, uniform and rust-resistant EPS processing does not affect steel chemistry or hardness, but yields a surface that’s optimizedfor paint performance - superior appearanceand better corrosion resistance.

EPS descaling capacity is produced in discrete units called EPS CellsEPS Cells. A standard EPS Cell houses 8 Slurry Turbines - four to descale the top surface and four to descale the bottom surface - plus the rinsing, filtering and slurry delivery systems for continuous, automatic operation. A standard EPS Cell can descale roughly 18,000 tons/month of hot roll strip steel coils, operating in a ‘push-pull’ configuration.

In an EPS production line, EPS Cells can be placed in series - two, three, four or more - to form a high capacity EPS pickling line. Line speed increases proportionately with each EPS Cell added, and placing a scale breaker before the EPS Cells can significantly increase line speed. However, an EPS production However, an EPS production line occupies only about half of the space of an acid pickling line occupies only about half of the space of an acid pickling line of comparable capacity.line of comparable capacity.

Modular EPS CellsModular EPS Cells

High Magnification of Slurry Grit Particles

The One Cell EPSSheet Line at TMW TTTTTTTTTTTTThhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeee OOOOOOOOOOOOOnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeee CCCCCCCCCCCeeeeeeeeeeee EEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSShhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeettttttttttttt LLLLLLiiiiinnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeee aaaaaaaaaatttttttttttt TTTTTTTTTTTTTMMMMMMMMMMMMMWWWWWWWWWWWWW The One Cell EPSThe One Cell EPSSheet Line at TMW Sheet Line at TMW

PS uses steel grit mixed with ordinary water andre-uses these two process ingredients. Theurry Blasting, propels the grit and waterniform streams that remove surface e base steel. The resulting stripn, uniform and rust-resistant affect steel chemistry orface that’s optimizeduperior appearancetance.

es

feed inhot band

strip

Output is EPSpickled strip

A Slurry Turbine consists of slurry

feed, drive motorand impeller wheel

Streams of slurry are sprayed at boththe top and bottom

of the strip

The Optimized EPS Surface

As the EPS process removes mill scale it also conditions the strip surface for optimum performance in fabricating or coating applications and leaves it rust-resistant with no need for a protective oil coating. That’s why major automotive OEMs have approved EPS processed steel to replace HRPO in their products.

EPS End Use And Application Test Results”.

www.epsprocess.com

Approved By Automotive OEMs

The Two Cell EPS Coil Lineat Lee Steel Corp., USA

Fabricators rave about the appearance and cleanliness of EPS processed steel. But they agree that no scale - - is the key to savings and allows them to replace all their hot roll, HRPO and pickled dry with EPS processed hot roll alone.

Cost Savings for Manufacturers

The Three Cell EPS Coil Lineat Taiyuan Iron & Steel, China

EPS processed steel resists rusting when handled/stored such that it does not come into contact with moisture.

.

.

EPS Resists Rusting ithout Oil M

Material Quality and Recovery

Eco PickledSurface

A truly green technologythat replaces acid pickling of

flat rolled steel, the EPS processdelivers savings to steel mills and

processors and brings a clearly betterproduct to steel users.

Eco Pickled Surface

Successful EPS Processing

For steel mills, service centers and toll processors, the simplicity and economics of EPS processing are compelling. And the modular nature of EPS cells offers remarkable flexibility for implementing this advanced technology in production facilities.

The Material Works, Ltd.

Most important, the EPS Service Technicians are accessible 24/7 to answer questions and guide operations personnel to the best solution for any issues they encounter.

Comprehensive EPS Support

Learn more about becoming an EPS Processor.

Then, please contact EPS Sales for additional information or a quote for environmentally friendly EPS Technology.

www.TheMaterial orks.com

EPS Outperforms Acid PicklingEPS Outperforms Acid Pickling

Even the newest acid pickling technology involves serious risks and unavoidable costsEven the newest acid pickling technology involves serious risks and unavoidable costs:

EPS eliminates these problems, yet has a 30% capital cost advantage over acid pickling.EPS eliminates these problems, yet has a 30% capital cost advantage over acid pickling.

