China Fastener World Magazine No.59_Global Version

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Association

Association News from China China General Machine Components Industry Association (CMCA) Holds Secretary Chief Meeting (2020) in Beijing CMCA held a Secretary Chief Meeting (2020) on January 7 at CCECC Plaza in Beijing. A total of 19 people from various branches attended this event. Mr. Yao Hai-Guang, vice executive president, said 2019 was destined to be out of the ordinary. It was the 70th year of PRC’s founding and the 40th year since the Chinese economic reform. CMCA has been growing in the last 30 years. With the guidance of the central and regional governments, CMCA acts as a bridgehead for the industry, actively reacts to the trade war with the U.S. and the ever-complicated global trends, and makes critical contributions in stabilizing the health of the industries.

Hebei Fastener Industry Association Holds the Members Assembly Hebei Fastener Industry Association held the 1st (third round) members assembly at the Conference Hall of Yongnian Fastener Mold Exhibition Center. A total of 300 people attended this event. Besides recapping the works back in 2019, the Association also presented medals for “law-abiding tax-paying enterprises”, “excellent export-oriented enterprises”, and “role model for improving regulations”.

DongGuuang Fastener Association Holds ISO9001 Trainings

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DongGuang Fastener Association held trainings on ISO9001 at its office with nearly 40 participants. Besides promoting the advantage of international standards and certificates, the activity indirectly increased quality awareness on products and improved product competitiveness on the markets. The Association was established in 2019 to continue to facilitate industrial development.

Shenzhen Fastener Association Holds an Exchange Event for Companies Shenzhen Fastener Association held the first company visit and exchange event in 2020 on April 30. Led by Wong Keh-Jian, President of the Association, the association members met at Guangdong Allcent Technology and the intelligent industrial park invested by Allcent.

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中國公協會新聞 中國機械通用零部件工業協會2020年度 秘書長會議在北京召開 2020年1月7日，中國機械通用零部件工業協會 2020年度秘書長工作會議在北京中土大廈召開。、各 分支機搆相關工作人員共19人到會。常務副理事長 姚海光表示，2019年註定是不平凡的一年，時值中國 建國70周年、改革開放40年，中國機械通用零部件工 業協會也伴隨著成長了30年，協會充分發揮了行業 的橋頭堡作用，積極為應對美國發起的貿易戰和日 漸錯綜複雜的國際形勢，穩定行業健康發展做出了 重要貢獻。

河北省緊固件行業協會舉辦第一屆第三 次會員大會 河北省緊固件行業協會舉辦的第一屆第三次會員 大會於4月11日在永年緊固件模覽中心會議廳大廳舉 行，超過300人參加本次活動。當日除了回顧2019年的 工作情況外，也頒發「依法納稅先進企業」、「優秀出 口創匯企業」、「規範提升模範企業」等獎牌。

東莞緊固件協會舉辦ISO 9001培訓活動 東莞緊固件協會於5月11日舉辦ISO9001系列培訓 活動，於協會辦公室舉行，將近40人參加。本活動除推 動國際標準認證的優點外，也間接提升會員對自身產 品的品質知識，提升產品在市場中的競爭力。本協會 於2019年成立，持續對推動緊固件行業發展。

深圳市緊固件行業協會舉辦企業交流 4月30日深圳市緊固件行業協會展開2020首次的 企業參訪交流，由協會會長翁克儉領銜，參觀協會 成員齊聚廣東銓聖科技有限公司及其投資的智慧產 業園。

Association

by Gang Hao Chang, Vice Editor-in-Chief of Fastener World

Meet the New TFTA Chairman China Fastener World no.59/2020

“Participation of Young Generation, Interaction with Global Associations, Exhibiting at Int’l Trade Shows, and Arranging More Training Courses will be the Focal Points in My 2-Year Tenure,” Chairman Josh Chen says.

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Association Effective January 1st, 2020, President Josh Chen of Yung King Industries Co., Ltd. officially took the position as Chairman of Taiwan Fastener Trading Association (TFTA) for the next two years. Prior to taking this position, Chen has been quite active in many association affairs. He was not only one of the members right after TFTA became a juridical corporation, but also once served as president of TFTA N. Chapter, secretary-general and vice chairman. He has a wealth of experiences in the operation of TFTA. In the interview Chairman Chen specifically referred to his blueprints for TFTA in the next two years and he also said that it is just the beginning of heavy responsibilities, so he will try his best to voice for the interests of members and further facilitate the healthy development of TFTA, especially when the whole world is fighting against the coronavirus outbreak. Chen also hopes that all relevant parties throughout the world in collaboration with Taiwanese suppliers could realize that the epidemic in Taiwan is currently under very good control and the production and delivery are still normal.

Chairman Chen plans to focus on three major perspectives in his tenure:

1 To Encourage Active Participation of Young Generation and Arrange More Social Activities According to Chen, 2020 is the 31st anniversary of TFTA and the number of TFTA members has also shown a significant increase to more than 300. In this fast-changing era, the industry must be active in making quick responses to new trends (such as introducing new ideas and trying new approaches) and support more participation and contribution of young generation, which will help bring in new changes to the conventional industry. Based upon this idea, TFTA Service Committee will be renamed “Activity Committee.” With a clearer role, this committee will arrange more activities interesting to young generation, in order to boost interaction amongst different generations and vitalize the operation of TFTA. Rail travel around the Taiwan island, visiting Toyota’s plant in Nagoya, and even playing paintball games will be scheduled into TFTA’s 2020 event calendar. Chen particularly noted, “The industry must never stop its improvement. Through experience sharing and learning amongst generations, I’m convinced that the positive and effective advancement within Taiwanese fastener industry could be soon observed.”

2 To Strengthen Interaction with Global Associations and Exposure at Int’l Trade Shows For the past few years, TFTA has not only kept positive interaction with relevant fastener organizations in Taiwan, but also has established exchange platforms with other overseas fastener associations (NFDA & IFI in the U.S., EFDA & EIFI in the EU, SEIFSA in South Africa, SINPA in Brazil, and Hong Kong Screw and Fastener Council, for example). According to Chen, through int’l interaction, not only info exchange within industries could be further advanced, but also the opportunities for TFTA members to interact with overseas industries could be indirectly generated.

As a result, when challenges are ahead, they can be well-prepared to face them. TFTA used to participate as invited guests in several annual events of these leading associations. After Chen took the position of Chairman, he will also invite representatives from these associations to participate in TFTA’s events. For instance, TFTA plans to invite representatives from NFDA, EFDA, IFI and many other large importers to participate in the welcome gala one day before Taiwan International Fastener Show (Oct. 14-16, 2020), where the global fastener industries will gather under one roof in anticipation of establishing closer friendship with each other in an ambiance of “We Are All Family.”

Chen also noted that TFTA will continue to exhibit at International Fastener Expo in Las Vegas this year and Fastener Fair Stuttgart next year.

Through member catalogues dissemination at these exhibitions, TFTA hopes to increase the brand awareness of its members in the global market, help them develop new business opportunities and solicit more customers, and most importantly, let the int’l society get to know the strengths of Taiwanese fastener industry, which is also one of the mission statements of TFTA.

3 To Provide Courses on More Topics at More Advanced Level;

“Fastener Talent Certification” May be Introduced into the Industry in the Future

Considering the difficulty in training and hiring talents felt by many companies, Chen also hopes that with the influence of TFTA and by working with the authorities the “Fastener Talent Certification” can be introduced into the industry in the future. He added, “Similar certifications have been introduced into many industries. With the certification, companies can evaluate the skills of its job applicants in advance. Meanwhile, job applicants will be also forced to improve their skills before they submit resumes. However, Chen also added that it is still difficult to realize it at this moment, but can be a goal for the fastener industry in the future. Although there is currently no exact date for it, we hope that it can be finally made into reality, as it will definitely result in a sustainable development for the entire industry.

Helping Members Get Connected to the Global Market and Promote Strengths of Taiwanese Fastener Industry

At the end of the interview, Chen noted, "The survival of the fastener industry depends on whether one can work with each other. Through mutual collaboration the whole world can definitely see the strengths of Taiwanese fastener industry. Of course, more participation and interaction of our members are important. By doing so, Taiwanese fastener industry can be effectively and fast upgraded and show the whole world the power of products made-in-Taiwan."

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China Fastener World no.59/2020

Over the few years TFTA held many training courses for members and almost every course was attended by nearly a hundred fastener professionals, which proved to be successful in improving the quality of fastener talents. Hence, Chen will continue to provide courses on more informative and educational topics, which not only include courses on production & quality control, but also include those lectured by keynote speakers and experts from Taiwan's MIRDC, academics, industry skill training centers and worldly well-known brands (e.g., marketing or finance management). He also mentioned the possibility of TFTA’s meeting room rentals for members to hold small training sessions or conferences, which can enhance the space utilization of TFTA headquarters.

Fastener World News - Industry Update China's Total Export in April Takes an Unexpected Upturn of 3.5%

The pandemic is raging across the globe and strict quarantine is enforced in major economic entities. Enormous pressure is expected to cast on China's trade. However, the country took an unexpected upturn as General Administration of Customs of China released April trade statistics on its official website in May. China's total trading value (import plus export) in April declined 5% to USD 355.22 billion. The total export increased 3.5% to USD 200.28 billion; the total import decreased 14.2% to USD 154.94 billion. The April trade surplus increased to USD 45.34 billion.

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According to General Administration of Customs of China, for the January-toApril period, China's total trading value (import plus export) was USD 1.3 trillion, down 7.5%. The export value dropped by 9% to USD 678.2 billion; the import value dropped by 5.9% to 620.05 billion. The April trade surplus decreased 32.6% to USD 58.23 billion. The total trading value between the U.S. and China dropped by 12.8%. China exported a total value of RMB 702.28 billion to the U.S., down 15.9%, and imported a total value of RMB 256.18 billion from the U.S., down 3%. The trade surplus with the U.S. was RMB446.1 billion.

Car Sales in China Ends 21 Months of Drop in a Row According to the statistics of China A s s o c i a t io n of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), in April 2020, 2.102 million units of vehicles were produced a nd

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2.07 million units were sold in China, respectively up 46.6% and 43.5% from this March and up 2.3% and 4.4% from the same period last year. This also shows the end of the consecutive drop in sales over the past 21 months. CAAM said, as the pandemic curve in China has been gradually flattened since this April and Chinese government has also announced some stimulus plans for boosting local car production and sales, the performance of Chinese automotive market in April was improved. However, due to the pandemic in other countries, China only exported around 70,000 units of vehicles this April, down 22.9% from this March and down 15.7% from the same period last year.

In the first 4 months of 2020, 5.596 million units of cars were produced and 5.761 million units of cars were sold in China, respectively down 33.4% and 31.1% from the same period last year. In terms of new energy vehicles, the production and sales in China were both roughly 0.205 million units, a significant drop of 44.8% and 43.4% from the same period last year.

Beijing announced in March to extend the subsidies and tax exemption policies pertaining to new energy vehicles (EVs or plug-in Hybrids, for example) for 2 years, in order to deal with the recent low car sales result.

China Stops Imposing Extra Tariff on U.S. Fasteners at a Tensile Strength Over 800MPa The Tariffs & Regulations Committee of PR China’s State Council has recently announced the second wave of “exemption” list of products imported from the U.S. subject to extra tariffs. Screws and bolts at a tensile strength equal to and over 800MPa (product code 73181510), whether they are assembled with nuts or washers, are also in the “exemption” list. This

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by Fastener World

announcement will be effective from May 19 this year through May 18, 2021. Those tariffs already collected by the Chinese Customs before May 19 will, as a result, be reimbursed, and the importing companies involved can submit their applications to the Chinese Customs for the reimbursement within 6 months after the announcement of the “exemption” list.

Turkey Announces Additional Tariffs Against Imported Fasteners

According to the official journal no.

31103 (2424) of the Turkish Government released on April 18, certain fasteners imported to Turkey will be subject to additional tariffs, effective on the release date of the official journal.

From April 18 to September 30 this year, certain fasteners imported from countries falling within Cat. 5-9 to Turkey will be subject to a 30% additional tariff, and the countries falling within Cat. 9 (including China, Taiwan, Japan) will, as a result, face a 33.7% tariff rate in total.

After October 1, 2020, certain fasteners imported from countries falling within Cat. 5-9 to Turkey will be subject to a 10% additional tariff, and the countries falling within Cat. 9 (including China, Taiwan, Japan) will, as a result, face a 13.7% tariff rate in total.

Fastener categories involved in this case are shown as below, 7318.11.00.00.00 / 7318.12.10.00.00 / 7318.12.90.00.00 / 7318.13.00.00.00 / 7318.14.10.00.00 / 7318.14.91.00.00 / 7318.14.99.00.00 / 7318.15.20.00.00 / 7318.15.35.00.11 / 7318.15.35.00.12 / 7318.15.42.00.11 / 7318.15.42.00.12 / 7318.15.48.00.11 / 7318.15.48.00.12 / 7318.15.52.00.00 / 7318.15.58.00.00 / 7318.15.62.00.00 / 7318.15.68.00.00 / 7318.15.75.00.00 / 7318.15.82.00.00 / 7318.15.88.00.00 / 7318.15.95.00.11 / 7318.15.95.00.12 / 7318.16.31.00.00 /

Fastener World News 7318.16.39.00.00 / 7318.16.40.00.00 / 7318.16.60.00.00 / 7318.16.92.00.00 / 7318.16.99.00.00 / 7318.19.00.00.00 / 7318.21.00.00.00 / 7318.22.00.00.00 / 7318.23.00.00.00 / 7318.24.00.00.00 / 7318.29.00.00.00 Note: Categories of Countries Cat. 1: The EU, EFTA, Israel, North Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Morocco, Palestine, Tunisia, Egypt, Georgia, Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, Motenegro, Chile, Mauritius, Moldova, Faroe Islands Cat. 2: South Korea Cat. 3: Malaysia Cat. 4: Singapore Cat. 5: Countries enjoying favorable tariffs Cat. 6: Least developed countries Cat. 7: Countries applicable to special incentive measures Cat. 8: Developing countries Cat. 9: Others (such as China, Japan, Taiwan)

COVID-19 Pounds on American Car Market and Local Japanese Carmakers

full-year car sales forecast down to 14.1 million vehicles. That is a 17% drop which translates to a loss of 2.8 million vehicles.

The declining demand is affecting car production in Japan. According to Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Japan exported 1.73 million vehicles to the U.S. in 2019 which took up 40% of all the country's automotive export. The pandemic is making Japanese carmakers re-adjust production of cars for export to the U.S.

Ningbo Fastener Industry Seeks to Turn Crisis into a Way out of Pandemic In April, workers at Ningbo Zhongbin Fastener Mfg (China) have their hands full with orders to machine products that the company has developed for clients in China. "We made a quick change to turn our focus to the domestic market, and we got lucky. My company is not winding up in a hiatus," says President Bin Sung.

The company used to have most of its business targeting the U.S. and Europe, but the pandemic put a halt to the businesses in the U.S. and UK which are the main destinations of product export for Ningbo Z hongbi n Fastener. T hat renders t he company unable to deliver products outside China or manufacture products for overseas orders.

"There is no end in sight to the status quo before businesses in the U.S. and UK resume production. Our clients told us in their emails that they would have to make a decision 60 days later." To cope with the drastic changes in the market, the company went on a different path starting this February. It quickly shifted its focus to the domestic market and gained orders from large state-owned enterprises. Ningbo Jinding Fastening Piece is the largest fastener company in Zhenhai District. It planned to invest RMB50 million to build an intelligent inventory system wholly controlled by computers and robots starting April 15.

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- Companies Development According to Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun (The Daily Industrial News), COVID-19 is quickly freezing the American market.

T h e U. S. G DP i n M a r c h t o Ju n e i s estimated to decline 30%. Meanwhile, the American car demand is dwindling. Local Japanese carmakers are forced to shut down car plants for an extended period to May. The report reads that profits in the American market are one of the financial pillars for Japanese carmakers, and that their financial performance could take a huge blow. A market survey indicates the American new car sales in March declined 40% compared to last March. (Ever recall that appalling 80% car sales drop in China back in Febr uary? The American car sales in March already dropped half the margin of China's unprecedented free fall.)

Nomura Securities adjusted the American

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EFC International Announces Expansion with New Warehouse and Office in Chicago EFC International, a supplier of engineered fasteners, continues to expand. They are moving their Chicago branch office and warehouse to a new 64,000 square foot facility at 4150 Chandler Drive, Hanover Park, Illinois. Thomas Mansholt, vice president of operations states, “Our move enables EFC to enhance our service level by providing additional stocking programs with increased inventory space to meet both customer and supplier needs. With 4,200 pallet locations, 26-foot clear height ceilings, and a circular flow from receiving to inventory to shipping, we can ship product more efficiently and the facility allows for growth. The increased number of dock doors provides efficient flow for containers to be loaded for export, supporting customers for all EFC Global locations. This is another sign of our commitment to Redefine The World Of Distribution.�

EFC International is a global supplier of engineered components with locations in the United States, Mexico, Canada, China, Germany and South Korea.

Fastener World News establishing a 10 billion RMB worth of fastener business in the next 30 years,” said President Chang.

Hunan (China)-based FINEWORK New Project (Phase Two) Launching Ceremony Hunan (China)-based FINEWORK has recently given a launching ceremony for the construction of its new project (phase two). FINEWORK President Chang and more than 200 employees of FINEWORK attended the ceremony.

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“Established in 2012, FINEWORK is a local enterprise located in Taoyuan County (Hunan Province, China). We started the business from scratch. After 8 years of hard work and effort, FINEWORK has now successfully become an industryleading enterprise in China. In the future, we’ll continue to go toward the goal of

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FINEWORK is a privately-owned enterprise specialized in the R&D and production of high-strength fasteners and related fastening systems. Since the inception in 2012, it has been specifically focusing on high-tech innovation, expanding manufacturing scale, and increasing market share, making it quickly become one of the leading enterprises of intelligent manufacturing in Taoyuan County and one of the exemplary plants of intelligent manufacturing in China. FINEWORK’s products have been successfully sold to Spain, Poland, India, and the U.S. The total investment cost of the phase two construction is 0.5 billion RMB and the land required for the phase two project measures 200 acres.

The LISI Group Generated Sales of €397.9 Million in Q1 2020, Down 10.6% from 2019 The COVID-19 global pandemic significantly weighed on the Group’s activity in the second half of March, resulting in a fall in Q1 sales, with contrasting impacts on the divisions: • LISI AEROSPACE : Sales down 10.3%. The Structural Components activity was the most affected.

• LISI AUTOMOTIVE : Sales down 12.6%, with nearly three quarters of the decrease attributable to Threaded Fasteners, partially offset by the sound performance of Safety Mechanical Components.

• LISI MEDICAL : Sales down 4.2%. Notable growth at LISI MEDICAL Remmele (United States) helped mitigate the impact of lower activity levels in other sites.

At €397.9 million, consolidated sales for the first quarter of 2020 fell by 10.6%, down 27.4% for March alone.

Fastener World News Japanese Nitto Seiko Acquires All Shares of Mitsubishi Chemical Nitto Seiko acquired all shares of Mitsubishi Chemical Analytech on April 1 and renamed the company to Nittoseiko Analytech Co., Ltd. Nittoseiko Analytech has a complete line of analytic machines and will provide Nitto Seiko with synergy in sales, R&D and manufacture of parts inspection devices. Nito Seiko is an international manufacturer of automatic fastening devices and inspection devices for industrial fasteners with bases established in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and the U.S.

- Acquisitions Böllhoff and Gillis Aerospace Work Together to Create Connections With the acquisition of shares in Gillis Aerospace, a French manufacturer of aerospace fasteners, Böllhoff further expands its presence in the aerospace market sector. “We have for nearly 70 years supplied proven products and reliability to fulfil the demands of the aerospace industry. This includes certifications as well as special material and surface coating know-how, along with international access to our customers,” says Michael Böllhoff. “We are pleased that with Gillis Aerospace we now have an experienced and established production partner at our side, with whom we can advance our activities in the aerospace market sector.”

T he cooperation with Gillis Aerospace is based on a significant pa r ticipation of Böl l hof f i n t he French manufacturer of fasteners.

A cooperation contract was signed in January 2020 and the transaction wa s c omplet e d i n e a rly M a r ch .

T he c o o p e r a t ion i s i nt e n d e d t o create synergies, thus offering joint aerospace customers a wider product range and a broad service portfolio.

Bot h compa n ies wi ll cont r ibut e t hei r respective st rengt hs to t he cooperation.

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“Böllhoff’s global presence allows us to provide customers all over the world with our special fasteners,” st a t e s S e rge D u m a s , M a n a g i ng Director of Gillis Aerospace. “In ret u r n, Gillis is cont ributi ng its comprehensive manufacturing knowhow rega rdi ng fa st eners for t he aerospace sector to this cooperation.

T ha n ks to a n agi le a nd f lexible manufacturing concept, we are able to meet specific customer requirements, even i n sm a l l a nd me d iu m si z e production batches.” Over time, the cooperation will be continuously expanded – with the joint development of products.

Trimas Closes On Acquisition Of RSA Engineered Products Tr i M a s M a r. 2 n d a n n o u n c e d that it has closed the acquisition of RSA Engineered Products (RSA), a provider of h igh ly- engi neered and proprietary components for air management systems used in critical flight applications. TriMas previously a n nounced that it had signed a n

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Fastener World News agreement to acquire RSA on January 30, 2020. “We are excited to welcome the talented and experienced RSA Engineered Products team to TriMas Aerospace, and look forward to working together to serve our existing and new customers,” said John Schaefer, TriMas Aerospace President. “This acquisition demonstrates our ongoing commitment to grow our aerospace business and enhance the breadth of TriMas Aerospace’s product offerings. RSA also enhances our position in the defense and business jet markets, as well as increases our participation in the aftermarket.”

RSA designs, engineers and manufactures highly-engineered components, including air ducting products, connectors and flexible joints, predominantly used in aerospace and defense engine bleed air, anti-icing and environmental control system applications. “This acquisition is a meaningful step toward building out our TriMas aerospace platform,” said Thomas Amato, TriMas President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to all of the contributions RSA will make to TriMas.”

MiddleGround Capital Acquires EDSCO Fasteners MiddleGround Capital (“Middle Ground”), a private equity firm that makes control investments in North American middle market B2B industrial and specialty distribution companies, is pleased to announce that it has completed its acquisition of EDSCO Fasteners (“EDSCO”), a leading manufacturer of mission-critical anchoring systems for power transmission poles and other large steel structures. EDSCO’s anchoring systems are predominantly embedded in concrete foundations and custom engineered to allow structures to be securely placed on top of them. Each anchoring system is specifically designed for its location and usage, factoring in soil, weather conditions, temperature, and angle. Predominantly serving utility transmission and distribution (T&D) structure manufacturers, EDSCO’s product offering includes anchor cages, 18J rebar bolts, smooth bar bolts, bolt hardware, plates, and other fabricated products.

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Unique to EDSCO is its national geographic presence, industry-leading quality protocols, and flexible production capabilities. EDSCO is well-positioned to benefit from continued

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robust spending on infrastructure projects a c r o s s T& D, t e l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s , transportation, and wind power.

Elgin Fastener Group (EFG) Acquires Rockford Fastener Elgin Fastener Group (EFG) is pleased to announce it has acquired Rockford Fastener, a manufacturer of specialty fasteners known for offering excellent turnaround times, quality and customer responsiveness. Rockford Fastener is wellknown for delivering quality products across several product categories over their 40-year history. Product diameters range from #4 to ½” and lengths up to 5”. Markets served include agriculture, transportation, commercial construction, and general industrial end-markets. Unique to Rockford is their ability to rapidly quote fasteners and even begin production within a 24-hour window for rush jobs.

Rockford Fastener joins a group of well-known product brands under EFG including Holbrook Manufacturing, Leland Powell, Northern Wire, Quality Bolt, Chandler Products, Telefast, Ohio Rod Products and Best Metal.

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Technology

Metal Coatings

by Guy Avellon The original use of a metallic coati ng was to en ha nce t he a p p e a r a n c e of t he pa r t it wa s covering. Such was the use of silver, gold, nickel, chromium and copper.

Then it was learned that certain coatings also protected the base metals from atmospheric corrosion; some better than others and by different means.

All steel fasteners have some type of protective coating on them, if even it is only a thin film of oil to protect the bare steel in shipping or in transition to become coated by another process. This is generally identified by the words ‘as received’.

Today, there a re a va riety of coatings that will enhance the part’s appearance, improve its corrosion resistance or control the torquetension resistance during assembly.

Zinc

This is a metal that provides a sacrificial barrier between the substrate (bare metal part) and atmospheric corrosion. In other words, it will corrode first, thereby protecting the steel part.

It is applied to fasteners in several ways; hot dip, mechanical deposition, electroplated or by chemical conversion. When corrosion begins, it will produce a white corrosion product.

Hot Dip Galvanizing

During this process, parts are dragged through a bath of molten zinc. Since the temperatures are over 800˚F (427º C) for the molten zinc, it would greatly affect the tempering temperature of a Grade 8 fastener more than a Grade 5. Therefore, this process is limited to structural A325 (F3125), A307, dome head bolts and transmission tower bolts, as well as a variety of pipe and iron flanges.

The A325 structural fastener is allowed the hot dip galvanizing per ASTM B695, Class 55. No other fasteners with higher tensile strengths greater than 125 ksi may have a HDG coating. When applied to nuts, the threads are tapped after coating.

Coating thicknesses are very thick; from 10 to 30 times that of an electroplated zinc fastener.

Averaging over 0.005 inches its corrosion protection is extremely good in outdoor use by virtue of its heavy thickness. See ASTM F2329.

Mechanical Zinc Galvanizing

This is another process that produces a heavy coating but without high temperatures. Because it is a mechanical process using slurry of zinc metal flakes being impinged onto the parts by glass or metal beads, there is nothing in the process to promote hydrogen embrittlement. Thicknesses can be controlled and vary from 0.0003” to 0.005”. The resultant finish will be a dull matte or hammer tone metallic zinc.

This process is used extensively for hardened flat washers to prevent hydrogen assisted cracking.

However, it has not been qualified for ASTM A490/490M (F3125/F3125M) structural bolts.

Chemical Conversions

These are also called phosphate coatings and are the only coating that will actually react and combine with the substrate. Dissolved metal ions of zinc, iron and manganese are chemically bonded to the surface of the steel. Typically, thin conversion coatings are used on office furniture, etc. as it is an excellent base coat for paint.

When used on fasteners, higher thicknesses will determine the corrosion resistance of the coating. Heavy zinc phosphate coatings in the range of 1,000 to 3,000 mg. /sq. ft. will provide salt spray corrosion test results from 96 to 400 hours. This depends upon the type of sealer used, such as oil or wax.

Electrodeposited Zinc

Typically, electroplated zinc ranges in thickness from 0.00015 to 0.0003”, the median being 0.0002” (5µ). Salt spray tests per ASTM B117 will show some form of corrosion product on unprotected zinc within 24 hours.

This will be in the form of red rust.

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This is why many zinc coatings receive a supplemental chromate dip, which can be clear or colored. These dips act as a sealer to counter any porosity of the zinc deposit and enhance the corrosion resistance. Therefore, white zinc corrosion product will first appear after 36 hours.

The chromic acid dip can have additives which provide color as well as a thicker film. Naturally, the thicker film provides the greater resistance to corrosion. Commonly used treatments applied hexavalent chromium or trivalent. The hexavalent chromium is thicker but was found to have harmful effects on the environment and public health and has been discontinued for general use. With a colored conversion coating, the red rust resistance is pushed up to 96 hours.

To comply with the EPA and RoHS requirements, trivalent chromium has been replacing the hexavalent chromium for all

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plated parts. The color of the trivalent parts is not as iridescent as the hexavalent chromium. It produces a more muted yellow color than bright.

The corrosion protection is slightly less and the varying surface finishes can disrupt consistent torque-tension relationships. Most of all fastener products are zinc electroplated.

Nut Thickness

Many specifications require that the nut’s thickness should be the same as the fastener. This is unnecessary.

For one, it will create thread fit problems. Electroplating creates a ‘Christmas tree’ effect at the thread crests of the externally threaded fastener. This is a combination of the current density of the electrolyte and the geometry of the part. The crest being closest to the anode, or metal source.

The nut will have similar problems, only the plating will build up at the outside of the first thread. Since plating baths have relatively low ‘throwing power’, the inside threads will receive little plating deposit. But remember, they mate with their male counterparts who will provide sufficient protection when tightened. Consider hot dipped nuts. They are all tapped after coating and have essentially bare threads. When thread fit problems exist, it is better to reduce the thickness on the nut.

Technology Cadmium

Though basically banned as a carcinogenic substance by RoHS and EPA, products from the Pacific Rim have been known to still be plated with cadmium. Specifically, all-metal prevailing torque lock nuts. Unlike zinc, cadmium does not sacrifice itself but produces a dense barrier layer protecting the substrate. Hexavalent yellow chromate was used to identify cadmium because untreated zinc and cadmium both appeared to be silver in color. Dipped in wax, this coating produced extremely consistent torque values. Corrosion resistance was over 400 hours.

Hydrogen Embrittlement

Hydrogen Embrittlement (HEMB) is a delayed fracture phenomenon that occurs due to the absorption of hydrogen ions from the metal finishing process. This can be induced from the ion exchange during the electrolysis process, cleaning process or chromic acid dip process. Some will contend that some hydrogen absorption can come from the bolt manufacturing process. In any event, strides have been made to assure parts are free from hydrogen embrittlement. For one, zinc plating was changed from having a cyanide electrolyte to an alkaline or acid bath which is far more efficient and therefore produces less hydrogen at the cathode, the part. The metal deposits also have less porosity. It has been standard practice to bake plated parts whose hardness exceeds Rockwell 38 in hardness. Baking is done at 400ËšF, Âą 25ËšF for four hours, as originally set by Federal Standard QQ-Z-325 and since updated. This method has shown to provide some relief but is not an absolute.

Because the zinc-cyanide deposits were so porous, baking worked relatively well. The chromate conversion coating sealed the porosity.

However, with the more efficient non-cyanide deposits, there is less opportunity for the hydrogen to escape. This is why extended baking times are recommended for highly susceptible and critical parts.

Organic Coatings

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These are called dip-and-spin coatings and were being developed in the mid-1980s.

There was great difficulty with controlling the thicknesses. Now, thicknesses are being applied in layers with different metallic coatings. The organic coatings have had tremendous success with applications in automotive OEM and military parts. Some are now finding many MRO applications. Basically, coatings are impregnated with metallic particles, such as zinc and aluminum. Top coatings over the metallic rich coatings have further enhanced the corrosion resistance. Salt spray tests range from a low of 500 hours to well over 1,000 hours, depending upon the layers and several treatment options. Two such specifications are in ASTM F1136 and F2833 standards, which describe zinc and aluminum organic coatings with top coats. Top coats may provide two or three layers of thickness, so compatibility with nut threads must be considered. Accelerated salt spray tests tout corrosion resistance times from 840 to 1200 hours. However, these corrosion resistance times are only a relative comparison of salt spray testing under controlled conditions. Actual field results may vary with assembly, other types of exposure from acid rain, UV etc. They will also vary from one applicator to another. These hour ratings are not absolute, only a guide.

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Exhibition

China Fastener World no.59/2020

屆展會

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中國國際五金展求新求變 迎接第

The CIHS Seeks Innovation and Change at its 20th Show

This year marks the 20th year since the China International Hardware Show (CIHS) was founded in 2000. From 2020, the venue for the CIHS has changed to the Shanghai Pudong New Inter national Expo Centre (SNIEC). The show will be located at W1-5 and N1-5 in the SNIEC. It is known that the 19th CIHS was successfully held along with the development of China's hardware industry, and has been honoured as the industry's "bellwether", "barometer" and "booster". When the show first began, the export value of China's hardware industry was about USD 3.8 billion; currently, the industry's export value stands at about USD 100 billion, which refers to about 34 times increase over 20 years. This achievement is not only attributable to the international development of hardware enterprises after China entered the WTO, but also attributes to the positive contribution of the CIHS. Over the past 19 years, the show has been firmly focused on serving the hardware manufacturing industry by exhibiting new products, technologies, materials and designs, and has constantly made optimization depending on market demands.

Complying with the needs of the industry and market, CIHS has grown rapidly with an annual increase of nearly 10,000 square meters since its establishment. By 2019, CIHS has become the industry's top professional hardware show, with an overall area of 120,000 square meters, almost 3,000 exhibitors and over 40,000 visitors.

With the Covid-19 epidemic under control in China, enterprises are gradually resuming work and production. the development trend of the hardware industry, especially the export situation of this year has recently become the industry's main focus. The hardware industry has gradually resumed regular production, but orders and sales, especially exports, have been partly affected by the epidemic. Recently, the organizers of CIHS have on one hand strengthened the research and judgment of the industry's development, submitted recommendations to relevant departments, and on the other hand actively sought opportunities for the industry so that sales can be improved.

Organised by China National Ha rdwa re Association and Koelnmesse GmbH, the 20th CIHS has currently fully started the domestic and international exhibition recruitment and promotion.

With an all-new image CIHS will create a more solid platform for export enterprises in its 20th year. CIHS will continue the marketoriented and technology-oriented positioning and lead enterprises to promote technical improvement, implement strategies of innovation, quality and green development. In the future, CIHS will extract related topics according to the industry’s development trend and hold targeted activities to lead and promote the sustainable, healthy and high-quality development of hardware industry.

