The term “special bar quality” (SBQ) is used to describe bar products beyond the commodity grades of merchant bar (such as rebar or construction bar), but below the specialist products such as stainless steels and nickel alloys. However, these categories tend to overlap, so there is no commonly-agreed definition.

“SBQ” is generally used in the USA, while in Europe the term “engineering steels” is more common. Both terms refer to steel types as well as to bar products, and as they are often associated with the steel grades, they refer to billet and slab as well as bar.

The superior mechanical properties and defect-free surface of SBQ make it indispensable in the manufacture of components – often safety-critical components – that are in motion. Applications include gears, shafts, axles, drive trains and suspensions for automobiles, off-highway vehicles and industrial capital equipment, plus some components for aerospace and oil drilling.

Corus Engineering Steels...