Breakout of a slab as the result of changes in the thermophysical properties of continuously cast steel

The so‐called secondary cooling zone is an important part of the continuous casting machine. In this zone, a breakout may occur because of an increase of the local and temperature heterogeneity of steel, resulting from an increase of the stress caused by bending of the slab and by high local concentration of nonmetallic slag inclusions. Changes of the chemical composition of steel during continuous casting are particularly dangerous. In the event that two melts are cast one after another, that is, if the melt of steel with chemical composition A ends and is immediately followed by the steel B, it may automatically stop the continuous casting machine, and an atypical breakout may take place. It has happened during continuous casting of the slab, 250 × 1530 mm in the area of straightening, 20 min after flying change of tundish. In the present paper, by employing the dimensional analysis, eight dimensionless numbers are derived. If the values of these dimensionless numbers for two followed steels significantly differ, the atypical breakout may take place.     

Mechanisms of inclusion formation in low alloy steels deoxidised with titanium

Abstract

In the present investigation, the conditions for inclusion formation in two Ti deoxidised steels and one Al–Ca deoxidised steel have been examined by means of optical and electron microscopy, in combination with a thermo dynamic analysis of the phase relations involved. It is concluded that the Ti containing inclusions form as a result of a series of reactions occurring in the ladle, during solidification and in the solid state. The important solid state reaction products are MnS, TiN, and MnOTiO₂ . The presence of Mn rich compounds at the surface of the inclusions is consistent with the observation of a Mn depleted zone in the surrounding steel matrix. In contrast, the primary inclusions in the Al–Ca deoxidised steel are complex oxysulphides, which are thermodynamically more stable and can therefore form in the liquid state.     

Investigation of nonmetallic inclusions in continuously cast carbon steel by dissolution of the ferritic matrix

One of the main steel plant's problems has been the occurrence of inclusions throughout the process of steel making. In this sense, it is very important to detect nonmetallic inclusions in the steel, to determine their origin and to control the formation of such inclusions, in order to generate a final product of high quality. The aim of this work is to present a characterization method for nonmetallic inclusions which uses the expedient of dissolving the ferritic matrix in hydrochloric acid (HCl). Scanning electron microscopy connected to an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) system is used to obtain the morphology, size and chemical composition of such inclusions. This analysis allows a better understanding about the nature of the inclusions, their incidence and distribution along the process of steel manufacturing, providing subsidies to formulate corrective actions that minimize the occurrence of nonmetallic inclusions.     

Improved fracture toughness of ultrahigh strength steel through control of non-metallic inclusions

In recent years, ultrahigh-strength steels, which can be employed successfully at yield strengths of 1400 MPa or higher, have been used increasingly for critical structural applications in aircraft and aerospace vehicles. Most recently, there has been increased demand, however, for ultrahigh-strength steel with superior plane-strain fracture toughness, K _IC, and for the steels suitable for large-sized structural applications; isotropy regarding the property has especially been required. One potential solution to this problem is to control nonmetallic inclusions of the steels. This review concentrates on recent topics concerning improved K _IC of ultrahigh-strength steels, i.e. low-alloy and highly alloyed secondary hardening steels, through control of non-metallic inclusions. The major factors controlling the property are discussed for each of the techniques.     

Effect of Nonmetallic Inclusions on the Mechanical Properties of Hydrogenated Steels

We have studied intermediate-alloy Ni-Cu-Mo-V steel of open-hearth and converter (more pure as to nonmetallic inclusions) melting. In the case of middle hydrogen concentrations (up to 5 cm³ per 100 g), the strength characteristics, plasticity, and fracture energy of transverse and vertical specimens of converter steel decrease less than those for open-hearth steel. For higher hydrogen concentrations, the characteristics of steel become very low and almost identical for both materials. Under loading, cracks are initiated on nonmetallic inclusions; in hydrogenated steel, they propagate along the shortest path from one inclusion to another, without involving significant volumes of the specimen in plastic deformation. We have established that nonmetallic inclusions accelerate crack initiation under conditions of corrosion in pipe steels in the course of operation of pipelines.__________Translated from Fizyko-Khimichna Mekhanika Materialiv, Vol. 40, No. 6, pp. 115–119, November–December, 2004.     

Melting and crystallization of nonmetallic inclusions and steel matrix in the course of laser treatment

We have studied the mechanism of melting and crystallization of nonmetallic inclusions in contact with steel matrix in the course of laser action. On the example of 08kp, 08Yu, and 60G steels, we have shown that laser action represents a method for local change in the structure of inclusions in surface fused layers as well as in the properties of surface of nonmetallic inclusions.     