When running harder steels like high carbon and alloy, acid pickling lines have to be slowed considerably - as much as 75% slower than when running low carbon steel. And acid pickling of stainless steel requires a dedicated line, because it uses the much more dangerous, expensive hydrofluoric acid. EPS overcomes these EPS overcomes these limitations of acid pickling.limitations of acid pickling.

An EPS line processes high carbon and alloy steel at roughly the same throughput as low carbon steel. That same EPS line will also process stainless steel at highly productive rates. In fact, longtime acid picklers have hit upon a strategy of using EPS to make their existing acid pickling lines much more productive:

. Install a multi-cell push-pull EPS processing line,

. Move the difficult-to-pickle steels from their continuous acid pickling line to the EPS line where they will run much faster,

. Dedicate the continuous acid pickling line to mild steels so it can run at its top speed.

This strategy can increase the effective capacity of an existing acid pickling line by as much as 75% in some cases.

. The risk of hydrogen explosions and fire

. Potential for acid burns and fume inhalation

. Deterioration of facilities, especially roof structures

. Expensive permitting, ongoing environmental reporting

. Extensive safety training, transportation considerations

. Acid regeneration and neutralization/disposal of pickling sludge

The Four Cell EPS Coil Lineat Steel Technologies, Mexico TTTTTTTTTTTThhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeee FFFFFFFFFFooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrr CCCCCCCCCCCCCeeeeeeeeeeeee EEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSSSSSS CCCCCCCCCCCCoooooooooooooiiiilll LLLLLLLLLLiiinnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeee

aaaaaaaaaatttttttttttt SSSSSSSSSSSSStttttttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelllll TTTTTTTTTTTTTeeeeeeeeeeccccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooo ooooooooooooogggggggggggiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeessssssssss,,,,,,,,, MMMMMMMMMMMMMeeeeeeeeeeexxxxxxxxxxxiiiiiccccccccccccooooooooooo The Four Cell EPS Coil LineThe Four Cell EPS Coil Line

at Steel Technologies, Mexico at Steel Technologies, Mexico

Productivity & Flexibility Gains Productivity & Flexibility Gains

Advantages for Mills and Processors Advantages for Mills and Processors Flexible Production Line Configurations

a coil of stainless steel emerges from an EPS Cell

Steel producers and processors alike are investing in EPS production lines because EPS processed steel performs consistently well - often better than HRPO - in these value-added applications:

. Annealing

. Cold Reduction

These applications all benefit from the fact that EPS These applications all benefit from the fact that EPS processed steel is dry processed steel is dry - there’s no oil or other surface there’s no oil or other surface contaminantscontaminants. No need to remove oil prior to coating or galvanizing is a substantial benefit. The EPS process also mitigates common surface defects like silicon streaks, minor roll marks and pitting, so it presents a more uniform surface for any downstream process.

. Coil Coating

. Hot Dip Galvanizing "EPS processed steel offers very good performance for hot dip galvanizing. It presents a very uniform, ‘tight’ finish with excellent adhesion. EPS can be combined with a hot strip galvanizing line in place of an acid pickling section ." - Galvanizing Engineer from SMS - SIEMAG

"What attracted us to EPS processed steel was the dry surface. Also, the cleanliness - EPS removes silicon streaks that acid pickling highlights. We’re very happy annealing and cold reducing EPS.“ - Robert Costello, VP Operations for Greer Steel Company

Eco Pickled Surface (EPS) is a proven, patented process invented and developed by The Material Works to replace acid pickling of flat rolled steel. Like acid pickling, EPS removes mill scale from the surface of hot rolled steel, including stainless. Unlike acid pickling, EPS pickling is safe and completely harmless to the environment.

EPS Cells

However, an EPS production line occupies only about half of the space of an acid pickling line of comparable capacity.