今年是 CIHS自2000 年創辦以來的第20 個年頭，從2020 年起，中國國際五金展舉辦 地點調整到上海浦東新國際博覽中心，舉辦 時間為 2020 年 8月7日-9日，使用場館為W1W5,N1-N5。 據瞭解，已成功舉辦19屆的CIHS伴隨著 中國五金製品行業的發展不斷壯大，被譽為中 國五金業發展的「風向標」、「晴雨錶」和「助 推器」。在舉辦展會之初，中國五金製品行業 的出口額約為38億美元，而目前行業出口額穩 定在1,000 億美元左右，20 年增長了約34倍。 這既是中國加入WTO後，五金企業國際化發 展的成果，同時也有中國國際五金展做出的積 極貢獻。

19 年來，展會牢牢定位於服務五金製造 業，以展出新產品、新技術、新材料、新設計為 己任，不斷根據市場的需求做出調整。由於順 應行業和市場需求，中國國際五金展自創辦以 來，以每年增加近一萬平米的速度快速發展。 到2019年，CIHS已成為總體規模達12萬平方 米，參展企業近3,000家，觀眾超過4萬名的業 內頂尖的專業五金展。 隨著中國「新冠疫情」發展得到有效控 制，企業逐步轉入復工復產正軌，今年五金製 品行業的發展態勢尤其是出口如何走向，成為 近期行業關注的焦點。五金製品行業已逐步恢 復正常生產，但訂單和銷售，尤其是在出口訂 單方面確實部分受到疫情影響。近期中國國際 五金展主辦方一方面加強對行業發展研判、向 有關部門提出政策建議，另一方面在積極為行 業尋找銷售破局的契機。 目前，由中國五金製品協會和德國科隆展 覽有限公司共同打造的第20屆中國國際五金展 （CIHS）已經全面啟動海內外招展、招商和宣 傳推廣工作。進入第二十年的中國國際五金展 （CIHS）將展現出全新的面貌，為出口企業打 造更為堅實的出海平臺，中國國際五金展將繼 續秉承市場導向和技術導向的定位，繼續引導 企業推進技術進步，實施創新戰略、品質戰略 和綠色發展戰略。未來的展會還將按照行業 發展的趨勢、重點提煉出相關主題，採取有效 的措施，舉辦有針對性的活動，引導和促進五 金製品行業持續健康高品質發展。

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Exhibition

台灣五金展

Taiwan Hardware Show

10/13-15

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many global hardware trade fairs this year have been postponed to 2021. However, Taiwan’s success in combating the coronavirus has made it possible for the Taiwan Hardware Show (THS) 2020 to take place as scheduled during 13-15 October at the Taichung International Exhibition Center, making it the only hardware and hand tools trade show taking place worldwide this year.

The organizer Kaigo and co-organizer, the Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers' Association (THTMA), have enjoyed a long-term partnership that continues to increase the event scale and expand business opportunities.

Faced by the challenges of COVID-19, both organizations have determined to highlight Taiwan’s manufacturing prowess, and have planned strategically in advance to seize future opportunities during the economic recovery. The organizers are committed to helping businesses rise to the challenges that COVID-19 has presented as well as generating more business opportunities.

Taiwan has dealt with COVID-19 in the best way possible, resulting in the supply chain and manufacturing industries of Taiwan rather unaffected.

As such, the event this year is likely to attract more international buyers.

During the pandemic, Kaigo has stayed connected with the global hardware industry by contacting international buyers and media via EDM, sharing Taiwan’s successful experience of containing the virus while reassuring potential visitors that hardware production continues as usual. Kaigo has also highlighted the advantages of THS as an optimal one-stop sourcing platform that facilitates new product displays, business negotiations, and factory visits. With Taiwan’s top performance in fighting COVID-19, Kaigo is dedicated to providing the safest and best environment possible for exhibitors and international buyers to do business.

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Hsin-Te Huang, Chairman of the THTMA, suggested that Taiwan’s hand tools industry should “seek business opportunities amid crisis, and leverage the opportunities to set new records.” In post COVID-19, businesses prepare for a recovery in the hand tools business, they should also keep an eye on how the US-China trade disputes continue to shape the global supply chain network. Product orders diverted to other countries, as well as diversifying outsourcing manufacturing risks are all factors that international companies will begin to consider in developing their procurement strategy. As such, the industry has to plan ahead during the pandemic. “An economic crisis is generally followed by waves of new industry growth, and the current global situation has presented Taiwanese businesses a great opportunity to join the trade show and prove themselves as reliable and trust-worthy partners to buyers,” said Fang-Wei Hsiao, Coordinator of the Market Development Division at THTMA. As the global spread of COVID-19 slows down, and nations worldwide start to ease their lockdown restrictions, the global economy is expected to be back on track in the second half of the year. Relatively free from the impact of the coronavirus, industries in Taiwan will be able to respond quickly to pent-up demands of the global market. This October, the top three metal trade fairs in Taiwan will take place. Taipei AMPA, THS, and Taiwan International Fastener Show—will take place in Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan respectively.

Together, the three events are set to demonstrate the capabilities and potential of Taiwan’s metal industry to the fullest.

Among those three, THS will kick-off the event series. In response to the stay-at-home economy boosted by the pandemic, the organizer Kaigo has set up five main exhibit areas featuring: Tools & Accessories, Garden & Outdoor Equipment, Locks & Fittings, Building Supplies, and Safety Equipment & Products. Another three exhibit areas are also in place as the industry recovers, including Automotive Supplies & Accessories, Fasteners & Fittings, and Machines & Plant Equipment. The eight exhibit areas in total will join Taiwan’s hardware and hand tools businesses in setting another brilliant business record. Kaigo is now also launching event services to meet the needs of all participants during the pandemic.

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受制新冠肺炎疫情影響，今年全球五金 展會多已宣布延期至2021年舉辦。然而台灣抗 疫有成，2020台灣五金展將如期於10月13日至 15日於臺中國際展覽館展出，成為今年度全球 唯一五金手工具國際展會。 台灣五金展主辦單位開國公司和協辦單 位台灣手工具公會已具有多年的合作夥伴關 係，歷年來不斷提升展會規模與商機。面臨疫 情挑戰，雙方以「彰顯台灣製造供應優勢，超前 部署經濟復甦商機」的角度出發，共同打造今 年度全球唯一國際五金展會，協助業者逆境突 圍，開創商機。 開國公司表示，台灣疫情控制全球最優， 供應鏈生產不受影響，今年度展會反而會吸引 更多國際買家的關注。疫情期間，開國公司密 切和國際五金產業保持密切聯繫，透過EDM 聯繫國際買家和媒體，宣傳台灣防疫成功經驗 和手工具生產製造供應無虞的消息。同時強調 台灣五金展新品展示、訂單洽談、工廠拜會的 一站式採購優勢。加上台灣超越國際水準的防 疫能力，開國公司將提供參展商與國際買家最 安全和最佳的商機洽談環境與空間。 台灣手工具公會黃信德理事長認為，台灣 手工具產業應「在危機中尋找商機，把握商機 再創佳績」。疫情過後，除了迎來手工具產品的 復甦商機，更重要的是中美爭端議題仍會持續 改變全球供應鏈形貌。轉單效應、分散代工風 險等因素，今後都將是國際業者採購策略轉變 的考量，產業必須利用疫情及早布局。手工具 公會拓銷組召集人蕭方韋表示，每一次經濟危 機都是產業新一波成長的開始；在目前的國際 氛圍下，正是台灣業者積極參與展會，彰顯成 為買主穩定且可信賴夥伴的最佳時機。 全球疫情已經趨緩，各國逐漸解封，下半 年全球經濟活動將重新步入正軌。台灣產業不 受疫情影響將可快速反應全球回溫的市場需 求。今年十月份，台灣三大金屬產業展會，台北 國際汽機車零配件展、台灣五金展和台灣國際 扣件展將接力展出，呈現「北汽配，中五金，南 扣件」的形貌，完整呈現台灣金屬產業實力。 其中，台灣五金展將領跑第一棒，主辦單 位開國公司配合疫情帶動的宅經濟興起推出工 具及配件、園藝暨戶外休閒用品、鎖類製品、建 材暨家居修繕及安全防護設備，共五大主題展 區。因應產業復甦需求推出汽車修護用品暨車 用配件、緊固件暨扣件、五金機械暨廠房設備， 三大主題展區。八大主題展區將帶領台灣五金 手工具業者開出業績紅盤。開國公司亦針對疫 情推出展會服務方案。

European News

European News Compiled by Fastener World

Bufab Reports 2019 Results

Würth Sales Continue to Grow According to the preliminary annual financial statement, Würth Group reported a sales volume of €14.27 billion in 2019 (2018: €13.62 billion). This corresponds to a growth of 4.8%. In Germany, sales growth was rather modest, at a rate of 2.1%. This is above all due to the struggling automotive industry. Contrary to that, Adolf Würth GmbH & Co KG, parent company of the Würth Group, was able to report growth of 5.8%. The Group achieved sales growth of 6.8% outside of Germany. Satisfactory growth rates were achieved in Southern Europe (15.3%), South America (8%) and Eastern Europe (6.6%). E-business sales experienced above-average growth and amounted to €2.6 billion in 2019, thus increasing their share in overall Group sales to 18.3%.

Overall, according to preliminary figures, the operating result of the Würth Group amounted to €750 million and was thus 13.8% below the previous year (2018: €870 million).

This decline is mainly due to the gross profit margins being under pressure. It was not possible to entirely pass on increased purchasing prices to customers in the market.

Furthermore, the Würth Group continued to invest in the expansion of its business model and growth initiatives.

“The general economic forecasts remain cautious, which is why the Würth Group expects mid-single-digit sales growth and an operating result increasing proportionally to this,” says Robert Friedmann, chairman of the central managing board of the Würth Group.

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Malcolm Diamond to Retire In a separate announcement Trifast said Malcolm Diamond had notified the board of his intention to retire as non-executive chairman and step down as a director with effect from 31st March 2020, the Group’s year end. Trifast announced that current non-executive director, Jonathan Shearman will take over as non-executive chairman with effect from 1st April 2020. Malcolm Diamond said: "Having overseen the smooth CEO and CFO succession plan at Trifast as well as the adoption of the transformational 'P roject Atlas', now ha lf way t h rough its fou r yea r implementation, I feel comfortable in retiring as chair at the end of March 2020 knowing that the TR Board and the business is in such good shape."

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Bufab Group has reported net sales for 2019 rising to SEK 4.348 billion (2018: SEK 3.786 billion), corresponding to a margin of 8.8% (2018: 9.7%). However, the slowdown that was apparent already at the beginning of the autumn intensified during the fourth quarter. The CEO at Bufab explains this is due to customers’ unusually long production stoppages at the end of the year, and destocking.

The company intends to achieve further purchasing savings in 2020. Overall, the operating profit for the fourth quarter was unchanged compared with the corresponding quarter in 2018. The priorities for 2020 are, firstly, to intensify sales and marketing, and secondly, to achieve considerable earnings and margin improvements through purchasing savings, strict cost control and efficiency enhancement.

Additionally, Swedish stainless steel fastener manufacturer BUMAX, a trademark of Bufab, has offered to provide ventilator manufacturers and all medical equipment OEMs with at-cost premium fasteners for their device to save lives. Premium fasteners play an important role in a range of critical applications.

BUMAX said it’s working to maintain the supply of its fasteners to ensure Covid-19 has minimal disruption on the global supply chain.

Market Conditions Affect Trifast Half Year In the face of “the challenging macroeconomic environment” Trifast plc reported revenues eroded by -2.7%, on a constant exchange rate basis, to GB£102.2 million (€120.4 million). Underlying operating profit margins held up at 10.6% (CER).

At actual exchange rate half year revenues were down -1.8%. Underlying operating profit margins held in double digits at 10.6% (CER) – compared with 11.3% in the first half previous year. Profit before tax was -1% down at GB£7.9 million.

Trifast says ongoing market share wins restricted Group automotive revenue reduction to -2.5%, against a global production downturn of -7.3%. The Group spent GB£2.5 million during the half year on Project Atlas, its multi-year investment in systems, policies and procedures, reported as on track and on budget.

With a strong balance sheet and around GB£40 million banking facility headroom, Trifast sees itself well-positioned to take advantage of increased M&A opportunities resulting from market conditions.

Non-executive chairman, Malcolm Diamond MBE, commented: “Despite the short-term end market weaknesses and macroeconomic uncertainty, we are confident in the strong long-term fundamentals of our business model. The board remains committed to its ongoing investment driven growth strategy and is optimistic for the long-term future."

"After ten years of continuous growth and strong cash generation, we have a very solid balance sheet. This coupled with our new banking facilities provides us with significant flexibility and security, to continue to invest and to make sure that when the macroeconomic environment begins to settle, we have the best foundation and are in the best possible position to add further stimulus to our growth ambitions."

European News Agrati CEO Identifies 1st Known Fastener COVID-19 Death Agrati CEO Paolo Pozzi wrote that 44-year-old Pasquale Gallace of Agrati logistics in Italy died March 27, 2020, of COVID-19. His father had died a few days earlier. At that point, Italy had 12,428 deaths and 105,792 infections, Pozzi wrote.

Agrati formed a task force in January to guide the Italy-based company through the COVID-19 crisis.

NORMA Group Increases Sales In Fiscal Year 2019 NORMA Group achieved Group sales of approximately €1.1 billion in the fiscal year 2019. This equates to an increase of 1.5% compared to the previous year (2018: €1.084 million). Sales from the acquisitions of Kimplas and Statek contributed 1.2% to growth.

Dr. Michael Schneider, CEO of NORMA Group, commented: “2019 was a challenging year for NORMA Group. The volatile market environment and the tense geopolitical situation caused our business development to fall short of expectations.

However, we did grow in the area of water management.” Based on preliminary unaudited figures, NORMA Group’s sales in the fourth quarter of 2019 declined by 2.1% to €261.4 million compared to the previous year (Q4 2018: €267 million).

Bulten Progresses Well in Q4

Arconic Reports Q4 2019 Results Arconic Inc has reported fourth quarter revenues of US$3.4 billion, down 2% year-on-year. Organic revenue was up 1% year-on-year on growth in the aerospace, packaging and industrial markets and favourable product pricing.

This was largely offset by weakness in the automotive, commercial transportation, and building and construction markets. Arconic reported net income of US$309 million in the fourth quarter 2019 versus net income of US$218 million in the fourth quarter 2018. Full year 2019 net income was US$470 million versus net income of US$642 million in the full year 2018.

The Engineered Products and Forgings (EP&F) segment reported fourth quarter revenue of US$1.7 billion, an increase of 1% year-on-year. Segment operating profit was US$354 million, up US$86 million or 32% year-onyear, driven by net cost reductions, favourable product pricing, lower raw material costs and volume increases.

Segment operating profit margin was 20.4%, up 480 basis points year-on-year.

EP&F full year segment performance was up 5% year-on-year with a revenue of US$7.1 billion. Segment operating profit was US$1.4 billion, up US$285 million year-on-year; segment operating profit margin was also 19.6%, up 330 basis points year over year.

Despite continued cautious market development, Bulten’s net sales and order bookings developed well during the fourth quarter of 2019. Net sales amounted to SEK 784 million, an increase of 5%, and order bookings were up 13.6%.

“We finished the fourth quarter by entering into an agreement to acquire PSM International. The acquisition broadens our customer base on growth markets in Asia and North America.” Operating earnings for the quarter totalled SEK 27 million, equating to an operating margin of 3.5%.

Bossard Increases Its Holding in Torp Fasteners Bossard Group is increasing its majority stake in Torp Fasteners located in Oslo, Norway, from 60% to 100%. Bossard has held a stake in the company, a specialist in high-quality engineered fastening solutions, since January 2015.

In recent years, Bossard has made considerable efforts to further develop the demanding Scandinavian markets. The parties have agreed to keep the purchase price confidential. Bossard’s investment in the Norwegian company Torp Fasteners is in line with the Group’s strategic approach to expand its presence in the areas of branded and high-quality engineered products through targeted investments.

Torp Fasteners supports customers in the early planning stages of product development, which is also significant for the Bossard Group. In 2019, Torp Fasteners achieved annual sales of about CHF 9 million and has 21 employees.

Hilti Achieves Further Sales Growth Hilti Group grew sales by 4.3% in the 2019 business year to CHF 5.9 billion. Hilti CEO Christoph Loos commented on the developments in the 2019 business year: “2019 was another successful year for us with exclusively organic growth. The economic environment has become more volatile while global construction growth has noticeably slowed. Additionally, currencies largely displayed depreciation tendencies against the Swiss franc. Against this background we’re satisfied with our growth level and are pleased that we gained additional market share.”

Hilti achieved an increase of 6.9% in the Europe business region, despite BREXIT uncertainties and a substantial downturn of the construction economy in Scandinavia. North America continued to develop positively, advancing 7.3%. Significant growth was also achieved in Latin America (+8.5%), where the recovery in Brazil made a considerable contribution. In the Asia/ Pacific region, the growth level of 4.3% was slowed by the difficult environments in both Hong Kong and South Korea. The situation in the Eastern Europe/Middle East/ Africa region remained disparate (+3.7%), with Russia and the Eastern European markets driving growth while business remained difficult in the Gulf States and in Turkey due to ongoing political uncertainties.

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Anders Nyström, president and CEO at Bulten, commented: “In 2019 we implemented several strategic measures. During the fourth quarter we completed the restructuring in Germany. This is expected to bring annual savings of approximately SEK 25 million from the 2020 calendar year. The relocation of our Chinese operation has also proceeded to plan and in November we inaugurated our new production unit in Tianjin.”

European News SFS Shows Clear Improvement in Operating Results In Memory of Robert H. Lench (written by Marco A. Guerritore) When I received the tragic news, I could not believe it for a moment and then a deep and sincere sense of pain swept over me. Robert H. Lench left us on 22 January 2020 at the age of 89 years due to a sudden worsening of his illness. For some time now, perhaps because of his state of health, Robert had withdrawn from the daily operations, while maintaining a certain connection with the EIFI, which was his reason for living.

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Robert belonged to a family with a long tradition in the English fastener industry and ran his family business “Thomas William Lench Ltd”, based in Warley, West Midland, until he was forced to close it due to changes and uncertainties in the market. His in-depth knowledge of the fastener industry enabled him to skillfully hold the position of EIFI Chairman, pulling it out of the impasse in which he found it. Robert spared no physical and economic effort to promote operational contacts with the organisations of manufacturers: from the USA, Japan, Taiwan, just to name the main ones. He also worked hard to expand and strengthen the EIFI by including new national fastener associations in Europe, such as those of Spain, Poland and others. Under his presidency, the EIFI set up the structure that still characterises it today.

He always paid particular attention to relations with the European institutions and first and foremost with the EU Commission and other important offices where he had the opportunity to promote and successfully manage important initiatives.

Robert Lench was an affable, likable man and an excellent speaker who knew how to express himself very well in both personal and business meetings. He had the gift of knowing how to manage and resolve the tensions that can inevitably arise in the context of an international association. He had to rely on his diplomatic sense on numerous occasions in order to resolve unavoidable disputes within the EIF I caused by com mercial competitiveness. His natural cordiality and kindness did not mean that he was submissive, on the contrary, Robert was strong willed and decisive. I remember that we were at an annual EIFI meeting. The discussions were over and all of us in attendance were heading to the business lunch room when I saw Robert in pain from a sciatic nerve issue, hunched over his walking stick. I approached him with the clear intention of helping him.

Robert sensed what I was about to propose. He looked at me sideways and with a strong gesture of his hand, almost indignantly, pushed me away, clearly making me understand that he did not need and did not want any kind of help. This was Robert H. Lench.

An important piece of the history of the EIFI and the European Fasteners industry disappears with his passing.

Robert H. Lench’s funeral was held on 7 February 2020 at St. Cassian’s Church in Chaddesley Corbett.

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SFS Group returned to organic growth in the second half of 2019 – in the face of continuing adverse market conditions – thanks to project ramp-ups. Group profitability also showed a strong improvement over the course of 2019.

Sales for the full 2019 financial year increased by 2.5% and were fuelled primarily by the first time consolidation of Triangle Fasteners Corporation (TFC). Adjusted operating profit amounted to approximately CHF 239 million (€224.4 million), which corresponds to 13.4% of net sales. Sales increased by 3.5% in the second half compared to the figure for the prior-year period, of which 1.1% was organic growth.

Organic sales growth in the first half was a negative –2.4%. Consolidated sales for the full financial year of 2019 amounted to CHF 1.78 billion (€1.67 billion). This corresponds to an increase of 2.5% from the previous financial year.

Engineered Components: Challenges Well Mastered The improvement in SFS Group’s operating performance in the second half of 2019 was driven in particular by the Engineered Components segment, which accounts for more than half of SFS Group's total sales. This segment’s sales rose by 10.7% in the second half compared to the first half. Its significant growth was broadly based and supported by the seasonal ramp-up of several projects, as well as a recovery in the Electronics sector. Full-year 2019 sales for the Engineered Components segment amounted to CHF 957.1 million. The overall flat sales growth is attributed to weak market demand.

Fastening Systems: Market Position Further Expanded Sales at the Fastening Systems segment amounted to CHF 498.3 million in 2019, an increase of 14% from the previous financial year. The Construction division profited from a stable market environment and generated slightly positive organic growth.

Sales in the Riveting division, by contrast, were pressured by the very challenging situation in the German and British automotive markets. Thanks to innovative products and the successful acquisition of TFC Ltd, the segment strengthened its competitive position in the construction business.

SFS Expands Its Fastening System Business for Facades SFS is acquiring Moderne Befestigungselemente GmbH (mbe) – a leading supplier of painted fasteners for high-performance facade systems. mbe generated about €10 million in sales with just under 70 employees in 2018. This acquisition expands SFS’ offering of fastening systems and its market reach in central Europe. The completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals. mbe was established in Menden, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in 1979 and it supplies mainly the German specialty retailers with painted fasteners for ventilated façade systems. In addition to its strong, long-standing customer relationships with specialty retailers, mbe has vast expertise in painting technology and differentiates itself on its very quick response and delivery times. Customers can individualise the colour of the fasteners they order and small quantities can be fulfilled within 24 to 48 hours.

Acquiring mbe gives SFS direct access to specialty retailers for premium façade solutions. Customers and distribution partners of mbe will benefit from availability of the broad product range of SFS. mbe will remain based in Menden and it will become part of the Construction division within the Fastening Systems segment. Its previous management will stay with the company throughout the transition period and thereby ensure the necessary continuity. The completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.

European News EU Launches Anti-dumping Investigation into Pins and Staples from China The European Commission has initiated an anti-dumping investigation concerning imports of pins and staples, originating in the People’s Republic of China.

The Commission published Notice of Initiation 2019/c 425/08 in the EU Official Journal on 18th December 2019.

The notice defines the product subject to investigation as: Staples, whether or not in strips or in coils, hog rings, whether or not in strips, brad nails in strips, and pins in strips; of steel wire, whether or not coated, of aluminium alloy wire, or of stainless steel wire; designed for joining or holding together materials or objects (‘the product under investigation’). Nails in coils are excluded from the product under investigation.

The products fall within a number of CN codes identified by the notice as: ex 7317 00 20, ex 7317 00 60, ex 7317 00 80, ex 7326 20 00, ex 7616 10 00, 8305 20 00, and ex 8308 10 00. ‘ex’ signifies that not all products within the cited code are subject to investigation, so the description is critical for importers and manufacturers to determine the extent to which they are affected.

The deadlines for registration of interest and submission of evidence, which are short, particularly given the timing of the notice just before the winter holiday, are defined in the Notice of Initiation, which can be downloaded in all EU languages from the EU Official Journal.

The Notice confirms the schedule of investigation as: The investigation will be concluded, pursuant to Article 6(9) of the basic Regulation within normally 13, but not more than 14 months of the date of the publication of this Notice. In accordance with Article 7(1) of the basic Regulation, provisional measures may be imposed normally not later than 7 months, but in any event not later than 8 months from the publication of this Notice.

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In accordance with Article 19a of the basic Regulation, the Commission will provide information on the planned imposition of provisional duties 3 weeks before the imposition of provisional measures.

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European News NORMA YTD Sales Up But Organic Growth Down NORMA Group has reported sales for the period January to September 2019 increased 2.6% to €838.6 million. However, organic sales declined -1.6% in the period.

The Kimplas and Statek acquisitions contributed 1.6% and positive currency effects a further 2.6% to sales growth. The adjusted EBITA margin was 14.2% for the period (Q1 – Q3 2018: 16%). NORMA attributed the decline in margin to significantly lower production volumes in the automotive industry, increased personnel costs and costs introducing a new ERP in Latin America.

EMEA region sales for the nine months fell 0.9% to €372.3 million (Q1–Q3: €375.7 million). Orgnaic sales declined 1.6%, with “ongoing restrained business in the automotive sector” as the main issue.

American sales rose 5.4% to €352.2 million in the first nine months of 2019 (Q1 – Q3 2018: €334.3 million). Growth was mainly due to strong water business and positive currency effects, which contributed 6.1% to sales growth. Organic sales declined 0.8% mainly due to the weak business in the Engineered Joining Technology division.

China Fastener World no.59/2020

News provided by: - Fastener + Fixing Magazine (www.fastenerandfixing.com) - Marco A. Guerritore, Editor in Chief of Italian Fasteners Magazine (www.upiveb.org/en/italian-fasteners-en)

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Asia-Pacific sales increased 6.6% to €114.2 million (Q1 – Q3 2018: €107.2 million). An organic sales decline of -4.1% was offset by positive currency effects of +1% and acquisition related sales contributions of +9.6%.

“The tense situation on the global automobile market still poses a challenge for us,” said Dr. Michael Schneider, member of the management board of NORMA Group. “The positive development of our water management division, however, underscores the fact that NORMA Group is in a stable and sustainable position thanks to its broad range of products and services and its strategic focus on the future markets of water management and electromobility.”

In mid-October NORMA revised its full year organic sales forecast to decline between -2% and -4% (previously -1 to +1%), mainly due to the sharp slump in American EJT business due in part to strikes at car and truck makers. EMEA and Asia-Pacific regions also lagged slightly behind expectations. NORMA expects to achieve an adjusted EBITA margin of more than 13%.

On 5th November NORMA announced its “Get on track” programme, comprising measures to enhance the Group’s flexibility and profitability. Actions include optimisation of locations worldwide and the streamlining and close management of the product portfolio. The programme is expected to deliver sustained cost savings starting in 2020, achieving annual savings of €40 million – €45 million in 2023. Total programme cost through 2023 is projected at €45 million – €50 million.

Brazilian News

Brazilian News

Brazil: Biggest Growth Rate Over Global Top Automotive Manufacturers in 2019

Compiled by Fastener World

PRODUCTION OF MOTOR VEHICLES

While the global health sector and public authorities are working to find solutions to Covid-19, it's been so hard to write about business on the fastener market in a time of huge volatility and uncertainties. Although it may be late to analyse 2019, Brazil was at a comfortable pace, slow but steady, in an economic recovery. The last year began with the disaster at Brumadinho Dam (50 km from Belo Horizonte City, Minas Gerais State) owned by Vale S.A., which occurred on 25 January. That disaster rocked Q1 and part of GDP, ending December 31 with a positive result at 1.1%, a little bit less than 1.3% during 2017 and 2018. However, during Q2 until Q4 the country got good results, which can be confirmed by referencing automotive production, not considering motorcycle production.

According to the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles (OICA), among the 10 biggest global motor vehicle manufacturers, Brazil (2.2%) and Spain (0.1%) were the only two closing the year without negative growth, and this cannot be attributed to Covid-2019, which impacts 2020 a lot.

That great lessons emerge from difficult moments, scarcity and unexpected troubles, we all know. It is reasonable to note that we are in the midst of the dilemma of maintaining the routines of the business environment and maintaining the safety of people. However, one depends on another, and stopping everything, as some countries have already done, can be the source of even greater collapses. The manufacture and supply chains and their target markets have branched out a lot around the world, so intensely it is time to ask ourselves if this structure should not be redrawn about. We deal with productive sites installed in any part of the planet because we seek good deals, as simple as that. But what if these chains suffer a breakdown, like the one we are going through? What to do?

It is not possible, suddenly, to develop new domestic suppliers in a short period of time.

Having also domestic production is important, and it is not a question of closing trade borders, an act that is as possible as it is disastrous. But to review from now how to have a more balanced environment to produce in Brazil too, reducing the bureaucracy and increasing the efficiency, easing the activities to the local fastener manufacturers to get better conditions to produce and sell more at least in the domestic market or, hopefully, to exportation. After all, when an automatic forming machinery is working, it does not know if it is working inside Brazil, Russia, India, China... It will be working at the same speed and precision wherever it is.

Text by Eduardo Lopes, Inox-Par Parafusos co-founder

Fastening in Brake Calipers was the Source of Jeep Renegade Recall Since the end of February 2020 the Brazilian unity of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) launched a recall of 1,877 units of Jeep Renegade, model year 2019/2020 and 2020/2020. According to FCA, there is a possibility of breaking one of the fastening points in the set of the rear brake calipers on the right side, a situation of obvious risk as it may compromise the braking capacity of this crossover vehicle. Such repair requires at least 1 hour, implying an analysis and, if necessary, the replacement of the rear brake caliper assembly.

News provided by: Sergio Milatias, Editor of Revista do Parafuso (The Fastener Brazil Magazine) milatias@revistadoparafuso.com.br (www.revistadoparafuso.com)

2019

Variation

27,809,196 25,720,665 11,314,705 10,880,019 9,728,528 9,684,298 5,120,409 4,661,328 5,174,645 4,516,017 4,100,525 3,986,794 4,028,834 3,950,617 2,879,809 2,944,988 2,819,565 2,822,355 2,270,000 2,202,460

-7.50% -3.70% -0.50% -9.00% -12.20% -2.80% -1.90% 2.20% 0.10% -2.90%

(In descending order by vehicle production in 2018) Source: www.oica.nets

FSA Launches a Fastener Engineering Postgraduate Course Located in Santo André, a city from the metropolitan region of São Paulo, SP, the Foundation of Santo André (FSA), university institution, announced that its engineering boa rd approved at the end of Ma rch the creation of a postgraduate course on fastening systems & engineering.

I n it ia l ly, t h e cou r se shou ld h ave a minimum of ten students and a maximum of 25, sta r ting next August. Mr. Ma rco Antônio Colósio engineer is the coordinator responsible for the course with the FSA and, together with Dr. Roberto Garcia, who was one of the main speakers at the recent edition of Senafor (International Forging Seminar), in Porto Alegre, RS. Interestingly, it was during this event that both idealized the new course.

Marco Antônio Colósio

Dr. Roberto Garcia

“Triumph” Motorcycles Suffer Recall for Applying Locking Chemical The Triumph Motorcycles Brazil is one of the company's 12 subsidiaries worldwide and is headquartered in São Paulo (SP) with a factory in Manaus. On Feb./05/2020, the company announced the call for the owners of 201 motorcycles sold in the country, model Speed Twin (model year 2019, with chassis number between 97ND54HF9KM932929 and 97ND54HF3LM976037), to carry out the application of locking chemical on the spherical joint region of the shift pedal.

According to the press release, "the connection lever of the travel pedal may come loose in the region of the ball joint, resulting in excessive movement at the end of the gear shift lever, which can restrict the movement of the travel pedal. On motorcycles affected, the front and rear spherical joints may come loose, making it difficult to change gears and, if not corrected, leave the driver without the possibility of selecting gears, which may increase the risk to the driver and third parties. Such a corrective action aims to ensure the safety of Triumph customers and the time spent in performing the service is approximately 30 minutes".

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China Fastener World no.59/2020

What can We Learn from the Covid-19 Effects?

2018 China USA Japan Germany India Mexico South Korea Brazil Spain France

Indian News

Indian News

Compiled by Fastener World

Sundram Fasteners Starts Production at Sri City Plant Sundram Fasteners has begun operations at its new SEZ unit at Sri City, Andhra Pradesh. The new facility, which has been set up with an initial investment of 100 crore, will manufacture and export high-precision engineering components to a leading European manufacturer for onward supply to its global marquee OEM customers.

The company's new facility has commenced commercial production and made the first shipment to Germany on January 27. Set up in 1966, Sundram Fasteners has grown into a global leader, manufacturing critical, high-precision components for automotive, aviation and windmill sectors. Its wide product portfolio includes fasteners, powertrain components, sintered metal products, iron powder, cold extruded parts, radiator caps, water and fuel pumps, and wind energy components. The new facility, according to the company, aims to add products to its portfolio and diversify its export customer base, providing further impetus to its exports.

Aero Fasteners Joins Enduralock India's Aero Fasteners has gotten into a strategic partnership with the US' Enduralock for manufacturing and distribution of the latter's patented fasteners.

Based in Rohtak, Haryana, Aero Fasteners is an AS9100D certified company, engaged in manufacturing high-quality fasteners and machined components catering to aerospace, defense, marine, electronics and other segments requiring micro and precision components.

Enduralock is the patent owner of special locking fastening solutions, which are permanent, reversible and reusable. The company is a premier leader of vibration resistant technology in the fastener industry.

This strategic partnership will benefit the fast growing Indian defense and aerospace segment.

The MoU signing ceremony was held during Defexpo 2020 at Lucknow.

Germany's Kamax Group Plans Production in India A market leader in the area of high-strength fasteners and an 100 percent supplier to the automotive industry, the Kamax Group is the latest entrant in acknowledging India's growing importance in the global automotive scene.

Additionally, the Indian Government's "Make in India" initiative is also proving to be of substantial benefit to global majors to manufacture and export from India.

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The Group is the world's leading manufacturer of high-strength fasteners and a competent partner for the development and production of complex cold-formed parts. The company has a â‚Ź750 million turnover (5,863 crore), 3,500 employees at 12 locations worldwide, and produces 201,000 tons of steel per year which equals 3.5 billion fasteners and complex cold-formed parts. Seventy-two percent of its business comes from supplies to passenger vehicle OEMs and the rest from commercial vehicle manufacturers.