Influence of refining time on nonmetallic inclusions in a low-carbon, silicon-killed steel

Nonmetallic inclusions are harmful to the mechanical properties of every kind of steel produced worldwide. The greater the size of the inclusion present in the structure of a determined kind of steel, the greater its negative effect on the quality of the steel. Therefore, the objective of this work was to investigate the size, the quantity, the shape and the chemical composition of nonmetallic inclusions formed throughout the refining process of silicon-killed, low-carbon steel, as a function of the treatment time in a ladle furnace, trying to ensure the flotation of inclusions bigger than 25 μm. This investigation was carried out using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), with an analysis system using energy dispersive spectometry (EDS). Based on this work, it was possible to know more precisely the nature of the inclusions, the necessary time to ensure flotation of large inclusions, the efficiency of the slag to capture the inclusions, and the inclusion level of the steel throughout its refining process to try to obtain a higher quality steel product.     

钢中非金属夹杂物的鉴定

根据钢中非金属夹杂物的来源和分类,综述了鉴定钢中非金属夹杂物的方法和定量评级标准,并且给出了典型夹杂物的扫描电镜照片,分析了不同类型夹杂物的形成机理及其在光学显微镜下的基本特征.     

Hot ductility of directly cast C–Mn–Nb–Al steel

Abstract

Tensile samples of a C–Mn–Nb–Al steel (BS 4360: 50D grade) have been cast in situ and either directly tested in the temperature range 850–1200°C, or were allowed to cool through the transformation, re–solution treated, and then tested in the same temperature range. The hot ductility of the directly tested cast material was found to be superior to that of the reheated material. Carbon extraction replicas taken close to the fracture surfaces showed large differences in the distribution of sulphide inclusions and NbCN precipitates along the γ boundaries. The directly cast material had sulphide inclusions and NbCN precipitates present in the form of coarse particles situated close to the interdendritic boundaries. A significant proportion of these coarse sulphide inclusions and NbCN eutectics, produced during solidification, redissolved on reheating at 1330°C, and subsequently precipitated in a much finer form at the γ grain boundaries, reducing hot ductility. It appears likely that the very marked segregation which occurred during solidification enhanced the interdendritic regions with sulphur to such an extent that the sulphideformed was (Mn, Fe)S, which in gradually changing to the equilibrium precipitate, depleted the surrounding matrix of manganese. The low manganese level accompanying these inclusions allowed a greater degree of solution of the sulphides to occur on reheating and accounted for the subsequent fine precipitation at the boundaries.

MST/361     

Prevention of Scum Formation and Entrapment in High Carbon Steel Billets

Gradual build-up of scum over the liquid steel surface in the mould gives rise to entrapped exogenous inclusions and slag patch in the cast billets. The problem is more commonly observed during the open stream casting of continuous casting of high carbon (C > 0.6 mass%) steel billets. This problem has been quite commonly observed at Tata Steel during its billet casting. Present work aimed at eliminating the problem of scum formation during open stream billet casting of high carbon steel billets. This work involved experiments in the laboratory as well as in the plant. In addition, based on liquid steel composition thermodynamic calculations were carried out for predicting the possible oxide inclusions in Mn-Si deoxidised steels. Water model experiments were carried out in a full-scale billet caster physical model for investigating the influence of tundish outlet nozzle alignment on the entrapment of scum as slag patch over the billet surface. Based on these, cause of scum formation and its exact mechanism of entrapment in cast billets were established. Finally, countermeasures were recommended to the plant. Adequacy of the proposed countermeasures was established through a series of trials in the plant before implementation. Improvement obtained from the implementation over a period of time has been reported in the paper.

     

The effect of sulfur on the fracture of CrNiMoS steel at low temperatures

Sulfur, whose solubility in ferrite at room and subzero temperatures is low, is present in steel in the form of nonmetallic inclusions (sulfides and oxysulfides), the type and nature of which are determined by the final deoxidizing treatment. The nature and quantity of nonmetallic inclusions have a marked effect on such mechanical properties of steel as, , anda _i [1–3].     

Investigation of the chemical composition of nonmetallic inclusions utilizing ternary phase diagrams

Nonmetallic inclusions are normally present in steel products, as they originate from reactions that occur during the steelmaking process. Inclusions, which consist of stable nonmetallic phases depending on their chemical composition, can strongly affect the final quality of the metallurgical product. In this sense, the influence of inclusions in the steel is determined by their chemical composition. The aim of this work is to present the evolution of the chemical composition of nonmetallic inclusions utilizing ternary phase diagrams by means of the analysis of steel samples collected during the steel (aluminum-killed steel, SAE 1015) manufacturing process. A computational program was developed to furnish the positions of the inclusions on appropriate ternary phase diagrams by using as input data the chemical composition of the inclusions, determined with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) connected to an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS).     

