Crucial roof construction work at the Brazil stadium that will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final was completed successfully and on time, due to fast delivery of duplex stainless steels by Sandvik Materials Technology.
Hightex, a designer of roofing and façade membranes based in Bernau am Chiemsee, Germany, required duplex materials for a specific part of the roof of the iconic Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho stadium in Maracanã, Brazil. The venue, just outside Rio de Janeiro, will also host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2016 Summer Olympics.
With a tight construction deadline to meet, Hightex opted for hollow bars made from Sanmac 2205 duplex stainless steel, chosen for the manufacturer’s good price and fast delivery. The grade is a machinability-improved version of Sandvik SAF 2205. The latter material accounts for more than 80% of applications of duplex stainless steel grades and is characterised by excellent machinability, high mechanical strength and good weldability.
“We wanted to find a supplier of duplex stainless steel that could deliver quickly but also at a competitive price. We selected Sandvik on that basis and they were able to deliver on time as promised,” explained Vladimir Renner, purchasing manager at Hightex.
Hightex required the duplex material for 60 cupolas, small light structures that encircle the highest point of the stadium’s roof and hold the radio cable girders in place. The cupolas must withstand extreme wind and rain pressures and handle a minimum loading of 220 kiloNewtons (kN), corresponding to approximately 22 metric tonnes.
Sanmac 2205 was used for the construction of the 60 cupolas, due in part to its capacity to handle pressures of 460 kN which provides the roof with a safety margin greater than 2. The grade’s superior welding properties enabled strong welding to another stainless steel, while other elements included glass fabric material coated with Teflon for the roof itself.
Sandvik was able to prioritise the production and delivery of 10,000 kilos of 80 x 60mm hollow bars. They were manufactured and then delivered to Hightex’s subcontractor in Poland, with prompt delivery that proved crucial to the project’s success and on time completion.
“We were the only supplier able to deliver within six weeks,” explained Dennis Ruh, Dusseldorf-based regional product manager, Sandvik Materials Technology. He added: “Sandvik is very proud to have provided its support, delivery and quality control to the Maracanã Stadium roof construction project. With the project completed successfully within schedule, visitors to the stadium can now enjoy the excitement of this year’s 2014 FIFA World Cup Final and look forward to the Summer Olympics in 2016.”