The company, with the aim to get closer to its Indian customers and, also to be more cost-competitive, now plans to begin its India operations within the next two years. It has been catering to the Indian market for over a decade and set up a sales office in Bangalore three years ago.

Antony Devadass, SMART's New CEO Antony Devadass, who joined SMART Machinery SrL in September 2019, has recently been announced as the company's new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Leicester (UK) and an MBA from Durham University (UK).

Since completing his education, he has served in a variety of sales, marketing, and managerial positions working for international companies based in Europe and Asia.

Enrico Ghezzi, Former CEO and Founder of the company, will remain engaged with the company in a technical consultant role and will assist with the CEO transition.

SMART Machinery is a technology leader in the thread rolling equipment industry. It offers a full complement of thread rolling and pointing equipment that ranges from M3 to M48 diameters. SMART's machine designs include directdrive technology that provides the user with the flexibility needed to optimize thread rolling process. The company's exclusive technology allows for fast changeovers, repeatable setups, and less dependency on a skilled operator's know-how.

SMA RT Machiner y is wholly owned by National Machinery LLC. The combination of SMART and National Machinery resources provides global sales and service capability that is unmatched in the industry.

Moglix to Create Industrial Centers Across the Country Moglix, a start-up that specializes in B2B procurement, maintenance, repair and overhaul of industrial products such as fasteners and industrial electricals, aims to digitally transform the supply chain of the manufacturing sector in India. To this end, it plans to create industrial centers across the country to cover all 25 plus major hubs of manufacturing

by May this year.

The Noida-based start-up started off with the backing

by Accel Partners and Jungle Ventures. It is also backed by marquee investors including Tiger Global, Sequoia India, Composite Capital, IFC, and Venture Highway.

Moglix is also working towards an innovation garage called ‘Moglix Innovation Hub (MIH)' for B2B commerce and supply chain. This initiative will focus on areas pertinent to the procurement domain - advanced technology, SaaS platforms, fintech, and logistics to name a few.

COVID-19 Impacts Indian Fastener Industry Numerous industries in India are facing severe shortage of raw materials for over a month, owing to their dependence on Chinese factories that are hobbled by the Coronavirus outbreak. The spread of the disease to the rest of the world has worsened the situation as it is now a threat to alternative sources of supply, too.

With the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the outbreak a pandemic and world leaders working out high-level measures to curb the disease, financial markets are seeing repercussions of the spreading panic.

Quite understandably, the Indian fastener industry is also suffering from tremendous uncertainty due to its reliance on China. According to industry sources, 90 percent of factories outside Wuhan (the disease epicentre) have reopened, but they are operating at about 30-40 percent of capacities due to the shortage of workers. Hence, to make do with the current situation, A Raymond Fasteners India Pvt Ltd, the local unit of the French supplier of small parts such as connectors and fasteners, is airlifting parts from its plant in China's Zhenjiang.

News Provided by Abhijat Sanghvi (Fastener Association of India)

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Industry Focus

by Shervin Shahidi Hamedani China is the world's largest car market followed by, its rival and partner, the United States. In 2019, the entire industry consisting of both manufacturing and export of parts and vehicles, contributed about 10 percent of the country’s overall domestic production.

The slow growth of car sales in China with no doubt has a direct impact on production. In 2019, based on the reports by China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), After decades of speedy growth, China’s car market has slowed down since 2018. passenger car production in China, reached The destructive impact of weak economic growth, the trade war with the U.S. and 21.360 million units, which is about 9.2% less than implementing tougher vehicle emission standards which was introduced last summer, total passenger car production in 2018. Last year, pressed China’s car sales in 2019 lower than 2018.

China’s passenger car sales was about 21.444 million The car market in the country has declined every single month in 2019 units with about 9.6% YOY drop. The production and it has continued driving on a road of losses for the second year in a row, and sales proportions of passenger cars to the total after decades of rapid expansion. There was only little hope late last year car production and sales reached 83.0% and 83.2%, when the speed of market shrinkage reduced slightly, but the recent Covid-19 which means, 3.4% and 1.2% less respectively than the pandemic made things worse than ever. The country's car market sales as proportions in 2018. reported by the national auto industry body dropped by 8.2% to about 25.769 In spite of passenger cars, commercial vehicles with a million units in 2019 while the vehicle production fell by 7.5% to 25.721 total production of 4.36 million units have registered a 1.9% million units. Car’s production and sales both experienced year-over-year growth last year compared with the production in 2018.

(YOY) drops for months in 2019, while the first half of the year indicated However, the sales figures for commercial vehicles declined higher YOY rates of declines and the second half indicated lower rates. last year. In 2019, commercial vehicle sales were about 4.324 million units with a 1.1% YOY decline. Interestingly, the export of this type of vehicles, increased by 5.7% in 2019, as Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturers exported about three hundred thousand units last year, while the total vehicle exports reduced by 1.6% to 1.024 million units. 725,000 units of exports recorded by passenger cars with a 4.3 YOY decline.

Slow growth in car production and sales is not limited only to the conventional but also New Energy Vehicles (NEV). In 2019, total NEV production declined by 2.3% to 1.242 million units and its sales decreased by 4% to 1.02 million units. When Tesla announced the opening of its Shanghai factory in 2018, Chinese electric vehicle sales were growing rapidly and of course supported by government subsidies. In 2019, the production of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) was about 1.02 million units with a 3.4% YOY growth, while sales were still lower than 2018, at 972,000 units, recorded a 1.2% YOY decrease.

Production of other NEVs, like Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV) and Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) were 220,000 and 2,833 units while their sales figures were 232,000 units and 2,737 units. PHV production and sales both declined in 2019 by 22.5% and 14.5% respectively, but maybe the only silver line to the recession, was FCV market growth, of which both the production and sales increased by 85.5% and 79.2% respectively last year.

China’s Car Production and Sales

in 2019 and the First Two Months of 2020

Overall, we have to admit that the low speed growth turns into the new norm in China while the car market has already said goodbye to its decades of blazing growth. When the wheels are coming off the world’s biggest car market, industry players in this country are preparing themselves to enter a new phase of development. This is what all car manufacturers in China need to get used to in this low speed growth situation and the entire industry steps into the process of transformation and upgrade.

This crisis happened, when the market was trying to accept the reality of low-speed development. Consequently, car sales have collapsed and production has also been severely disrupted. Not only in China, but many of the world's biggest car makers have warned of delays. At the time of this writing, it has been about four months since the first case of COVID-19. Many car companies had expected to restart their operations in China, but even those firms that have re-opened some locations have announced it will take longer to go back to expected full capacity.

Subsequently, within the first two months of this year, car sales and production dropped drastically in China. Car dealerships have remained closed while buyers have stayed away to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. Only in the first half of February car sales dropped by 92%.

Nationwide car sales fell by 96% in the first week of February to a daily average of just 811 units. Sales started negatively in January with a 20% decline and continued its falling in February by another 76% due to the total shutdown in China.

Despite the situation, in the long run, the market will find its way, supported by years of strong sales growth for almost two decades and perhaps government incentives and supports. Undoubtedly, total sales and production will be less than last year and in the worst case it can be a more than 20% decrease compared with last year. If there is no reappearance of the pandemic in China, demand shocks will still remain as the biggest managerial challenge for the sector. This is where, business and operation transformation play crucial roles. Main concerns of carmakers should be around steadily improving operational efficiency, redefining pricing strategy and grasping online sales.

Sources:

MarkLines, Automotive Industry Portal, China - Flash report, Sales volume, 2019 Coronavirus: Car sales in China fall 92% in February, The BBC

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China Fastener World no.59/2020

While major sales declines were mainly caused by changing policies, trade tensions with the US and slowing economy are expected to continue in 2020. The recent deadly outbreak closed the borders, shut down thousands of dealerships and factories and stopped almost the whole market.

Russian News

Russian News Compiled by Fastener World

The Meeting of the Coordination Council for the Development of Russian Fastener Production of Fasteners for the Automotive Industry Takes Place in Belebey On March 17, in Belebey (Bashkortostan), a meeting of the Coordination Council for the Development of the Production of Hardware Products in Russia was held, the key topics of which were import substitution of metal products and the quality of the Russian fasteners for mechanical engineering.

The event was held as part of the implementation of the agenda of the Intersectoral Work Program for the development of new types and improving the quality of metal products for the automotive industry, which was approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia and is valid until 2023.

The participants of the Coordination Council noted that despite some problems, arising with wire rod, vintage composition and standard sizes, in Russia there are new technical specifications and examples of successful import substitution. BelZAN JSC, a manufacturer of fasteners, works with economically alloyed and boron-containing steel grades according to TU-14-1-5675-2019, which was developed by TsNIIchermet. The meeting participants agreed with the use of steels by these specifications. After refinement in relation to the European standards, they are ready to take them as a basis in the manufacture of fasteners for the automotive industry.

Volgograd Hardware Plant Receives Funds for the Development of Fastener Production

China Fastener World no.59/2020

A new type of fastener will be mastered using a loan in the amount of 45.6 million rubles at Volgograd Hardware Plant. This amount was received immediately from two Funds for the development of industry - federal and regional ones. Mastering the manufacturing of a new type of product is not the only goal of the modernization of production lines, which will be carried out with the help of investments. Another goal is to increase production volumes.

The Warehouse of “Parallel” Has been Automated Specialists of “Toplog “ automated the warehouse of “Parallel” - a manufacturer of special fasteners, located in Oryol. Personnel training was held there, and in January 2020 a full-fledged industrial launch of the WMS-solution took place at the Parallel company’s warehouse. As a result, all warehouse work processes were automated. The system automatically distributes tasks between warehouse workers. The company's management has received full access to all reports on the work of the unit and always has up-to-date information on the progress of orders.

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Space Launches Postponed Due to Low-quality Bolts The first in 2020 Proton-M missile launch was postponed from late March to late May. The reason for this, as reported to RIA Novosti Alexey Varochko, General Director of the State Space Research and Production Center (GKNPC)

by Khrunichev, was a mismatch of components with the necessary parameters. In order to fulfill the contract for launching two telecommunication satellites Express-80 and Express-103 into the geostationary orbit, they made a decision to replace the defective elements.

According to Vedomosti after a source close to the leadership of the GKNPC, defects were discovered on two Protons, assembled in 2015–2016: the first missile was intended to launch two Expresses, and the second - for the July launch of the most important Russian-European scientific ExoMars-2020 mission to Mars. On both missiles problems were discovered with bolts, used for the internal mountings of the Proton elements. According to the results of the audit, it turned out that they had been overdone in the production process, which negatively affected their strength.

Russian News

News provided by: Alexander Ostashov, editor of “Fasteners, Adhesives, Tools and...” Magazine, Mariya Valiakhmetova, editor of “Metiz” Magazine

Equipment from Taiwan Operates at Many Russian Hardware Plants Recently, Russia has launched more production of self-tapping screws. Small companies created these plants in different cities. At the same time, large manufacturers of fasteners are expanding their production.

T h i s w a s s t a t e d b y t h e N o vo l i p e t s k Metallurgical Plant, MMK-Metiz. SeverstalMetiz decided to start manufacturing selftapping screws. Most of these plants have equipment manufactured in Taiwan.

Successful experience in the supply of Taiwanese hardware for the manufacture of fasteners will be discussed at the upcoming regular conference “Fasteners. Quality and Responsibility” by a representative of Rost Group & Technology Co., Ltd. This conference was held on April 15-16 in St. Petersburg.

BSW Sold US$ 368 Million Worth of Innovative Products in 2019 BSW sold about 740,000 tons of innovative products (valued at over $ 368 million) to consumers at the end of 2019. Share of such products in the total shipment of the plant was 27.3 percent.

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Last year, BSW produced 265 types of innovative products, 12 of which were mastered for the f irst time. For example, it star ted production of new types of steel reinforcement grades, hot-rolled pipes for the oil and gas industry and alloy rod. In addition, in 2019, its factory manufactured and shipped 29 innovative types of products ranging from rolled products of auto components to metal cord for leading tire companies. Their implementation and development in production is planned after passing all the necessary tests.

148 researches, development and experimental works were also performed at BSW. Specialists of the factory have written scientific articles for the periodicals of Belarus, Russia, and Italy.

In 2019, the total cost of resea rch and development of BSW, which has the status of a scientific organization since 2017, amounted to about US$ 7.6 million.

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American News

American News Compiled by Fastener World

U.S. Fastener Industry Sheltering In Place Industrial fastener companies in the U.S. have cut travel and limited face-to-face interactions with customers in an attempt to keep employees safe and minimize the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). “Effective immediately, we have suspended all business travel including on-site visits to our customers as well as travel to trade shows and conferences,” Advance Components president Gary Cravens stated in a March 13 letter to customers. “We will no longer be receiving visitors here at our facility in Carrollton, TX, other than those absolutely required to maintain business operations.”

China Fastener World no.59/2020

While Brighton-Best International remains “open for business,” the importer has eliminated staff travel, both domestic and international, for at least the next 30 days. “All visits to our offices or warehouses by suppliers or vendors have been suspended for at least 60 days or until further notice,” BBI stated in a letter to customers. Likewise, any BBI employee returning from overseas will be asked to self-isolate before returning to work. And, BBI has started sanitizing its offices and warehouses every four hours. Other companies are taking similar precautions. “We have suspended sales calls for our outside sales team over the next two weeks and are limiting visitors to both facilities,” stated Marty Nolan with manufacturer’s rep agency R.L. English Co. in Cleveland. “As things seem to be changing daily, we will pivot accordingly!” “Half of the sales staff is working from home,” Jay Cee Sales & Rivet stated on Twitter. “No outside visitors.” Jeff Adams said that manufacturer’s rep agency Wing-Hamlin Co. is taking an upgraded “block & tackle” approach to sales.

“Phone calls, Skype for business, Microsoft Teams, text messages, email, & FaceTime,” Adams stated on Twitter. “It isn’t the most convenient or efficient but I can still do my job effectively while respecting everyone’s space and acting socially responsible.” At work, precautions are being taken to keep work areas as clean as possible.

Safety measures at Advance Components include additional health training, dispensing hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes, and scheduling routine wipe down for all common surfaces. “We want (customers) to know that we are fully prepared for this situation and are taking every precaution necessary,” Cravens explained. “We are training and planning for every potential eventuality. Our intention is to remain open during regular business hours for the duration of this situation and we have no plans to close.” Beyond immediate measures, some businesses made strategic decisions months ago to minimize disruptions. “Last year, we moved all our servers and data to the cloud which allows us much more flexibility and security,” Cravens noted. “We also dramatically increased our internet bandwidth and VPN capabilities. Investing in this technology allows all our team members to work remotely (from home) as necessary. We have implemented a training regimen so that our team members are prepared.” After a hiatus, fastener production has resumed in China. Vertex Distribution’s direct contacts in China report about 80% of employees are back to work in China’s fastener factories. “As factories ramp up there will be a backlog in the shipping lanes,” Jun Xu of Brighton-Best International warned. If you have a three-to-four week ETA on a parts order, “you better add seven days,” Xu advised. “Regarding the factory situation in China, we have seen continuous weekly improvements and BBI is no longer concerned about access to products manufactured in China,” the company added in its March 16 letter to customers.

“The vast majority of our factories are up to 80-90% capacity. Taiwan has not been impacted

by COVID-19 significantly so there are no supply issues there.”

Impending problems from the coronavirus beyond production include freight constraints on lifts or trucks, Xu explained. There is also concern about lower inventories of raw materials and backlogs in the finishing process. Xu has cancelled international travel not just because of the possibility of catching the virus, but other complications involved. “What you don’t want is to get quarantined,” he pointed out. Advance Components and other suppliers have plans in place to keep fasteners available. “To minimize any supply chain disruptions, we are beefing up what is already a substantial commitment to inventory,” Cravens noted.

Xu suggested there is “more worry” about demand than delivery as recreational travel, hotels and restaurants close due to the virus. Importing fasteners “will self-adjust,” Xu predicted.

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Brighton-Best Co-Founder Perry Rosenstein Dies From COVID-19 Brighton-Best Socket Screw Mfg. co-founder Perry Rosenstein, 94, died April 3 from COVID-19, the New Jersey Globe reports. His company, which he sold in 2008 to a consortium of Taiwanese investors led by Ta Chen International president Robert Shieh, became Brighton-Best International, the largest fastener importer in North America.

“Sad news for us old timers that had the privilege to know Perry,” stated Don Haggerty of Stelfast.

“This is terrible news, especially for those of us at Brighton,” added BBI president Jun Xu. Rosenstein’s first fastener job was with Globe Bolt & Screw Co. He then joined Stevens Socket Screw Co., which was later bought out by MSL Industries and became a part of Heads & Threads.

Rosenstein then became a VP of Heads & Threads.

Stanley Sevell and Rosenstein founded Best Socket Screw Co. in New York City in 1965. Three years later they formed Brighton-Best Socket Screw. Brighton-Best grew to a major supplier of inch and metric hexagon alloy socket screws.

After retiring in 2008, Rosenstein gave even more attention to his foundations. His philanthropy was all a part of “giving back” from his successful ca reer a nd in f ighting globa l wa r m ing a nd pollution.

FINdex Plummets Amid Pandemic Reversing strong results in 2019, the FIN Fastener Stock Index fell 30.3% in the opening quarter of 2020, compared to a 22.4% drop in value for an index of related industrial stocks. U.S. stocks dropped sharply in the first three months of the year as worries about the global coronavirus pandemic and its impact on businesses and the economy grew, CNN reports.

The Dow recorded its worst start to a year in history, down 23.2% for the quarter.

The FINdex gained 33.7% in 2019, besting a 24.4% increase by an index of related industrial stocks.

No publicly traded fastener companies increased their stock value during Q1. Fastener companies losing 30% or more in value during Q1 included Arconic (down 47.8%); ITW (down 47.1%); Lawson Products (down 48.7%); MSC Industrial (down 30%); Nucor (down 36%); Park Ohio (down 43.8%); Stanley Black & Decker (down 39.6%); and Tree Island Steel (down 40%).

American News

Rome Fastener Corp. owner Howard Reiter has repurposed a steel washer to serve as a noseband on medical face masks. He said he’s shipped 150,000 in two days from the Connecticut-based company.

Rome Fastener’s work is part of a statewide effort by hundreds of manufacturers to make surgical gowns, face masks and other equipment and components to help stop the spread of the pandemic.

Orbitform Building Sanitizing Machines for Medical Masks Orbitform is re-purposing their facilities to produce sanitizing machines for medical masks, WKHM reports. Owner Mike Shirkey said the Orbitform machine, which still requires testing before being put into production, will improve the use of the masks and help conserve inventory. “The development of this sanitizing machine will not only prove valuable to the medical industry but helped give the Orbitform team a purpose during a difficult time,” WKHM reports. Jackson, MI-based Orbitform designs and manufactures orbital forming riveting machines and forming, fastening and assembly automation equipment.

IFI Awards DiMaio & McGuire The Industrial Fastener Institute (IFI), Independence, OH, USA, has announced the 2020 IFI Soaring Eagle Award recipients. The Soaring Eagle Technology Award recipient is Anthony (Tony) DiMaio, and the Soaring Eagle Service Award recipient is Mike McGuire. Anthony DiMaio received his award in recognition of service to the fastener industry as IFI Technical Committee Chairman and outstanding and pioneering contributions to the field of blind rivets including the invention of innovative blind riveting tool designs and 26 U.S. patents. Mike McGuire won h is award in recognition of 50+ years of contributions to the industrial fastener industry. He is the founder of several fastener shows and magazines.

AIS Awards Rockford Fasteners, CSM & Mack Engineering AIS-All Integrated Solutions, an MSC company, announces its 2019 Supplier of the Yea r awards: Rockford Fasteners, CSM Fastener Products and Mack Engineering Corporation. Rockford Fasteners, an Elgin Fastener Group company, has been a partner of AIS for more than 50 years. The quality team at Rockford has a multi-point inspection process starting from raw materials arrival through production and final product inspection. CSM Fastener Products has also been a long-term partner with AIS. The company manufactures a variety of externally threaded fasteners for use by customers in both automotive and industrial applications. Mack Engineering Corporation is a valued supplier with great quality and an amazing response time. The team at Mack is very professional and willing to help in any aspect of creating a complete product, from engineering to heat-treating and plating.

CBP Drops Plan To Delay Tariff Payments Bowing to pressure from domestic producers, the Trump administration rescinded its proposal to allow importers more time to pay tariffs during the coronavirus pandemic, Law360 reports. “Just six days after CBP told importers it would consider delaying tariff payments on a case-by-case basis, the agency issued a new bulletin to ‘notify the trade community that CBP is no longer accepting requests for additional days for payment,’” writes Alex Lawson of Law360.

On March 20, U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued communication #42097586 through the Cargo Systems Messaging Service noting that CBP will grant on a “case by case basis additional days for payment of estimated duties, taxes and fees due to this emergency.” The CBP notification further indicated that a more comprehensive, longer-term policy may be forthcoming through the CSMS. However, the notice doesn't specify how long any reprieve from tariff payment would last. U.S. steel producers were quick to reject the policy shift.

“Any efforts to delay or reduce the collection of duties on unfairly-traded steel imports or imports that threaten to impair U.S. national and economic security will ultimately hurt U.S. workers and businesses during this unprecedented moment,” the American Iron and Steel Institute and other domestic producers stated in a March 24 letter to CBP. Trump has publicly dismissed the idea of tariff reduction as part of his coronavirus strategy, while White House trade adviser Peter Navarro has floated an executive order that will strengthen “Buy American” government procurement rules for drugs and medical devices as a means of reducing the government’s reliance on imports. President Donald Trump’s original duty on fasteners from China was applied in September 2018. Trump imposed 25% tariffs on steel imports and 10% on aluminum imports six months earlier.

Howmet Aerospace Launches as StandAlone Company How m e t Ae r os p a c e, P i t t s b u r g h , PA , U SA , launched on April 1, 2020, as a leader in advanced engineered solutions after the separation of Arconic Inc. into two standalone companies—Howmet Aerospace Inc. and Arconic Corporation.

Howmet Aerospace is now trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker “HWM”. In 2019, the businesses comprising Howmet Aerospace generated over US$7 billion in revenue, up 5% from the prior year, with over 70% of Howmet’s revenue derived from the aerospace market. The new company is led by Co-Chief Executive Officers, John C. Plant, who also serves as Executive Chairman of the Board, and Tolga Oal, who had been President of Arconic Engineered Structures. Howmet has been a trusted brand for over 90 years. Howmet Fastening Systems is a premier maker of aerospace and industrial fasteners and installation tools. These products are used nose to tail on commercial and military aircraft as well as on jet engines, industrial gas turbines, automobiles, commercial transportation vehicles, wind turbines, solar power systems and construction and industrial equipment.

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Washer Repurposed As Mask Nose Band

American News $100 Million in Annual Sales for Field Fastener Field Fastener reports it has achieved its goal of reaching US$100 million in annual sales. This accomplishment is a major validation of the commitment to serve its customers and use its culture as a competitive advantage over the past 29 years. “When the company went to Vegas to celebrate our 20 year anniversary, I boldly predicted we would continue to grow at about 19% per year, and as a result, would be a US$100 million company in eight to ten years,” said Field Chairman. The value proposition was clear from the beginning—be the best in the industry at reducing costs from a technical approach to fastening and provide world-class VMI programs that always ensure part availability while continuously improving processes. Field would like to thank all of its customers, suppliers and the Field family, who have all played a huge role in achieving this milestone.

China Trade Truce Freezes U.S. Fastener Tariffs Until 2020 The trade deal is perceived as “fragile,” with some analysts still seeing more tariffs as a possibility, according to CNBC. “The phase one trade deal strikes an uneasy truce between the U.S. and China, but even with the reprieve, analysts see more tensions between the U.S. and its trading partners,” writes Patti Domm of CNBC. Trump’s strategy to use import tariffs to protect and boost U.S. manufacturers led to job losses and higher prices, according to a Federal Reserve study published in December. “We find that the 2018 tariffs are associated with relative reductions in manufacturing employment and relative increases in producer prices,” concluded Fed economists Aaron Flaaen and Justin Pierce.

American businesses and consumers are bearing the financial brunt of President Trump’s trade war.

The U.S. and China formally signed the first phase of a trade agreement intended to ease trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies. In exchange for a halt to tariff hikes, China agreed to purchase an additional $200 billion in U.S. goods over the next two years, CNBC reports. The additional purchases reportedly will come on top of the 2017 U.S. export numbers.

“U.S. tariffs continue to be almost entirely borne by U.S. firms and consumers,” stated Mary Amiti, an economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. U.S. Federal Reserve research (and other economists) shows that U.S. tariffs on Chinese industrial components and materials — which largely won’t be lifted by the new deal that was signed in January — are “proving especially damaging to American manufacturing competitiveness and jobs” Reuters reports.

Fasteners are not on the list of goods China promised to purchase, leaving the fastener industry to deal with 25% tariffs on bolts, screws and other fasteners (HTS subheadings 7318.11.00 to 7318.29.00) manufactured in China, as well as 15% tariffs on all Chinese iron and steel nuts (HTS subheading 7318.16.00) until at least the end of the year.

In mid 2019, Brighton-Best International president Jun Xu said that his company took a “hybrid” approach to address tariffs. “We’ve had to increase our prices to compensate for the added cost of tariffs, and we’ve been looking to diversify our countries of origin,” Xu stated. Ohio-based Stelfast president Don Haggerty said that his company also raised prices.

President Donald Trump said he opposed any tariff cuts until a more comprehensive “phase two” agreement is reached with China, a deal he indicated would not occur until after the U.S. election in November 2020. He has said he plans to travel to Beijing for further negotiations at an unspecified later date.

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The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) list includes:

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On September 1, the U.S. imposed 15% levies on another $300 billion worth of Chinese imports, including all iron and steel nuts (HTS subheading 7318.16.00) imported from China. Trump’s original 10% duty on fasteners from China was applied September 24, 2018. The duty was increased to 25% in May. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced a tariff exclusion request process for Section 301 tariffs in July.

7318.11.00

Iron or steel, coach screws

7318.12.00

Iron or steel, wood screws (o/than coach screws)

7318.13.00

Iron or steel, screw hooks and screw rings

7318.14.10

Iron or steel, self-tapping screws, w/shanks or threads less than 6 mm in diameter

7318.14.50

Iron or steel, self-tapping screws, w/shanks or threads 6 mm or more in diameter

7318.15.20

Iron or steel, bolts and bolts & their nuts or washers, imported in the same shipment

7318.15.40

Iron or steel, machine screws (o/than cap screws), 9.5 mm or more in length and 3.2 mm in diameter

7318.15.50

Iron or steel, threaded studs

7318.15.60

Iron or steel, screws and bolts, nesoi, having shanks or threads less than 6 mm in diameter

7318.15.80

Iron or steel, screws and bolts, nesoi, having shanks or threads 6 mm or more in diameter

7318.19.00

Iron or steel, threaded articles similar to screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws & screw hooks, nesoi

7318.21.00

Iron or steel, spring washers and other lock washers

7318.22.00

Iron or steel, washers (o/than spring washers and other lock washers)

7318.23.00

Iron or steel, rivets

7318.24.00

Iron or steel, cotters and cotter pins

7318.29.00

Iron or steel, non-threaded articles similar to rivets, cotters, cotter pins, washers and spring washers

American News FINdex Gains Outpace Related Industrial Stocks in '19 The FIN Fastener Stock Index gained 33.7% in 2019, besting a 24.4% increase by an index of related industrial stocks.

EACO (Bisco Industries) achieved the highest percentage gain, improving 84% during the year.

Full-year revenues grew 14.5% to $221.2 million, largely due to a higher volume of product sales. Gross margin rose 11.3% to $61.2 million.

Arconic achieved an 82.5% increase in 2019. During Q3, Arconic realigned its operations into two segments: the Engineered Products and Forgings (EP&F) segment and Global Rolled Products (GRP) segment. The EP&F businesses will remain in the existing company, which will be renamed Howmet Aerospace Inc. at separation, and the GRP businesses will comprise Spin Co. and will be named Arconic Corporation at separation.

Other companies achieving a stock increase of 20% or more during the year included Carpenter Tech (40%), Grainger (20%), ITW (41.8%), Lawson Products (64.9%), Simpson Mfg. (48.2%), Stanley Black & Decker (38.4%), and Wesco Aircraft (39.5%).

Washer Importer Loses AD Duty Appeal A federal circuit cour t aff ir med that imports of spring lock washers from China

by United Steel and Fasteners Inc. (USF) were properly subjected to U.S. antidumping duties because evidence supported their classification as “helical” washers, Bloomberg Law reports. However, the appeals court held that the Commerce Department overstepped its authority in making the duties on the company’s washers retroactive by 20 years.

Lawson Proudcts achieved the highest percentage gain in Q4, increasing 34.5% during the period.

Founded in 1952, Lawson Products distributes MRO products and services. Lawson has distribution centers in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean and is headquartered in Chicago. Lawson’s Bolt Supply House serves customers in Western Canada and the Kent Automotive brand supplies the collision and mechanical repair products to the automotive aftermarket.

T h e U.S. h a s i m p ose d a nt id u m pi ng duties on certain Chinese helical spring lock washers since 1993. In 2013, USF requested a scope ruling from Commerce, arguing that its imports didn’t fall within the scope of helical washers for the railway market. The court determined that Commerce can only retroactively apply an antidumping duty on USF’s lock washers on or before the start date of a scope investigation, according to Law360.

Other FINdex companies achieving gains of 10% or more during Q4 included Arconic (18.3%), EACO (20.6%), Fastenal (13.1%), Grainger (13.9%), ITW (14.8%), Nucor (10.5%), Park Ohio (12.7%), Simpson Mfg. (15.6%), Stanley Black & Decker (14.8%), and Tree Island Steel (11.3%).

Founded more than 30 years ago, Itasca, ILbased USF distributes bolts, screws, nuts and pins for industrial and railway markets.

FINdex companies losing 10% or more in value during 2019 included Chicago Rivet (down 18%), Dorman Products (down 15.9%), Fastenal (down 29.3%), and Tree Island Steel (down 21.6%).

After slowing to 5.4% rate of increase in the third quarter, the FINdex increased 11.7% in the fourth quarter of 2019, outperforming a 0.98% gain by an index of related industrial stocks during the quarter.

China Fastener World no.59/2020

News provided by John Wolz, Editor of FIN (globalfastenernews.com) / Mike McNulty, FTI VP & Editor (www.fastenertech.com)

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Industry Focus

The Analysis of Construction Fastener Markets

by Behrooz Lotfian

Where Could be the Next and Most Potential Market(s) in the Near Future?

How to Determine What Type of Fastener You Need Different projects will demand different types of fasteners. Washers, bolts, and wedges are all used in different circumstances with unique finishes for specific projects. In order to determine the specific fasteners needed, the specifics of the application must be known to select the correct material. These factors include: • Accessibility of the area • What types of materials are being joined • Reusability of the fasteners • Weight of the materials • Surrounding environment, such as temperature and exposure to water and wind.

For better understanding of the future of construction fasteners market, the best way is to study the construction market in the world.

Construction Fasteners Fasteners are used in the construction industry to join two or more objects together in a nonpermanent way. Each construction project will require a different type of fastener in order to ensure a strong and a safe final construction. These types of fasteners are: Anchors, Studs, Bolts, Nuts, Screws, Washers.

Construction Market Ac c o r d i n g t o r e s e a r c h e s , t h e g lo b a l construction industry is expected to record a CAGR of 6.5% to reach US$ 10,835.6 billion by 2023. By 2030 the industry will account for 14.7% of all global economic output.

China (21% of Global Construction Share)

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The country is faced with an aging population which could see a rise in the construction of healthcare facilities or greater infrastructure capacity. The government’s “One Belt, One Road” economic policy is driving co-operation and trade with its immediate neighbours in Asia and is driving massive investment in infrastructure. The programme could spawn the ‘single largest construction project in human history’ in the next few years.

Ac c o r d i n g t o st a t i st ics, t h e b u i ld i n g construction industry in China is expected to record a CAGR of 7.5% to reach CNY 9397.4 billion by 2024. The residential construction industry in value terms increased at a CAGR of 8.6% during 2015-2019. The commercial building construction market in value terms is expected to record a CAGR of 10.7% over the forecast period.

Statistics show that China will keep the 1st rank of the construction market list until 2030.

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USA (15% of Global Construction Share) Construction is a major contributor to the U.S. economy. The industry has more than 680,000 employers with over 7 million employees and creates nearly $1.3 trillion worth of structures each year. Construction is one of the largest customers for manufacturing, mining and a variety of services. The U.S. construction industry took a significant hit in the last recession – particularly in the house building sector – and is only now beginning to bounce back. With housing growth expected to return to its pre-crash levels and major investment planned in the country’s infrastructure over this decade, the U.S. comfortably earns the 2nd rank of the construction market list.

Statistics show that the US will keep the 2nd rank of the construction market list until 2030.

Industry Focus India (7% of Global Construction Share) India is the fastest growing construction market on our list (expanding at almost twice the rate of China’s) and is set to spend a whopping USD $13 trillion on building and infrastructure work by 2030. The country’s vast and rapidly expanding population is generating a significant housing demand.

Staggering 31,000 homes need to be built every day, for the next 14 years, just to keep up. That’s 170 million properties by 2030.

COVID-19 and Its Effect on the Construction Market The construction industry will not be able to avoid the adverse impacts of widespread shutdowns in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Even before the crisis began in earnest, construction spending appears to have moderated. Total construction spending fell 1.3% during February, as residential (-0.6%) and non-residential (-1.8%) activities both slipped. The drop follows a huge 2.8% jump in construction outlays in January, which was revised up a full percentage point from the previous report.

