Production of high-manganese steel in arc furnaces. Part 2

Metallographic data are presented for manganese steel before and after ladle treatment—specifically, treatment with calcium–strontium carbonate or argon injection in the ladle or both. Quantitative analysis of the nonmetallic inclusions is undertaken. The position of the inclusions relative to the grain boundaries is determined. Electron microscopy permits detailed study of the composition and form of the inclusions that appear during ladle treatment and without such treatment. The influence of various types of ladle treatment on the impact strength of manganese steel is discussed. Alloying of the manganese steel with vanadium is considered. Practical data regarding the influence of alloying with vanadium on the impact strength of the manganese steel are presented.     

Improving the production of pipe steel

Melts of pipe steel (strength class K52) obtained at the casting and rolling complex of AO OMK (a branch of AO OMK-Stal’) are analyzed. The initial data correspond to a set of 30 melts. The production system includes batch preparation, steel production in an arc furnace, treatment in a ladle–furnace unit, vacuum treatment (with microalloying and modification), hot rolling, and cutting of the rolled steel into sheet and strip. The basic factors affecting steel quality are identified. The rejection of the steel produced is mainly due to brittle and undeformable nonmetallic silicate inclusions. Changes in the process so as to reduce the content of nonmetallic silicate inclusions are recommended.     

Optimizing the production of steel with reduction by aluminum,in casting and rolling systems

Data on the metallurgical defects in pipe show that they may be due to nonmetallic oxide inclusions. Analysis of the formation of oxide inclusions from smelting to the continuous casting of steel shows that, in order to reduce the incidence of such defects, additional measures must be taken in the smelting and ladle treatment of the steel. Such measures reduce the content of oxide inclusions in the steel by half. The benefits of this approach are confirmed by the reduced rejection rate of the pipe on account of defects associated with the presence of nonmetallic inclusions.     

钢包内衬用耐火材料对钢中非金属夹杂物的影响

 炉外精炼是炼钢流程中控制钢中非金属夹杂物的重要转折点,作为整个精炼过程中与钢液实时接触的钢包内衬用耐火材料,因为高温物理化学反应易向钢中引入夹杂物,导致精炼效果达不到预期。通过对典型现役钢包内衬用耐火材料与不同脱氧钢之间的界面反应归纳发现,钢包内衬用耐火材料会对钢中夹杂物的形貌、成分和理化性能产生影响,既可向钢中引入夹杂物,也能够吸附去除夹杂物。提出未来钢包内衬用耐火材料应被赋予更多净化钢液等功能指标的发展方向。     

Nonmetallic inclusions in vacuum-treated austenitic stainless steel

The nonmetallic phase in 08X18H10T and 03X18H10 vacuum-treated austenitic stainless steel is investigated by means of a scanning electron microscope. The composition of the nonmetallic inclusions in cast samples of metal from the casting ladle, the vacuum unit, and the continuous-casting machine and samples of cold-rolled sheet (thickness 1.2 mm) is studied. In 08X18H10T steel samples from the tundish of the continuous-casting machine, the nonmetallic phase consists mainly of titanium-nitride aggregations, the crystals of which contain oxides of aluminum and titanium; a few of the nonmetallic inclusions are small globules with a titanium-oxide shell. In cold-rolled sheet, the nonmetallic inclusions are distributed over the whole cross section and consist of small (5–6 μm) crystals of titanium nitrides. Cast samples of 03X18H10 austenitic titanium-free steel are relatively free of nonmetallic inclusions. The nonmetallic phase consists mainly of small inclusions of alumocalcium silicate. In cold-rolled sheet (thickness 1.2 mm), the nonmetallic phase consists of a few very small globules (2–3 μm). The results are compared with the composition of the nonmetallic phase in analogous steel with no vacuum treatment.     

Optimizing the technology for making automobile sheet 08Yu based on the physicochemical principles of ladle metallurgy

The main method of eliminating the possibility of having the steel contaminated by nonmetallic inclusions is optimizing the parameters of the ladle treatment on the basis of reliable physicochemical representations of the processes of refining, alloy, and finishing of the steel, the interactions of the metal and slag phases, and other aspects of ladle metallurgy. This article examines the main steps being taken in this direction at the Cherepovets Metallurgical Combine Severstal’ in the production of high-quality automobile sheet 08Yu. __________ Translated from Metallurg, No. 8, pp. 58–65, August, 2007.     

