Nippon Kinzoku Strengthens Sales of "L・Core®" Functional Stainless Steel, Achieving High Conductivity with Surface Modification Technology, as an Eco-Product
Nippon Kinzoku Co., Ltd. is strengthening sales of "L・Core®," a functional stainless steel that achieves high conductivity while maintaining the inherent corrosion resistance of stainless steel through its unique surface modification technology. Positioned as an eco-product, it contributes to simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing environmental impact.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 17:30
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Nippon Kinzoku Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Yasushi Shimokawa; Securities Code: 5491) will strengthen sales of "L・Core®," a functional stainless steel that achieves extremely low contact resistance while maintaining the inherent corrosion resistance of stainless steel through its unique surface modification technology, positioning it as an environmentally friendly product, an "eco-product."
By utilizing this technology, which realizes the performance required for final products at the material stage, our company aims to contribute to our customers' process simplification and improvement in material yield, thereby reducing the environmental burden across the entire supply chain and realizing a carbon-neutral society.
*"L・Core" is a registered trademark of our company.
Figure 1 Structural Image
■ Background of Development: Making Stainless Steel Itself a "Highly Conductive" Material
Conventional stainless steel, while excellent in corrosion resistance due to its surface "passive film," had the property of being difficult to conduct electricity. For parts requiring conductivity, costly Ni (nickel) plating or the application of conductive tape was indispensable, making cost reduction a challenge. This product, "L・Core®," ensures high conductivity in the material itself by making the film conductive, thereby simplifying the process and simultaneously achieving significant cost reduction and environmental load reduction.
■ 1. Technical Features: Forming "Carrier Dopes (Electrical Pathways)" in the Passive Film
Through our unique surface treatment technology, "carrier dopes," which serve as electrical pathways, are formed within the passive film.
Compatibility of conductivity and corrosion resistance: The properties are modified without destroying the film. The inherent corrosion resistance of stainless steel is not impaired.
No post-processing required: Since the material itself has low resistance, it can be used as a conductive component without additional processes such as plating.
■ 2. Performance Data: Excellent Contact Resistance and High Long-Term Stability
"L・Core®" exhibits low contact resistance equivalent to semi-glossy Ni plating and maintains its performance even in harsh environments.
Low contact resistance: Achieves overwhelmingly lower resistance values compared to the base material (SUS304 BA material).
High reliability: Even after 2,700 hours in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment (60°C, 95%RH), almost no performance degradation is observed.
Figure 2 Comparison with base material (SUS304 BA material) and semi-glossy Ni plated material Figure 3 Contact electrical resistance after 2,700 hours at 95%RH, 60°C
■ 3. Benefits of Introduction: Cost Reduction and Quality Improvement
Compared to Ni-plated stainless steel, it demonstrates superiority in both cost and quality.
Figure 4 Comparison Table
■ 4. Product Specifications and Manufacturable Range
Applicable steel types: All austenitic stainless steels (e.g., SUS301, SUS304)
Plate thickness: 0.05mm to 0.30mm
Plate width: 200mm or less
Finish: Compatible with all finishes except TA (Tension Anneal)
■ 5. Application Examples
Smartphone chassis FPC LCD bezel connector
【Steel Strip Product Overview】
Our unique equipment group, accumulated with cold rolling know-how, and the industry-leading unique technology created from it, meet all customer needs.
Our website (Steel Strip Products):
https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/corporate/business/stainless-steel
● About the 11th Medium-Term Management Plan "NIPPON KINZOKU 2030"
Our company has set a vision of being a "Multi & Hybrid Material company that co-creates new value friendly to people and the earth." We will contribute widely to society by realizing the performance required for final products at the material stage through our unique rolling and composite molding technologies.
To achieve this vision, we are promoting product development based on the following three keywords:
"Multi & Hybrid Material": Utilization of diverse materials
"Near Net Shape": Forming and processing into shapes close to the final product
"Near Net Performance": Realization of product performance at the material level
Through these unique technologies, we will advance the transformation of our business structure with new technologies and new products as the core, flexibly responding to diversifying market needs.