Other Construction Markets The following are respective shares of the 4th to 10th biggest construction markets in the world Japan 6%

France 3%

Canada 3%

Germany 3%

Indonesia 3%

Australia 3%

Spain 2%

Last Word Coronavirus has dealt a heavy blow against the world economy as it forces countries into lockdown with "closed for business" signs. The fastener industry is also being hit because of this epidemic. The numbers will be changed; however, there is no prediction for the exact fluctuation.

For example:

But COVID-19 has driven U.S. construction down 5% in March. Total construction starts in the U.S. declined 5% from February to March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $746.9 billion, with the full impact of Covid-19 still to emerge, said Dodge Data & Analytics. Italian construction could fall by 22.6% in 2020.

References: 1. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/01/02/1965613/0/ en/World-Construction-Industry-Size-Forecast-to-2023 Continuous-Major-Economic-Growth-in-Various-DevelopedEmerging-Markets-Drives-the-Industry.html 2. https://www.fxstreet.com/analysis/covid-19-to hammer construction-industry-202004011632 3. https://apnews.com/Business%20Wire/425b194035b7400abcefee8dab70d691 4. https://www.khl.com/international-construction/construction and-covid-19-rolling-news-update/142849.article 5. https://www.theb1m.com/video/top-5-construction-markets-by-2030 6. https://www.arcadis.com/en/asia/our-perspectives/articles theimpact-of-covid19-on-construction-industry-in-china/ 7. https://www.agc.org/learn/construction-data 8. https://www.atlrod.com/guide-construction-fasteners/

China Fastener World no.59/2020

The impact of COVID-19 on Chinese construction business was not huge.

The lockdown measure in different cities in China during the epidemic period meant that there was no time for delivery. The output value was reduced and the completion date of many projects will be delayed. In the beginning of March, construction business recovered in China, making construction in China return to pre COVID-19 levels.

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Industry Focus

High Value-added

Fasteners for Medical Applications

by Sharareh Shahidi Hamedani

The main exporters are: • Europe with 900 million USD export in a quarter (except for Switzerland) • Switzerland with 600 million USD export in a quarter • North America with 650 million USD export (more than 500 million USD export from the USA) • Asia with 200 million USD export in a quarter Although this market is under control of many ma nufactu rers in Eu rope a nd USA, some Asia n manufacturers in S. Korea, Japan, and Taiwan have also invested a lot into the research and development of these types of products.

What has changed in the fasteners’ business in recent decades is the amazing proliferation of product choices in just about every category. Being different is at the heart of this competition. If companies ignore their uniqueness and try to offer everything to everybody, they quickly undermine what makes them different.

How Can Asian Manufacturers Enter This Market?

F

asteners used inside human bodies are generally categorized under HS code 902110. The description for this HS code is orthopaedic or fracture appliances normally in the forms of screws or spiral parts that can stay in human bodies for more than 30 days. For so many years, medical fasteners have been made from titanium. With the development of technology, materials for producing medical fasteners became different. These materials are critical in terms of their physical and chemical properties. Preferably, materials for medical fasteners should be biocompatible. They should also be resistant to both corrosion and fracturing.

Nowadays, materials for medical fasteners can consist of titanium or zirconium material design. Nevertheless, materials for medical fasteners must be durable and robust. The strength of materials for medical fasteners and their design must remain compatible with physical properties. Below are the common types of materials used in producing medical fasteners today.

Titanium - Titanium is regarded as the most common type of medical fasteners material.

Zirconia - In contrast to titanium, zirconia is a recent invention. It is China Fastener World no.59/2020

regarded as the most promising future of medical fastener material.

Titanium has been tested and provided a high success rate in medical procedures. Its flexibility has set it apart from the zirconia. As a metal, titanium has been the first choice in all forms of bone and plate implants.

Millions of patients have reaped the benefits of titanium.

However, zirconia combines both post and abutment into one unit. This reduces the fear of bacteria hiding and affecting the body.

How is Competition in the Medical Fasteners?

The business value of this category is 10.4 billion USD in terms of export and 11.3 billion USD in terms of import.

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The COVID-19 has effects on the unnecessary medical care like dental care, like teeth implanting (one of the main categories that use medical fasteners) and it can be an opportunity for Asian companies that want to enter this market. An Asian company in this category has three possible areas where it could establish a successful business. Let's look at each possibility in turn.

Product Differentiation Where does an Asian high value-added fastener producer rank in different products? Asian companies have no hope of establishing product differentiation by going head-to-head against European companies.

Furthermore, many of the European and American companies are running corporate programs emphasizing product differentiation.

Business Leadership Now, let's look at the second possible approach, business leadership, which today essentially means focusing on the price. Could Asian producers be successful on the price, Maybe yes, maybe not. Except for Japan, the other Asian countries’ prices are so cheap in comparison with European countries’ prices. Looking at the prices below.

"Price" is a big issue for most consumers. While consumers will often go out of their way to save money, sometimes they do the opposite. So, the quantity of Chinese is enormous. But in terms of total amount, Switzerland is ranked in the 1st place and USA is ranked in the 2nd place.

But what is the difference between China’s price and Taiwan’s price? The statistics show that Mexico’s price is two times higher than Taiwan’s price, but the quantity of fasteners sold from Mexico is 3.5 times higher than the quantity of Taiwanese fasteners.

Industry Focus Total amount (USD) 137,717,000 14,800,000 5,081,000 2,777,000 620,963,000 270,872,000 182,992,000 151,109,000 114,653,000 584,011,000 110,117,000

Quantity (Kg.) 12,864,609 894,551 93,945 3,743 259,581 587,614 723,000 663,571 542,250 ----3,221,385

Unit Price (USD) 10.7 16.5 54.1 741.9 2,392.0 461.0 253.1 277.7 211.4 ----34.1

The answer is simple, China is the centre of titanium in the world, the most important material for producing medical fasteners.

Industry Leadership The third approach is industry leadership. The Taiwanese or Koreans should improve their leadership position in the medical fastener industry. One thing is perfectly obvious when the manufacturers of these countries first consider a corporate program. Corporate programs are a series of advertising campaigns that Taiwanese producers can talk about the teeth implanting benefits, but during the COVID-19 pandemic it will be dangerous for patients. They should start to speak up about the COVID-19 and tell the public about the risk of taking a teeth implant surgery in this period of time. Why should they talk in this way? Because Taiwanese manufacturers need to compete in this market, however: * Their price is not acceptable in the market like China is. * They are not famous for high-tech or sensitive medical fastener production like Germany or Switzerland is.

As a result, the best way for these Taiwanese manufacturers to win in the high value-added fasteners competition is "to show the potential patients that their health is more important than their benefits." By this way, Taiwanese manufacturers can win customers’ trust and consumers may t u r n to t hem at a nytime.

Economical leadership takes time, but works without any doubt.

Summary Product leader, Switzerland is the country of super sensitive products, they know how to sell a product at 2000 USD/Kg. Business leader, price is one of the leverages for selling high value-added fasteners, but based on China’s leverage in this sector. China is the largest producer of titanium, so the largest titanium producer in the world is a leverage on the Chinese hands to control the price of titanium in the titanium productions like high value-added fasteners.

Industry leader, Taiwanese manufacturers don’t have any leverage to be the leader in terms of “product” category or “business” category.

They should be spokesperson in this category, otherwise, they could only be followers and never find a success.

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Exporter China Taiwan South Korea Japan Switzerland Netherlands Germany France Belgium USA Mexico

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Industry Focus

Analysis of China’s Fastener Trading Value in 2019

by Naiwen Chang, Fastener World Source: General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China Items 731815 Other screws and bolts 731816 Nuts 731814 Self-tapping screws 731819 Other stainless steel threaded products 731822 Other washers 731824 Pins and cotter pins 731829 Other stainless steel non-threaded products 731812 Other wood screws 731823 Rivets 731821 Spring washers and other anti-loosening washers 731813 Hook screws and ring screws 731811 Square head screws Total

Export Value (USD) Total Export Value Proportion 3,060,437,985 47.68% 1,159,136,461 18.06% 627,713,389 9.78% 552,913,734 8.61% 410,510,693 6.39% 178,768,119 2.78% 136,568,159 2.13% 125,604,078 1.96% 63,552,666 0.99% 56,380,902 0.88% 32,189,537 0.50% 15,514,858 0.24% 6,419,290,581 100%

Import Value (USD) Total Import Value Proportion 1,348,254,317 47.49% 548,079,384 19.30% 265,685,381 9.36% 230,938,274 8.13% 132,878,348 4.68% 89,098,850 3.14% 82,537,827 2.91% 71,949,170 2.53% 61,950,305 2.18% 3,031,703 0.11% 2,412,494 0.08% 2,239,131 0.08% 2,839,055,184 100%

According to the statistics by General Administration of Customs of China, China exported USD 6.419 billion worth of fasteners and imported USD 2.839 billion worth of fasteners in 2019. The category with the best trade performance was other screws and bolts (HS 731815) at a total export value of USD 3.06 billion taking up 47.68%, and at a total import value of USD 1.348 billion taking up 47.49%. The category with the 2nd highest trade amount was nuts (HS 731816) at a total export value of USD 1.159 billion taking up 18.06%, and at a total import value of USD 548 million taking up 19.3%.

Most fasteners made in China could satisfy the domestic demand in the country, whereas only spring washers and other anti-loosening washers (HS 731821), rivets (HS 731823), cotters and cotter pins (HS 731824) were higher in import value than export value. The import and export values in February were lower because of fewer workdays during the lunar new year holidays. The values picked up slowly in March and peaked in December.

731811 Square head screws China’s export value of square head screws only shared 0.24% of the total export. This product could satisfy the domestic Chinese market and its import value was stable. Note that if we exclude February which had fewer workdays, October had the lowest export value of only USD 71 thousand, just USD 10 thousand more than the export value of February. This could be attributed to the U.S. declaring to increase the tariff from 25% to 30% in the trade war with China. This led to a large slump in export, and later picked up and peaked in December.

731812 Other wood screws This product shared 1.96% of the total export value. Excluding February, the export value of other wood screws went below USD 9 million in November and rebounded to over USD 12 million in December. As for import, this product could satisfy the domestic demand. Its import value wasn’t much but relatively stable with less fluctuations.

731813 Hook screws and ring screws

China Fastener World no.59/2020

This product could satisfy the domestic demand. Its import value wasn’t much and at maximum didn’t exceed USD 321 thousand in 2019. Its export value peaked in May by growing 33.82% over April and reaching USD 3.151 million. Likewise, there was a larger margin of drop in October but a good rebound in November. There wasn’t much drop in December.

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Industry Focus

Self-tapping screws as the 3rd largest export item shared 9.78% of China’s total export value of fasteners. The export value of this product peaked in December and exceeded the USD 64 million mark. It grew 24% over November and could satisfy the domestic demand.

731815 Other screws and bolts This product topped the proportion of China’s fastener import and export value, sharing 47.61% of its total export and 47.69% of its total import.

The export value of this product peaked in December, breaking the USD 3.2 billion mark and outgrowing November by 26.25%.

731816 Nuts This product showed the 2nd highest trade amount in China, taking up 18% of China's total export and sharing 19.17% of China's total import.

Its export value peaked in December at USD 120 million, outgrowing November by 31.19%. Its import value peaked in December at USD 50.13 million.

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731814 Self-tapping screws

Industry Focus 731815 Other Screws and Bolts

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731819 Other stainless steel threaded products Compared with others, this product had an obvious drop margin due to a drop of 52.3% in export volume in February. It was less affected in the second half of February when the trade war became white-hot. Even if there was a drop, it didn’t exceed 8% month-to-month. This product peaked in December 2019 by growing 31.92%, nearing the USD 60 million mark.

731821 Spring washers and other anti-loosening washers This product was one of the few with an import value bigger than the export value, but it only shared 0.88% of China's total export and 2.18% of China's total import. We can find that only three months showed the result of "the export value bigger than the import value", while the rest of the year showed the result of "the import value bigger than the export value". The import value in December even grew as much as 24%.

731822 Other washers This is the category with the 4th highest export amount in China, sharing 6.4% of China's total export. It had an export drop of 52.93% in February, the largest margin among all the other categories. Its export peaked in December at over USD 41.68 million, outgrowing November by 26.92%. Though its import was not as high as its export, it peaked in November by as much as USD 25.36 million.

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Industry Focus

Rivets were one of the products made in China with the import value higher than the export value. Despite the fact that it only shared 0.99% of the total export value, and only 3 months showed the result of "export higher than import," it peaked in December in both import (over USD 7.2 million) and export (over USD 6.68 million).

731824 Pins and cotter pins This product was one of the few with the import value higher than the export value, sharing 8.13% of China's total export. It is the 4th largest category in China's fastener import. What is noteworthy is that although the previous products all showed the result of "export bigger than import", for a few months, this particular product showed the result of "the import value higher than the export value". Its import value peaked in April at USD 20.57 million, unlike other products that peaked in December. The export value of this product was steady with no significant fluctuation.

731829 Other stainless steel non-threaded products This product shared 2.13% of the total export value and 4.68% of the total import value. The export value peaked in December at USD 14.25 million, up 35.88% over November. What is worth noting is the declining import value despite the significant export value increase in December.

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731823 Rivets

Industry Focus Technology

731829 Other Stainless Steel Non-threaded Products

Stainless Steel Fasteners at

by Jozef Dominik

Reduced Temperatures

Stainless steel ś resistance to corrosion is achieved by dissolving sufficient chromium in the iron to produce a chromium oxide protective film on the surface. To achieve the effect of stainless steel, it needs to contain at least 12% chromium (Fig. 1).

The addition of other elements such as Ni, Mo, Si, etc., will not only increase corrosion resistance, but also other parameters such as:

Fig. 1 Mass loss in g/cm2

Briefly About Stainless Steels

Influence of Cr on corrosion resistance of steel

Mechanical properties (N) Machinability (S, Se, P, Pb, Cu) no.59/2020 ChinaFastener FastenerWorld Worldno.59/2020 China

Resistance to corrosion cracking (content reduction of P, As an Sb)

Mass share of Cr in %

While conventional structural steel corrodes under certain conditions, stainless steel resists corrosion under the same conditions very well (Fig. 2). This is also the main reason for its application in construction practice.

However, as we will see below, it is not just the corrosion resistance that is important for stainless steels. Uncritical adoration of stainless steels as a universal anticorrosive measure does not pay. Regarding how this could have catastrophic consequences, read my article “ Latent Corrosion of Screw Connections＂. Stainless steels are particularly vulnerable in chlorine-containing environments (Fig. 3).

The result is a fatal cross-sectional reduction.

Cl-

water drop Fig. 2

092 092

Fig. 3

Technology Mechanical and Thermal Properties Stainless steels for fasteners are standardized in EN ISO 35069: Mechanical properties of corrosion-resistant stainless steel fasteners — Part 1: Bolts, screws and studs (Table 1).

Table.1 Mechanical properties of stainless steels at ambient temperature Property

Austenitic Steels

Ferritic Steels

Duplex Aust./Ferrit.

Martensitic Steels

Rp0,2 [MPa]

200 - 280

200 - 320

400 - 530

450 - 600

Rm [Mpa]

500 - 800

380 - 650

630 - 930

650 - 1000

A5 [%]

30 - 45

18 - 25

20 - 30

10 - 15

Rp0,2 - Tensile strength, Yield (Mpa), Rm - Tensile strength, ultimate (Mpa), A5 - Elongation at Break in (%)

Remarkable are the properties of the most widespread type of stainless steel - austenitic steel type. Table 2 confirms this.

Table. 2 Comparative Properties of the Stainless Steel Alloys (In: Atlas Steels) Alloy Group

Magnetic Response

Corrosion Resistance

Hardenable

Ductility

High Temperature Resistance

Low Temperature Resistance

Austenitic

No

High

No

Very High

Very High

Very High

Ferritic

Yes

Medium

No

Medium

High

Low

Martensitic

Yes

Medium

Yes

Low

Low

Low

Except that these steels have high toughness that well withstands increased and reduced temperatures.

Practice example. Figure 4 shows the outdoor stairs on a railway carriage. A seemingly simple construction case can cause a big problem. It should be noted that railway wagons move in different climatic zones. From -40°C on the Trans-Siberian Highway to +40°C in the Indian Pacific in Australia for example. Not every steel is able to withstand such huge temperature fluctuations. Screw joints suffer the most. Mechanically cold-hardened austenitic stainless steels meet these conditions well. The difference between the rolled, or, mechanically cold-hardened (Fig 5a) and turned (Fig. 5b) threads of the A2 steel bolt is notable.

In addition, stainless steels, particularly of the austenitic type have high corrosion resistance. For comparison, see Fig. 6.

As shown in the following Table 3 the coefficient of thermal expansion of the austenitic stainless steel is higher than most other grades of steels. It is an important parameter in contact of carbon steel and austenitic stainless steel. The designer must take this into account. The combination of two metals with different thermal expansion is not a good solution.

Carbon Steel

10

Austenitic Steel

17

Ferritic Steel

11

Martensitic Steel

11

Summary

Fig. 5a – rolled threads

Steel, Zn

Stainless Martensitic

Stainless A2

Fig. 5b – turned threads

drilling performance

corrosion resistance

price Fig. 6

Stainless steel screws are a good design choice in certain cases. However, its properties and the conditions under which it will work in practice must be understood and fully respected.

The article points out not only the corrosion properties of stainless steels, but also their mechanical and physical properties. Of particular importance is their ability to withstand low temperatures. This unique feature is characterized mainly by austenitic stainless steels.

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Table. 3 Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (x 10-6/℃)

Fig. 4

Technology

Quality Philosophy

S

o you want to supply fasteners to the automotive industry? This is a great market segment to be in, but like most paths that one decides to take, there are certain philosophies or ways of doing things that one must be prepared for. Perhaps one of the most distinguishing attributes of the automotive industry is the way that they approach quality.

When I started in the fastener industry over thirty years ago the company I worked for had a roving band of inspectors whose sole task everyday was to go from machine center to machine center, randomly grabbing parts out of tubs and inspecting them. If they got lucky, they discovered a problem before it made it further along in the process or, worst case, to the customer.

China Fastener World no.59/2020

This was a common practice in those days and basically was the practical implementation of a “detection strategy”. In such a strategy one assumes that there may be problems but that through vigilance and inspection the problems can be detected and removed. Although this isn’t necessarily a bad philosophy when volumes are low, it becomes a very weak strategy when volumes are high, such as is typical in the automotive fastener segment.

In contrast, automotive parts makers were one of the first to use prevention strategies instead of detection ones. A company that employs such a quality strategy will seek to discover a pending problem before it occurs and becomes a problem for both the manufacturer and their customer.

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What is quality? Although a seemingly innocent and simple question, it generates a potentially complex and multi-layered answer. In essence, however, we might answer that when speaking about a manufactured product it is “a measure of excellence or state of being free from defects, deficiencies and significant variations (Reference from www.businessdictionary.com)” ISO 8402-1986 adds to this idea the notion that a product or service provides an answer to a need and, therefore, defines quality as “the totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bears its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs”.

Traditionally companies approach meeting this concept of quality by comparing their products against a set of customer or engineer specified requirements. In this way quality is defined by whether the part is “in specification” or not. In other words, a part is high quality provided that all of its characteristics are within specification.

It does not matter where in the specification they are manufactured or whether they actually work well, only that they fall within the established boundaries. This is known as a “Goal Post” philosophy.

re i l p p u s e v ti o m o ut a n a e b o t ant

w u o y So

Auto moti ve Q

ualit y Req uirem ents?

by L When extending such a philosophy, aure nce Clau the user assumes that the part is equally good s in whatever condition it has been made. Some people, however, have problems with this type of philosophy. As an example, when I teach on this subject I often throw out the question to my students, would you buy a new car if you knew that every part on the car had been manufactured to the low specification limit? Not surprisingly I rarely have any takers. I inquire why no one would want to buy such a car for its “in specification.” The class will explain something to the effect that instinctively, and probably rightfully so, a car assembled under such conditions might be prone to more future problems. Therefore, even the staunchest proponent of a Goal Post philosophy may harbor some reservations.

For many years this was the prevailing quality philosophy in automotive circles and the automotive OEMs devised complicated programs and certificate programs for suppliers that could provide high levels of quality. So how does one implement a system to execute such a philosophy? If you adopt this as your philosophy you expect that your processes will occasionally create parts out of specification, so that you must continually employ detection methods to determine when this has happened. Simply put, you implement a lot of inspection.

In the middle 1960s, quality guru, Genichi Taguchi, pointed out that specifications were given by engineers and not customers. He ended up proposing his theory referred to as the “Taguchi Loss Function.”

Dr. Taguchi recognized that although something might be “in specification” it may still fail to please the customer. His loss function essentially stated that as you begin to deviate from the ideal (or target), the value of the product or service begins to diminish.

As an illustration, let’s take a cup of soup as an example. Let’s say that we have a serving temperature specification between 90°F and 150°F. At 120°F it is the perfect serving temperature, we really enjoy that bowl of soup. At 95°F it is still in specification, but not quite warm enough to be completely enjoyable and at 145°F too hot to take in without blowing on it a while. Likewise, we understand that at 75°F it is way too cold and at 165°F it badly burns the roof of our mouths. This example clearly illustrates the concept that we can have something “in specification” and yet it is not of equal value to the ideal or target condition.

Technology

2. Advanced Process Quality Planning (APQP)

This is exactly what the modern Quality Management Systems (QMS) like ISO9001 or the automotive version IATF 16949 intend to do.

In essence these systems are about figuring out your process and then continually improving upon it so that it remains under control and is always getting better.

Automotive Quality Systems The automotive OEMs have adopted this second philosophy and set requirements for their suppliers to adopt activities to support it.

In essence there are three main activities that set automotive suppliers apart from suppliers in other industries. They are…

1. IATF 16949 (or Similar) It all began in 1997 with QS9000. This was the first automotive only QMS, derived as a supplement to ISO9000. Over the years it evolved (along with ISO9000) from QS9000 to ISO/TS 16949 and most recently to IATF 16949.

Although adding and changing requirements, it has retained its fundamental principles which place a series of requirements on those recipients who possess it to understand, monitor, and, most importantly, control their processes.

Like its predecessors, IATF 16949 establishes a basic foundation from the 200+ requirements of ISO9001 and then adds another almost 300 automotive specific requirements. For companies not accustomed to a control based quality system, obtaining IATF 16949 can be a daunting task.

APQP is multifaceted and includes a variety of planning steps. A few of the more commonly employed steps are: •

Feasibility Review

•

Process Control Plan (PCP)

•

Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)

•

Capability Studies

•

Measuring System Analyses (MSA)

•

Preproduction Part Approval Process (PPAP)

•

Run-at-Rate Study

These activities are intended to work together to holistically determine success of the part before it is taken into full scale production. If the APQP is done well, it will often expose difficulties and problems well in advance of when they would become major or even catastrophic problems.

3. Pre-Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) PPAPs are an invention of the automotive OEMs and until recent years were used only within the automotive market sector. However, in recent years many other entities outside of the automotive sector are employing PPAP (or equivalent) activities. I can recall thirty years ago when the PPAP concept was new and a PPAP submission was only several pages thick. Today, many requirements have been added and the average PPAP is maybe 100 pages or more, even for the simplest of fasteners.

PPAP is actually a part of APQP, but since it embodies many of the APQP activities and started out exclusive to automotive, it is worth singling out for additional comment. PPAPs follow the award of a part and are intended to verify the supplier can make the part as quoted. As such, PPAP involves actually making a small run of parts to verify that part and process parameters can be met. Although some of the same activities conducted during APQP are conducted during PPAP (MSA, PCP, and FMEA), the PPAP is all about demonstrating the ability to develop a process that will provide an adequate number of high quality parts.

Summary In summary, for companies wishing to enter the automotive market, these philosophies may seem foreign and the tasks to get manufacturing processes under control overwhelming. New entrants must expect a steep upward climb. To achieve this they may have to invest in a good deal of training and put their best people on it. However, if done right, the automotive quality systems are, bar none, the best in the world. This makes companies that can implement and execute on these philosophies some of the best in the world and well worth every company, whether automotive supplier or elsewhere to strive for.

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So if this becomes your philosophy, how do you implement activities to execute it? In the simplest of answers, you would endeavor to find the ideal case (provides the highest customer value) and build a stable process that you can control to uniformly provide that case every time. In other words you would build a sustainable, controllable process and we can extend that thought to say “good process nets good parts”.

A second hallmark of automotive quality is the requirement to participate in APQP activities. The idea here is that once you begin developing a new part you will undertake a series of actions spanning the time you first received the part as an RFQ to the point you put it into production. These action steps are intended to help plan, develop, and implement successful processes to make the subject part you have been awarded.

Technology The present article deals with the phenomenon of uneven loading of nuts after tightening of threaded connections. Although this is a serious problem, it does not seem to bother designers. In the professional literature it is only sporadically mentioned. In particular, solutions are lacking.

Stress Distribution of

Threaded Connections & Optimization Options

by Jozef Dominik

Introduction It is well known and generally accepted that the threads of nuts after tightening screws are not evenly loaded (see course of isobars

by FEM visual display in Fig. 1). Fig. 2 shows the source; the largest stress peak is located in the region of the nut input threads.

Fig. 1. FEM visual display

Fig. 6. FEM analysis 1

In most cases this is a critical area of the screw joint. Especially under dynamic stress, fatigue fracture occurs there (Fig. 3). It is not uncommon for the nut thread to break out.

This is not the only critical phenomenon of nuts. We must not forget that the technology of internal thread rolling has not yet been satisfactorily mastered. Therefore, internal threads are produced by turning only, which reduces their strength because this breaks off the steel fibers. It has been accepted that the nut should be stronger than the screw with which it is paired. Appropriate design Fig. 7. FEM analysis 2 recommendations have been drawn up in this respect (Table 1).

Table 1. Design Recommendations

Fig. 2. Source Bolt

Fig. 3. Fatigue fracture

The Mating Nut

Strength Class

Thread Diameter

3.6, 4.6, 4.8

≤ M16

Strength Class 4

Thread Diameter ≤ M16

5.6, 5.8

≤ M39

5

≤ M39

6.8

≤ M39

6

≤ M39

8.8

≤ M39

9

≤ M39

10.9

≤ M39

10

≤ M39

12.9

≤ M39

12

≤ M39

Solution Options It has already been mentioned that the uneven loading of the threads of the screw connections does not greatly bother designers. They simply accept it as a fact. This is partly understandable because the relevant theoretical research & development do not offer adequate rational solutions. Sporadic proposals only confirm this (Fig. 4 and 5).

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Fig. 4. Proposal 1

Both designs in Fig. 4 and 5 are based on the same principle - production of a groove on the face of the nuts. FEM analysis (Fig. 6 and 7) showed a positive effect on stress distribution in both cases (compared with Fig. 1). Although a completely uniform distribution of stresses over the height of the nuts has not been achieved, it can be stated that the stress peaks have been distributed over a larger number of threads than in the case of conventional nuts.

It is not known that the solution according to Fig. 7 has been applied in practice, but the variant according to Fig. 6 is used in practice for dynamically stressed structures as a barrier against loosening of bolted connections. For this purpose, the existing groove is suitably used for application of IstLock locking ring (Fig. 5). Similarly, the groove according to Fig. 7 can also be used. The idea of applying a wedge ring is rising here for example.

Conclusion Fig. 5. Proposal 2

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Uneven loading of nuts after assembly is one of the unresolved problems of today's threaded fasteners. It's a challenge for investigative designers to seriously address this problem. According to some authors, the main drawback of the current threaded connection technique is their unnecessary oversizing. This is of course a complex of problems, but uneven thread load is certainly one of them.

Special Report

Innovation Alley

WMS Large Wheel Nut Fastening Management System by Japanese Tohnichi Tohnichi begins sales of WMS Large Wheel Nut Fastening Management System which can be used to re-tighten large wheel nuts on cars running 50-100 kilometers. The user can set the limits of the number of axles, tires, nuts, and torque values. Correct data management of large wheel nut fastening can be done by one person. The fastening data is transmitted via WIFI and is color coded for the user to confirm the fastening result by sight. The user can search fastening records or export them in CSV format.

Japanese TODA Co-develops Eye Washer with Katecs "Eye Washer" co-developed by TODA and Katecs is a color-forming special lock washer used with bolts, through which the user can determine the axial force on the lock bolt by sight. TODA and Katecs stick two pressure-measuring films to the back of plastic washers. As the pressure starts to act on the washer, the color former will come out and color the washer red. The operator can visual check the diameter of the red zone to determine the axial force acting on the bolt head. This is cheaper than using an axial force gauge and the setup is easy.

TONE's CIW61100 Wireless Torque Wrench couples with patented sockets which, by design, has an additional groove in addition to the existing one. While replacing a socket, the user can move the O-ring on the existing groove to the new one to speed up detaching the socket and improve operability.

The main features of CIW61100 are: 1. 1100N.m output. 4 output modes.

2. Lightweight: 4kg, 221mm.

3. High capacity battery allowing for assembling 145 nuts.

4. IP56 water/dust resistance.

New Quarter-Turn Fastener from Southco Designed for Use in Tight Spaces Southco Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Southco Inc., a leading global provider of engineered access solutions such as locks, latches, captive fasteners, electronic access solutions and hinges/ positioning technology, has introduced a new product to its industry-recognized line of DZUS® Quarter-Turn Fasteners that enables end users to easily fasten and unfasten with a quick, quarter-turn motion in limited-space applications. Southco’s DZUS® D9-52 Tech Line QuarterTurn Fastener features a reduced head diameter, allowing it to be installed in tight spaces and easily accessed via hand or tool actuation.

Southco’s DZUS® D9-52 Tech Line Quarter-Turn Fastener features a captive, spring-loaded design that provides accurate, secure engagement and vibration resistance, while helping to prevent damage caused by over tightening. Available in press in and flare in installation styles, the DZUS® D9 Tech Line is available in a variety of stud lengths and mating receptacle options to accommodate varying panel thicknesses.

The DZUS® D9-52 Tech Line Quarter-Turn Fastener is available with corrosion-resistant steel or UV-resistant prism color over molded heads which allow users to easily differentiate application zones.

China Fastener World no.59/2020

compiled by Fastener World

Japanese TONE Rolls out 1100N.m-output Torque Wrench

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Special Report Atotech Introduces New Passivate Tridur® ZnNi H5.2 Atotech recently introduced Tridur® ZnNi H5.2 to the electroplating market; a black passivate, which is applicable to alkaline and to acidic zinc-nickel surfaces. Tridur® ZnNi H5.2-plated parts can be easily combined with aluminum alloys and used in the automotive industry to minimize contact corrosion.

Like all of Atotech’s other passivates, this new passivate exceeds the requirements of DIN EN ISO 19598. The application of the smart additive system Tridur® ZnNi H5.2 results in an extended lifetime compared to the market standard. This directly translates to reduced costs for customers, constituting a clear competitive advantage in the market.

Sabine Sengl, Corrosion Protection expert at Atotech said, “We are particularly proud that our automotive industry-approved Tridur® ZnNi H5.2 complies with the REACH regulations for beyond the year 2021, because it is both cobalt-free and fluoride-free.” Deep black, aesthetically appealing fasteners and other parts are mostly deployed within the automotive industry. Tridur® ZnNi H5.2 forms a long lasting, homogeneously spread, deep black color to surfaces at 12-13% incorporation rates of nickel (well with OEM standards), ensuring a very high corrosion protection against red rust.

Combined with Atotech’s sealers, the post dip Tridur® Finish 300 or Atotech’s zinc flake top coats, Tridur® ZnNi H5.2 offers remarkably high levels of corrosion protection against white and red corrosion (240 / 720 h) according to DIN EN ISO 9227.

Japanese THREE PEAKS Truss Head Screw Vise THREE PEAKS GIKEN's "DS-165T Vise" consists of a grip jaw, an adjustable screw and an unlocking lever. In application, use the adjustable screw to adjust the opening range of the jaw and apply the vise on a stripped screw. The vise will lock on the screw and make it easy to loosen the screw. Push the lever upwards and the vise is unlocked. The vise uses a cap screw as the adjustable screw. When the stripped screw is gripped by the vise, you can insert an Allen wrench in the adjustable screw and screw it in further to generate a grip larger than a hand grip. The jaw has a tapered tip that can reach in limited space. In addition to ordinary screws, the vise can be used on truss screws, and it is expected for use in the construction market and automotive aftermarket.

Japanese Okaya Heat Treatment Industry's Die Flatness Tester Okaya Heat Treatment Industry developed a non-contact automatic die flatness tester that makes for saving much labor which dial gages and 3D testers largely depend on. Put a heattreated die on the 800-square-millimeter square plate, set the die's height and its vertical and horizontal sizes through the monitor, and the tester is good to go. Next, the laser from the movable head will automatically measure the die while moving in a 1-cm incremental distance.

The laser portion of the tester includes a sensor preventing the operator from entering wrong settings, as well as two 1/4 wavelength semiconductor laser devices that offset the tool mark.

The sensor comes in two grade types: high-precision 15 nanometers and super-high-precision 3 nanometers. The computer in conjunction with this tester can display vertical and horizontal deviation values and flatness values, as well as full color status display of high/low deviation.

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The New Wiha speedE® II Electric - Speed Has Never been So Safe Wiha, the hand tool manufacturer, is now launching its new speedE® II electric e-screwdriver. Faster, stronger and more versatile in design, the new generation of the electric screwdriver now promises even more application advantages. The Wiha speedE® II has two material protection levels of 0.4 Nm and 1 Nm, which open up a new range of applications. With its voltage-proof slimBit interchangeable system (up to 1,000 V AC), this 'Made in Germany' innovation offers users maximum safety, flexibility and freedom of choice in everyday professional life.