包中吹Ar可提高铸钢件质量

铸钢件钢水经包中吹Ar处理，可减少钢中[O][H][N]，提高钢液的清洁度，减少钢中非金属夹杂物，降低大颗粒夹杂，夹渣的数量。     

The Role of Nonmetallic Inclusions in Accelerating the Local Corrosion of Metal Products Made of Plain-Carbon and Low-Alloy Steels

Using the principles of physicochemical modeling to describe the deoxidation and desulfurization of steel in the ladle and interactions between the metallic and slag phases with allowance for features of the equipment in use at specific plants, the paper shows that it is possible to quickly optimize the parameters of out-of-furnace treatments of the steel without losing productivity. The optimum parameters make it possible to fully realize all of the main advantages of such treatments: further refining of the steel, modification of the nonmetallic inclusions, guaranteeing that the steel will be clean in terms of the presence of corrosion-active nonmetallic inclusions, and, thus, ensuring that the steel will be resistant to local corrosion.__________Translated from Metallurg, No. 4, pp. 58–61, April, 2005.     

Study of the Effect of Process Parameters in Steel Production on the Content of Corrosion-Active Nonmetallic Inclusions in Corrosion-Resistant Pipes

The main reason for the accelerated local corrosion of tubes is contamination of the steel by corrosion-active nonmetallic inclusions (CANI), which determine the metallurgical properties of tube steel in terms of their corrosion resistance. Studies have shown that there are two main types of corrosion-active nonmetallic inclusions: CANI₁ — inclusions based on calcium aluminates; CANI₂ — complex inclusions that contain calcium sulfide. In order to master to production of tubes of steel 20-PKS at the Volga Pipe Plant (VTZ), a study was made of the effect of the parameters of out-of-furnace treatments on the contamination of steel by CANI. 1. The mechanisms and main sources of formation of CANI in tube steels made by the VTZ were determined. The main reasons for the formation of CANI₁ in furnace slag containing thermodynamically active CaO are mixing of the metallic and slag phases during the argon blow and the simultaneous introduction of additions to correct the chemical composition of the steel. Inclusions of the CANI₂ type may be formed by deoxidation operations carried out with suboptimal proportions of added aluminum and calcium (lime). 2. The following measures are recommended to ensure that steel 20-PKS made by the VTZ is clean with respect to both types of CANI: • optimize the composition of the ladle slag (increase the average content of Al₂O₃, increase the average content of SiO₂ as much as possible, and in any case decrease the average concentration of CaO); • keep the mass ratio of added CaO to added Al within the range 1.5–2; • continue the argon blow done after addition of the last batch of ferroalloys for at least 15–20 min; • ensure that the intensity of the blow is at least 0.5–1.5 m³/min. 3. Vacuum-degassing steel in the ladle after treatment on a ladle-furnace unit makes it possible to distribute the CANI more uniformly over the volume of the steel. __________ Translated from Metallurg, No. 7, pp. 38–42, July, 2005.     

Production of corrosion-resistant 09ГСФ steel

New production technology for low-alloy 09ГСФ steel for rolled sheet resistant to hydrogen-sulfide corrosion is described. The quantity of modifier introduced determines the impurity content of the metal after deep refining to remove sulfur and nonmetallic inclusions, the types of inclusions formed, and hence the resistance of the metal to corrosion cracking. Row inclusions formed in the sheet after nonoptimal ladle treatment of the steel are mainly responsible for the impairment of corrosion resistance.     

Production of continuous-cast pipe blank without large nonmetallic inclusions

The quality of metal in continuous-cast pipe blanks is investigated, for different steel-production technologies. The presence of large nonmetallic inclusions is largely due to disruptions in the continuouscasting technology. Other significant factors are nonoptimal modification of the nonmetallic inclusions and problems in ladle treatment. Measures ensuring acceptable content of nonmetallic inclusions are developed and tested.     

Optimization of the conditions of inert-gas blowing of a metallic melt

Based on physical modeling and analytical estimation of the possibility (probability) of the coagulation of oxide nonmetallic inclusions in steel, it is concluded that pulsed feeding of an inert gas through a porous ladle bottom provides better conditions for the coagulation and emersion of inclusions than during traditional blowing through porous plugs.     