Investigation of microstructure and mechanical properties of steel fibre–cast iron composites

Abstract

The aim of the present experimental study was to investigate improvement of the toughness and strength of grey cast iron by reinforcing with steel fibres. The carbon content of the steel fibres was chosen to be sufficiently low that graphite flakes behaving as cracks were removed by carbon diffusion from the cast iron to the steel fibres during the solidification and cooling stages. To produce a graphite free matrix, steel fibres with optimum carbon content were used and the reinforced composite structure was cast under controlled casting conditions and fibre orientation. Three point bend test specimens were manufactured from steel fibre reinforced and unreinforced flake graphite cast iron and then normalising heat treatments were applied to the specimens at temperatures of 800 and 850°C. The fracture toughness and strength properties of the steel fibre reinforced material were found to be much better than those of unreinforced cast iron. The microstructures of the composite at the fibre–matrix transition zone were examined.     

冷轧镀锌板表面缺陷分析

采用宏、微观检验、扫描电镜观察和能谱分析等方法对冷轧和镀锌钢板表面缺陷进行分析。结果表明：夹层状和短细线状表面缺陷属于夹杂类缺陷,长细线状表面缺陷则源于板坯纵向裂纹。产生表面夹杂和裂纹缺陷的主要原因与钢液质量和连铸坯质量有关。     

Geometry dependent ductile to brittle transition of 10CrMoNbV ferritic–martensitic steel Manet II in terms of critical crack sizes

Abstract

The 10CrMoNbV Manet II cast has been selected as the reference ferritic–martensitic steel in the framework of the European Fusion Technology Programme. Charpy impact tests have been carried out in the ductile to brittle transition temperature range of this steel, such that a dynamic quasi-equilibrium has been achieved in the process zones of investigated specimens before brittle failure. This type of testing enables the evaluation of dynamic Weibull moduli and, consequently, dynamic Weibull master curves. Thus, Weibull parameters have been calculated for normal size and subsize Charpy impact specimens. The evaluated, geometry dependent dynamic Weibull master curves facilitate computation of the failure probability densities of the investigated steels as functions of scaled critical crack sizes or scaled initial defect sizes.     

氧化物冶金技术及其应用

氧化物冶金是利用钢中细小非金属夹杂物诱导晶内铁素体形核细化晶粒的新技术,应用氧化物冶金技术已成功开发出了高强度高韧性的非调质钢和低碳钢.讨论了氧化物冶金型钢的显微组织特征,分析了氧化物冶金型钢中非金属夹杂物的性质和晶内铁素体的形核机理,简述了氧化物冶金技术的应用.     

Formation of sulphide 'patches' on inclusions in C – Mn steel weld metal

Abstract

Following earlier observations indicating that sulphide coatings can form on inclusion surfaces in a C – Mn steel weld metal when cooled from high temperature, experiments have been carried out to examine the effects of cooling rate on the nature of sulphide precipitation on inclusions when cooled through the austenite range. It is found that fast cooling rates give thin films whereas slow rates produce thick films or 'patches'. The increase in film thickness is assessed in terms of the S/Mn ratio as measured by EDX.     

Effect of nonmetallic inclusions on properties of cast steel

The result's of a study of the effect of nonmetallic inclusions on physicochemical and electrochemical properties of steel 45L are reported. A new (linear) method of determining the content of nonmetallic inclusions in steel, which makes it possible to determine also the shape of inclusions, was used.     

Precipitation and hot ductility of low C-V and low C-V-Nb microalloyed steels during thin slab casting

Abstract

The as cast hot ductility of low C-V, low C-V-Nb, and niobium microalloyed steels has been investigated using in situ melted tensile specimens, which were subjected to cooling rates and strain rates found typically in thin slab casting. Stress relaxation tests were performed on in situ melted specimens to monitor the kinetics of strain induced precipitation in the above steels. Although the addition of niobium to low C-V and low C-V-N steels increased the temperature at which ductility began to deteriorate, ductility was improved in the low temperature region of the austenite. This was attributed to a delay in NbVC,N precipitation in V-Nb steels. Increasing the nitrogen content did not influence the temperature at the onset of ductility loss in low C-V and low C-V-Nb steels, but did increase the temperature marking the onset of the ductility trough. Faster cooling rates led to a deterioration of ductility in low C-V-N and low C-V-Nb-N steels. The as cast ductility of low C-V and low C-V-Nb steels was superior to that as of cast peritectic C-Nb steel as well as reheated peritectic C-V and peritectic C-V-Nb steels.     

Effect of nonmetallic inclusions on crack propagation in steel 45L

The effect of nonmetallic inclusions on the character of crack propagation in deformed steel 45L specimens was investigated. The optimum shape of nonmetallic inclusions ensuring a high resistance to crack propagation, i.e., a high resistance of steel to brittle fracture at subzero temperatures, was established.