Its globally unique functionality is characterised by its intuitive and easy handling: First the screws are automatically tightened three times faster than with a conventional screwdriver, and then the material protection stop is activated. Particularly with sensitive screw connections and when care is needed when fastening, very high power transmissions quickly cause material damage. For this reason, the power level 0.4 Nm should be selected in such cases. With the sliding position at the 1.0 Nm level, speedE® II can also be used in combination with the yellow Power slimBits as tools for tasks requiring more strength, for example for fastening larger threaded screws. The screw can then be carefully tightened fully by hand in both material protection stages.

The ring switch allows convenient operation in all working positions. A ring LED light provides maximum illumination of the working area, which makes work even easier for users and prevents shadows being thrown on the work piece. The red and yellow slimBits are all individually tested at 10,000 V AC, are approved up to 1,000 V AC and with their colour coding are helpful for selecting the correct power stage. Small screw profiles

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Special Report are generally used for sensitive, delicate screw connections. The matching slimBits with their red colour tell users that they should set the material protection level to the red, 0.4 Nm level for this application. For stronger screw connections with larger profiles, the yellow colour of the respective slimBits shows that the slider can also be used to switch to yellow and therefore to a powerful 1.0 Nm. Using the ergonomically designed speedE® II greatly reduces stress and muscle strain for professionals who often have screwdrivers in continuous use, making the strenuous manual screwing process is a thing of the past. Muscles and tendons in hands, arms and the entire musculoskeletal system are subjected to less strain, which means a noticeable health benefit for users in many professions who use conventional fastening tools in their daily work. It is therefore also recommended by German doctors and physiotherapists at the AGR (Campaign for Healthier Backs).

In terms of size and weight, the speedE® II is comparable with conventional screwdrivers, which makes it the ideal companion for mobile applications. The 'Made in Germany' label underlines that the highest standards regarding robustness and quality apply. The speedE® II Set includes the e-screwdriver itself, one red and one yellow slimBit, two standard 18500 rechargeable batteries, a USB charger and an L-Boxx Mini. Additional accessories, such as the easyTorque torque adapter, slimBit boxes, bags and a suitable power supply unit for the USB charger are available separately.

The Wiha speedE® II electric is the latest member of the now 96-part Wiha ElectricVario family, which combines all fastening tools, slimBits, ¼" hexagon head nut driver, adapters and more and optimally covers all fastening tool tasks with multiple combination options.

3D Tech Helps Keep Thieves at Bay As car security systems become increasingly more sophisticated, thieves are targeting car parts instead, including alloy wheels. One method to deter wheel thieves is to use locking nuts, one on each wheel, which require a special adapter, or key, to loosen. But even these are not invulnerable. "Our engineers have now developed unique locking wheel nuts using 3D printing technology. Together with EOS, a leading supplier for high-end solutions in additive manufacturing, we have created locking nuts with contours based on the driver’s voice."

Like an iris scan or a fingerprint, a person’s voice can be used as a unique biometric identification. Engineers record the driver’s voice for a minimum of one second, saying something like “I drive a Ford Mustang”, and use software to convert that singular soundwave into a physical, printable pattern. This pattern is then turned into a circle and used as the design for the locking nut’s indentation and key.

With the geometry in place, the nut and key are designed as one piece, then 3D-printed using acid and corrosion resistant stainless steel. When finished, the nut and key are separated, with a small amount of grinding required to make them ready for use. The design also includes second level security features that prevent the nut from being cloned or copied. The unevenly spaced ribs inside the nut and indentations that widen the deeper they go prevent a thief from making a wax imprint of the pattern, as the wax breaks when it is pulled from the nut.

If not using the driver’s voice to create the contours, the nuts could feature designs specific to a vehicle, such as with the Mustang logo, or use the driver’s initials. The design could also take inspiration from a driver’s interest, for example, by using the outline of a famous racetrack.

High-performance BR12PP-8 Smart Rivet Tool from STANLEY® Assembly Technologies The high-performance BR12PP-8 Smart Rivet Tool from STANLEY® Assembly Technologies, the global leader in precision fastening, allows manufacturers to reduce scrap, optimize the assembly area, and provide real-time process data to the existing plant manufacturing execution system by recording the stem break load and rivet pull distance.

“The product launch of the BR12PP-8, STANLEY Assembly Technologies is the latest development in partnership with the STANLEY® Engineered Fastening to offer the best in smart, cordless, programmable rivet setting technology,” said Deanna Postlethwaite, director of global product management at STANLEY Assembly Technologies.

• Optional integrated force switch

• Digitally adjustable force and distance acceptance values

• Programmable multi-function button provides a simple, flexible way to complete many different tasks with a single button

• Use 1 tool for many rivets and applications for reduced cost of ownership and increased error detection

• Durable brushless DC servo motor engineered for the high production environment

China Fastener World no.59/2020

The BR12PP-8 Smart Rivet Tool offers benefits including:

• Detects errors in the process, preventing customer returns and recalls

099

Industry Focus

South Africa’s Fastener Safeguard Measure Investigation over Germany, USA, and China?

What May be the Impact of

by Naiwen Chang, Fastener World

significant decline, which might have been inf luenced by the 1st and 2nd protective measures imposed by South Africa. However, it will still take time to determine whether the latest investigation will cause the 2nd wave of significant impact or not.

According to an announcement of the World Trade Organization (WTO) released on May 21st, the South African International Trade Administration Commission has initiated a safeguard measure investigation against certain imported iron and steel hexagonal bolts falling within HS code 73181543. South Africa once launched similar investigations in 2018 and the March of 2019, which involved certain fasteners falling within HS codes 73181539, 73181541, 73181542, and 73181630, and which resulted in 3-year protective measures imposing the tariff rates of 45-55%.

The data from Chinese Customs also show that in 2019 China exported USD 24.208 million worth of fasteners falling within HS code 731815 to South Africa. China is also one of the countries especially referred to in this investigation, as its strong capacity and low prices have formed a big threat to the member countries of Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

The statistics of South African Revenue Service (SARS) shows that, as of the end of March 2020, the top 3 trade partners of South Africa are Germany, China, and USA. Although South Africa is not a major fastener export destination of these countries, it may still cause some slight impact on the exporters from the top 3 countries who sell fasteners to South Africa.

For Germany, South Africa represents around 2.4% of its total fastener export and is its 9th largest trade partner in terms of export. As a result, South Africa is one of the important trade partners for German fastener enterprises. Chart 1 shows that in 2017 the value of Germany’s fastener export to South Africa reached its peak and reached the level close to around EUR 60 million. In addition, the average price of Germany’s fastener export to South Africa was really high in 2017, though later it gradually declined and reached EUR 5.9 per KG in 2019. The initiation of the investigation may cause some impact on Germany’s fastener export.

As for Taiwan, it exported USD 17.271 million of fasteners to South Africa in 2019, representing only 0.4% of its total fastener export. As South Africa is the 30th largest fastener export destination of Taiwan, it is estimated that the investigation this time will only cause very limited impact on Taiwan.

However, South Africa is still a very critical importer within the entire African region, so for companies exporting their products to South Africa, they may still be influenced.

As shown in Chart 2, South Africa is the 26th largest fastener export destination for the U.S. and represents less than 1% of U.S. total fastener export. However, the chart also shows that the value of U.S. fastener export to South Africa in 2019 appeared a Export (EUR) Share Export (KG) Share Average Price

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

53,218,509

51,912,727

59,131,782

54,189,766

54,232,014

2.98%

2.75%

2.79%

2.41%

2.41%

8,077,000

8,363,000

8,825,000

8,744,000

9,181,000

3.43%

3.39%

3.14%

3.00%

3.30%

6.59

6.21

6.70

6.20

5.91

The investigation this time was initiated based on the complaint lodged by SACU, wh ich consists of Botswa na, L esot ho, Namibia, South Africa, and eSwatini. Some think that the investigation will not only impact the fastener export to South Africa, but will also impact the export to the other member countries of SACU.

Source: European Commission

Chart 1. Germany's Fastener Export to South Africa 10,000,000

60,000,000

Chart 2. U.S. Fastener Export to South Africa

9,000,000 8,000,000

China Fastener World no.59/2020

30,000,000

58,000,000

25,000,000

7,000,000

56,000,000

20,000,000

6,000,000

K G

5,000,000

54,000,000

4,000,000 52,000,000

3,000,000 2,000,000

50,000,000

1,000,000 0

2015

2016 Export Volume

100

2017

2018 Export Value

2019

48,000,000

E U R

U S 15,000,000 D 10,000,000 5,000,000 -

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Export Value

20,774,437

17,946,418

21,448,804

24,218,452

17,812,031

Share in total export

0.54%

0.44%

0.50%

0.56%

0.41%

Source: ITA

China Fastener World no.59/2020

101

102 China Fastener World no.59/2020

公協會報導

文 / 惠達副總編輯 張剛豪

專訪 台灣螺絲 貿易協會

陳和成 理事長 China Fastener World no.59/2020

「年輕世代參與、友好協會交 流和國際參展、教育訓練規劃將 是未來兩年會務主軸。」

002

公協會報導 2020年1月1日，榮金公司董事長陳和成先生正式接下為期兩年的台灣螺絲貿易協會理事長一職。陳理事長在此之前就積極 參與協會會務，不僅是協會成為社團法人後的創會會員之一，也曾經擔任協會北區聯誼會會長、總幹事和副理事長等要職，會務 資歷相當豐富。 陳理事長在此次訪談中特別談到他對未來兩年會務的規劃藍圖，也表示這是更 大責任的開始，將盡最大努力不辜負會員託付，讓會務更加蓬勃發展。尤其是當前全球 都為這波肺炎疫情忙得焦頭爛額之際，陳理事長也希望全球與台灣供應商配合的廠商 能了解，台灣目前在疫情控制上成效顯著，生產出貨也都相當穩定正常，希望外界能加 以放心。

三大面向將是陳理 事長接下來積極推 動的重點

1 鼓勵年輕世代積極參與會務和交流活動 陳理事長認為，協會成立至今31年，會員數也大幅成長至300多家，在市場快速變動的時代，也應積極回應潮流引進新觀念 和嘗試新做法，讓更多螺絲青年世代有參與和貢獻的機會，也能讓傳統產業展現新的面貌。以此為出發點，協會的服務委員會也 將更名為「活動委員會」，希望藉由更清楚的角色定位替會員規劃更多吸引年輕世代參與的活動，提升老、中、青會員世代間彼此 的認識、溝通和交流，活化協會的運作。包括舉辦環島鐵道之旅、日本名古屋豐田工廠參訪、甚至是漆彈活動都會列為今年度活 動規劃的重點，目前也積極透過各管道在聯繫安排中。陳理事長強調，如同產業需要不斷轉型一樣，透過不同世代間經驗的傳承 和學習，相信一定能對台灣整體螺絲產業的提升有正面的推波助瀾之效。

2 強化跨國協會互動交流及國際指標展會曝光宣傳 過去幾年協會除了與國內螺絲相關組織團體維持健康的交流外，也努力開拓與海外相關螺絲協會(例如: 美國NFDA和IFI、 歐洲EFDA和EIFI、南非SEIFSA、巴西SINPA和香港螺絲業協會)的交流平台。陳理事長表示，透過國際交流，不只可以促進產 業間的資訊交流，另一方面，也是間接幫助協會成員與國外產業接觸的機會，在挑戰來臨時能隨時做好準備因應。協會除時常獲 邀參與這些國際性協會的會員大會和年會外，他接任理事長後也將持續邀請這些協會的成員參與協會的活動。尤其是預計今年 10月14-16日舉辦的台灣國際扣件展，協會已經規劃在展前邀請NFDA、EFDA、IFI和多家大型進口商來台參加歡迎晚宴，屆時在 「螺絲產業、四海一家」的氛圍中，盼能進一步促進全球螺絲產業的緊密合作。 陳理事長也表示，接下來兩年協會也將持續參加美國拉斯維加斯螺絲暨機械設備展和德國司徒加特螺絲展。藉由展會上協 會會員名錄的發送，幫協會的新舊會員在國際市場積極曝光、爭取商機開拓新客源，更重要的是讓國際社會了解「台灣的螺絲不 用會失望，用了你會更有希望!」，而這也是協會成立的宗旨之一。

3 提升教育訓練的廣度和深度，目標推動螺絲人才證照制

有鑑於螺絲產業人才培訓和企業掄才不易，陳理事長也希望透過協會的力量與政府機關溝通在未來推動「螺絲人才證照 制」。陳理事長表示，很多產業都有類似的認證制度，透過這種制度，產業可以事先了解招攬進來的人才在技術能力上是否合 用，也能促使有意願進螺絲產業的人才在應徵職務前就已做好準備。陳理事長補充表示，目前這制度在螺絲業界實踐可能有難 度，但這是未來我們產業可以積極推動的目標，縱使尚未有明確的時程表，但若真的有機會實行絕對對產業的永續發展有很正 向的助益。

助會員與國際接軌， 提升台灣螺絲產業實力

陳理事長在訪談末強調，螺絲產業是可長可久的事業，單打獨鬥可能會相當辛 苦，若能透過團體的力量齊心合作，要讓世界看見台灣螺絲產業強大的一面絕非難 事。當然重要的還是要有更多會員朋友的參與，彼此交流互動，才能讓台灣螺絲產業 更快更有效率向上提升，展現令全球刮目相看的Made-in-Taiwan實力。

003

China Fastener World no.59/2020

過去幾年協會時有舉辦相關的教育訓練課程，每堂皆吸引近百名學員參加，在促進螺絲業界人才「質」的提升上頗有建樹。 陳理事長接任後將積極擴大原先教育訓練課程的廣度和深度，不只有原本的生產和品管課程，也將努力透過台灣金屬中心、學校 建教合作單位、產業教育訓練中心和業界知名大廠的培訓管道聘請專業講師和業界職人，針對更多元化的課程主題(例如: 行銷 經營管理或財務規劃)進行講授。也預計開放協會台南會館會議室的租用，供會員做小型訓練或開會之用，讓協會會館空間的運 用更加活化。

惠達特搜全球新聞 - 產業動態 中國4月出口成長3.5% 意外由負轉正 疫情在全 球蔓延，全 球主要 經濟 體大多實行了嚴格的隔離防疫措施，外 界預期將對中國外貿帶來嚴峻的壓力。 不過，中國海關總署5月在官網公布4月 外貿數據，出口意外地由負轉正。中國4 月外貿進出口總額 3552.2 億美元，下降 5%。出口2002.8億美元，年增 3.5%；進 口1549.4 億美元，年減14.2%。當月貿易 順差擴大至453.4億美元。 中國海 關 總 署資 料 顯示，今年1 至 4月，中國 進 出口總 額 1.3 兆美元， 下降 7. 5%。 其 中，出 口 6782.8 億美元，下降 9%，進口 620 0.5 億美元，下降 5.9%。貿易順差582.3 億 美元，減少32.6%。中美貿易總額下降 12.8%。中國對美國出口人民幣7022.8 億元，下降15.9%；自美國進口2561.8億 元，下降3%。對美貿易順差4461億元。

China Fastener World no.59/2020

中國汽車銷量結束21個月 的下滑 據中國汽車工業協 會統計，2020 年 4月 份 中 國 汽 車產量 210.2 萬 輛、銷 量 207 萬輛，較前個月分別成長 46.6%和 43. 5%，較去年同期分別成長 2 .3% 和 4.4%，月增速為今年以來的首次增長， 其中銷量更是結束了連續 21個月的下 降。中國汽車工業協會表示，4月份中國 國內疫情逐步趨緩，政府推出刺激汽車 產銷政策，使4月份汽車市場回升。但受 國外疫情影響，4月汽車出口僅7 萬輛， 較上月份下降 22.9%，較去年同期下降 15.7%。

004

惠達編輯部 整理

總計1～ 4月，中國汽車產銷分別為 559.6萬輛和576.1萬輛，產銷量較去年同 期分別下降33.4%和31.1%，在新能源汽 車方面產銷均為20.5萬輛，較去年同期大 幅下滑44.8%及43.4%，北京於3月宣布， 將對新能源汽車（如電動或插電式混合 動力汽車）的補貼和稅收減免再延長兩 年，以期恢復這類汽車的不佳銷售。

中國停止對美課徵抗拉強 度800兆帕以上扣件關稅

根據中國《國務院關稅稅則委員 會關於試行開展對美加徵關稅商品排 除工作的公告》（稅委會公告［2019］2 號），中國國務院關稅稅則委員會公布 「第二批對美加徵關稅商品，第二次排 除其中部分商品」清單，其中包含稅號 73181510 抗拉強度在 80 0 兆帕及以上 的螺釘及螺栓，不論是否帶有螺母或墊 圈，有關事項公告如下： 公 告指出，本 次 清單 所 列 商品自 2020年5月19日至2021年5月18日（一 年），不再加徵中國為反制美301措施 所加徵的關稅。對已加徵的關稅稅 款 予以退還，相關 進口企業應自排除 清 單公佈之日起6個月內按規定向中國海 關申請辦理。

土耳其對螺絲螺帽課徵附 加關稅 土耳 其本 2 0 2 0 年 4月18 日發布第 31103（2424）號政府公報，對螺絲螺帽 等產品課徵附加關稅。 據公報內容表示，自公告日（4月18 日）至本年9月30日（含）止，對本案螺絲 螺帽產品依據土耳其海關所分類的第

5-9類區域課徵30%附加關稅，第9類區 域（含中國、日本、台灣）總關稅將因此 提高至33.7%。並自本年10月1日起對第 5-9類區域課徵10%附加關稅，第9類區 域總關稅將因此提高至13.7%。除第5-9 類區域關稅有所提高外，第1- 4 類區域 仍維持原來關稅稅率。 涉案扣件產品編碼如下: 7318.11.00.00.00 / 7318.12.10.00.00 7318.12.90.00.00 / 7318.13.00.00.00 7318.14.10.00.00 / 7318.14.91.00.00 7318.14.99.00.00 / 7318.15.20.00.00 7318.15.35.00.11 / 7318.15.35.00.12 7318.15.42.00.11 / 7318.15.42.00.12 7318.15.48.00.11 / 7318.15.48.00.12 7318.15.52.00.00 / 7318.15.58.00.00 7318.15.62.00.00 / 7318.15.68.00.00 7318.15.75.00.00 / 7318.15.82.00.00 7318.15.88.00.00 / 7318.15.95.00.11 7318.15.95.00.12 / 7318.16.31.00.00 7318.16.39.00.00 / 7318.16.40.00.00 7318.16.60.00.00 / 7318.16.92.00.00 7318.16.99.00.00 / 7318.19.00.00.00 7318.21.00.00.00 / 7318.22.00.00.00 7318.23.00.00.00 / 7318.24.00.00.00 7318.29.00.00.00 附註：區域類別

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

第 1 類：歐 盟、歐 洲自由貿易聯盟 （EFTA）、以色列、北馬其頓、波士尼 亞赫塞哥維納、摩洛哥、巴勒斯坦、突 尼西亞、埃及、喬治亞、阿爾巴尼亞、科 索沃、塞爾維亞、蒙特內哥羅、智利、模 裏西斯、摩爾多瓦、法羅群島 第2類：南韓 第3類：馬來西亞 第4類：新加坡 第5類：普遍優惠關稅制下之國家 第6類：最不發達國家 第7類：適用特殊獎勵措施之國家 第8類:發展中國家 第9類:其他（如中國大陸、日本、台灣）

惠達特搜全球新聞

- 廠商動態 -

新冠肺炎重擊美國車市與 當地日系車商 日刊新聞報導，新冠肺炎使美國市 場迅速凍結，4到6月美國的GDP 預計下 降 30%。與此同時，美國的汽車需求也 正在縮減，當地日系企業被迫全面車廠 停工，停工時期還延長到5月。報導中提 到，北美市場的收益是日系車廠的一大 重要支柱，日系車廠的業績可能大受衝 擊。市場調查指出美國3月新車銷售比去 年同月減少了40%。（還記得中國在 2月 最嚴重的時刻的車銷量就跌了8成嗎？ 美國在 3月的跌幅已經到了中國史上最 大跌幅的一半）。野村證券將美國2020 全年車銷的預測下調到1,410萬台（減幅 17%，相當於280萬台）。

英國於 5月19日發佈脫歐後的關稅 政策，預計於 2 0 21年 1月1日起正式生 效，透 過採取精簡化使 進口關稅更具 效率，並 使用英鎊 計價。以扣 件產品 ( 7318) 系列來說，原共同對外關稅為 3.7%，新制實施後降至零關稅。 透過這樣的政策英國政府希望能 夠讓 進口商品變得更容易，且 企 業能 夠以實惠的價格進口商品以支持英國 經濟。國際貿易部長利茲· 特拉斯（Liz Truss）表示：「這是50 年來英國首次能 夠建立一個適合英國的經濟關稅制度， 我們的新《全球關稅》將通過減少繁文 縟節並降低成千上萬種日常用品的成 本，使英國的消費者和家庭受益。」

需求的衰退也影響到日本當地的汽 車生產。根據日本汽車工業製造商協會 表示，日本在2019年對美國出口了173萬 台，占了日本整體汽車出口量的4成。這 波疫情也讓日本車廠重新調整對美出口 的汽車生產。

寧波鎮海緊固件產業化危為機加快突圍 進入4月，寧波中斌緊固件製造有限公司的車間裡非常忙碌，工人在生產線上 為國內企業加工剛研發出來的產品。「所幸我們'調頭快， ' 及時開拓國內市場，公司 的發展不至於陷入停頓。」企業負責人孫斌說，公司業務原本以歐美市場為主，受 疫情影響，產品的主要外銷國美國、英國的企業停工，使得國外業務貨也不能發， 訂單也不能生產。 「歐美國家企業的復工時間遙遙無期，客戶發來郵件告知 60 天後再做決 定。」為應對市場的急劇變化，中斌緊固件從今年2月便開始了轉型之路。他們迅 速將銷售重心轉向國內市場，成功取得了大型國企的訂單。金鼎緊固件是鎮海區 最大的緊固件企業，該企業計劃從4月15日開始興建智能化倉儲系統，將投入5000 萬人民幣進行改造，改造完成後的倉儲設施將全部由計算機和機器人控制。

美 國 工 程 扣 件 供 應 商 E F C Inter national 持續進 行擴 張。該 公司正將 芝加哥的辦公室和倉 庫遷至位於伊利諾漢 諾威公園 Chandler Drive4150 號廣達 64,000 平方英呎的新廠房。營運總經理 Thomas Mansholt 表示 :「此次遷移讓 EFC可以透過更多的存貨服務和倉儲空 間來強化服務水平並滿足客戶和供應商 的需求。擁有4,200 個集貨架空間、26 呎 高的廠房空間和環狀收貨- 倉儲-出貨程 序，讓產品出貨更有效率，也預留廠房 未來的成長空間。更多的出貨閘口讓貨 櫃車可以同時載貨，讓服務EFC 在全球 據點的客戶更便利。」EFC International 是全球知名的工程零組件供應商，在美 國、墨西哥、加拿大、中國、德國和南韓 都有據點。

中國湖南飛沃科技二期項 目開工儀式圓滿舉行 湖南飛沃新能源科技股份有限公 司舉行了二期項目開工儀式。飛沃科技 董事長張友君率領公司200 餘名職工代 表參加儀式。董事長張友君談到，成立 於 2 012 年的飛沃科技，是一家出生於 桃源、成長在桃源的本土企業。飛沃人 白手起家，歷時八年艱苦卓絕的奮鬥， 創造業界成長的奇跡。飛沃人會堅定不 移朝著“奮鬥30 年打造百億緊固科技產 業＂這一宏偉目標砥礪前行。飛沃科技 是一家高強度緊固件研發、製造以及緊 固系統方案提供的高科技民營企業，自 2012年成立以來注重科技創新、技術儲 備，不斷擴大生產規模、市場佔有率，快 速成為桃源縣智慧製造行業領軍企業，

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China Fastener World no.59/2020

英2021關稅新制 扣件進口零關稅

美國EFC擴大芝加哥新倉 庫和辦公室

惠達特搜全球新聞 現已成為中國智慧製造示範試點企 業，產品遠銷西班牙、波蘭、印度、 美國等國際市場。此 次的二期 專 案，總投資5億元，用地200畝。

法國LISI集團2020第 一季銷量達3.979億歐 元，較2019下滑10.6% 新冠肺炎全 球大流行大幅度 影響了 LISI集團 三月下旬的業務 往來，讓第一季銷售出現下滑，並對 集團旗下各事業體產生不同程度的 影響。

• L I S I 航 太 事 業 體：銷 量 下 滑 10.3%。結構性零部件的業務交易 影響最大。 • LISI汽車事業體:銷量下滑12.6%。 有將近3/4的下滑可歸因於螺紋扣 件，但安全機械零組件的良好表 現部分抵銷了這個影響。 • LISI醫療事業體:銷量下滑4.2%。 尤其是美國L I SI M E DI CA L Remmele的顯著成長幫助紓解其 他地區業務量減少的影響。 2020 第一季 3.979 億歐元的銷 量較2019年下滑10.6%，三月單月則 下滑27.4%。

China Fastener World no.59/2020

日本日東精工取得三菱 化學株式會社所有股份 日東精工在 4月1日取得三菱化 學Analytech公司的所有股份，將該 公司新命名為日東精工分析科技公 司（Nittoseiko Analytech）。日東 精工分析科技公司擁有各種豐富的 分析機器，將會為日東精工在零件 檢查裝置的販售、開發、製造方面 發揮綜效。日東精工生產工業扣件 的自動鎖緊機與計測檢查裝置，在 中國、香港、台灣、泰國、印尼、馬 來西亞、韓國、美國設有據點。

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- 企業併購 德國Böllhoff攜手法國 Gillis Aerospace在緊固領 域共創合作 隨著併購法國航太扣件製造商Gillis Aerospace 的股份，Böllhoff 進一步延伸 觸角至航太市場。Michael Böllhoff 表示: 「過去 70 年我們持續供應可靠的產品來 滿足航太產業的需求。這也包括 認證和 特別原料和表面處理技術和全球客戶接 觸管道。我們也非常高興，隨著和 Gillis Aerospace 的合作，我們因此獲得了一個 非常有經驗和穩定生產能幫助我們在航 太市場大步向前的夥伴。」 與Gillis Aerospace的合作主要是基 於 Böl l hof f 在這 家法國扣件製 造商中有顯著 參 與。合 作 合 約 於 2020 年一月簽訂，交易案在 3月初完成。 合作目的在創造協同作用，藉此提供 共 同的航太客戶更廣的產品和服務項目。兩 家公司將在合作基礎下貢獻自己的強項。 Gillis Aerospace總經理Serge Dumas表示: 「Böllhoff 的全球佈局讓我們可以提供全 球客戶我們的特別扣件。同樣的，Gillis也 可以在合作中貢獻自己在航太扣件領域廣 泛的製造知識。藉由快速靈活和彈性的製 造概念，我們可以滿足特定的客戶要求，就 算是小批量或中批量生產都行。」合作將 會隨著時間和共同產品的開發持續擴大。

TRIMAS收購RSA工程 3月2日TriMas宣布已完成對RSA工程 產品（RSA）的收購，RSA工程產品是用於 關鍵飛行應用的氣流管理系統的高精密 和專利零組件的供應商。TriMas早在2020 年1月30日就表示已與RSA簽訂協議，直至 最近才完成併購程序。TriMas 航天John Schaefer董事長表示：「我們很高興歡迎有

才華和經驗豐富的RSA工程產品團隊加入 TriMas航天，並期待與其攜手合作為我們 現有客戶和新客戶提供服務。此次收購表明 了我們對發展航天業務並擴大TriMas航天 產品範圍的持續承諾。RSA還增強了我們 在國防和商用噴射機市場的地位，並增加了 我們在售後市場的參與度。」

RSA專門設計和製造高精密的零組件 （包括主要用於航天和國防發動機引氣， 除冰和環控系統應用的導流產品、連接 器和彈性接頭）。TriMas董事長兼執行長 Thomas Amato表示：「此次收購是朝著建 立TriMas航天平台邁出的有意義的一步。 我們期待RSA為TriMas做出貢獻。」

美國ElginFastener集團併 購RockfordFastener 美國Elgin Fastener集團 （E F G）宣 布已經 併購特殊扣件製造 商 Rockford Fastener。Rockford Fastener 過去 40 年來以提供各類高質產品項目聞 名。產品線徑從#4至½＂ ，長度可達5 ＂ 。服 務市場包括農業、交通、商用建築和一般 工業末端市場。Rockford特殊之處是他們 快速報價和24小時內生產急單的能力。

Ro c k fo r d Fa s t e n e r 目前正式加入 E F G 旗下品牌的大家庭，這些品牌還包 括 Holbr o ok Ma nu fa ct u r i ng、L ela nd Powell、Northern Wire、Quality Bolt、 Chandler Products、Telefast、Ohio Rod Products和Best Metal。

美國Middle Ground Capital 併購EDSCO Fasteners 美國Middle Ground Capital宣布已 經完成併購電力傳送桿和其他大型鋼構用 關鍵錨固系統製造商 EDSCO Fasteners。 EDSCO 的錨固系統主要嵌固在混凝土基 礎結構或是 客製化來讓 結構妥善地 固定在其之 上。每一個錨固系統都是特別依其地點和 用法（包括土壤、天候狀況、溫度和角度） 所設計。EDSCO有別於其他廠商的獨特之 處是其領先產業的品質協定和具彈性的生 產能力。EDSCO 持續因為在通信、交通運 輸和風力發電領域的投資花費而受益。

產業報導

南非啟動安全保護調查 德美中扣件銷非恐受影響 文/惠達 張乃文

表一、德國扣件出口南非統計

據世界貿易組織(WTO)於5月21日公告，南非 對於鋼鐵六角螺栓(73181543)發起安全保護調 查，針對此類產品展開的調查在2018年、2019年3 月開始即有相關的保護調查，涉案產品分別是海 關編碼73181539、73181541、73181542和73181630 的扣件產品，並實施為期三年的保護措施，課徵 45～55%不等的關稅。

對德國扣件出口而言，南非佔約2.4%上下的份 額，並且為其第9大出口國，算是德國扣件業者相 當重要的貿易夥伴。表一中可以看到2017年高峰 時期出口額更接近六千萬歐元，且2017年平均價 格相當高，之後平均價格逐漸下降，2019年的平均 價格已經來到5.9歐元/公斤。若保護調查啟動恐 對德國會產生不小的影響。 如表二所示，對美國而言，南非為其第26大 扣件出口國，所佔出口額不及1%，但可以觀察到 2019年進口額有明顯的下降，不排除是受到第一、 二次的保護措施之影響。若最新保護措施實施， 對於美國來說是否會有顯著的第二波影響還有待 觀察。 另外中國海關數據顯示，中國2019年出口南 非扣件，僅僅關稅類別731815就出口了2,430.8萬 美元，中國也是這次保護調查中特別被提到的國 家，因其強勁的產能及價格造成南部非洲關稅同 盟成員國造成威脅。 台灣扣件2019年銷南非共1,727.1萬美金，約 占其扣件總出口額的0.4%，為台灣扣件第30大貿 易夥伴，業界預估本次保護調查對台灣的影響有 限，但南非為非洲重要的進口大國，故對於出口至 非洲市場來說仍有可能受到影響。 南非這次是由代表南部非洲關稅同盟提出 保護調查，南部非洲海關聯盟（SACU）由波紮那、 賴索托、納米比亞、南非和埃斯瓦蒂尼組成。若本 次的保護調查啟動，恐影響的不僅是南非，還包 括其成員國的貿易。

60,000,000

9,000,000 58,000,000

8,000,000 7,000,000

56,000,000

6,000,000

公 斤

5,000,000

54,000,000

歐 元

4,000,000 52,000,000

3,000,000 2,000,000

50,000,000

1,000,000 0

2015

2016

2017

出口量

2018

2019

48,000,000

出口額

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

出口額 (歐元)

53,218,509

51,912,727

59,131,782

54,189,766

54,232,014

佔比

2.98%

2.75%

2.79%

2.41%

2.41%

出口量 (公斤)

8,077,000

8,363,000

8,825,000

8,744,000

9,181,000

佔比

3.43%

3.39%

3.14%

3.00%

3.30%

平均 價格

6.59

6.21

6.70

6.20

5.91

資料來源：歐盟執委會

表二、美國扣件出口南非統計 30,000,000 25,000,000 20,000,000

美 15,000,000 金 10,000,000 5,000,000 出口額 佔總出口額

2015 20,774,437

2016 17,946,418

2017 21,448,804

2018 24,218,452

2019 17,812,031

0.54%

0.44%

0.50%

0.56%

0.41%

資料來源：美國國貿局

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China Fastener World no.59/2020

經南非稅務局（SARS）統計，截至2020年三月 份為止，南非前三大貿易進口國為德國、中國及美 國，對這三個國家而言雖然南非並不屬於主要扣 件出口國家，但些許也會受到不小的影響。

10,000,000

美洲新聞

美 洲 新 聞 惠達編輯部整理

美國扣件業「就地避難」 美國工業扣件企業已切斷差旅並限制與顧客 面對面接觸，試圖保持員工的安全，將新冠病毒 擴散降到最低。Advance Components公司董事長 Gary Cravens在3月13日寫給顧客的信件中說：「我 們已暫停所有的商旅，包括登門拜訪顧客、參展、 參加會議，即刻生效。」「我們在德州卡羅爾頓市 的廠區不會再接客，但不包括那些維持事業營運 的必要人士。」雖然Brighton-Best International（BBI）公司仍維持敞開營業， 它已切斷了工作人員的國內外差旅，至少要持續30天。BBI公司在寫給顧客的信 件中說：「我們已暫停所有供應商或賣主參訪我們的辦公室和倉庫，直到進一 步通知為止。」同樣地，所有從海外歸國的BBI員工在返回工作前都會被要求自 我隔離。BBI也已開始每隔四小時消毒辦公室和倉庫。

