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By Eduardo Spinelli Oliveira

Devido à possibilidade de se remover quantidades muito pequenas de material de cada vez, a ablação seletiva por laser tem se mostrado um método muito eficaz para remoção de finas camadas de materiais depositados sobre um substrato. Neste trabalho, um laser de femtossegundo foi utilizado para remoção de um filme fino de nitreto de titânio (TiN) depositado sobre um substrato de carboneto de tungstênio (WC), configuração comum em pastilhas de usinagem mecânica, objetivando fornecer um método eficiente para tal processo. Os limiares de ablação do filme e do substrato foram determinados, evidenciando a problemática do trabalho, remover um filme com limiar maior que o substrato. Um sistema de controle de espectrometria de emissão atômica induzida por laser (LIBS) foi testada, com a intenção de controlar em tempo real, a espécie do material ablacionado, mostrando-se muito eficiente. Os parâmetros do laser bem como da varredura de usinagem ainda estão sendo testados para definir a viabilidade do processo.

Aug 17, 2017

By Martin Chabicovsky, Milan Hnizdil

Emulsions are frequently used for the cooling and lubrication of working rolls during the cold rolling. The fact that the lubrication and cooling are not separable makes the optimization of both functionalities difficult. The higher emulsion temperature decreases the cooling efficiency compared to cold water. Heat transfer and fluid flow laboratory (Czech Republic), CRM (Belgium), Tata steel (Netherlands) and Henkel (Germany) cooperated on the increasing of a cooling efficiency during cold rolling. Part of this research was focused on an influence of the emulsion composition on a cooling intensity. The cooling efficiency was laboratory investigated. The stainless steel sample with thermocouple was heated and then it was cooled by a nozzle. Tests were performed with various emulsions and pure water. The heat transfer coefficient was computed from measured temperatures. The cooling intensity (heat transfer coefficient) of all tested emulsions was similar but an increase of the cooling intensity was found with water. Further various emulsions concentrations were tested. Results showed decreasing cooling intensity with increasing oil concentration. Adding additives therefore is thought to cause a noticeable decrease of the cooling intensity.

Oct 1, 2019

By Douglas Glenn Stalheim

Production of structural hot strip coils in yield strengths up to 700 MPa and higher is increasing worldwide. In addition to requiring higher strengths, structural designs require good formability, toughness and weldability. Toughness and formability come from optimization of ductility properties while weldability comes from lower carbon equivalent alloy designs. The key to the production of optimized cost effective hot strip produced structural coils is to create the correct balance of a proper alloy/processing design to create as fine and uniformly distributed cross sectional grain size as possible. In addition to the creation of the fine/uniformly distributed cross sectional grain size, the correct microstructure needs to be created. In the higher yield strength grades, not only does the grain size/distribution play a role but a proper understanding and control of microalloying precipitation kinetics is required. This paper will present various examples of hot strip alloy designs to produce cost effective hot strip structural coil in yield strengths up to 700 MPa with good ductility and weldability. In addition, steelmaking/casting parameters will be discussed to assure successful production. Optimized reheating, rolling and cooling parameters of these alloy designs will be introduced in an accompanying paper.

Aug 17, 2017

By Laurent Dorel, Sebastien Maillard, Afchine Nasserian, Jean-Paul Faure

Surface quality monitoring is primarily implemented in the last steps of steel manufacturing before shipment to the end user. However, an increasing trend for also addressing this topic in the upstream stages, such as hot rolling plant, is tackled by Primetals Technologies to give steel producers the key to a global optimized yield management, and efficient “lessons learned” processes. After the last developments of SIAS Next Gen platform, including High Resolution and Near Infra-Red, some site results will be exposed on the very specific high constraints lines such as ESP Endless Strip Production and Plate Mills, and highlights the related most interesting aspects for our customers.

