Chapter 291: Chapter 287 White Steel
The laboratory expansion on Eagle’s Beak Cliff and other research facilities aren’t complete yet, but the scholars who have come to the Northern Territory aren’t idle.
Although they can’t initiate new research, they can assist the existing alchemists in the Northern Territory with their ongoing projects.
And after some research, these scholars did indeed come up with some unexpected findings.
"You created this? Go ahead and introduce it." Perfikot looked at one of the scholars facing the items on the table, waiting for his introduction.
The scholar called upon by Perfikot didn’t shy away and, with a tone of slight excitement, introduced Perfikot: "Count, this is a material we specifically developed for the unique environment of the Northern Territory, and we’ve named it White Steel."
This scholar somewhat wanted to show off and paused deliberately, seemingly anticipating Perfikot’s reaction.
"I don’t care what you call it; you could name it Divine Steel if you like. The key is what it can do." Perfikot didn’t like to have secrets kept from her, especially when someone tried to do it to her, so she hoped the other party would be direct and concise.
"I was about to introduce it to you. Simply put, White Steel is a cold-resistant material." Prompted by Perfikot, the scholar didn’t continue keeping secrets, and introduced directly: "Based on our tests, it can maintain its metallic properties at minus seventy degrees without losing its toughness due to low temperatures.
We believe this material can perform well in the Northern Territory since the winters here are extremely cold, and White Steel can better adapt to the extreme winter environment than ordinary steel."
Perfikot nodded slightly at this. If there is a metal material that can resist the cold, it is indeed good news for the Northern Territory.
However, her face didn’t show any expressions as she continued to ask the scholar: "Apart from being cold-resistant, does it have any other characteristics or advantages?"
If it’s merely cold-resistant, then White Steel’s value in Perfikot’s eyes is naturally quite limited.
Cold-resistant metal materials are important, but for Perfikot, who already has oil and is preparing to develop synthetic materials, it isn’t significant enough to warrant her attention.
Moreover, for Perfikot, improving metal formulas to resist the effects of the cold isn’t particularly difficult.
She just hasn’t had the time to do it, not that she couldn’t.
Now, someone has done it, and Perfikot is pleased, but if it is only at this level, her joy would naturally be limited.
Fortunately, the scholar in front of her quickly continued with his introduction, revealing a proud yet slightly self-satisfied look: "Of course, White Steel isn’t just cold-resistant.
According to our tests, White Steel’s hardness is about 10% higher than that of ordinary steel, whereas its toughness is 5% higher.
Additionally, in extreme low-temperature environments, White Steel has very low thermal conductivity and can serve as insulation, preventing heat loss due to fast metal conduction."
Hearing this, Perfikot finally showed a bit of interest and reached out to pick up the White Steel ingot from the table, weighing it in her hand before commenting: "Its weight is similar to ordinary steel, and if its thermal conductivity can indeed withstand severe cold and serve as insulation as you say, then this material is indeed quite good.
But what’s its cost? If the cost is too high or the production process is too complex, then this material would still seem pointless.
Currently, the Northern Territory needs new materials that can be widely applied, and the cost should be relatively low; sacrificing some performance is acceptable."
Perfikot clarified her requirements to the scholar and clearly stated her attitude.
Facing Perfikot’s demands, the scholar didn’t show any displeasure or other emotions.
Instead, he responded to Perfikot with greater confidence: "The smelting process of White Steel isn’t complex. We made minimal adjustments to the existing metallurgical techniques, merely adding some additives during the smelting process, converting ordinary steel into White Steel.
Regarding cost, the production of additives is currently the largest cost factor; however, according to our current technological level, the cost to produce a ton of White Steel is only about 5% higher than smelting a ton of ordinary steel, overall making it quite cost-effective."
Hearing this evaluation from the scholar, Perfikot’s lips twitched slightly; she didn’t consider a 5% price increase as cost-effective.
It should be noted that White Steel is meant to replace ordinary steel. If its performance is indeed as portrayed by the scholar, it will be widely and extensively used in all aspects of the Northern Territory, bringing about massive demand.
Under such circumstances, even 5%, let alone 0.5%, in the grand scheme of the Northern Territory is an undeniable number.
Although it isn’t particularly conspicuous, it will indeed increase the relevant expenditures of the Northern Territory.
Therefore, Perfikot isn’t satisfied with this number.
As her attitude changed, her eyebrows furrowed, which made the other scholars present feel anxious.
"Can the cost be reduced further?" Perfikot asked accordingly.
"Yes, but that would cause a noticeable decrease in the metallic performance of White Steel; we believe..." The scholar initially answered Perfikot’s question and then attempted to offer further explanation and reasoning.
However, Perfikot interrupted him directly: "Lower its production cost as much as possible; the performance loss can be accepted as a necessary trade-off, as long as its performance remains above 90% of ordinary steel and the price increases no more than 1%, this new material can be rolled out across the entire Northern Territory."
This requirement wasn’t extremely demanding to some extent, but facing the already clearly stated orders of Perfikot, no one dared to argue or defy her orders here.
On one hand, her power steadily increased, making it difficult for these scholars to stand up to the pressure she exerted.
On the other hand, Perfikot’s demands weren’t overly excessive—there might be some difficulty, but they weren’t considered unreasonable.
Thus, after Perfikot strongly issued her command, these scholars could only bow their heads and prepare to continue refining White Steel according to her requirements.
Seeing everyone understand her requirements, Perfikot finally nodded in satisfaction and returned to her laboratory.
As for the piece of White Steel, she casually shaped it into a Steam Knight figure as a small decoration.