China Fastener World no.59/2020

其他公司也正採取類似的預防措施。Marty Nolan對位於克里夫蘭市的製 造商代理公司R.L. English Co.說：「我們已禁止未來兩周外部銷售團隊進行銷 售通話，也限制訪客前往我們的辦公室和倉庫。」「每一天一切都在轉變，我們 會視情況做轉變。」Jay Cee Sales & Rivet公司在推特發文說：「我們有半數員 工都在家工作，外人不得造訪。」Jeff Adams說製造商的代理公司Wing-Hamlin Co.正在為銷售採用升級的圍堵與處理策略。他在推特上說：「我們採用通話、 商業版Skype、Microsoft Teams通訊協作軟體、文字訊息、電郵和FaceTime軟 體。」「這不是最便利有效的做法，但我還是可以有效做好我的工作，同時與大 家保持距離，盡我的社會責任。」工作中會注意讓工作區域盡可能保持乾淨。

Advance Components公司的安全措施包括額外的教育訓練、分發洗手液 和殺菌濕紙巾，並安排時程擦拭所有常看的物體表面。Cravens解釋：「我們希 望顧客知道我們面對此狀況已做了全面準備以及所有必要的預防措施。我們正 為所有可能發生的結果進行訓練和計畫。我們打算在這波疫情當中維持上班 時段開門營業，我們也有關門的備案。」除了緊急措施之外，某些事業也在幾個 月前做出策略性的決策來將紛亂降到最低。Cravens強調：「去年我們把所有伺 服器和資料都移到雲端，讓我們有更多彈性和安全性。我們也大幅增加網路頻 寬和虛擬私人網路。投資這項科技讓我們的團隊可以遠距在家工作。我們實行 了一套訓練規則，讓團隊做好準備。」停滯一段時間後，中國的扣件生產已經復 工。Vertex Distribution公司在中國的聯絡人回報說八成左右的員工已回到中國 扣件廠工作。BBI公司董事長Jun Xu警告：「在工廠產能漸增的同時海運那邊會 有未交付的貨。」他建議：「如果你有一張零件的訂單預定三到四周要交貨，你 最好再加個七天。」BBI在3月16日寫信告知顧客：「有關中國工廠的現況，我們 看到每一週狀況都有持續改善，我們已不擔心無法取得中國製的產品。我們大 多數的工廠產能已達到八九成。台灣受到新冠病毒的衝擊不大，所以我們在台 灣沒有遇到供應問題。」 除了生產方面的問題之外，新冠病毒將引發的問題包括升降機或卡車的載 運限制。其他憂慮還包括原物料庫存變低以及製程的完工階段必須堆貨而無法 交付。Jun Xu取消了海外差旅，並不只是因為可能感染病毒，還包括其他複雜因 素。他說：「你不會希望遇到被隔離檢疫。」Advance Components公司和其他供 應商已準備好計畫可以繼續供應扣件。Cravens強調：「為了將供應鏈的紛亂降 到最低，我們也正在提升原本已經很可觀的顧存量。」Jun Xu提醒說需求的隱 憂比出貨的隱憂更大，因為娛樂性的旅遊、飯店和餐廳都因為病毒而中止了，他 預測扣件的進口會自我調整。

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Brighton-Best共同創辦人 因新冠肺炎病逝 紐澤西全球報報導，94歲的Brighton-Best Socket Screw Mfg共同創辦人Perry Rosenstein 在4月3日死於新冠肺炎。他的公司在2008年售 給大成鋼集團董事長謝榮坤為首的台籍投資 者，成為今日的BBI公司，也是北美最大級扣件 進口商。Stelfast公司的Don Haggerty說：「對 我們這些有幸認識到他的老前輩來說，這是很 悲痛的消息。」BBI董事長Jun Xu說：「尤其對 我們BBI的所有人來說，這是很不幸的消息。」

Perry在扣件業的第一份工作是在Globe Bolt & Screw公司上班。之後他加入Stevens So cket Sc r ew 公司，這間公司後來被 MSL Industries公司收購，成為Heads & Threads 公司的旗下事業。Per r y 後來成為 He a d s & Threads 公司的副總。他和 Stanley Sevell 在 1965年共同創立Best Socket Screw公司。三年 後他們成立Brighton-Best Socket Screw公司， 這家公司變成英制與公制六角合金凹頭螺絲的 主要供應商。Perry在2008年退休後更關注慈 善基金會。他的善舉都是為了透過事業的成功 回饋給社會，以及對抗全球暖化與環境汙染。

扣件股價指數在全球疫情中 重挫 2020 年首季的美國扣件股價指數與2019 年的表現逆行，下跌了30.3%，高於相關工業 股價指數的22.4%跌幅。CNN報導，在人們越 發憂慮冠狀病毒全球大流行以及其對事業與 經濟造成衝擊的狀況下，美國今年前三個月的 股價大幅下挫。道瓊指數創下史上最慘的年 初表現，第一季下跌23.2%。美國扣件股價指 數在2019年上升了33.7%，高過相關工業股價 指數的244%漲幅。2020 年第一季沒有任何美 國上櫃扣件企業的股價是增加的。第一季股價 損失超過30%的扣件企業包括Arconic（下跌 47.8%）、ITW（下跌47.1%）、Lawson Products （下跌48.7%）、MSC Industrial（下跌30%）、 Nucor（下跌36%）、Park Ohio（下跌 43.8%）、 Stanley Black & Decker（下跌39.6%）、Tree Island Steel（下跌40%）。

美洲新聞

墊片的新用途：口罩的鼻夾 哈特福德考蘭特日報報導， Rome Fastener公司董事長賦予 了鋼製墊片新的用途，用來當作醫療口罩的鼻夾。他說已經在兩 天內從康乃狄克州出貨了150,000個墊片。根據該日報，當地百家 製造商生產手術衣、面罩以及其他設備與零件以防堵疫情擴散， Rome Fastener公司的付出也是其中一環。

Orbitform 產線改做醫療口罩消毒機 WKHM電台報導，Orbitform正將產線改做醫療口罩消毒機。 該公司老闆Mike Shirkey說自家的機械在量產前還須經過測試， 但將會改善口罩的使用狀況，有助於保存庫存。WKHM電台說： 「消毒機的研發不僅對醫療產業極具價值，也讓公司團隊在艱難 的時刻有了存在的目的。」位於密西根州的Orbitform公司設計並製 造擺盪式成形鉚接機，以及成形機、鎖固機和自動組裝設備。

美國海關及邊境保衛局撤銷延繳 關稅的計畫 Law360網站報導，川普政府受到國內製造商的壓力 做出了讓步，取消了提案，不讓進口商在新冠病毒全球大 流行期間有更多時間繳納關稅。該網站寫道：「該局曾對 進口商說會考慮依個案讓他們延繳關稅，但只過了六天， 該局就對貿易業者發布了新公告，說該局將不再受理延 長繳款日數的申請。」3月20日，該局透過貨物系統訊息服 務發布一項通知，說將依個案允許多幾天繳納因此緊急 狀況產生的關稅和費用。該局的通知進一步指出可能會 透過貨物系統訊息服務發布更全面長期的政策。但該通 知並未明確指出關稅款項的緩徵會持續多久。美國鋼鐵 製造商很快反對這項政策的轉變。美國鋼鐵協會與其他 美國製造商在3月24日一封寫給該局的聯合信件中表示： 「在此前所未有的時刻，對不公平進口的鋼材或威脅美 國國家安全與經濟安全的進口品的課稅做出任何延繳或 減量徵收的措施，最終都會傷害美國工人與企業。」川普 已公開駁回了作為抗疫策略一環的關稅減徵提案。白宮 貿易顧問Peter Navarro則提請了一項行政命令來強化政 府的《購買美國產品法》在採購藥物與醫療設備方面的 規範，以減少政府對進口的依賴。川普原先在2018年9月 對中國製扣件課徵關稅。半年後，他對進口鋼課徵25%， 對進口鋁課徵10%的關稅。

All Integrated Solutions公司授獎給三 間企業

美國工業扣件協會授獎給兩位扣件人士 美國工業扣件協會宣布了2020年翔鷹獎得主。翔鷹科技獎得 主是Anthony DiMaio先生，翔鷹服務獎得主為Mike McGuire先 生。該獎的得主都是對扣件業有卓越與顯著貢獻的人士。Anthony DiMaio 先生的獲獎與認可是因為他擔任美國工業扣件協會技 術委員會主席並服務扣件產業，以及他對拉釘領域做出貢 獻，包括發明了創新的鉚接工具，以及26項美國專利。Mike McGuire的獲獎與認可是因為他對工業扣件業貢獻了超過50 年。他是美國數個扣件展覽與美國扣件雜誌的創辦人。

Howmet Aerospace成為獨立公司 2020 年 4月1日，位於匹茲堡的先進工程扣件廠商 Howmet Aerospace，同Arconic Corporation 公司從 A rcon ic 當中拆分出來，變成兩家獨立的個體企業。 Howmet Aerospace透過股票代號「HWM」在紐約股市上 市。2019年，Howmet Aerospace營業額達70 億美元，同 期成長5%，其中有超過七成的營業額來自航太市場。新 公司是由兩位最高執行長共同領軍，包括John C. Plant， 他也是委員會的執行董事長，以及Arconic Engineered Structures公司的董事長Tolga Oal。Howmet成立超過 90 年以來一直是深受信賴的品牌。Howmet Fastening Systems公司是航太與工業扣件以及安裝工具的頂級製造 商。這些產品用於商用與軍用飛機、噴射引擎、工業燃氣 渦輪、汽車、商用運輸車、風機、太陽能系統、建築與工業 設備。

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China Fastener World no.59/2020

MSC 旗下的All Integrated Solutions （AIS）公司宣佈了 2019年年度最佳供應商獎項的得主，包括：Rockford Fasteners、 CSM Fastener Products、Mack Engineering Corporation。Elgin Fastener集團旗下的Rockford Fasteners公司與AIS搭檔超過50年。 它的高品質團隊擁有多端點檢測程序，涵蓋進料、產製與最終的產 品檢查。CSM Fastener公司也長年與AIS搭檔。它生產各種外螺紋 扣件，供應給汽車業和工業顧客。Mack Engineering Corporation 是一家高價值、高品質且回覆迅速的的供應商。它的團隊專業度 高，從產品工程設計到熱處理電鍍，為成品的產製提供協助。

美洲新聞

2019年扣件股價指數表現 超越相關工業股價指數 扣件股價指數在2019年上升33.7%，高過相關工業股價指數24.4%的 增幅。

EACO (Bisco Industries)的百分比增幅最大，在年內成長84%。全年 營業額成長14.5%達到2.212億美金，主要是因為產品銷量增加。毛利率 增加11.3%達到6,120萬美金。 Arconic公司在2019年成長82.5%。該公司在第三季將據點重整成兩 個部門：工程產品與鍛造品部門，以及全球滾軋產品部門。工程產品與鍛 造品部門會繼續留在公司內並更名為Howmet Aerospace公司；全球滾軋 產品部門會囊括Spin Co.公司並更名為Arconic Corporation。 其他在年內股價成長20%以上的企業包括Carpenter Tech (40%)、 Grainger (20%)、ITW (41.8%)、Lawson Products (64.9%)、Simpson Mfg. (48.2%)、Stanley Black & Decker (38.4%)、Wesco Aircraft (39.5%)。 在年內股價下跌10%以上的企業包括 Chicago Rivet (下跌 18%)、 Dorman Products (下跌 15.9%)、Fastenal (下跌29.3%)、Tree Island Steel (下跌 21.6%)。在第三季下降5.4%之後，扣件股價指數在2019年第四季上 升11.7%，高過相關工業股價指數0.98%的增幅。

Lawson Proudcts公司在第四季達到最高百分比增幅，成長34.5%。 它成立於1952 年，經銷 MRO市場的產品與服務。它在全美50州、波多 黎各、加拿大、墨西哥、加勒比海設有經銷中心，總部位於芝加哥。它 旗下的經銷商 Bolt Supply House 服務西部加拿大的顧客，它的Kent Automotive品牌供應車修產品給汽車車修市場。 其他在第四季股價成長10%以上的企業包括Arconic (18.3%)、 EACO (20.6%), Fastenal (13.1%)、Grainger (13.9%)、ITW (14.8%)、 Nucor (10.5%)、Park Ohio (12.7%)、Simpson Mfg、Stanley Black & Decker (14.8%)、Tree Island Steel (11.3%)。

Elgin Fastener公司併購

China Fastener World no.59/2020

Rockford Fastener公司 Field Fastener公司宣布年營業額達到1億美金的目標。此成就應驗 了該公司承諾29年來服務顧客並以自家的企業文化作為競爭優勢。Field Fastener 董事長表示：「公司前進拉斯維加斯慶祝成立20週年之際，我大 膽預測我們會持續年成長19%，因此會在8到10年內變成一家年收1億美金 的企業。」該公司的價值主張很明確―透過鎖固技術成為業界降低成本的 先驅，改善製程的同時提供世界級的供應商管理庫存系統，確保顧客隨時 能夠買到零件。它重視文化，對自家的團隊做投資。Field Fastener感謝顧 客、供應商和家族成員在達到此里程碑的過程中扮演關鍵的角色。

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某家墊片進口 商在反傾銷稅 上訴案中敗訴 彭博社報導聯邦上訴 法院確認由US&F公司進 口的中國製彈簧鎖固式墊片被美國課徵反傾銷 稅，因為證據顯示該產品屬於螺旋墊片的類別。 然而上訴法院仍認為商務部已越矩讓該公司的 墊片的徵稅可回溯到20年前。 美國自1993年起已對某些中國製彈簧鎖固 式墊片課徵反傾銷稅。2013年，US&F公司要求 商務部提出傾銷產品範圍的描述，辯證自己進口 的產品不屬於鐵道專用螺旋墊片的類別。根據 Law360 新聞網，法院裁決商務部只能將該公司 的關稅課徵回溯至產品範圍調查啟動的當日或其 之前。 總部在伊利諾州的US&F公司成立於30多年 前，經銷螺栓、螺絲、螺帽和插銷到工業和鐵路 市場。

Bulten公司併購 PSM International公司 瑞典扣件製造商Bulten同意以2,450萬美元的 價格併購PSM公司所有股份，藉以強化Bulten在 國際扣件市場的地位，並提供一個能持續在全球 成長的強大平台。

PSM成立於1931年，生產並供應扣件給汽車 為主的國際市場。該公司有350名員工，在中國、台 灣和英國設有製造廠 ，在22個國家設有經銷中心。 亞太地區佔了PSM銷售額的50%，美國佔了該公 司4,200萬美元年銷售額的30%。 Bulten最近在中國天津開設新的車用扣件製 造廠，距離北京90英里。Bulten成立於1873年，供 應扣件給國際汽車產業，在8國擁有1400名員工。

美洲新聞

中國的貿易休戰讓扣件關稅暫停至2020年 一個脆弱的協議，某些分析師認為可能會有更多關稅。CNBC報導 寫道：「第一階段的貿易協議讓中美兩端進入不安穩的停戰期，但就 算情況獲得暫時的緩解，分析師認為美國與其貿易夥伴之間會有更 多緊張關係。」 根據聯準會在12月公布的研究，川普透過利用進口關稅來保 護並推升美國製造商的策略導致了失業和漲價。聯準會經濟學家 Aaron Flaaen和Justin Pierce總結寫道：「我們發現關稅牽連到製造 業就業率的相對下滑以及製造商售價的相對調升。」

中美正式簽署了第一階段貿易協議，意圖緩和世界這 兩個最大經濟體之間的緊張情緒。

CNBC報導，作為停止調升關稅的交換條件，中國同 意在未來兩年內追加採購2千億美金的美國商品。據報，這 是繼2017年美國商品出口數字以來的追加採購額。 扣件並不在中國承諾採購的名單之內，這讓中國扣 件產業的螺栓、螺絲和其他扣件 (海關編號7318.11.00到 7318.29.00)至少到今年底前必須承擔25%的關稅，以及中 國鋼鐵製螺栓(海關編號7318.16.00)必須承擔15%關稅。 川普說除非與中國達成更全面的第二階段協議，否則 會反對調降關稅。他稱此協議要到2020年11月美國大選之 後才會發生。他說有計畫將在未來某個未定的日期前往北 京做進一步的商業談判。CNBC報導，此貿易協議被視為

美國企業和消費者正承受川普貿易戰帶來的主要壓力。紐約聯 邦儲備銀行經濟學家Mary Amiti表示：「美國關稅仍幾乎全由美國 企業和消費者承擔。」路透社報導，美國聯準會(包括其他經濟學家) 的研究顯示美國對中國工業零件和材料課徵的關稅大部分不會在1 月簽署的新協議中被取消，且「已證實對美國製造業競爭力和工作機 會造成特別大的傷害。」

2019年中，Brighton-Best International (BBI)公司董事長說公 司採用「綜合」的手段因應關稅。「我們必須漲價來彌補關稅帶來的 成本增加，我們也一直試圖分散我們的生產來源國。」Stelfast公司 (總部在俄亥俄州)董事長Don Haggerty說自家的公司也漲價了。 9月1日，美國對另一筆價值 3, 0 0 0 億美 金的中國進口商品 課徵15% 關稅，包括所有進口自中國的鋼鐵製螺絲 ( 海關碼 H S 7318.16.00)。川普原對中國製扣件課徵的10%關稅已在2018年9月24 日生效。此關稅已在去年5月調升到25%。美國貿易代表處在7月宣布 提供免除課徵301關稅的申請程序。

美國貿易代表處公告的產品名單包括： 鋼鐵製方頭木螺絲 鋼鐵製木螺絲(不含方頭木螺絲) 鋼鐵製螺絲鉤與螺絲環 鋼鐵製自攻螺絲(含有桿部位或者螺紋直徑小於6mm) 鋼鐵製自攻螺絲(含有桿部位或者螺紋直徑6mm以上) 同批進口的鋼鐵製螺栓與其螺帽或墊片 長度9.5mm以上或直徑3.2mm的鋼鐵製機械螺絲(不含帶帽螺絲) 鋼鐵製螺柱 含有桿部位或者螺紋直徑小於6mm的鋼鐵製螺絲和螺栓 含有桿部位或者螺紋直徑6mm以上的鋼鐵製螺絲和螺栓 類似螺絲、螺栓、螺帽、方頭木螺絲與螺紋鉤的鋼鐵製螺紋工件 鋼鐵製彈簧墊片或其他鎖固式墊片 鋼鐵製墊片(不含彈簧墊片與其他鎖固式墊片) 鋼鐵製鉚釘 鋼鐵製開口銷 類似鉚釘、開口銷、墊片和彈簧墊片的鋼鐵製非螺紋工件。

China Fastener World no.59/2020

7318.11.00 7318.12.00 7318.13.00 7318.14.10 7318.14.50 7318.15.20 7318.15.40 7318.15.50 7318.15.60 7318.15.80 7318.19.00 7318.21.00 7318.22.00 7318.23.00 7318.24.00 7318.29.00

新聞提供 John Wolz, FIN編輯（globalfastenernews.com） Mike McNulty, FTI副總兼編輯（www.fastenertech.com）

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歐洲新聞

歐 洲 新 聞 惠達編輯部整理

Agrati最高執行長證 實了扣件業第一件新 冠肺炎死亡案例 Agrati最高執行長Paolo Pozzi 寫道任職於義大利Agrati物流事業 的Pasquale Gallace（44歲）在2020 年3月27日死於新冠肺炎。他的父 親更早在幾天前先行逝世。當時義 大利已有12,428人死亡以及105,792 人感染。Agrati在一月組成了一個工 作小組引導這間義大利企業渡過 新冠疫情。

伍爾特銷售持續成長

China Fastener World no.59/2020

根據初步的年度財報，伍爾 特的銷售額在2019年達到142.7億 歐元（2018年為136.2億歐元），相 當於成長了4.8%。在德國的銷售成 長則比較些微，幅度為2.1%，大致 上是因為汽車業景氣面臨苦鬥。 反之伍爾特的母公司公告事業成 長了5.8%。伍爾特在德國以外地 區的銷售成長了6.8%。它在南歐 達成令人滿意的15.3%成長率，在 東歐成長了6.6%。電子商務的銷售 成長高於平均水準，在2019年達到 26億歐元，佔了集團整體銷售額的 18.3%。 整體而言，根據初步財報數 據，伍爾特的營業績效達到7.5 億 歐元，比 2018 年的 8.7億美金少了 13.8%。此降幅的主因是毛利率受 到了壓力的影響，當時並無法完全 把調漲的採購價轉嫁到市場顧客身 上。此外，伍爾特持續投資擴展商 業模式以及成長動能。伍爾特中區 董事會主席Robert Friedmann說： 「經濟預測普遍都維持謹慎的態 度，這是為何伍爾特預測會呈現中 段的個位數成長且營業績效會按比 例成長。」

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普發公告2019年財務表現 普發集團2019年的淨銷售額增加到43.48億克朗（2018年為37.86 億克朗），利潤率8.8%（2018年是9.7%），但去年秋季明顯放緩的趨勢在第四季更加顯 著。最高執行長Jörgen Rosengren解釋是因為顧客的非常態長時停產以及縮減庫存所 致。普發預計在2020年節省更多採購開銷。整體來說，第四季營業利潤與2018年同期相 同不變。2020年的優先事項包括強化銷售和行銷，透過節省採購、嚴格控制成本和增加 效率獲得顯著的收益以改善毛利率。 另外普發旗下的瑞典不鏽鋼製造商 BUMAX自願主動提供有償的高階扣件給呼吸 器製造商和所有醫療設備代工廠並拯救生命。高階扣件在各種關鍵的用途中扮演重要的 角色。BUMAX說正在努力維持扣件供應，以確保能最小化新冠病毒造成的全球供應鏈 斷鏈。

SFS集團的營業表現出現明顯的改善 即使面臨持續的市場困境，SFS集團因為專案數量逐步增加而在2019下半年回歸成 長。集團在2019年間的獲利率也出現強勁的改善力道。2019全年的銷售額成長2.5%，其 動力來自於首度與Triangle Fasteners公司合併。調整後的營業收益達到2.39億瑞郎左右 （2.244億歐元），相當於淨銷售額的13.4%。下半年的銷售額比前年度同期成長了3.5%， 其中1.1%是企業的內部成長。上半年銷售額為負成長2.4%。2019全年的合併銷售達17.8 億瑞郎（16.7億歐元），比去年同期增加了2.5%。 工程零件部門：制馭挑戰

SFS在2019下半年的營業表現出現改善的主要動力來自於佔了集團半數總銷售額的 工程零件部門。該部門在下半年的銷售額比前年同期增加了10.7%。它顯著的成長基礎來 自於集團數個季節性專案的數量增加，以及電子業景氣的復甦。工程零件部門的2019全 年銷售額達到9.571億瑞郎。整體的銷售成長力度仍僅持平的原因是市場需求疲弱。 扣件部門：市場地位進一步擴大 扣件部門的銷售額在2019年達到4.983億瑞郎，比前年同期增加14%。建築部門的獲 利來自於穩定的市場環境，造就了微幅的內部成長。反之，鉚接部門的銷售額受到來自德 國與英國汽車市場狀況不佳的壓力。由於SFS擁有創新的產品且成功併購了TFC公司，它 強化了在建築事業中的地位。

SFS拓展建築外牆用緊固系統業務 S F S 即將 併 購 專 營 高 效 能 建 築 外牆系 統 烤 漆 扣 件 領 導 供 應 商的 M o d e r n e Befestigungselemente GmbH (mbe)。員工數不到70名的mbe公司2018年銷售約達1,000萬 歐元。這項併購將擴展SFS的緊固系統產品供應和其在中歐的市場拓展。這項併購尚需經 過相關法規流程。 mbe1979年成立於德國北萊茵-西發利亞的門登市，主要供應德國專業零售商通風建 築外牆系統烤漆扣件。除了與這些專業零售商有穩健、長期的客戶關係外，mbe在烤漆技 術有強大專業且其快速回應和交期也領先群雄。 客戶可以客製化其下訂扣件的顏色，小批 量也能在1-2天內完成出貨。 併購mbe讓 SFS可以直接接觸到頂級建築外牆產品方案的專業零售商。 mbe的客戶 和經銷夥伴也會因為可以取得SFS的產品而受益。

mbe將繼續在Menden運作且將成為該公司緊固系統事業體內建築部門的一部分。目 前的管理階層在過渡時期也將持續領導該公司，以確保必要的持續性。這項併購案的完成 將要通過一些法規同意程序。

歐洲新聞

Arconic公司公告2019年第四季財報 Arconic 公告第四季營收為34 億美金，前年比下降 2%。它在航太、包裝和工業市場中的成長以及有利的產品 訂價讓內部營收成長了1%，這大部分都被汽車、商用運輸 和建築市場的疲弱化抵銷了。Arconic2019年第四季淨收 入額為3.09億美金，比前年同期的2.18億美金高。2019全 年淨收入為4.7億美金，比前年同期的6.42億美金低。 工程產品與鍛造部門的第四季營收額為17億美金，前年比成長1%。此 部門的營業利潤為3.54億美金，前年比成長32%（8,600萬美金增幅），動能 來自淨成本縮小、有利的產品訂價、原物料成本降低以及產量增加。該部門 的營業利潤達20.4%，前年比上升了480個基準點；全年績效成長5%，營收 71億美金；營業利潤為14億美金，前年比增幅2.85億美金；利潤率19.6%，前 年比上升了330個基準點。

Bulten 公司第四季進展順利 即使市場的發展仍很謹慎，Bulten 的第四季 淨銷售和訂單狀況良好。淨銷售額達7.84億克朗， 成長 5%。訂單成長13.6%。董事長暨最高執行長 Anders Nyström評論說：「我們在2019年實行了幾 項策略性措施。我們第四季在德國完成了結構重 組。這預期可自2020年起每年節省約2,500萬克朗。 中國廠的遷廠也依計畫進行，而且我們已在11月已 在天津啟用新據點。」「我們在第四季的壓軸是合意 併購PSM International公司。此併購擴大了我們在 亞洲與北美這兩個成長型市場中的顧客群。」第四 季營業收益為2,700萬克朗，營業利潤率3.5%。

Bossard增加對Torp Fasteners的持股 Bossard把對挪威Torp Fasteners公司的持股從60%增加到100%。Bossard自2015年1月 就握有這家高品質工程扣件方案專家的持股。近年來Bossard大力進一步開發要求較嚴苛 的斯堪的納維亞市場。雙方已同意保密併購價。Bossard對挪威Torp Fastener公司的投資是 配合集團的策略性作法，透過投資擴大它在高品質工程產品的領域的地位。Torp Fasteners 早在產品開發的階段就支援客戶，這一點對Bossard來說很重要。Torp Fasteners在2019年 的銷售額為900萬瑞郎左右，有21名員工。

Malcolm Diamond即將退休 在一份聲明中Trifast表示Malcolm Diamond已經通知董事會他打算自2020年3月31日 的集團年度結算日起從非執行主席一職申請退休並辭去經理職務。Trifast宣布 Jonathan Shearman將接手非執行主席一職，並從2020年4月1日生效。Malcolm Diamond表示：「看 到Trifast已經有順暢的執行長和財務長交接規劃以及改革性Atlas計畫的進行，現在該四 年計畫也已經過了一半，我想也是時候在今年3月退休，我相信董事長會和公司會持續運作 得很好。」

Hilti銷售進一步成長 H ilt i 在 2019 年的銷售成長了 4.3%，達到59 億美金。即使面臨脫 歐的不確定性和斯堪的納維亞地區 建築市場經濟的明顯衰退，Hilti在 歐洲地區成長了6.9%。它在北美仍 維持正向發展，成長7.3%。它在拉美 也達成明顯的成長（+8.5%），其中 巴西市場的復甦貢獻很大。在亞太 地區，4.3%的成長水平受到香港和 南韓市場環境艱困的拖累。東歐／ 中東／非洲（+3.7%）的狀況依舊各 自不同，俄羅斯和東歐市場再度成 長，而波斯灣國家和土耳其因為政 治情勢仍不明朗，Hilti在當地的事 業仍艱難。

市場大環境影響Trifast半年財報

在實際匯率換算下，半年營收下滑1.8%。基本營業利潤率維持在10.6%的雙位數，前一 年第1季為11.3%。稅前獲利下滑1%達到790萬英鎊。

Trifast表示持續市佔成長讓其汽車領域業務的營收，相較於全球產量7.3%的下滑，得 以控制在下滑2.5%範圍內。該公司過去半年花費250萬英鎊在Atlas計畫，這是在系統、方 針和程序等層面的多年期投資。 由於強勢的損益平衡和約4,000萬英鎊的借貸設備餘裕，Trifast已經做好準備要善用 因為市場情況所產生的併購機會。 非執行主席Malcolm Diamond MBE表示: 「儘管短期內市場存在疲軟和整體經濟的 不確定性，我們對我們業務模式強健的長期基礎有信心。董事會將繼續堅持投資取向的成 長策略並對未來的長期發展感到樂觀。在長達10年持續的成長和強大的現金收益後，我們 有非常穩固的損益表現。加上我們新借貸設備的相輔相成，讓我們有顯著的彈性和能力來 持續投資和確保當總體經濟開始復甦時，我們有最佳的基礎和處於最棒的可能狀態來進 一步對我們的成長抱負做進一步強化。」

NORMA集團在2019 年銷售成長 NORMA銷售額在2019年達到 11億美金，相當於前年比增加了1.5% （2018年為108.4萬歐元）。透過併 購Kimplas and Statek 獲得的銷售 貢獻了 1. 2% 的成長。最高執行長 Michael Schneider評論說：「2019年 對我們來說充滿挑戰。多變的市場 環境和緊張的地理政治關係使我們 的事業發展低於預期。但我們在水 管理領域有確實獲得成長。根據初 步的數據，NORMA第四季銷售額 為2.614 億歐元，下跌2.1%（2018年 為2.67億歐元）。」

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China Fastener World no.59/2020

在整體經濟環境充滿挑戰的情形下，Trifast plc 公布在穩 定匯率基礎下營收下滑了2.7%至1.022億英鎊(約1.204億歐元) 。基本營業利潤率維持在 10.6%。

歐洲新聞

歐盟啟動中國進口銷 及肘釘反傾銷調查 歐盟執委會已經啟動對進口自 中國的銷和肘釘的反傾銷調查。 執委會已於2019年12月18日公布 歐盟官方公報(2019/c 425/08) 。 該公報清楚載明涉案產品為: 特定用以接合或支撐 物料或物件的肘釘。產品編碼為ex 7317 00 20、ex 7317 00 60、ex 7317 00 80、ex 7326 20 00、ex 7616 10 00、 8305 20 00、ex 8308 10 00。「ex」表示並非所有提及編 碼內包含的產品都須接受調查，因此公報中詳細的涉案 產品描述將是進口商或製造商判定產品是否涉影響的 依據。 該公報也載明調查的日期進程: 根據相關法規，調 查一般會在公報公布後13個月內(但不超過14個月)做出 結論。根據相關法規，臨時措施一般會於7個月內(最晚 不會超過公報公布後8個月)實施。

NORMA集團公佈了2019年前3季財報，銷售 增加2.6%至 8億3,860萬歐元。不過，公司依現有資 源和業務產生的銷售在該期間下滑 1.6%。 併購The Kimplas and Statek對其銷售成長貢獻 1.6% 以及正向的 貨幣效應進一步促進2.6%的銷售成長。 調整後稅息攤銷前營收利潤率 為14.2%（2018年前3季：16%)。 NORMA 把這個下滑結果歸因於汽車 產業顯著的產量下滑，以及拉丁美洲人事成本和引進ERP管理系統的成 本增加。 前9個月在歐洲、中東和非洲區域的銷售下滑0.9%至 3億7,230萬歐 元（2018年前3季：3億7,570萬歐元）。依現有資源業務產生的銷售下滑 1.6%，汽車領域業務的持續緊繃是主因。 前9個月美洲銷售成長5.4%至3億5,220萬歐元 （2018年前3季：3億 3,430萬歐元）。成長主要是因為讓銷售成長6.1%的強勁水資源業務和 正向的貨幣效應。依現有資源業務產生的銷售下滑0.8%，主要是因為在 工程接合技術部門業務疲軟所致。

根據相關法規，執委會會於臨時措施執行前3個禮 拜公布預計執行臨時稅率的資訊。

亞太區銷售增加6.6%至1億1,420萬歐元（2018年前3季：1億720萬 歐元)。 依公司現有資源業務產生的4.1%銷售下滑因為1%的正向貨幣 效應影響回升和9.6%的併購相關銷售獲得紓解。

追憶羅伯特 (Robert H. Lench) (MarcoA.Guerritore撰文)

NORMA集團管理董事會成員Michael Schneider博士表示：「全球 汽車市場的緊繃狀況對我們仍會是挑戰。不過，我們在水資源部分的正 向發展，展現了NORMA集團因為產品服務的廣度和對未來水資源和電 子驅動市場的策略關注因而處於穩定永續世界地位的事實 。」

當我聽聞悲訊，我一度無法相信，接著，一股深沉 又真切的痛楚湧上心頭將我淹沒。2020 年1月22日，羅 伯特的病情急轉直下，離開了我們，享壽89歲。或許是 因為他的健康狀況，羅伯特當初中途退出了他負責的日 常事務，同時仍與歐洲工業扣件協會保持某種聯繫，讓 他有活下去的意義，當時就這樣持續了好一段時間。