Oct 1, 2019

By Tiago Ribeiro Costa

A Praxair é uma das três maiores empresas de gases industriais do mundo, com atuação em mais de 40 países e fortemente atuante na indústria siderúrgica. A Praxair possui experiência para fornecer produtos e serviços para todos os tipos de siderúrgica. Diversas tecnologias desenvolvidas pela Empresa, como o CoJet® (sistema para injeção de jato coerente de oxigênio em fornos elétricos e conversores), Slag Splashing (espalhamento de escória nas paredes de conversores, aumentando a vida útil dos refratários), AOD (processo para produção de aços especiais) e outros, encontram-se em operação comercial atualmente em diferentes partes do mundo. No Brasil, a PRAXAIR é a controladora da White Martins, maior empresa de gases industriais da América do Sul, presente em nove países do continente. Seu portfólio inclui gases atmosféricos, produção de gás carbônico, acetileno, hidrogênio, gases especiais e medicinais, misturas para soldagem, cilindros de aço sem costura, equipamentos para aplicação, transporte e armazenamento de gases. A empresa também opera uma unidade para liquefação de gás natural. Além de tecnologias e processos, a White Martins também pode fornecer soluções e equipamentos para medição, controle e injeção de gases, atendendo às rígidas normas de segurança e padrões de qualidade. O Objetivo deste trabalho é apresentar e discutir sobre a solução para o fornecimento de mistura para atmosfera de fornos de tratamento térmico através de um painel misturador de gases hidrogênio e nitrogênio. Será discutida a operação do equipamento e abordadas às características construtivas.

Jul 31, 2018

By Stephanie L. Kaster, John G. Speer, Blake M. Whitley

Niobium-microalloying technology has been increasingly applied in a wide range of steel applications over the past half-century, to increase strength, control microstructure, enhance properties and enable a variety of applications. To achieve desired performance levels, thermomechanically processed microalloyed steels are widely supplied by the steel industry for high volume applications in hot-rolled plate, sheet and structural steels. However, in steel long products and forgings, the final properties are often generated by downstream users, after heat-treatment, surface hardening, forging or wire drawing. Two examples are presented highlighting advancements associated with Nb-microalloying, to enhance microstructures and properties developed during thermomechanical and/or downstream processing. In the first example, a 0.02 wt. pct. Nb addition was made to a medium-carbon bar steel intended for induction-hardening applications requiring fatigue and fracture resistance in bending and torsion. The Nb addition as well as thermomechanical bar processing led to beneficial refinement of both the pre-induction and post-induction microstructures. In the second example, a 0.01 wt. pct. Nb addition to a high-carbon wire rod was found to refine the pearlite colony size and interlamellar spacing, and increase the hardness.

Oct 1, 2019

By Richard Harvey, Robert Paul Mawer

In recent times there has been an increase in the demand from Steel plants for a technology that offers the most economical environmentally sustainable solution. In terms of blast furnace off gas cleaning this has seen a drive towards Cyclone technology replacing the older Dustcatchers. Cyclone technology can achieve dust removal efficiencies as high as 95% increasing the dust yield at the primary stage of gas cleaning. The dry dust (rich in Fe and C) can then be recycled to the Sinter Plant or Blast Furnace. Capture of dust at this stage also has the benefit that sludge generation from the secondary stage is also reduced meaning less waste to landfill and / or recovery of some of the by-products for further use. Primetals Technologies already offer a state of the art Tri-Axial Cyclone installed on many sites world-wide, however, this paper focuses on a hybrid of this technology, the DustClone. The DustClone is a low CAPEX unit that is essentially a Cyclone housed inside the Dustcatcher. This unit is aimed at operators who may be carrying out smaller scaled shutdowns / repairs that normally have a reduced CAPEX. This paper describes the technology that Primetals Technologies have developed.

Oct 1, 2019

By Xihuai Gong, Hongshuang Di, Jianping Li, Ning Yan

In this work, we investigated the effect of the rolling process (warm-rolled or cold-rolled) on microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of 9Mn steel. After intercritical annealing at 670°C for 10min, both cold-rolled and warm-rolled microstructures are composed of ultra-fined austenite and intercritical ferrite. The austenite in warm-rolled sample includes two types of morphology, namely equiaxed and lamellar, which exhibits a wide distribution of grain-size. The incomplete recrystallization or recovery behavior of ferrite in warm-rolled and annealed sample results in higher yield strength and shorter yield point elongation. Moreover, the warm-rolled and annealed sample extends the TRIP-related work hardening over a broad strain range, resulting in a better combination of ultimate tensile strength and total elongation.

