WEST CHESTER, Ohio, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --AK Steel (NYSE: AKS) said today that it has received the 42nd Outstanding Author Award from the Galvanizers Association for a technical paper entitled "Furnace Atmosphere Monitoring at AK Steel Coating Lines." The award was presented at the association's annual meeting held in October in Louisville, Kentucky. The 2009 award marks the tenth time that the company has received the honor.

The award-winning paper highlights the importance of careful monitoring and control of thermal and atmospheric profiles within continuous coating line furnaces that are used in certain steel finishing processes. Hot-dip galvanizing and aluminizing processes require heating steel in a highly-controlled, hydrogen-containing atmosphere to prepare the steel for good adherence of coatings, such as zinc and aluminum. The coatings are applied for corrosion resistance in a variety of applications, primarily for automotive bodies, appliance and construction uses.

"AK Steel is proud to receive this important recognition," said James L. Wainscott, chairman, president and CEO of AK Steel. "The award is a testament to our talented and innovative research organization, as well as to AK Steel's long-standing commitment to excellence in steel research."

AK Steel research center associates Dr. Joyce Niedringhaus, Dr. Rob Comstock and Dr. Luis Garza authored the paper. Also contributing were AK Steel researchers Jeff Alder, Dr. Jerry Arnold, Sandi Gillum, Jeremy Hansman, Dr. Glenn Huppi, Bob Kelly and Dr. Farrell Kilbane. Dr. Niedringhaus presented the paper on behalf of AK Steel at a previous association meeting.

Founded in 1936, the Galvanizers Association is a worldwide organization with nearly 150 member companies. Members are producers of continuous galvanized iron, steel sheet and pipe products, along with their suppliers.

About AK Steel

AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steels, primarily for automotive, appliance, construction and electrical power generation and distribution markets. The company employs about 6,000 men and women in Middletown, Mansfield, Coshocton and Zanesville, Ohio; Butler, Pennsylvania; Ashland, Kentucky; Rockport, Indiana; and its corporate headquarters in West Chester, Ohio. Additional information about AK Steel is available on the company's web site at www.aksteel.com.

AK Tube LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of AK Steel, employs about 250 men and women in plants in Walbridge, Ohio and Columbus, Indiana. AK Tube produces carbon and stainless electric resistance welded (ERW) tubular steel products for truck, automotive and other markets. Additional information about AK Tube LLC is available on its web site at www.aktube.com.

SOURCE AK Steel

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