Modular EPS Cells

The One Cell EPSSheet Line at TMW

The Optimized EPS SurfaceThe Optimized EPS Surface

"Basically, an EPS surface is more uniform over smallerdimensions than acid pickling. So even though it is‘rougher’, it gives a better paint (e-coat) appearance.” - Metallurgist for Severstal, LLC

EPS produces a uniform, lustrous surface with a matte cold rolled appearance. What’s more, the Slurry Blasting process can be controlled to produce a surface finish that is optimized for the application. The standard finish is a higher Ra, lower Wa surface characterized by regular ‘micro jagged’ peaks and valleys along an overall smooth contour. This offers superior paint adhesionand corrosion resistance, while assuring a very smooth paint appearance.

With EPS, you no longer have to accept whatever surface texture was on the steel when acid pickling removed the mill scale. Instead, you can now receive a surface texture that, experience has shown, is usually better for how you or your customers will ultimately use the steel.

As the EPS process removes mill scale it also conditions the strip surface for optimumAs the EPS process removes mill scale it also conditions the strip surface for optimum performance in fabricating or coating applications and leaves it rust-resistant with performance in fabricating or coating applications and leaves it rust-resistant with no need for a protective oil coating. That’s why major automotive OEMs have approved no need for a protective oil coating. That’s why major automotive OEMs have approved EPS processed steel to replace HRPO in their products.EPS processed steel to replace HRPO in their products.

EPS processed steel has undergone substantial testing, both in accredited laboratories and on factory floors. The most comprehensive testing has been to major automotive OEM standards, with particular emphasis on paint and weld performance. In every case, tested EPS samples satisfied acceptance criteria and EPS pickled steel was designated as fully acceptable to replace HRPO.

These and an array of other tests of EPS processed steel have been compiled in a report “EPS End Use And EPS End Use And Application Test ResultsApplication Test Results”. ”. The entire report is available for download from the EPS web site: www.epsprocess.comwww.epsprocess.com

Approved By Automotive OEMs Approved By Automotive OEMs

This ‘dry’ (no oil) EPS processed coil is destined for a Tier 1 automotive stamper

The Two Cell EPS Coil LineTTTTTTTTThhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeee TTTTTTTTTTTTTwwwwwwwwwwwwwooooooooooooo CCCCCCCCCCCCeeeeeeeeeeelll EEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSSSSSS CCCCCCCCCCCCoooooooooooiiiiii LLLLLLLLLLLLLiinnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeThe Two Cell EPS Coil LineThe Two Cell EPS Coil Lineat Lee Steel Corp., USA at Lee Steel Corp., USA

EPS Sample

Optical Profilometry Scans Profiles:Acid Pickled Steel and EPS Samples

After Chromating and E-Coating

Measurements by Severstal Dearborn, LLC. -4.0 -2.0 0 2.0 4.0 μm μm

Acid Pickled Sample Ra = 0.66 μm Rt = 9.70 μm Wa = 1.68 μm

Ra = 0.81 μm Rt = 10.08 μm Wa = 0.69 μm

Fabricators rave about the appearance and cleanliness of EPS processed steel. But they agree that no scale - - is the key to savings and allows them to replace all their hot roll, HRPO and pickled dry with EPS processed hot roll alone.

Cost Savings for Manufacturers

The Three Cell EPS Coil Lineat Taiyuan Iron & Steel, China

EPS processed steel resists rusting when handled/stored such that it does not come into contact with moisture.

.

.

EPS Resists Rusting ithout Oil M

Material Quality and Recovery

Eco Pickled Surface (EPS) is a proven, patented process invented and developed by The Material Works to replace acid pickling of flat rolled steel. Like acid pickling, EPS removes mill scale from the surface of hot rolled steel, including stainless. Unlike acid pickling, EPS pickling is safe and completely harmless to the environment.

EPS Cells

However, an EPS production line occupies only about half of the space of an acid pickling line of comparable capacity.