Oct 1, 2019

By Osvaldo Guilherme Comineli

While the hot cracking of Cu-containing steels is a serious and widely known problem for the industry, the literature reports that copper only slightly impairs the hot-ductility measured in laboratory. A distinction is drawn between hot ductility and hot shortness and the respective cracking operating mechanism involved at the respective range of temperature. The representability of the laboratory assessment of hot cracking of Cu-containing steels by hot tensile tests compared with actual results in industrial practice is discussed. The effectiveness of the variable affecting in each cracking mechanism and respective temperature range, focused in improving the hot cracking assessment of Cu-steels and the relative importance of oxidation will also be discussed. It is concluded that the hot tensile test in argon might be a good simulation if properly interpreted and that the role of oxidation is secondary in causing hot shortness. A schematic diagram for the hot tensile test is proposed.

Oct 30, 2017

By Arnaldo Forgas Júnior

Three techniques for ferrite quantification were applied in a duplex stainless steel UNS S31803 solution treated at three different temperatures, 1000, 1100 and 1200°C, in order to verify their compliance with the results from ThermoCalc® prediction. It is verified that only austenite and ferrite phases are present in the samples and that an increasing in solution treatment temperature led to the increase of the volume fraction of ferrite. It is also observed that quantitative stereology technique shows absolute values closer to ThermoCalc® predictions. On the other hand, measurements by ferritoscope and XRD show significant deviations, probably due to texturing effect imposed by the rolling process.

Aug 16, 2017

By Susanne Hahn

The Siemens VAI software model DynaPhase calculates thermodynamic properties depending on the chemical analysis of steel. It can be used online together with Siemens VAI’s secondary cooling model SIMETAL Dynacs 3D which is a unique feature. Offline it can be used to investigate the thermodynamic properties of steel grades and therefore supports the development of new grades. The core of DynaPhase is a substitutional solution model for the Gibbs free energy to calculate multi-component phase diagrams. The parameters of this model are determined by employing the CALPHAD approach. This model is combined with a microsegregation model to account for the interdendritic solidification process. New DSC (differential scanning calometry) measurements of the department of metallurgy of the Mining University of Leoben have been used to improve the DynaPhase database for high Al or Si concentrations. By comparing this experimental data to calculations it has been found that some of the widely used commercial software tools do not describe the ternary system FeAlC for high aluminum concentration correctly. In this paper we will show how thermal properties of high Al grades change with the optimized database and what impact this has on the secondary cooling of continuous casting, e.g. how the solidus point shifts on the strand. Moreover we will show that the online use of DynaPhase has many advantages for the production. Since DynaPhase uses the actual chemical analysis of the steel grade and not just concentration ranges or averaged concentrations it is possible to optimize the cooling strategy during casting for the actual chemical analysis of the actual heat.

Jul 30, 2018

By Marcelo Rebellato, Beatriz Pereda, Beatriz Lopez, Pello Uranga

The classical application of Nb microalloying in the development of thermomechanical processes for flat products has been related to its suitability to enhance strain-induced precipitation and get a pancaked austenite prior to transformation. As new steel grades or new lay-outs are being developed, more complex metallurgical conditions need to be evaluated. In this context, Nb microalloying, alone or combined with other microadditions, needs to intervene in a more controlled way in additional steps of the thermomechanical process, besides its conventional strain-induced precipitation role. For example, the hardenability enhancement associated with Nb to properly achieve lower temperature transformation products, demands a proper balance of the Nb amount precipitated during rolling and the one remaining in solid solution. Similar effects are also sought when the final available Nb is used to increase strength through precipitation hardening. This manuscript evaluates how changes in the rolling strategies affect the interaction between Nb(C,N) precipitation and austenite recrystallization at different steps of the rolling process. As the possible interactions between parameters intervening simultaneously are quite complex, the application of microstructural models helps to properly define the best austenite conditioning combined with the convenient amount of Nb in solution, as a function of the final property requirements. Along the manuscript, several strategies will be discussed for the case of hot rolling of flat products comparing both normal and coarse initial austenite grain sizes.

