Sandvik claims a first

Sandvik Materials Technology is claiming a first by supplying the closest, industry specified, thickness tolerances as a standard feature on its Sandvik 20C carbon strip steel used in the manufacture of high performance valves, discs and shims for shock absorbers.

The tolerances, designated T4, specify a thickness variation from only ±0.003 mm on 0.102 mm thick strip to ±0.005 mm on 0.305 mm strip - the typical range of steel strip thicknesses used in shock absorbers. The key benefit of such close tolerance control is that flows within the shock absorber will be more consistent, resulting in more even and smoother automotive suspension systems. There is an increasing requirement from consumers for better ride comfort.

Sandvik claims that they are the only company in the market able to offer such tolerances as standard - a capability which has been achieved through strict process control and fine tuning of the production process.