Modular EPS Cells

The One Cell EPSSheet Line at TMW

The Optimized EPS Surface

As the EPS process removes mill scale it also conditions the strip surface for optimum performance in fabricating or coating applications and leaves it rust-resistant with no need for a protective oil coating. That’s why major automotive OEMs have approved EPS processed steel to replace HRPO in their products.

EPS End Use And Application Test Results”.

www.epsprocess.com

Approved By Automotive OEMs

The Two Cell EPS Coil Lineat Lee Steel Corp., USA

The clean, consistent EPS surface and absence of oil provides an array of benefits to manufacturers:

Fabricators rave about the appearance and cleanliness of EPS processed steel. But Fabricators rave about the appearance and cleanliness of EPS processed steel. But they agree that no scale they agree that no scale - - is the key to savings and allows them to is the key to savings and allows them to replace all their hot roll, HRPO and pickled dry with EPS processed hot roll alonereplace all their hot roll, HRPO and pickled dry with EPS processed hot roll alone.

Cost Savings for ManufacturersCost Savings for Manufacturers

EPS mitigates common mill imperfections like roll marks, pitting, silicon streaks and pickling stains. And it doesn’t just resist rusting, it also removes surface rust from degraded coils. EPS processing can transform secondary material into prime:

The Three Cell EPS Coil Lineat Taiyuan Iron & Steel, China

ee LLLLLLLLLiiiinnneeeeeennnnneeeeCCCCCCCCCCCoooooooooooiiiii nnnnnnnnnCCCCCCCCCCCoooSSSSSSSSSSS CCCCCCCCCCC EEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEhhhhhhhrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee CCCCCCCCCCCCCeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee hhhhhhhhhheeeeeee TTTTTTTTTTThhhhhhhhhhheeeTTTTTTTTTTTThhhhhhhhhhh eeee eee e ll oooooooooooooeeell l eeeee ee PPPPPPS oiaaaatttttttttt TTTTTTTTTaaaaaaiiiiiyyyyyyyyyyyyuuuuuuuuuuuuuaaaaaannnnnnnnnnn rrrrrrrrooooonnnnnnnnnnnn &&&&&&&&&&&&& SSSSSSSSSSSSStttttttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeellll,,,,,,,,, CCCCCCCCCCCCChhhhhhhhhhhhhiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnaaaa rrrrrrrrrrrrroooo && SSSSSSSSSSSt CCCCCCCCCCyyyyyyyyyyyuuaaaaa aaaaaaii aaaaa oooooooo &&&&& eeee ii aaaaaaThe Three Cell EPS Coil LineThe Three Cell EPS Coil Line

at Taiyuan Iron & Steel, China at Taiyuan Iron & Steel, China

EPS processed steel resists rusting when handled/stored EPS processed steel resists rusting when handled/stored such that it does not come into contact with moisture. such that it does not come into contact with moisture.

This has been proven in both the laboratory and actual processing environments. It's why nearly all EPS is ordered ‘dry’ - without oil. But how is rust resistance possible?

. In acid pickling, the chemical reaction leaves trace amounts of chloride salts that react rapidly with any moisture to cause rusting (the oil film on HRPO is needed to prevent contact with moisture). EPS pickling leaves no chloride salts.,

. An additive used in the EPS slurry to reduce "smut" contains a rust inhibitor, a residual amount of which remains on the steel surface after rinsing. It has no impact on paint performance, but enhances EPS rust resistance.

EPS Resists RustingEPS Resists Rusting ithout Oil ithout Oil M

"Our customers comment on how well the clean, oil-free EPS surface laser cuts, how it lets them increase their laser speed, and how the dry surface helps throughout their other fabricating processes.” - Terry Orsbun, GM of O’Neal Steel, Evansville, Indiana