Oct 1, 2019

By Ananda Moreira Vaz Ourique de Avila

High and intermediate temperature fuel cells (FC) are power generators characterized by high efficiency and their use in cogeneration systems. The single fuel cells are connected in series by the use of interconnects to form a fuel cell stack. Ferritic stainless steels have been used in the making of high and intermediate temperature operation solid oxide fuel cells interconnects. However, at high temperatures, on the order of 700-8500C, these steels can present significant oxidation and degradation processes, promoting increased electrical resistivity and corrosion losses that result in contamination of the electrodes and reducing the performance and the useful life of the FC. Intensive R&D activities have been made to minimize these problems and the use of composite coatings on metallic substrate has been considered. This paper evaluates the use of coatings of copper and nickel, with particles of La2O3, Y2O3, CeO2, LaCrO3 and doped chromites applied on ferritic stainless steels AISI 430, AISI 441 and Crofer22APU produced by electrodeposition. The produced samples were evaluated by microscopy techniques, gravimetric analysis and by electrothermal characterization. The most significant results were obtained with chromites coatings (LaCrO3 pure, mono- and multiple-doped) showing the combination of the best features of metal coatings, substrates and ceramic particles with semiconductor properties.

Aug 7, 2018

By Werner Klein

The Production Management solution (Level 3) covers TYASA’s existing steel making plant, billet caster and new Castrip based coil production line in Ixtaczoquitlan, Mexico. It steers the order based production utilizing product routing information and corresponding process instructions for the individual processing units. A seamless material tracking along the entire production route from heat creation in the electric arc furnace down to the final coil product provides TYASA with the genealogy information customers require for flat products. At each important process step the Level 3 compares actual quality related production results with order requirements. In case of deviations from ordered quality the plant staff is guided by rule based dispositions. The highly configurable solution supports customer to operate its production plant as a smart factory in the sense of industry 4.0.

Oct 30, 2017

By Dusan Ilic

Conveyor system wear of belts and transfers attribute to a significant proportion of the maintenance costs and lost productive hours when handling hard abrasive ores at high unit rates typical of the iron ore industry. The recent growth phase has seen a rapid increase in mine and export capacity, with many new and upgraded plants operating at high throughput and utilisation. Subsequently, the industry has progressed to an optimisation phase, seeking to maximise production capacity and reduce maintenance costs with minimal capital spend. To support this, a programme of modifying designs was executed to improve conveyor transfer chute and belt life, which identified a need to challenge the industry practice for specification of designs to improve the functionality of the installed equipment. While acknowledging the importance of selecting the highest wear resistant materials for the intended application, this paper investigates design criteria related to decreasing conveyor transfer and belt wear. Of focus is a shift in the manner in which designs are specified, from specifications primarily governing geometrical constraints, to those meeting technical and functional requirements aimed at producing optimum geometry for a given set of material handling parameters. An assessment of transfer design criteria is presented.

Aug 17, 2017

By Saul Garcia Hernandez

The research work objective is to study a new ladle shroud internal design to reduce the slag emulsification in the tundish during ladle transient periods. A 3D mathematical model of the tundish was created to solve the fundamental equations, a turbulence model, and a multiphase model. The results show that using a conventional ladle shroud, the fluid is delivered with an excessive amount of kinetic energy being dissipated inside the tundish bath, generating strong mixing flow patterns and entrapping a massive amount of slag. In the other hand, the proposed ladle shroud dissipates the kinetic energy before the fluid enters the tundish promoting less intense mixing patterns; thus, the amount of slag emulsification is reduced significantly. Consequently, if the internal design of the ladle shroud is able to dissipate the kinetic energy before the fluid enters the tundish, it shall be possible to reduce considerable the slag emulsification and the slag opening area.