China Fastener World no.59/2020

NORMA年度財報銷售增加但內生成長下滑

羅伯特的家族在英國扣件產業中已有悠久的事業 傳統。他在西密德蘭郡沃利區經營一間名為 Thomas William Lench的家族企業，直到因為市場出現變革以 及不定因素，他才被迫停業。他對扣件業的深知灼見讓 自己能熟練地把持歐洲工業扣件協會主席的職位，他 發現了協會的困境並讓協會脫離僵局。羅伯特不吝付 出體力與財力，促進與美日台等等主要製造商組織的聯 繫。他也透過融合西班牙與波蘭等等歐洲的新扣件協 會，戮力拓展並強化協會。在他的領導下，協會建立出 至今仍具其特色的架構。他總是特別關注協會與歐洲 當地機構、特別是與歐盟委員會以及其他重要辦事處 之間的關係，讓他有機會得以策動重要的行動。 羅伯特是個和藹可親又讓人喜歡的人物，也是個傑 出的演說家，他了解如何在私下與商業的會面中清楚表 達自身的想法。他的天賦是知道如何處理並解決國際 性協會的情境脈絡下難免發生的緊繃態勢。他必須在 很多情況下靠自己的外交判斷來解決協會內部因為商 業競爭力而難免引發的爭端。他天生的熱誠與和善並 不意味著他容易屈服；反之，羅伯特的意志很堅定且果 斷。我記得有一次我們參加一場歐洲工業扣件協會的 年度大會。大會結束後，所有與會者正要前往商業午餐

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去年10月中旬，NORMA修正了其全年依公司現有資源業務產生 銷售的預測，表示將會下滑2%至4%(先前預測是下滑1%至上升1%的區 間），主要是因為在美國EJT事業體部分因為汽車和卡車製造商罷工所 導致的驟減。歐洲、中東和非洲以及亞太區域也稍稍低於原本預期。 NORMA預期調整後稅息攤銷前利潤率將可以超過13%。 在11月5日，NORMA宣布其「進入正軌」計畫，該計畫包括用以強 化集團應變力和獲利能力的措施。實際作為包括全球據點的優化和效 率化以及產品項目的貼近管理。 該計畫預計從2020年起可以達到持續 性的成本節省，在2023年達到年省4,000萬至4,500萬元歐元的目標。至 2023年的總計畫成本預計是4,500萬至5,000萬歐元。 大廳，當時我看到羅伯特因為坐骨神經的問題發作而陷入痛苦，彎著腰 攤在他的拐杖上。我走向他並示意要幫助他。羅伯特意會到我打算要做 什麼，他斜眼看著我，用力擺了一個手勢，好似很憤怒地把我推開，清楚 讓我知道他不需要也不想要任何協助。這就是羅伯特。 歐洲工業扣件協會和歐洲扣件業的一個重要歷史記憶，隨著他的逝 世而消逝。 羅伯特的葬禮舉辦在2020年2月7日，位於查 德斯利・科貝特教區的聖卡西安教堂。

新聞提供： Fastener+Fixing雜誌 (www.fastenerandfixing.com) Italian Fasteners雜誌主編Marco A.Guerritore (www.upiveb.org/en/italian-fasteners-en)

技術論壇

螺紋接合應力與 優化方式

本文將探討螺紋部位的鎖固作業完成 後螺帽發生荷載不均勻分布的現象。雖然這 是一個嚴重的問題，但設計師似乎不為此感 到困惑，文獻對這個現象的著墨也很零星。 尤其此現象目前仍欠缺解決的辦法。

文/ Jozef Dominik

前言 業界一般都知道用螺帽鎖緊了螺絲之後，螺帽的螺紋 會承受不均勻的荷載（詳見圖1中透過有限元素分析取得的 視覺化顯示）。圖2顯示其來源，應力的巔峰值σmax就位在 螺帽的母螺紋上。 圖1.有限元素分析視覺化顯示

圖6.有限元素分析1

通常這個位置就是螺紋接合部位的關鍵位置。尤其是 在出現動態應力的狀況下，疲勞斷裂的現象就會發生在這 個位置（圖3），所以螺帽的螺紋會斷裂並不罕見。 這並不是螺帽唯一會發生的現象，別忘了內螺紋的滾 製技術尚未完全發展成熟。內螺紋只透過滾製的方式製 造，這會打斷鋼材的纖維並因此降低了強度。一般公認的觀 念是螺帽的強度應該要比它搭配的螺絲還要高。在這方面 圖7.有限元素分析2 已經有合適的設計建議，如表1所示。

圖2.來源

表1.設計建議 螺栓

圖3.疲勞斷裂

搭配的螺帽

強度等級

螺紋直徑

3.6, 4.6, 4.8

≤ M16

強度等級

螺紋直徑

4

≤ M16

5.6, 5.8

≤ M39

5

≤ M39

6.8

≤ M39

6

≤ M39

8.8

≤ M39

9

≤ M39

10.9

≤ M39

10

≤ M39

12.9

≤ M39

12

≤ M39

解決方式

圖4.提案1

圖4和圖5的設計都源自同一個原則，也就是要在螺帽的 座面上切出一個溝槽。圖6和圖7的有限元素分析顯示了圖4 和圖5良好的應力分布效果（與圖1比較）。雖然未能在螺帽 上達到完全均勻的應力分布效果，但可以說應力的高峰值已 經分散到許多螺紋上，這與一般傳統的螺帽不同。 但大家有所不知的是，根據圖7提出的解決方案已應用 在實務中，而圖6的解決方案也在實務中用於動態應力分布 的結構體上，以阻擋螺栓接合部位的鬆脫。因此溝槽很適用 於IstLock鎖固環（圖5）。同樣地，也可以使用圖7所示的溝 槽。套用楔形環的構想也開始出現了。

結論 螺紋組裝後的承載不均 是螺紋扣件其中一項仍無法 解決的問題。這對要正視並 解決此問題的設計師來說是 一個挑戰。根據某些作者的 觀點，現有的螺紋接合技術 的主要問題是不必要地加大 扣件的尺寸。這個問題當然也 很複雜，承載不均的問題也 是其中一個，因此筆者才投 稿了這篇文章。

圖5.提案2

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China Fastener World no.59/2020

前面已經提過，螺紋接合部位上的不均勻荷載對設計 師來說並非多大的困擾，因為他們只將它視為既定會發生的 事實。我們多少可以理解他們為什麼會這麼做，因為相關的 理論研究和發展並沒有提供足夠且合理的解決方案，只有出 現一些零星的提案。（見圖4、圖5）

俄羅斯新聞

巴 西 新 聞 惠達編輯部整理

巴西2019年車產量增長表現優於全球主要生產國

車產量 （輛）

全球的衛生部門和公共單位正在努力尋找新冠肺炎的解決方式，在這 種充滿巨變與不確定性的時刻，要評論時下的扣件產業實屬不易。現在才來 分析2019年的狀況可能晚了，但巴西在去年緩緩步入了經濟復甦期。去年首 先在1月25日發生了巴西布魯馬迪紐尾礦壩事故，它距離米納斯吉拉斯州美 景市50公里，由Vale S.A公司持有管理。 這場災難震撼了巴西第一季的經濟表現以及部分的GDP，讓巴西去年 年底僅得到1.1%的正成長，比2017和2018年1.3%的正成長稍低了一些。然而 在第二季至第四季，巴西的經濟表現很不錯，這可以透過汽車產量（不包括 機車）得知。 根據世界汽車工業國際協會，在全球前十大車輛生產國中，巴西和西班 牙是為二在2019全年有正成長的，這不歸因於新冠肺炎，病毒的衝擊主要是 在2020年。

2019

27,809,196 11,314,705 9,728,528 5,120,409 5,174,645 4,100,525 4,028,834 2,879,809 2,819,565 2,270,000

25,720,665 10,880,019 9,684,298 4,661,328 4,516,017 3,986,794 3,950,617 2,944,988 2,822,355 2,202,460

同期比 -7.50% -3.70% -0.50% -9.00% -12.20% -2.80% -1.90% 2.20% 0.10% -2.90%

(依2018年車產量由高至低排序) 來源: www.oica.net

新冠病毒的衝擊給我們什麼啟示？

FSA舉辦扣件工程研究生課程

我們都知道艱難的時刻、匱乏和意外狀況會帶給我們莫大的教 訓。我們必須注意到我們所處的困境是要去維持事業環境的日常運作 以及人的生命安全。但人是互相依靠的，某些國家已進入封鎖讓一切停 止運轉，這可能會導致更大的崩潰。

聖安德烈基金會下的大學機構宣布工程委員會在3 月底核准了扣件工程的課程。

製造鏈、供應鏈以及其目標市場已觸及世界各地，觸及之廣讓我們 該問問自己，是否應重建此結構。我們在世界各地營運廠房，就為了找 到一門好生意，僅只如此。但如果斷鏈了，就像我們現在正經歷的狀況 一樣，該怎麼辦？要在短時間內建立新的國內供應商是不可能的。 除了海外，在國內也擁有廠房本來就是很重要的事，問題的重心不 在於邊界的關閉這種毀滅性的舉措。重點在開始去審視如何能在巴西 擁有更平衡的製造環境，降低官僚陋習、增加效率、讓當地扣件製造商 有更好的條件能至少在國內產銷更多產品，甚或能 外銷他國。畢竟不管是銷到巴西、俄國、印度或中 國，自動成型機械在世界何處都能操作和運作，不 論賣到哪，都維持同樣的運作速度和精度。 （本新聞由Inox-Par Parafusos 共同創辦人Eduardo Lopes撰寫）

大順吉普車召回主因為剎車卡箝的鎖固出問題 China Fastener World no.59/2020

中國 美國 日本 德國 印度 墨西哥 南韓 巴西 西班牙 法國

2018

自今年2月底起，飛雅特克萊斯勒召回了2019 ～2020 年間生產的 1,877輛大順吉普車。根據飛雅特克萊斯勒，這種跨界休旅車右側的後剎 車卡箝的鎖固點可能會斷裂，此風險顯然可能破壞車的剎車能力。此次 召回的修復作業至少需要一小時，可能須做車體分析，若有必要會需要 汰換後剎車卡箝。

新聞提供: 巴西扣件雜誌<Revista do Parafuso>主編Sergio Milatias

milatias@revistadoparafuso.com.br (www.revistadoparafuso.com)

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起先此課程會有10到25名學生，明年8月開課。Mr. Marco 是聖安德烈基金會課程的協調人，與他搭檔的 是Roberto Garcia博士。Roberto是巴西國際鍛造研討 會的其中一個主講人。

Marco Antônio Colósio

Roberto Garcia 博士

“Triumph” 機車將召回特定車款 進行防鬆黏著劑處理 巴西 Tr iumph 機車是Tr iumph 機車在全球的12 處分公司之一。該分公司總部設於聖保羅，工廠位於 Manaus。2020 年2月5日，該公司宣布召回201輛在巴 西售出的「Speed Twin」2019 年式車款（底盤號碼 97ND54HF9KM932929和97ND54HF3LM976037）， 以便在換檔踏板的球形接合區域塗佈防鬆黏著劑。 根據該公司新聞稿，傳導踏板的連接控制桿在球 型接合區域可能發生鬆脫，導致檔位變換控制桿末端 作動太大，而阻礙了傳導踏板的作動。這些受影響的機 車中，其前後球型接合可能發生鬆脫，造成換檔困難， 且若沒有正確修正，可能會讓駕駛者無法選擇檔位，增 加駕駛者和第三方的風險。這次的召回修正行動目的在 確保Triumph客戶的安全。執行這項召回服務所需的時 間約30分鐘。

東日製作所發表WMS大型 車輪螺帽鎖固管理系統

▼

東日製作所開始販售TWMS大型車輪 螺帽鎖固管理系統。車自行走50到100公里 後，可以使用此系統重新鎖緊大型車輪螺 帽。用戶可以簡單設定車軸數、輪胎數、螺栓 數量、扭力值的上下限。一個人就能正確管 理大型車的車輪鎖固數據。鎖固的數據透過 無線傳播並區分不同顏色，一眼能確認鎖固 的結果。用戶可以搜索鎖固的紀錄或以CSV 檔案格式匯出。

▼

扣件新品大道

特別報導

戶田建設與Katecs共同開發 「目視墊片」 日本戶田建設與Katecs公司開發的「目視墊片 （Eye Washer）」是一種螺栓用的顯色型特殊鎖固 式墊片，可透過目測得知山嶽隧道中的鎖固式螺栓 上產生的軸力狀態。他們在塑膠墊片的背面貼上兩 片壓力測量膜，壓力作用時，膜的發色劑會破出染 成紅色。作業人員可目測紅色範圍的直徑大小來確 認作用在螺栓頭部的軸力。這比軸力量規還低價， 設置也較簡單。

日 本 前 田 工 具（ T O N E ）的 CIW61100無線扭矩扳手搭配使用專利 設計的套筒。套筒上除了有舊的溝槽之 外，另設計了一道新的溝槽，在替換套 筒時，可將舊溝槽上的O型環暫時移到 新溝槽，加速取下套筒，提升作業性。

▼ CIW61100扭矩扳手的主要特性包括： 1. 1100N.m馬力，4種出力模式 2. 重量輕：4kg, 221mm 3. 高容量電池，可組裝145個螺帽 4. IP56防水防塵等級

緊固產品技術方案供應領導廠商Southco Inc.旗下的Southco Asia Ltd.最近發表一款受到業界認可 的DZUS ®1／4轉扣件，可以讓末端用戶輕鬆地在狹窄空間的應用環境中快速透過轉動方式來緊固和鬆開。 Southco的DZUS®D9-52技術系列1／4轉扣件具有較小的頭部直徑，讓它可以在狹窄空間進行安裝，並可輕易 透過手部或工具輔助操作。 Southco的DZUS®D9-52技術系列1／4轉扣件具有一個含 彈簧的帽蓋設計，提供準確安全的嚙合和抗震動能力，同時也能 幫助避免過度鎖固造成的損傷。DZUS®D9系列可選擇不同的螺 柱長度和組裝配件來適應不同的面闆厚度。DZUS®D9-52技術 系列的1／4轉扣件在頭部有抗腐蝕鋼或抗紫外線稜柱色可供選 擇，方便使用者輕鬆分辨其應用場域。

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Southco發表全新1/4轉狹窄空間用扣件

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惠達編輯部整理

前田工具推出1100 N.m 馬力扭矩扳手

特別報導 ▼

Atotech推出全新鈍化 Tridur®ZnNi H5.2技術 Atotech最近在電鍍市場發表Tridur®ZnNi H5.2技 術；這是一種黑色鈍化處理，適用於鹼性和酸性的鋅鎳 表面。Tridur® ZnNi H5.2電鍍過的部件容易與鋁合金 結合並使用在汽車產業來讓接觸性腐蝕最小化。就像是 所有Atotech的其他鈍化處理，這款全新的鈍化處理超 過DIN EN ISO 19598的要求。使用這款智慧型Tridur ® ZnNi H5.2電鍍相較於市面上的標準可達到更長的使 用壽命。這直接降低客戶成本，在市場上創造顯著競爭 優勢。

Atotech腐蝕保護專家Sabine Sengl表示：「我們特 別驕傲我們獲汽車產業認可的Tridur® ZnNi H5.2已經達到2021年後REACH要求的標準，因為它不僅不含鈷也不含 氟。」汽車產業大多使用深黑表面的扣件和部件。Tridur® ZnNi H5.2可產生均勻深黑含12～13%的鎳表面，確保非常 高的抗紅銹保護。搭配Atotech的密封劑、Tridur® Finish 300或Atotech的鋅片上層電鍍，Tridur® ZnNi H5.2提供 優異高品質符合DIN EN ISO 9227標準的抗白／紅銹能力（240／720小時）。

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日本THREEPEAKS技研的DS-165T扁頭螺絲夾鉗 的構造包括咬合嘴、調節螺絲和解鎖桿。使用時先透過 調節螺絲調整嘴部的開合度，再讓夾鉗咬住頭部損壞的 螺絲，此時夾鉗會鎖住並扣住螺絲，就能輕鬆旋出螺絲， 將解鎖桿上推後就能解鎖夾鉗。此夾鉗是使用帶帽螺絲 作為調節螺絲，所以用夾鉗咬住螺絲時，可以再把六角扳 手插入調節螺絲將它轉更緊，產生比手握力更強的咬合 力。由於咬合嘴的外型尖細，所以可以深入狹小的空間。 除了一般螺絲之外，也可用在於扁頭螺絲。此產品將應用 到建築與車修市場。

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THREEPEAKS發表新扁頭螺絲夾鉗

岡谷熱處理工業開發出模具 平坦度量測機

Wiha推出新speedE®II 電動螺絲起子 Wiha手動工具製造商現在推出其新的speedE®II電動 螺絲起子。更快、更強、更多功能的設計，新一代電動螺絲 起子擁有更多應用優勢。Wiha speedE ®II具有0.4Nm和 1Nm兩種材料保護級別，開闢了新的應用領域。這款「德國 製造」的創新產品採用了抗電壓超薄鑽頭替換系統（最高

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日本岡谷熱處理工業開發出一台非接觸式的模具表面 平坦度自動量測裝置。以往使用千分表或3D測量機來檢查 模具都會仰賴人力，如今都可以大幅省力化。把熱處理後的 模具放到800平方釐米的方形盤上，透過螢幕操作設定模 具的高度和長寬尺寸就能直接使用。接著移動式雷射頭的 雷射會以每1公分的移動距離自動量測模具。雷射部位包括 防止作業員輸入錯誤數值的感測器，以及兩個4波長半導體 雷射裝置來抵銷切割痕。感測器分成高精度的15奈米級和 超高精度的3奈米級。搭配此裝置使用的電腦可顯示出水平 與垂直偏差的數值與平坦度數值，並以全色彩顯示高低偏差 狀態。

特別報導 可達1000伏特交流電），為用戶在日常工作中提供了最大的安全性、靈活性和選擇自由。 其獨具全球的功能特點是其直觀和易於操作：首先，自動旋緊螺絲速度比傳統螺絲起子快三倍，然後會啟動材料保護停止裝 置，尤其是特別敏感的螺絲連接以及在緊固時需要格外小心的情況下，非常高的動力傳輸會迅速造成材料損壞。因此，在這種情 況下應選擇0.4Nm的功率。speedE®II可以與黃色的動力超薄鑽頭使用，成為需要更大強度工作中的必備工具，例如：用於固定更 大的螺紋螺絲。在兩種材料保護階段下，都可以用手小心地完全旋緊螺絲。 環形開關可在所有工作位置方便地操作。環形LED燈可大範圍照亮工作區域，使工作更加輕鬆，並防止陰影投射在工件上。紅 色和黃色超薄鑽頭均在10,000伏特交流電下進行了單獨測試並且通過測試，其顏色編碼有助於選擇正確的動力階段。小螺絲的規 格通常用於敏感的精密螺絲連接。匹配且帶有紅色的超薄鑽頭告知用戶，應為此應用將材料保護級別設置為0.4Nm的紅色級別。 對於更大規格、更牢固的螺絲連接，相應超薄鑽頭的黃色表示滑塊也可以用於切換為黃色，從而切換為強大的1.0Nm。 對於經常使用螺絲起子的專業人士，使用符合人體工程學設計的speedE®II可以大大減少壓力和肌肉拉傷。手、手臂和整個 肌肉骨骼系統中的肌肉和腱承受的壓力較小，這對於許多在日常工作中使用常規緊固工具的專業用戶來說，具有明顯的健康益 處。在尺寸和重量方面，speedE®II可與常規螺絲起子媲美，使其成為行動應用的理想選擇。「德國製造」標籤強調了適用於堅固 性和品質的最高標準。

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福特汽車成功開發新款 3D列印防盜螺母 福特汽車工程師利用3D列印技術開發了獨特 的鎖緊螺母，並與3D列印高端解決方案的領先供 應商EOS一起，根據駕駛者的聲紋輪廓打造全新 的鎖緊螺母。就像虹膜掃描或指紋一樣，利用人 聲當作唯一的生物識別。工程師記錄駕駛者的聲 音至少一秒鐘，說出特定語句，使用軟體將其轉 換為物理可列印的形式，並將其變成一個具體圓 圈，用作鎖緊螺母的凹痕和鑰匙的設計。 幾何形狀就位後，將螺母和鑰匙設計為一 體，然後使用耐酸和耐腐蝕的不銹鋼進行3D打 印。完成後，將螺母和鑰匙分開，隻需要少量研磨 即可開始使用。該設計還包括二級安全功能，防 止螺母被複製。螺帽內有不均勻的凹痕，這些凹 痕越深就越能防止小偷使用蠟複製，因為當蠟從 螺帽上扯下來時就會破裂。這個3D列印螺母也能 變化成特定的設計，例如帶有野馬徽標，或使用 駕駛者的姓名縮寫。該設計還可以從駕駛員的興 趣中汲取靈感，例如使用著名賽車場的輪廓。

STANLEY推出的高性能智慧拉釘工具BR12PP-8 精密緊固技術的全球領導者STANLEY® Assembly Technologies的高性能BR12PP-8智慧拉釘工具使製造商能夠減少廢 料，優化組裝面積，並藉由紀錄拉釘桿部的斷裂負荷和拉釘拉固距離提供即時數據給現有工廠。 STANLEY Assembly Technologies全球產品管理總監Deanna Postlethwaite表示：「STANLEY Assembly Technologies 公司與STANLEY®工程緊固技術公司合作，推出BR12PP-8產品，為客戶提供最先進的智慧、無線、可程式化的拉釘安裝技術。」

數字可調的力量和距離接受值

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單一工具就能適用許多拉釘和應用領域，減少持有成本和提高錯誤檢出率

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過程中就能檢出錯誤，防止客戶退貨和召回

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可選配整合力道切換開關

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可程式化多功能按鈕提供了簡單靈活的方式來一鍵完成許多不同的任務

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適用於大量生產環境的耐用無刷直流伺服馬達

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China Fastener World no.59/2020

BR12PP-8智慧拉釘工具的優點包括：

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印度新聞

印 度 新 聞 惠達編輯部整理

Sundram Fasteners啟動斯里市廠房的生產 Sundram Fasteners在安德拉邦斯里市特別經濟區的廠房已經 啟動生產運作。這家初期投資額10 億盧比的新廠將會生產並出口高精密工 程零件給歐洲某家領銜的製造商，讓這家製造商可以供應給OEM大客戶。 新廠已開始商業生產並於1月27日首度出貨到德國。Sundram Fasteners 成立於1966年並成為一家全球性領導廠商，生產關鍵的高精密零件給汽車、 航空和風車產業。它廣大的產品陣容包括扣件、動力裝置零件、燒結過的金 屬產品、鐵粉、冷壓出零件、水幫浦、油幫浦和風能零件。該公司表示，新廠 的目標是要增加產品陣容並將顧客層多樣化，為產品的出口提供更多動力。

德國Kamax集團計畫在印度生產 Kamax集團是高強度扣件的市場領導者，百分百全面供應給汽車業，它 最近進入印度並認可印度在全球車業中舉足輕重的地位。此外，印度政府的 印度製造計畫也證明有助全球性大廠在印度生產並出口。 該集團是高強度扣件的全球領導廠 ，也是高精密冷成形零件開發與生產 的可靠夥伴。該公司營業額7.5億歐元，在全球12個據點中擁有3500名員工， 每年生產201,000噸鋼材，相當於35億支扣件和精密冷成形零件。它的事業 比例中有27%是供應給小客車代工廠 ，其他比例是供應給商用車製造商。

Antony Devadass先生新任SMART Machinery公司最高執行長 Antony Devadass在2019年9月進入 SMART Machinery公司任職，最近該 公司宣布任命他為新的最高執行長。它 在英國蘭卡斯特大學取得機械工程學 位，且在英國杜倫大學取得企業管理碩士學位。完 成學業後，他投入銷售、行銷、經理人職位，任職 於歐洲與亞洲的國際性企業。 前任最高執行長兼創辦人Enrico Ghezzi，仍 會以技術顧問的角色與公司保持連結，並協助最 高執行長職務的過渡交接。

SMART Machinery是滾牙設備的技術領導 者，提供全面的滾牙和倒角設備，生產尺寸M3～ M48。它的機械設計包括直接驅動式科技，讓用戶 擁有優化滾牙程序時所需的彈性。該公司的獨家 科技可達成快速換模、可重複設置、較不需依賴 老手級操作員的專業知識。 SMART Machinery是由National Machinery 公司全資持有的企業。這兩家公司的資源結合可 提供業界無法匹敵的全球性銷售和服務能力。

為了更貼近印度顧客並擁有更多成本競爭力，它計劃在兩年內啟用印 度據點。它服務印度市場已超過十年，三年前在邦加羅爾市成立了辦公室。

新冠肺炎衝擊印度扣件產業 印度產業面臨原物料嚴重短缺的衝擊已超過一個月，因為印度仰賴的中 國工廠遭遇新冠病毒的爆發而生產停滯。疾病對世界其他區域的全球擴散 讓情況加劇，現在它對替代來源的供應鏈也構成威脅。 隨著世衛組織宣布疫情的爆發為全球大流行，而各國領導者正策畫高 層級抗疫措施之際，恐懼的蔓延也回彈反映到金融市場上。 我們可以理解印度扣件產業因為仰賴中國而同樣要承受巨大的不確定 性。根據業界消息得知，武漢城外的工廠（病疫發源的中心點）有九成都已 重新開門，但因工人短缺，產能僅達三到四成。因此為與現況妥協，銜接件 與扣件等等小零件的法國供應商A Raymond Fasteners在印度的子公司，正 在從浙江廠將零件空運出去。

China Fastener World no.59/2020

Aero Fasteners與Enduralock策略結盟 印度Aero Fasteners公司與英國Enduralock公司展開策略性結盟以生產 並分銷Enduralock的專利產品。

Aero Fasteners位於印度哈里亞納邦羅赫塔克城，獲得AS9100D認證， 生產高品質扣件與加工零件，供應給航太、國防、海洋、電子和其他需要迷 你零件與精密零件的產業。 Enduralock是（永久性／可逆轉／可重複利用的）特殊鎖固式扣件解 決方案的專利持有者。該公司在扣件業是抗震科技的領導廠。 此策略性結盟將有益於印度快速成長的國防和航太產業。 合作備忘錄的簽訂儀式在2020年的勒克瑙市舉行。

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Moglix公司將在印度全國成立工業 中心 新創公司Moglix專攻扣件和工 業電器等等工業零件的B2B採購、保 修、整修，它致力將印度製造業的供應鏈數位化轉 型。為此，它計畫在今年5月在全國設立工業中心， 涵蓋超過25個國內製造業的主要樞紐。 這家在諾伊達城起家的新創公司創立之初獲 得Accel Partners和Jungle Ventures等投資公司的 資助。 它還獲得許多其他投資者的資助，包括Tiger Global、Sequoia India、Composite Capital, IFC和 Venture Highway。

M o g l i x也在為B 2 B商務和 供 應鏈 籌 備 「Moglix創新中心」。此倡議將鎖定採購相關的領 域，包括先進科技、「軟體即服務」平台、金融科技 和物流等等。

新聞提供: 印度扣件協會理事長 Abhijat Sanghvi

俄羅斯新聞

俄羅斯新聞

整理／惠達雜誌編輯部

俄國汽車扣件發展協調委員會在Belebey舉行會議 3月17日，俄羅斯汽車扣件發展委員會在Belebey市召開會議，會議主要探討的 主題包括金屬產品的進口替代和俄羅斯機械工程用扣件的品質。 這場會議屬於由俄羅斯產業貿易部認可汽車產業金屬產品品質改善暨新金屬產 品類別開發計劃執行的一環。這項計畫的有效期到2023年。 這場協調委員會的參與者指出儘管當 前遇到許多線材、標準尺寸衍生的問題， 俄羅斯目前已經有新的技術規格和成功 進口替代的案例。BelZAN JSC目前是用 TsNIIchermet開發出符合TU-14-1-56752019規範且具經濟效益的含硼合金鋼進行 扣件生產。會議參與者皆同意使用這些符 合規範的鋼材。在參考歐洲規範進行調整 後，目前他們已經準備把這些規範當作汽車扣件製造的基準。

Volgograd五金廠獲得扣件生產開發資金贊助

多家俄國五金工廠陸續 引進台灣設備 最近俄國本地又有更多自攻螺絲產 線上線運作。小型企業在不同城市設立這 些工廠。同時，大型扣件製造商也持續在 擴張生產。MMK-Metiz的Novolipetsk冶 金工廠就是一例。Severstal-Metiz也決定 開始製造自攻螺絲。這些工廠大部分都有 引進台灣製造設備。 這 些 供 扣 件 生 產的台灣硬體 在 接 下來的定期性「扣件、品質和責任」會 議中獲得討論，由來自 R o s t G r o u p & Technology Co., Ltd的代表進行主持。該 會議於4月15～16日在聖彼得堡舉行。

Volgograd五金廠在獲得 4,560 萬盧布貸款後將可以充分掌握新扣 件產品的開發。這筆金額已經從兩個 聯邦和區域性的開發基金取得。掌 握新產品生產不單單只有產線現代 化的目標，還要增加生產量能。

「Toplog」的專家協助了位於Oryol的特殊扣件製造商「Parallel」完成倉儲的 全自動化。人員的訓練也在Oryol舉行，接著在2020年一月時，成熟的倉儲管理系統 （WMS）被成功導入Parrallel公司的倉儲，也正因為如此，該公司的倉儲作業流程 皆已完成自動化。這個系統會自動分配工作任務給倉庫作業員。公司的管理團隊也 會收到完整部門的作業報告和訂單進度的更新資訊。

BSW2019年創新產品項目銷售達3.68億美元 BSW 在 2019 年年底共銷售約 740,000 噸（價值超過 3.68 億 美元）的創新產品給客戶。這些產品在其工廠總出貨量的比例為 27.3%。 去年，BSW生產了265種創新產品，其中12 種是首次導入生 產。例如，它開始生產新型油氣產業用強化鋼熱軋管線和合金棒。此外，2019年，其 工廠製造和輸出29種創新產品（從汽車零配件的軋製產品到輪胎用金屬線都有）。 規劃在通過所有必要測試後開始進行產線的執行開發。

BSW內部也進行了148次研究、開發和實驗作業。該廠內的專家也為白羅斯、俄 國和義大利的期刊撰寫多篇技術文章。 2019年，具有科學機構地位的BSW研發總成本達到約760萬美元。

因為螺栓品質不佳 俄羅 斯延遲新型火箭試射 Proton-M火箭2020年的首次試射確定 從3月底延至5月底發射。根據Khrunichev 向國家太空研究和生產中心（GKNPC）局 長RIA Novosti Alexey Varochko 報告的 理由指出，是因為使用的組件與必要的設 計參數不符。為了完成發射兩顆通信衛星 Express-80和Express-103進入地球同步旋 轉軌道合約的要求，他們決定更換瑕疵的 組件。 根據Vedomosti所取得來自GKNPC 核心的資料顯示 ，瑕疵被發現於 20152016年組裝的兩支Protons火箭上: 第一支 火箭被安排來發射兩顆 Express衛星，第 二支火箭則是用來7月發射最重要的俄-歐 ExoMars-2020火星任務計畫。兩支火箭都 被發現用以內部固定Proton零件的螺栓有 問題。根據審查報告指出，是因為製造過程 中逾越了要求標準，降低其本身強度。

新聞提供:

Alexander Ostashov，＜扣件·黏著劑·工具＞雜誌主編 及 Mariya Valiakhmetova，＜Metiz＞雜誌編輯

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“Parallel”的倉儲全面自動化

產業報導

2019中國扣件進出口金額分析 據中國海關總署資料總計，中 國扣件2019年總出口值達64.19億 美元、總進口值28.39億美元，其中 進出口最大宗的類別為其他螺釘及 螺栓（731815）總出口值30.6 億美 元佔47.68%，總進口值13.48億美元 佔47.49%，螺母（731816）為第二 大宗總出口值11.59億美元，佔總值 18.06%、進口總值5.48億美元，佔 總值19.3%。

項目 731815 其他螺釘及螺栓 731816 螺母 731814 自攻螺釘 731819 其他鋼鐵制螺紋製品 731822 其他墊圈 731824 銷及開尾銷 731829 其他鋼鐵制無螺紋製品 731812 其他木螺釘 731823 鉚釘 731821 彈簧墊圈及其他防鬆墊圈 731813 鉤頭螺釘及環頭螺釘 731811 方頭螺釘 總計

中國大部分扣件產品皆可滿足 內需，只有彈簧墊圈及其他防鬆墊 （731821）、鉚釘（731823）、銷及 開尾銷（731824）為進口值大於出 口值。2月份受到中國新年假期工作日較少的關係，普遍2月份 的進出口金額都偏低，在3月份逐漸回升並在12月份達到高峰。

731811 方頭螺釘 中國的方頭螺釘出口值僅占所有出口總值的0.24%，此類 別屬於可以自足的類別，進口值穩定。可以注意到若排除二月 份工作天數較少影響出口值外，以2019年10月份為出口值最低 月份僅71萬美金，只比二月多出一萬美金，可能與中美貿易戰中 美國宣布將關稅從25%上調至30%導致出口大幅下滑有關，後 續逐漸上升並在12月份達到全年高峰。

出口統計金額 (美元) 總出口值 佔比 3,060,437,985 47.68% 1,159,136,461 18.06% 627,713,389 9.78% 552,913,734 8.61% 410,510,693 6.39% 178,768,119 2.78% 136,568,159 2.13% 125,604,078 1.96% 63,552,666 0.99% 56,380,902 0.88% 32,189,537 0.50% 15,514,858 0.24% 6,419,290,581 100%

本類產品佔總出口值的1.96%，其他木螺螺絲排除2月小月 外，在2019年的11月份跌破900萬美金，12月份又反彈超過1,200 萬美金。另外進口方面，本類產品屬於可滿足內需的狀態，進口 值不多相對較穩定，波動不大。

