SM Steel to Supply S31254 Stainless Steel Plate for Antony Gormley’s Artwork in South Korea
SM Steel, a leading manufacturer specializing in stainless steel plates and cold-rolled sheets, has been selected to supply high-performance stainless steel plates (S31254 grade) for a monumental art installation by world-renowned sculptor Antony Gormley, set to be placed in the coastal waters of Bigeumdo, part of Korea’s Shinan Art Island Project.
On July 22, SM Steel announced that it will provide S31254 stainless steel plates for the large-scale sculpture, a project promoted by Shinan County as part of its cultural strategy to combat rural depopulation by transforming its islands into cultural destinations, each with its own museum.
The S31254 plates, produced using POSCO’s raw materials and finished at SM Steel’s Gunsan plant, are part of the super austenitic stainless steel family, known for exceptional resistance to saltwater corrosion, wear, and harsh environments. Despite its excellent properties, the material is notoriously difficult to process. However, SM Steel has leveraged its advanced leveling and surface treatment technology to ensure stable, high-quality supply.
Gormley, known for his large-scale public sculptures around the world, personally visited the Gunsan plant—not once, but twice—expressing his satisfaction and appreciation for SM Steel and POSCO’s commitment to excellence. The artist emphasized the importance of maintaining quality until the completion of the project.
S31254 stainless steel, with over 6% molybdenum content, is widely used in marine cooling systems, desulfurization facilities, oil & gas pipelines, and bleaching equipment in pulp mills—applications where resistance to pitting and stress corrosion is critical. This makes it an ideal choice for an outdoor sculpture constantly exposed to sea air and saltwater.
SM Steel’s role in this prestigious international art project is also a testament to its successful expansion into the specialty stainless steel market, having already supplied over 200 tons of S31254 plates in collaboration with POSCO.
“This project showcases the perfect synergy between POSCO’s advanced raw material technology and SM Steel’s superior processing capabilities,” said an SM Steel official. “Once completed, the sculpture will become a global symbol of Korean steel technology contributing to contemporary art.”
Jamie JUNG, head of the Stainless Steel Business Division at SM Steel, stated: “This project marks a successful fusion of industry and art. It highlights Korea’s materials engineering in a world-class context. Going forward, we aim to expand further into the duplex, heat-resistant, and nickel alloy segments and meet certification requirements such as NORSOK, supporting Korea’s competitiveness in advanced manufacturing.”
<Photo 1> S31254 Stainless Steel Plate
<Photo 2> Transportation of S31254 Stainless Steel Plate