. Significantly faster laser cutting speeds

. Reductions in laser maintenance

. Sheets no longer stick together when destacking

. Stronger, more uniform weld bead

. Reductions in toxic welding fumes

. Can ‘lean out’ paint pretreatment with no loss of corrosion protection

. Change pretreatment wash solution less often

. Reductions in laser maintenance

. Entire shop - tooling, machines, parts even the employees - stay much cleaner

. No rust removal, rust rejects or rust claims

Material Quality and Recovery Material Quality and Recovery

"I'm very impressed with EPS. We proved it is rust-resistant and obtained excellent salt spray test results. It even removes silicon streaks. With no oil, there's less smoke in our thermal processing and our paint pretreatment system stays much cleaner.” - Matt DeJong, VP of DeJong Manufacturing

Eco PickledSurface

A truly green technologythat replaces acid pickling of

flat rolled steel, the EPS processdelivers savings to steel mills and

processors and brings a clearly betterproduct to steel users.

Eco Pickled Surface

Successful EPS ProcessingSuccessful EPS Processing

For steel mills, service centers and toll processors, the simplicity and economics of For steel mills, service centers and toll processors, the simplicity and economics of EPS processing are compelling. And the modular nature of EPS cells offers remarkable EPS processing are compelling. And the modular nature of EPS cells offers remarkable flexibility for implementing this advanced technology in production facilitiesflexibility for implementing this advanced technology in production facilities.

The Material Works, Ltd.The Material Works, Ltd.

®

EPS production lines can be configured to process sheet and plate or coil. EPS Cells can be installed in existing coil processing lines or replace acid pickling sections of combined pickling/cold rolling lines or pickling/galvanizing lines. They can even be installed in existing acid pickling lines, either replacing aged acid tanks, or performing ‘first-pass’ descaling to speed up the line.

EPS Processors have the flexibility of acquiring turnkey EPS production systems from multiple approved manufacturers of coil processing equipment. This accommodates preferences for line controls and local availability of service and parts for the coil handling portion of the line.

TMW has approved and partnered with suppliers of both service center grade and mill grade equipment. These partners receive the EPS Cells from TMW and integrate them into a complete new line or a reconfigured existing line, with TMW assistance and support every step of the way.

A 2-Cell EPS Coil Line is half the space, half

the installation cost of an acid pickling line.

As the developer and supplier of EPS Cells, The Material Works, Ltd. provides complete technical support from pre-construction facilities consulting, to startup management and operator training, to on-line maintenance instructions and replacement parts ordering.

With EPS integrated diagnostics software, we can remotely monitor EPS system performance and advise on adjustments and practices to optimize operation. Most important, the EPS Service Most important, the EPS Service Technicians are accessible 24/7Technicians are accessible 24/7 to answer to answer questions and guide operations personnel to questions and guide operations personnel to the best solution for any issues they encounter. the best solution for any issues they encounter.

Comprehensive EPS SupportComprehensive EPS Support

Learn more about becoming an EPS Processor.Learn more about becoming an EPS Processor.Start by visiting the EPS web site: www.epsprocess.com

There you will find detailed information about EPS technology, applications, approvals and experience. You’llalso find interactive calculators which model EPS Processing economics for a variety of scenarios and assumptions.Then, please contact EPS Sales for additional information or a quote for environmentally friendly EPS Technology.Then, please contact EPS Sales for additional information or a quote for environmentally friendly EPS Technology.

pp pp

101 South Main Street . Red Bud, IL 62278

Phone: 618 282-4200 . Fax: 618 282-4201

www.TheMaterialwww.TheMaterial orks.comorks.comCopyright © The Material Works, Ltd. 2014. All Rights Reserved.

EPS Outperforms Acid Pickling

Even the newest acid pickling technology involves serious risks and unavoidable costs:

EPS eliminates these problems, yet has a 30% capital cost advantage over acid pickling.

EPS overcomes these limitations of acid pickling.

.

.

.

The Four Cell EPS Coil Lineat Steel Technologies, Mexico

Productivity & Flexibility Gains

Advantages for Mills and Processors Flexible Production Line Configurations Flexible Production Line Configurations

These applications all benefit from the fact that EPS processed steel is dry - there’s no oil or other surface contaminants