Aug 17, 2017

By Dong Maolin

A great amount of high temperature off-gas, whose maximum temperature is up to 2100?, is generated during the smelting process of electric arc furnace (EAF). The dust content, which is mainly iron oxide, of the off-gas is high and worthy of industrial recovery. The heat carried by the high temperature off-gas with dust is about 11% of the total energy input of EAF, and some even is as high as 20%. The high-temperature off-gas not only takes away a lot of heat but also places a huge burden to de-dusting system of EAF. It not only reduces the iron oxide dust recovery ratio, but also causes serious pollution problems. With the development of the iron and steel industry, the proportion of molten iron for EAF gradually increases, and even more than 30% in some cases. The increase of molten iron causes increases in the amount of EAF off-gas and heat waste. As a result the problem of dust removal is worsening [1-2]. How to sufficiently recover the sensible heat of the high temperature off-gas, create conditions for efficient dust removal, thus reduce operating costs of dust removal system and the production costs is a problem which EAF steel making companies must pay attention to.

Oct 30, 2017

By Diego Pinheiro Aun

Neste trabalho, foi investigada a influência da textura de fitas de NiTi superelástico no início do processo de cristalização de um revestimento de TiO2 flexível. Foram utilizadas a calorimetria diferencial, cartografia Raman e difração de raios X para o estudo. Foi mostrado que existe uma influência significativa da textura do substrato no crescimento de grãos de anatase e rutila no filme de TiO2. Amostras com menor rugosidade apresentaram grãos mais desenvolvidos para todas as temperaturas de cristalização. Mostrou-se também que o substrato de NiTi promoveu a formação de TiO2 rutila em temperaturas abaixo daquelas observadas para a cristalização de pós.

Aug 16, 2017

By Franz Reufer

At Rogesa in Dillingen, Germany, a joint venture company of AG der Dillinger Hüttenwerke and Saarstahl AG and at Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH in Salzgitter the sinterplants are equipped with the Paul Wurth EFA™ process for the final sinterplant off-gas cleaning. In Dillingen two and in Salzgitter one EFA™ plant are in operation at the respective sinterplants to comply with the very stringent environmental rules prevailing in Germany according to the German Clean Air Act called “TA Luft”. The main target is to eliminate or reduce emissions like dust, sulfur components, dioxins/furans and others in the sinter process off-gas. Since 2006 and 2011 the two EFA™ plant are in operation at Rogesa while the EFA™ plant in Salzgitter was also commissioned in 2011. These installations significantly contribute to the improvement of the emission situation of the Dillingen and Salzgitter Works. The EFA™ technology is the state-of-the-art process for such kind of application in terms of additive and energy consumption, reliability and availability. The report gives an overview of the EFA™ process and the performance results of the Dillingen and Salzgitter plant.

Aug 1, 2018

By Levi de Oliveira Bueno

Constant stress testing was used for characterization of creep behavior of a 1Cr0.5Mo steel plate in the virgin condition. The tests were performed on creep machines equipped with Andrade-Chalmers type profiles, high sensitivity SLVC transducer extensometry, high stability temperature controllers, and facilities for monitoring the creep curves with an automatic data logging system. Ten creep machines of this type were used in this research, in an experimental work that lasted for one year. Three temperature levels were selected: 538, 565 and 593°C, with stress in the range from 69 to 258 MPa producing rupture times varying from 8 to about 4908 h. The creep curves were all followed with great scrutiny using data logger scanning rates which enabled storing thousands of readings in each case. The experimental analysis involved measurements of minimum creep rate, rupture time and final elongation at rupture. The data were analyzed according to the classical phenomenological / physical relations (Norton, Arrhenius, Zenner-Hollomon, Monkman-Grant) and also considering five traditional parameterization methodologies (Larson-Miller, Orr-Sherby-Dorn, Goldhoff-Sherby, Manson- Haferd and Manson-Succop). Comparisons are presented among the possibilities of data extrapolation from five different methodologies. Comparison is also made with creep results mentioned in literature for the same material in the virgin condition.

Aug 16, 2017