Our website (Management Plan):
https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/investor-relations/strategies
Contact for this release
Nippon Kinzoku Co., Ltd. Legal & Public Relations Department
TEL: 03-5765-8104
https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/contact-other
Contact for this product and technical information
Nippon Kinzoku Co., Ltd. Sales Development Department
TEL: 03-5765-8110
https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/contact
By utilizing this technology, which realizes the performance required for final products at the material stage, our company aims to contribute to our customers' process simplification and improvement in material yield, thereby reducing the environmental burden across the entire supply chain and realizing a carbon-neutral society.
*"L・Core" is a registered trademark of our company.
Figure 1 Structural Image
■ Background of Development: Making Stainless Steel Itself a "Highly Conductive" Material
Conventional stainless steel, while excellent in corrosion resistance due to its surface "passive film," had the property of being difficult to conduct electricity. For parts requiring conductivity, costly Ni (nickel) plating or the application of conductive tape was indispensable, making cost reduction a challenge. This product, "L・Core®," ensures high conductivity in the material itself by making the film conductive, thereby simplifying the process and simultaneously achieving significant cost reduction and environmental load reduction.
■ 1. Technical Features: Forming "Carrier Dopes (Electrical Pathways)" in the Passive Film
Through our unique surface treatment technology, "carrier dopes," which serve as electrical pathways, are formed within the passive film.
Compatibility of conductivity and corrosion resistance: The properties are modified without destroying the film. The inherent corrosion resistance of stainless steel is not impaired.
No post-processing required: Since the material itself has low resistance, it can be used as a conductive component without additional processes such as plating.
■ 2. Performance Data: Excellent Contact Resistance and High Long-Term Stability
"L・Core®" exhibits low contact resistance equivalent to semi-glossy Ni plating and maintains its performance even in harsh environments.
Low contact resistance: Achieves overwhelmingly lower resistance values compared to the base material (SUS304 BA material).
High reliability: Even after 2,700 hours in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment (60°C, 95%RH), almost no performance degradation is observed.
Figure 2 Comparison with base material (SUS304 BA material) and semi-glossy Ni plated material Figure 3 Contact electrical resistance after 2,700 hours at 95%RH, 60°C
■ 3. Benefits of Introduction: Cost Reduction and Quality Improvement
Compared to Ni-plated stainless steel, it demonstrates superiority in both cost and quality.
Figure 4 Comparison Table
■ 4. Product Specifications and Manufacturable Range
Applicable steel types: All austenitic stainless steels (e.g., SUS301, SUS304)
Plate thickness: 0.05mm to 0.30mm
Plate width: 200mm or less
Finish: Compatible with all finishes except TA (Tension Anneal)
■ 5. Application Examples
Smartphone chassis FPC LCD bezel connector
【Steel Strip Product Overview】
Our unique equipment group, accumulated with cold rolling know-how, and the industry-leading unique technology created from it, meet all customer needs.
Our website (Steel Strip Products):
https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/corporate/business/stainless-steel
● About the 11th Medium-Term Management Plan "NIPPON KINZOKU 2030"
Our company has set a vision of being a "Multi & Hybrid Material company that co-creates new value friendly to people and the earth." We will contribute widely to society by realizing the performance required for final products at the material stage through our unique rolling and composite molding technologies.
To achieve this vision, we are promoting product development based on the following three keywords:
"Multi & Hybrid Material": Utilization of diverse materials
"Near Net Shape": Forming and processing into shapes close to the final product
"Near Net Performance": Realization of product performance at the material level
Through these unique technologies, we will advance the transformation of our business structure with new technologies and new products as the core, flexibly responding to diversifying market needs.
Our website (Management Plan):
https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/investor-relations/strategies
Contact for this release
Nippon Kinzoku Co., Ltd. Legal & Public Relations Department
TEL: 03-5765-8104
https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/contact-other
Contact for this product and technical information
Nippon Kinzoku Co., Ltd. Sales Development Department
TEL: 03-5765-8110
https://www.nipponkinzoku.co.jp/contact