731813 鉤頭螺釘及環頭螺釘 本類產品屬於可滿足內需類別，進口值並不高，2019年進 口值最高不超過32.1萬美元；出口值在2019年5月份達到高峰， 較4月份成長33.82%，達到315.1萬美元。同樣的在10月份受到影 響降幅較多，但11月份開始有不錯的回升，12月份降幅並不多。

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進口統計金額 (美元) 總進口值 佔比 1,348,254,317 47.49% 548,079,384 19.30% 265,685,381 9.36% 230,938,274 8.13% 132,878,348 4.68% 89,098,850 3.14% 82,537,827 2.91% 71,949,170 2.53% 61,950,305 2.18% 3,031,703 0.11% 2,412,494 0.08% 2,239,131 0.08% 2,839,055,184 100%

731812 其他木螺釘

731811 方頭螺釘

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文／惠達 張乃文 資料來源：中國海關總署

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產業報導 731813 鉤頭螺釘及環頭螺釘

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進口

731814 自攻螺釘

出口

進口

731815 其他螺釘及螺栓

進口

731814 自攻螺釘

731819 其他鋼鐵制螺紋製品

自攻螺釘佔中國扣件總出口值的9.78%，是第3大宗出口項目。本 類別在12月份達到年度出口值最高，突破6,400萬美元，與11月份相 比有24%的成長，此外這個類別中屬於可以滿足內需的產品。

這個項目在2月份出口量大幅下滑52.3%，相較於 其他項目算是下滑較為明顯的項目，但是在貿易戰較白 熱化的下半年卻比較不受影響，若有下滑幅度與前月 相比皆不超過8%，12月份逆勢成長31.92%達到2019年 最高峰值直逼6,000萬美元大關。

731815 其他螺釘及螺栓 本類別是中國進出口扣件最大宗的類別，佔總出口值47.61%、 總進口值47.69%。此類別在12月份達到出口高峰值，突破 3.2億美 元，與11月份相比成長26.25%。

731816 螺母 此項目為中國扣件進出口第二大宗的項目，佔出口總值18%、進 口總值19.17%，出口值高峰為12月份1.2億美金，與11月份相比成長 31.19%，進口值也是12月份為高峰5,013萬美金。

731821 彈簧墊圈及其他防鬆墊圈 本項目是進口值大於出口值的少數項目之一，但僅 佔總出口值的0.88%、總進口值的2.18%。我們可以觀 察到僅有三個月份出口值大過進口值，其他皆是進口值 大於出口的態勢，另外12月份的進口值更是大幅成長 24%。

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產業報導 731816 螺母

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731819 其他鋼鐵制螺紋製品

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731821 彈簧墊圈及其他防鬆墊圈

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731822 其他墊圈

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產業報導 731822 其他墊圈

731824 銷及開尾銷

本項目為中國扣件第四大出口類別，佔總出口值6.4%，2月份 出口的降幅是所有項目中最多的下滑52.93%，12月份達到出口高 峰，超過4,168萬美元，與11月份相比成長26.92%。進口部份雖然 不如出口值那麼龐大，11月份進口高峰值仍有2,536萬美元。

本項目也是中國進口大於出口的項目之一，佔扣件總進口值 的8.13%，是第四大進口扣件項目。比較值得注意的是，前些項目 都會有幾個月出口值大於進口，在這個項目中則是進口值一直大 於出口值。進口值高峰為4月份的2,057萬美元，不同其他項目12 月份才達到高峰。本項目的出口值較為穩定，沒有太大的波動。

731823 鉚釘 鉚釘為中國進口大於出口的扣件產品項目之一，雖然僅佔 總出口值的 0.99%、總進口值2.5%，僅有三個月份出口值超越 進口值，12月份為全年進、出口值最高鋒，出口值超過 720萬美 元、進口值則超過668萬美元。

731829 其他鋼鐵製無螺紋製品 這個品項在佔總出口值2.13%、總進口值4.68%。12月份出口 值達到高峰1,425萬美元，較11月份上揚35.88%，但值得注意的 是12月出口值雖然亮眼，進口值卻是呈現下滑的狀態。

731823 鉚釘

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731824 銷及開尾銷

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產業報導

淺談醫療高端扣件市場 文/Sharareh Shahidi Hamedani

用於人體內的扣件常被歸類於 海關編碼902110。這類扣件的 描述為可以置入人體停留超過 30天且以螺絲或螺旋部件存在的整形外 科用或骨折治療用器具。多年來，醫療扣 件都是以鈦金屬製作。隨著科技的發展， 生產醫療扣件的材料也變得不同。這些材料的物理和化學屬性也非常關 鍵。醫療扣件用材料一般偏好要具生物適用性。它們也必須可以抵抗腐蝕 和斷裂。現今醫療扣件的材料可以由鈦金屬或鋯設計組成。不過醫療扣件 的材料仍然必須耐用和強韌。醫療扣件材料的強度和其設計必須和物理 屬性保持適用性。以下是現今使用於生產醫療扣件的常用材料類型。

使

鈦–鈦被視為最常用的醫療扣件材料類型。 氧化鋯–相較於鈦，氧化鋯是近期的發現，被視為最具未來醫療 扣件材料潛力。 鈦經過不斷測試後在醫療領域有很高的應用成功率。它的彈性使其 與氧化鋯非常不同。作為金屬的一種，鈦一直是所有骨骼植入物的首選。數 以百萬的病人皆因鈦而受惠。不過，氧化鋯可以整合植入物柱體部分和橋 接部分形成一個整體，降低細菌滋生和影響人體的疑慮。

醫療扣件領域的競爭 這類產品在市場的出口價值達104億美元，進口價值達113億美元。 主要的出口者有: • • • •

歐洲（不含瑞士）一季出口9億美元 瑞士一季出口6億美元 北美一季出口6.5億美元（超過5億美元從美國出口） 亞洲一季出口2億美元

雖然這個市場目前還是由很多歐美製造商所掌控，一些南韓、日本和 台灣的亞洲製造商也開始投資在這些產品類型的研究發展上。最近數十 年扣件產業改變最大的就是每一樣產品的選擇和變化越來越多樣。與眾 不同是競爭的核心要素。若廠商忽視自己的獨特性然後提供所有類型的產 品，很快就會讓自己失去獨特性。

亞洲製造商如何可以打入該市場?

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新冠肺炎對不必要的醫療行為，像是看牙、植牙（主要使用醫療扣件 的領域之一）產生影響，這對想要打入該市場的亞洲公司會是個機會。在這 領域的亞洲廠商有三種可能的方式來打造成功的事業。讓我們逐一來看。

產品差異化 在不同產品中亞洲的高值化扣件製造商處於哪個等級?亞洲廠商基本 上在產品差異化上要直接跟歐洲廠商硬碰硬是沒有勝算的。甚至，很多歐 洲和美洲的廠商也都有屬於自己的企業產品差異化計劃。

交易競爭力領先角色 現在，讓我們來看看第二種可能的方式－交易競爭力領先，這個在現 今事實上更著重在價格本身。亞洲製造商在價格上處於領先地位嗎?也許 是，也或許不是。排除日本，其他亞洲製造商的價格相較於歐洲的價格更 便宜。價格羅列如下表:

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出口者

中國 台灣 南韓 日本 瑞士 荷蘭 德國 法國 比利時 美國 墨西哥

總額（美金） 數量（公斤） 單價（美金）

137,717,000 14,800,000 5,081,000 2,777,000 620,963,000 270,872,000 182,992,000 151,109,000 114,653,000 584,011,000 110,117,000

12,864,609 894,551 93,945 3,743 259,581 587,614 723,000 663,571 542,250 ----3,221,385

10.7 16.5 54.1 741.9 2,392.0 461.0 253.1 277.7 211.4 ----34.1

價格對大多數消費者來說非常重要。消費者常 常會特別省錢，但有時候又會反向操作。所以可以看 到，中國的出口量很龐大。但在出口值方面，瑞士則 是位居首位，美國居次。不過，中國的價格和台灣的價 格是否存在差異呢?統計顯示墨西哥的價格是台灣價 格的兩倍以上，但墨西哥的扣件出口量則是台灣扣件 出口量的3.5倍以上。答案很簡單，中國是全球的鈦 礦中心，而鈦就是生產醫療扣件最重要的材料。

產業領先角色 第三種可能方式則是產業領先角色。台灣和南 韓應該要改善自身在醫療扣件產業的領先地位。這 幾個國家的製造商首先可以考慮強化企業本身的形 象宣傳。在一系列的企業形象宣傳中，台灣製造商可 以提到植牙的好處，但在新冠疫情期間對這些病人 來說是很危險的。他們可以開始針對新冠疫情的部 分告訴大家在這段期間進行植牙手術的風險。為什 麼他們應該這麼說?因為台灣製造商需要能在市場 競爭，不過: *台灣廠商的價格不像中國被市場接受。 *相較於德國或瑞士，台灣在高技術或具敏感性 的醫療扣件產品生產中知名度又不高。 因此，對於台灣製造商來說要在高值化扣件競 爭獲勝的最佳管道就是「向潛在病人客戶表現出他 們的健康超過他們自身利益的態度。」藉由這種方 法，台灣製造商可以贏得客戶的信賴，而且客戶也可 能在之後轉向他們。這會需要一點時間，但無疑相當 有效。

總結 產品差異領導者瑞士是供應具超級敏感性產品 的國家，他們深知如何把產品賣到每公斤2,000美元 的訣竅。交易競爭力領導者中，價格是銷售高值化扣 件的手段之一，但價格的變動又掌握在中國的手中。 中國是全球最大的鈦生產國，所以全球最大的鈦製 造國中國自然可以控制鈦製品（像是高值化扣件）中 鈦的價格。產業領導者中，台灣製造商不論是在產品 差異化或交易競爭力中都沒辦法成為該類別中的領 先者。他們應該要努力成為產業領導這類別的代表， 否則就只能當追隨者，永遠無法成功脫穎而出。

產業報導 文／Shervin Shahidi Hamedani

2019 年由零部件和 中國是世界最大的汽車市場，緊追在後的是其亦敵亦友的美國。在 車輛生產和出口所組成的產業佔了中國整體國內生產的10%。 在數十年的快速成長後，中國的汽車市場從2018年起開始出現成長趨緩。經濟成長 疲軟的破壞性影響、與美國的貿易戰和去年夏天公布更加嚴格的車輛排放標準讓中國 2019年的汽車銷量跟2018年相比出現下滑。

乘用車相對於所有種類車輛的 生產和銷售比例分別達到83.0% 和 83.2%，這也代表比 2018 年分 別少了3.4%和1.2%。

中國的汽車市場2019年每個月皆出現下滑，是在數十年快速的擴張後連續第 二年出現下滑。去年年底市場萎縮的速度稍稍減緩似乎露出一點希望，但今年因為 除了乘用車之外，總生產量達 新冠疫情的緣故讓情況變得更糟。根據中國國家汽車產業組織公布的中國汽車市 到436萬輛的商用車輛在2019年的成 場銷量在2019年下滑8.2%，來到大約2,576.9萬輛，同時汽車生產也下滑7.5%，來 長相較於2018年的生產增加了1.9%。 到2,572.1萬輛。汽車的產銷在2019年的月份雙雙出現年比下滑，同時2019年上半 不過，2019 年的商用車銷量卻是下滑 出現較高的年比下降率，同年度下半的前年比下降得更低。 的。2019年，商用車的銷量約為432.4萬 輛，年比下滑1.1%。有趣的是，這類型車 中國汽車銷售的緩慢成長無疑對生產有直接影響。2019年，根據中國汽車 輛的出口在2019年增加5.7%，因為中國商 製造商協會的報告，中國乘用車的生產達到2,136萬輛，比2018年的總乘用車 用車製造商2019 年出口約 30萬輛，同一時 生產少了約 9.2%。去年，中國的乘用車約為2,144.4萬輛，年比下滑約 9.6%。 間所有類型車輛的出口加總減少1.6%，達 到102.4萬輛。725,000輛的出口為乘用車，年 比減少4.3%。 汽車生產和銷售的緩慢成長不僅限於傳 統車輛，還包括新能源車。2019 年所有新能源 車的生產下滑 2.3%，達到124.2萬輛，銷售減少 4%，達到102萬輛。當特斯拉 2018 年宣布在上海 工廠開幕時，中國電動車銷售正在快速成長，且也 受到政府的補貼。2019 年電池動力車輛的 生產約為10 2 萬輛，年比成長 3.4%，銷售 仍比2018年低，達到972,000 輛，年比減少 1.2%。其他新能源車（像是插電式複合能 源車和燃料電池車）的生產分別為220,000 輛和2,833輛，另外其銷量分別為 232,000 輛和2,737輛。插電式複合能源車的生產和 銷售分別在2019年出現22.5%和14.5%的下 滑，但或許燃料電池車的市場成長（去年產 銷分別成長85.5%和79.2%）能為市場帶來唯一的曙光。

中國汽車產銷統計

2019年及2020一至二月

整體來說，我們必須承認低速成長在中國儼然已成新常 態，同時汽車市場也已經向數十年的成長榮景道別。當四輪車輛逐漸失去這個世界最大的汽車市場，中國的廠商也正準備進 入新的發展階段。中國的汽車製造商需要習慣這樣的低速成長情況，而整個產業也正踏進轉型和升級的階段。 當政策改變的銷售衰退、與美國的貿易戰和經濟放緩預期會在2020 持續，最近疫情爆發後關閉邊界、上千家工廠經銷商 關門幾乎讓整個市場停擺。

接著，今年前兩個月，中國的汽車銷售和成長大幅降低。車輛的代理經銷持續關閉，買家也不上門以避免病毒擴散。單單 2月上半汽車的銷售就下滑 92%。2月第一個禮拜中國的汽車銷量就下滑 96%來到811輛的日平均。1月銷量也開始出現負成長 20%，2月更因為中國全國停工而持續下滑。 儘管狀況目前如此，長期來看，市場在將近20多年強勢的銷售成長以及或許還有政府的政策和支持下，會找到出口。無庸 置疑地，銷量和生產的加總將比去年低，在更糟的狀況下還可能比前一年的數據還要減少20%以上。如果中國沒有爆發第二 波疫情的話，需求驟停將會持續成為產業內最大的管理挑戰。這是業務和據點轉型扮演關鍵角色的地方。很多汽車製造商主 要關心的應該是穩定改善運作效率、重新訂價策略和把握線上銷售。 資料來源: MarkLines, Automotive Industry Portal, China - Flash report, Sales volume, 2019 Coronavirus: Car sales in China fall 92% in February, The BBC

027

China Fastener World no.59/2020

這個危機發生在市場試著接受低速發展現實的時候。因此，汽車銷售開始崩解而生產也嚴重中斷。不只在中國，全球許多 大型汽車製造商也警告會有延遲的情況。在筆者撰寫這篇文稿的時刻，距離新冠疫情發生第一例的時間已經過了約4個月，很 多車廠也預計要重啟在中國據點，但即使是那些已經重啟部分據點的公司也說要回到產能全開的狀態要需要較長的時間。

產業報導

建築扣件市場分析 下一個潛在市場在何方?

文／Behrooz Lotfian

如何判定所需的扣件類型 不同的建築計畫會需要不同類型的扣件。墊片、螺栓、楔形接合件都是使 用於不同的環境，根據特定的計畫採用不同的表面處理。為了決定需要使用哪 種特定扣件，必須了解應用的規格以便選擇正確的材料。這個要素包括： • 地域的可到性

建築扣件

• 要接合的是什麼類型的材料 • 扣件的重複使用性 • 材料的重量 • 周邊環境，像是溫度和是否暴露於含水或刮風的環境 為了瞭解建築扣件市場的未來動態，最佳的方式是研究全球的建築市場。

扣件在建築產業中被用來非永久 性地結合兩種或多種物件。為了達到 強韌和安全的建築效果，每一個建築 計畫會需要使用不同類型的扣件。這 些形式的扣件為：壁虎、螺柱、螺栓、 螺帽、螺絲、墊片。

建築市場 根據研究，全球建築產業預期會達到6.5% 的年複合成長率並在2023年前達到10.8356兆美 元規模。在2030年前，該產業將佔全球經濟產出 的14.7%。

中國（在全球建築市場佔比21%） 中國面臨人口老化的問題，這可以從持續上 升的健康照護或更大規模的相關基礎建設中看 到。中國的「一帶一路」經濟政策也促使中國與亞 洲鄰近各國的合作和貿易往來。這個政策可能會 在接下來幾年催生人類史上最大規模的單一建設 計畫。

China Fastener World no.59/2020

根據統計，中國的建築產業規模預計在2024 年達到7.5%的年複合成長率，也就是9.3974兆人民 幣。住宅建築產業以價值來看在2015至2019年間 以8.6%的年複合成長率增加。商用建築市場以價 值來看預期在相同期間內會達到10.7%的年複合 成長率。 統計顯示中國到2030年前會在建築市場繼續保持第一 名的地位。

028

美國（在全球建築市場佔比15%）

住宅建築類別，不過現在也開始在反彈回升階段。由於 住宅類的成長預期會回到重創前的水準，加上近10年美 國政府計畫投資許多重大建設，美國因此在建築市場 保持第二名的地位。

建築是美國經濟的主要貢獻者。該產業有超過680,000 名雇主和超過700萬名員工，每年蓋出將近1.3兆美元的建 築。建築是製造業、採礦和各種相關服務最大的客戶之一。 美國建築產業在先前經濟衰退時受到顯著重創，尤其是在

統計顯示美國到2030年前都會繼續在建築市場維 持住第二名的地位。

技術論壇 印度（佔全球建築市場佔比7%）

其他建築市場

印度是建築市場中成長最快速的國家（拓展速度是中國 的兩倍），且預計到2030年會在建築和基礎建設上達到13兆美 元的驚人花費。印度快速膨脹和廣大的人口持續創造驚人的 住宅需求。未來14年每天需要興建31,000戶的驚人數字。如此 持續下去，在2030年將達到1.7億戶。

以下是全球排名第4大至第10大規模 的建築市場。 日本6%

印尼3%

德國3%

加拿大3%

法國3%

澳大利亞3%

西班牙2%

新冠肺炎及其對建築市場的影響 建築產業無法避免為減緩新冠病毒擴散所實施的封城措 施所帶來的負面影響。就算是在這個疫情危機發生前，建築產 業的花費就已經出現趨緩的跡象。總建築花費在今年二月下滑 了1.3%，住宅類和非住宅類的活動分別減少0.6%和1.8%。這個 下滑前的一月份建築花費大幅增加了2.8%，與前一次報告相比 上修了一個百分點。

結語 新冠病毒對全球經濟造成重大影響，因為它讓多國實施 封城，也就是意味商業活動停擺。扣件產業也因為這波疫情 受創。很多相關數據出現變化，不過，目前還無法對未來的狀 況作出精準的波動預測。 參考資料：

新冠肺炎對中國建築市場的影響並不大。在疫情期間中國 在不同城市所實施的封城措施意味著無法運輸，產出值下滑以 及很多建案的完工期也紛紛延遲。在三月開始期間，中國的建築 市場出現復甦，讓中國的建築市場回到新冠疫情發生前的水平。 Dodge Data & Analytics公司表示：新冠肺炎在三月造成美 國建築市場下滑5%。美國二月至三月總新建案下滑5%，季節性 調整後的年度規模達到7,469億美元，而新冠肺炎的影響仍在 上升。義大利建築產業則可能在2020年下滑22.6%。

1. https：／／www.globenewswire.com／news-release／2020／01／02／1965613／0／en／WorldConstruction-Industry-Size-Forecast-to-2023-Continuous-Major-Economic-Growth-inVarious-Developed-Emerging-Markets-Drives-the-Industry.html 2. https：／／www.fxstreet.com／analysis／covid-19-to-hammer-construction-industry-202004011632 3. https：／／apnews.com／Business%20Wire／425b194035b7400abcefee8dab70d691 4. https：／／www.khl.com／international-construction／construction-and-covid-19-rolling-newsupdate／142849.article 5. https：／／www.theb1m.com／video／top-5-construction-markets-by-2030 6.https：／／www.arcadis.com／en／asia／our-perspectives／articles／the-impact-of-covid19-onconstruction-industry-in-china／ 7. https：／／www.agc.org／learn／construction-data 8. https：／／www.atlrod.com／guide-construction-fasteners／

汽車高溫連接緊固件 材料及熱處理工藝 文/ 趙萍麗、張先鳴

1、高溫連接緊固件應用特點 高溫連接緊固件一般應用於汽車高溫工作服役區域，如排氣歧管連 接缸蓋，渦輪增壓器連接排氣歧管，三元催化器連接增壓器，排氣管連接 三元催化器等。該區域服役的零部件及總成承擔著汽車驅動動力的能量 產生與轉變、動能輸出、燃料輸送和高溫排放氣體的高速流動及迴圈。 具備高溫連接要求的緊固件基體材料本身需具備一定的高溫性能， 如較高的高溫力學性能、組織穩定性能和防腐性能。緊固件及其表面處理 塗層均需要滿足裝配服役性能和可拆卸要求或售後市場維修要求。

地球上的資源和能源越來越緊缺，輕 量化、節能化、安全環保將是未來裝備、汽 車車輛、機車車輛發展方向。為此，在機械 部件組裝不可或缺的螺紋連接上，也提出了 輕量化的要求，勢必追求更高設計應力，更 加合理的緊固技術。為了減少高強度緊固件 氫脆斷裂的危險，而採用不鏽耐熱鋼製造 發動機螺栓，是使用最有效的措施之一。

2、汽車緊固件用耐熱鋼技術條件 2.1 汽車緊固件用耐熱鋼牌號化學成分 汽車耐熱緊固件用含鎳、含鉻的耐熱材料或 一般合金耐熱鋼牌號和化學成分見下頁表1。

2.2 汽車高溫連接緊固件技術條件 高溫連接緊固件室溫性能見表2。

China Fastener World no.59/2020

舉例來說：

表2 高溫連接緊固件室溫性能 材料類別 注： 1） 14Cr17Ni2相當於JIS G 4303 SUS431，NiCr20TiAl相當於 ASTM B637 UNS 07080。 2） +AT：固溶。 +P：時效硬化。 +QT：淬火並回火。 +A：退火。

沉澱硬化型不銹鋼 鐵素體型不銹鋼 合金結構鋼 合金結構鋼 馬氏體型不銹鋼 鎳合金

牌號 ML06Cr15Ni25Ti2MoAlVB （GH2132） ML04Cr11Nb ML41CrMoV ML21CrMoV 14Cr17Ni2 (1Cr17Ni2) NiCr20TiAl

典型的熱處 螺栓抗拉強 理制度 度/MPa

硬度/HV

+AT+P

900-1150

287-367

+A +QT +QT

≦485 850-1000 700-850

180-285 272-320 225-272

+QT

861-1034

253-304

+AT+P

1000-1300

320-417

029

技術論壇 表1 汽車緊固件用耐熱鋼牌號化學成分和使用溫度 牌號

化學成分 （品質分 數W,%）

ML06Cr15Ni25Ti2MoAlBV

ML04Cr11Nb

ML41CrMoV

ML21CrMoV

14Cr17Ni2

NiCr20TiAl

0.03-0.08 1.00-2.00 1.00-2.00 ≦0.025 ≦0.015 24.00-27.00 13.50-16.00 1.00-1.50 0.10--0.50 Ti:1.90-2.35 Al:≦0.35 B:0.003-0.010 650

≦0.06 0.06-0.75 0.40-0.75 ≦0.025 ≦0.025 ≦0.50 10.50-11.70 / /

0.36-0.44 0.15-0.35 0.45-0.75 ≦0.035 ≦0.040 / 0.80-1.15 0.50-0.65 0.25-0.35

0.17-0.25 ≦0.40 0.40-0.50 ≦0.025 ≦0.030 ≦0.60 1.20-1.50 0.55-0.80 0.25-0.35

0.11-0.17 ≦0.80 ≦0.80 ≦0.035 ≦0.035 1.5-2.5 16.00-18.00 / /

Nb:10XC-0.75

Al:≦0.03

/

/

0.04-0.10 ≦1.00 ≦1.00 ≦0.020 ≦0.015 餘量 18.00-21.00 CO:≦2.00 Fe:≦1.50 Ti:1.80-2.70 Al:1.00-1.80 B:≦0.008 650

C Si Mn P S Ni Cr Mo V 其它

使用溫度 持續溫度 /℃ 最高溫度 應用舉例

500

650

650 排氣歧管、增 排氣歧管、增壓器、催化器 壓器、催化器

550

550

500

550

550

600

排氣歧管

排氣歧管

排氣歧管

2.3 高溫連接緊固件熱處理工藝 高溫連接緊固件儘管有大量的含鎳、含鉻的耐熱材料牌號選擇，但是還必須 通過正確的熱處理手段，才能更好地發揮耐熱鋼的功能。可以說，熱處理生產是 提高高溫連接緊固件品質和使用可靠性的重要保證。高溫連接緊固件技術要求 及熱處理工藝見表3 。

表3 高溫連接緊固件技術要求及熱處理工藝 牌號 ML06Cr15Ni25Ti2MoAlVB ML04Cr11Nb

固溶溫度：970-990℃水冷 或空冷；時效溫度：700720℃空冷或緩冷 退火溫度：730-750℃空冷 或緩冷

螺栓抗拉強度/ 硬度/HV MPa 900-1150

287-367

≦485

180-285

ML41CrMoV

淬火溫度：880-910℃油 冷；回火溫度：670-710℃

850-1000

272-320

ML21CrMoV

淬火溫度：900-930℃油 冷；回火溫度：680-720℃ 淬火溫度：950-980℃水 或油冷；回火溫度：650700℃ 固溶溫度：1050-1090℃空 冷或水冷；時效溫度：690700℃空冷或(840-860℃+ 690-720℃二次時效)

700-850

225-272

861-1034

253-304

1000-1300

320-417

14Cr17Ni2

NiCr20TiAl

China Fastener World no.59/2020

熱處理工藝

ML06Cr15Ni25Ti2MoAlVB是沉澱硬化型耐熱不銹鋼，又稱為高溫合金。在 GB/T14992中高溫合金牌號為GH2132，相當於美國ASTM A959標準中的660 鋼 和日本JISG4311標準中的SUS660鋼。ML06Cr15Ni25Ti2MoAlVB鋼可作為耐熱 鋼使用，這是由於奧氏體的再結晶溫度高，鐵和其它元素的原子在其中的擴散係 數小，故其強化穩定性比鐵素體高用於工作溫度高於650℃的發動機耐熱螺栓。 ML06Cr15Ni25Ti2MoAlVB鋼含有大量的奧氏體穩定化元素,如鉻、鎳、 鉬、鈦等合金元素。鉻、鎳在奧氏體型耐熱鋼中，能提高其抗氧化性；鉬能提高 奧氏體型鋼的熱強性；鈦是比鉻更易與碳結合形成穩定碳化物的元素，鈦含量 1.90%可以使大部分的碳存在於鈦的碳化物之中，從而改善鋼的抗晶間腐蝕能

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800 增壓器、 催化器

力。合金添加中有Al、V、B等元素，這種 材料經過高溫處理，並進行長時間的時 效後，在組織中析出一種彌散的金屬化合 物，從而使該材料的抗拉強度提高。

ML06Cr15Ni25Ti2MoAlVB 鋼在 冶煉過程中，每一爐次存在化學成分含 量波動，合金元素偏析、雜質數量、種 類、大小、形狀以及熱變形工藝等因素的 影響。在與生產條件一致的實際現場， 970±10℃X1h 進行固溶處理，螺栓頭部 採用冷鐓成型，840±10℃穩定化處理， 最後搓絲成型，按不同 70 0 -720 ℃時效 制度進行熱處理，試驗檢測可以滿足發 動 機 螺 栓其技 術要求為室溫抗 拉 強 度 ≥900MPa,；硬度 27～35HRC，晶粒度≥5 級，載入480MPa，保持23h不斷。 ML04Cr11Nb 鐵素體型不銹鋼典型 的熱處理工藝以退火為主，需嚴格控制加 熱溫度或降低鐓鍛溫度在750℃以下。 耐熱合金結構鋼是指具有較好的熱 穩定性和熱強性的鋼，M L 41CrMoV 和 ML21CrMoV鋼 , 在高溫下具有較高的強 度，是發動機上重要螺栓材料，工作時要 承受較高的機械負荷和熱負荷。採用真空 爐氮氣保護加熱，淬火+ 高溫回火（調質 熱處理），淬火溫度分別為 880-910 ℃和 900-930℃油冷；回火溫度分別為：670710℃和680-720℃，加熱必須滿足奧氏體 均勻化，以達到高強度螺栓的技術要求。

14Cr17Ni2（1Cr17Ni2）鋼是一種用 途廣泛的馬氏體 + 鐵素體 型不銹 鋼。在

技術論壇 Cr17型不銹鋼的基礎上添加了1.5%～2.5%鎳。該鋼具有良好的耐蝕性和較高的力學性能，熱處理工藝的變化將極大程度 上影響14Cr17Ni2鋼的綜合力學性能。 14Cr17Ni2鋼在成型後須通過熱處理以獲得優異的綜合性能。在調質狀態下，材料的顯微組織中主要有δ鐵素體、 殘餘奧氏體、馬氏體及碳化鉻析出相，這些相的形態、分佈和比例決定了鋼的力學性能。一般情況下，馬氏體相和少量碳化 鉻析出相共同作用達到強化材料的效果，而過多的δ鐵素體相和碳化鉻析出相將降低材料的塑性和韌性。因此，熱處理 工藝的選擇依據是提高馬氏體相含量、抑制δ鐵素體相的形成、控制碳化鉻析出含量以及盡可能地細化馬氏體組織。 14Cr17Ni2鋼淬火溫度為960～990℃，回火應避開脆性區475～550℃。淬火後的正常組織是馬氏體+δ鐵素體，當淬 火溫度過高時，會誘發鋼中δ鐵素體與殘餘奧氏體含量增加，降低衝擊韌性值；當降低淬火溫度，奧氏體化不完全，淬火 後組織內殘留大量奧氏體，影響抗拉強度和硬度。而對於大規格直徑螺栓最佳熱處理工藝，淬火溫度為1040℃；560℃回 火的組織為回火索氏體和少量淬火馬氏體，在相鄰晶粒之間均勻分佈著少量塊狀δ鐵素體，含量小於10%、呈分散分佈， 抗拉強度值約為1190 MPa，衝擊功大於49J。而在600℃回火後碳化鉻含量會顯著降低，其抗拉強度也會隨之下降，對於 10.9級高強度螺栓回火溫度應選擇在580～610℃。 回火保溫時間的延長有利於碳化物的析出和馬氏體相回火索氏體的轉變，使材料組織更加均勻化，綜合力學性能得 到改善，在調質前進行高溫回火預處理無法消除和改變δ鐵素體，但通過調質改變組織形態可以提高衝擊韌性。若在高 溫下重複回火會降低14Cr17Ni2鋼衝擊韌性，這與組織中晶界上Cr、Fe 碳化物和合金元素（Si、Mn等）的析出有關，必須 儘量避免。

2.4 高溫連接緊固件熱處理 金相組織 採用沉澱硬化型或鐵素體 型不銹鋼材料的緊固件，經固溶 加時效處理後，組織由基體組織 和析出相組成。採用耐熱合金鋼 材料的緊固件，經調質處理後， 基體組織為回火索氏體。 根據材料類型和熱處理工 藝的不同，ML06Cr15Ni25Ti2 MoA lV B鋼的為奧氏體 + M C 彌 散 碳 化 物（ 圖 1 ）； ML04Cr11Nb鋼為鐵素體+NbC 碳化物（圖2）；ML41CrMoV和 ML21CrMoV鋼為回火索氏體+馬 氏體+少量鐵素體（圖3、圖4）； 14Cr17Ni2鋼為回火索氏體+顆粒 狀碳化物+少量塊狀鐵素體（圖 5）；NiCr20TiAl鎳合金為γ′相+ M23C6碳化物（圖6）。

ML06Cr15Ni25Ti2MoAlVB 500X 圖1 固溶+時效處理，FeCl3鹽酸溶液腐蝕

ML04Cr11Nb 500X 圖2 退火處理，FeCl3鹽酸溶液腐蝕

ML41CrMoV 500X 圖3 淬火+高溫回火，4%硝酸酒精溶液腐蝕

ML21CrMoV 500X 圖4 淬火+高溫回火，4%硝酸酒精溶液腐蝕

1Cr17Ni2 500X 圖5 淬火+高溫回火，FeCl3鹽酸溶液腐蝕

NiCr20TiAl 200X 圖6 固溶+時效處理，FeCl3鹽酸溶液腐蝕

China Fastener World no.59/2020

NiCr20TiAl（GH4080A）鎳合金須採用固溶強化、第二相強化和晶界強化三類手段對合金進行綜合強化[8]。基本 熱處理制度為固溶處理+時效處理；固溶處理可使強化相γ′相和碳化物固溶，獲得最佳的持久蠕變強度；時效處理可以 有效的析出沉澱相，類型、數量與尺寸和所要求的強度、塑性、韌性的配合。固溶處理：1070℃-1090℃X8h,空冷；時效處 理溫度：690 ～700℃X16h，或(840 ～860℃X24h+ 690 ～720℃X16h 二次時效),空冷處理。合金在固溶組織的基礎上經 700℃±5℃,16h，晶界上的M7C3繼續轉變為M23C6 碳化物，所以在晶界上沉澱出叫連續的M23C6 碳化物，晶內的γ′相 也長大成球形質點。研究表明，晶粒度對NiCr20TiAl鎳合金的疲勞強度影響明顯，表面細晶組織可以提高疲勞裂紋的萌 生抗力，內部的粗晶組織有利於 提高疲勞裂紋的擴展抗力。晶粒 度不僅影響試樣的疲勞壽命；也 影響試樣的疲勞強度，晶粒度越 小，單位體能內晶界數量越多， 對裂紋萌生的阻礙作用越明顯。

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