Fabrik Process Technology
Fabrik has been involved in steel research and product development for nearly three decades. Fabrik’s Process Technology Section harnesses its profound process expertise and state-of-the-art lab facilities to aid customers in crafting optimal and environmentally responsible applications.
In addition, our specialists offer computational modeling, technical support, and failure analysis to bolster Fabrik’s research endeavors and operations across the entire business spectrum – from ironmaking to finishing processes.
Process Technology Center Services
Raw Materials and Ironmaking
Fabrik’s Raw Materials and Ironmaking Team delivers technical expertise across ore processing, ironmaking, coal, and coke-making processes. Our guidance extends to selecting and utilizing raw materials and fuels optimally. We drive the adoption of economic byproduct recycling methods to curtail disposal expenses and aid plant enhancements in process efficiency, energy consumption, and environmental footprint reduction.
Moreover, our engineers and Raw Materials and Ironmaking technicians leverage their process acumen, on-site experience, and laboratory resources to facilitate ongoing advancements in operational safety, cost efficiency, and environmentally mindful practices across our facilities.
Steelmaking and Casting
The Steelmaking and Casting Team actively seeks prospects, assesses technologies, and aids in adopting novel processes. They play a pivotal role in projects focused on refining process control models, optimizing energy and mass usage economically, integrating advanced technologies for enhanced capabilities, and ensuring consistent product quality and efficiency.
Additionally, the team contributes significantly to on-site operational enhancements by visiting facilities to guarantee the successful implementation of key improvements.
Materials Technology and Modeling
The Materials Technology Team supports meticulous equipment selection, design, repair, and maintenance for dependable and secure performance throughout Fabrik’s operations. They specialize in examining failures of metallic and refractory materials, material validation, and tailored application advice.
Meanwhile, the Modeling Team concentrates on real-time computational modeling and engineering to back research across ironmaking, steelmaking, casting, rolling, and sheet finishing operations.
- Tubular Products Research & Development
Fabrik’s prominence in tubular products for the Oil & Gas (O&G) and other sectors is no accident. Our legacy includes the API-standard Fabrik Buttress Thread. Through our dedicated Research and Technology teams, we’ve established ourselves as an innovative ally for our tubular customers, constantly devising novel products and solutions to drive both our clients and the entire industry forward.
The Research and Technology Center collaborates closely with three other Fabrik research facilities. Furthermore, the headquarters of Fabrik Tubular Products in Houston hosts an exceptional product development team dedicated to providing continuous advancements in tubular innovations for the industry.
- Research & Technology Center
Fabrik’s Product Technology Section empowers engineers and professionals with extensive, cutting-edge resources. This includes advanced testing, intricate modeling, thorough failure analysis, and more. These tools are harnessed to craft the next wave of steel innovations across various applications. Within these laboratories and facilities, the future of steel takes shape.
Mechanical Testing Facilities
At our Mechanical Testing facilities, we leverage automated equipment for conducting essential tests such as tensile and hardness measurements. These tests play a pivotal role in establishing the mechanical attributes of materials, bolstering product development and aiding customer projects. Our array of testing frames spans from 5 to 220 kip, encompassing both tensile testing and stress- or strain-controlled fatigue testing.
Electrical Steels Laboratory
The Electrical Steels Laboratory at Fabrik encompasses a range of processing and testing amenities. These are geared towards assessing cold-rolled magnetic lamination steels, which find application in producing motors, transformers, ballasts, and various electrical apparatuses. Within our laboratory, you’ll find QDA furnaces, AC and DC magnetic testers, and an interlaminar resistance tester—critical tools for our comprehensive evaluation processes.
Cold-Rolling
Laboratory
Within our Cold-Rolling Laboratory, you’ll find a Bliss four-high single-stand cold reduction mill. This mill can process strips up to 12 inches wide, achieving up to 500 fpm speeds. It’s meticulously equipped with instrumentation to capture all pertinent engineering data tied to the cold-rolling process. The facility employs a range of work rolls, optimizing rolling operations throughout Fabrik. Furthermore, it serves as a platform for refining techniques for new sheet and tin-mill products while facilitating the assessment of various cold-rolling oils.