钢中液态夹杂物聚并行为的数学物理模拟

基于相似原理,采用水模拟钢液,用有机试剂模拟钢液中液态非金属夹杂物,同时采用数值仿真方法共同研究了夹杂物种类、两相间界面张力及黏度对于液滴聚并过程的影响规律.结果表明,夹杂物液滴间的聚合趋势与其自身的物理性质有紧密联系,其中液滴相与连续相之间的界面张力会促进其相互聚并,而液滴相的黏度则正相反,在液滴聚并过程中起抑制作用.因此,通过改变液态夹杂物与高温钢液之间的界面参数以及黏度参数,有望达到聚合或分散的控制目标,进而实现夹杂物尺寸的灵活控制.      

钢中非金属夹杂物对显微组织的影响

使用金相法对碳素结构钢Q235B钢板的拉伸试样非正常断口进行分析,研究了钢中夹杂物类型和形态以及钢的显微组织。结果表明,Q235B钢板拉伸试样非正常断口及附近部位夹杂物严重,且存在粗大的带状组织,带状铁素体中有明显的非金属夹杂物。粗大带状组织的形成原因是由于铁素体以非金属夹杂物为结晶核心并沿着非金属夹杂物的变形方向生长而形成的。     

Simulation of the design of an intermediate ladles in a continuous-casting machine

Physical simulation of various designs for a 27-t intermediate ladle with asymmetric metal supply is undertaken, in steady and unsteady steel casting. The flow rates of the metal, its residence time in the casting chamber, the ascent of nonmetallic inclusions, and their percentage content in the mold are determined. An asymmetric stop for equalizing the flow rate in near and far sections of the mold is developed. The best design is an intermediate ladle with an asymmetric stop and annular tuyeres for argon injection around the casting holes.     

Features of Nonmetallic Inclusion Formation and Evolution During Ladle Treatment and Continuous Casting of Special Alloy Steels

Metallurgist - Features of nonmetallic inclusion formation and evolution in special alloy steels during ladle treatment and continuous casting are studied for special alloy steel 40Kh. The main...     

More effective removal of oxide inclusions from rail steel in the intermediate ladle

Thermodynamic analysis of the transition of nonmetallic inclusions from metal to slag shows that, in this transition, breakaway of the inclusions from the metal is thermodynamically impossible and the inclusions accumulate at the interface on the slag side. This obstructs subsequent inclusions arriving at the interface and hinders their removal from the steel. Therefore, the successful assimilation of inclusions by the slag calls for the renewal of the slag layer adjacent to the metal by kinetic means—for example, by injecting inert gas into the steel. Industrial tests of argon injection into the steel in the intermediate ladle in casting confirm that the content of oxide inclusions in the rails is reduced.     

Dark scabs in corrosion-resistant titanium steel after ladle treatment

Defects in the form of dark scabs detected by ultrasonic monitoring are studied in the macrostructure of corrosion-resistant titanium steel after ladle treatment. The type and morphology of the inclusions in the defect are studied, and their origin is analyzed. The role of exogenous and endogenous inclusions in the dark scab is discussed.     

超低氧精炼时钙处理对氧化物夹杂的影响

 研究了采用LF精炼顶渣控制技术对钢液进行超低氧冶炼时,钙处理对钢中非金属夹杂物的影响。试验在转炉出钢时采用铝终脱氧,LF精炼过程采用强脱氧、高碱度、强还原性精炼顶渣对钢液进行超低氧冶炼,比较了钙处理和不钙处理的钢液中非金属夹杂物转变的情况。结果表明,采用精炼顶渣控制技术冶炼超低氧钢时,钢液不需要进行钙处理就能实现铝脱氧产物Al2O3→MgO·Al2O3尖晶石→CaO-MgO-Al2O3类复合夹杂物的转变,得到炼钢温度下呈液态的复合氧化物夹杂,这些液态的夹杂物容易通过碰撞长大上浮去除,得到高洁净度的钢液,且残留在钢液的氧化物夹杂为较低熔点的复合氧化物,在浇注过程中不会产生水口结瘤。