Co-reduction of Copper Smelting Slag and Nickel Laterite to Prepare Fe-Ni-Cu Alloy for Weathering Steel

In this study, a new technique was proposed for the economical and environmentally friendly recovery of valuable metals from copper smelting slag while simultaneously upgrading nickel laterite through a co-reduction followed by wet magnetic separation process. Copper slag with a high FeO content can decrease the liquidus temperature of the SiO₂-Al₂O₃-CaO-MgO system and facilitate formation of liquid phase in a co-reduction process with nickel laterite, which is beneficial for metallic particle growth. As a result, the recovery of Ni, Cu, and Fe was notably increased. A crude Fe-Ni-Cu alloy with 2.5% Ni, 1.1% Cu, and 87.9% Fe was produced, which can replace part of scrap steel, electrolytic copper, and nickel as the burden in the production of weathering steel by an electric arc furnace. The study further found that an appropriate proportion of copper slag and nickel laterite in the mixture is essential to enhance the reduction, acquire appropriate amounts of the liquid phase, and improve the growth of the metallic alloy grains. As a result, the liberation of alloy particles in the grinding process was effectively promoted and the metal recovery was increased significantly in the subsequent magnetic separation process.     

Effect of nickel oxide additive on smelting mechanism of chromium-bearing vanadium titanomagnetite pellets

The effect of nickel oxide additive on the smelting behaviors of chromium-bearing vanadium titanomagnetite pellets (CVTP) was investigated while analyzing the transfer behavior of nickel in iron and slag. The results show that when NiO added to CVTP increases from 0 to 6 wt.%, softening start temperature increases from 1148 to 1212 °C, and the softening end temperature increases from 1280 to 1334 °C; the melting start temperature increases from 1318 to 1377 °C, and the dripping temperature decreases from 1558 to 1521 °C. The pig iron comprises a compound of Fe–Ni–C. The slag structure depolymerizes with increasing nickel addition. The softening-melting behaviors of CVTP, the reduction of nickel into pig iron, and the depolymerization of slag structure indicate the feasibility of producing nickel–iron alloy through the blast furnace process.     

Desiliconization kinetics of nickeliferous laterite ores in molten sodium hydroxide system

A novel process was proposed for treating nickeliferous laterite ores with molten sodium hydroxide.The effect on silicon extraction caused by the factors,such as stirring speed,reaction temperature,particle size and NaOH-to-ore mass ratio,was investigated.The results show that increasing stirring speed,reaction temperature and NaOH-to-ore mass ratio while decreasing particle size increases silicon extraction rate.The desiliconization kinetics of nickeliferous laterite ores in molten sodium hydroxide system ...     

Efficient Utilization of Nickel Laterite to Produce Master Alloy

To lower the smelting temperature associated with the carbothermic reduction processing of laterite, the optimization of slag and alloy systems was investigated to enable the reduction of laterite ore in the molten state at 1723 K. The master Fe-Ni-Mo alloy was successfully produced at a lower temperature (1723 K). The liquidus of the slag decreased with the addition of oxide flux (Fe₂O₃ and CaO) and that of the ferronickel alloy decreased with the addition of Mo/MoO₃. More effective metal–slag separation was achieved at 1723 K, which reduces the smelting temperature by 100 K compared with the current electric furnace process. A small addition of Mo/MoO₃ not only decreased the melting point of ferronickel alloys but also served as a collector to aggregate the ferronickel sponges allowing them to grow larger. The FeO concentration in the slag and the nickel grade of the alloy decreased with increasing graphite reductant addition.     

矿热炉与AOD炉双联法冶炼不锈钢的设计

根据国内外冶炼不锈钢工艺的发展趋势和不锈钢厂与镍铁合金厂的生产工艺特点,以及徐州金象冶金有限公司的实际条件,确定了一套节约能耗、减少成本的生产工艺:立窑烧结—25 000 kVA的矿热炉—酸性炉衬AOD炉—碱性炉衬AOD炉—浇铸或连铸进行不锈钢生产,经分析表明,此工艺具诸多优点,对镍铁行业的发展提供重要参考。     

Efficient enrichment of nickel and iron in laterite nickel ore by deep reduction and magnetic separation

The process of deep reduction and magnetic separation was proposed to enrich nickel and iron from laterite nickel ores. Results show that nickel–iron concentrates with nickel grade of 6.96%, nickel recovery of 94.06%, iron grade of 34.74%, and iron recovery of 80.44% could be obtained after magnetic separation under the conditions of reduction temperature of 1275 °C, reduction time of 50 min, slag basicity of 1.0, carbon-containing coefficient of 2.5, and magnetic field strength of 72 kA/m. Reduction temperature and time affected the possibility of deep reduction and reaction progress. Slag basicity affected the composition of slag in burden and the spilling and enriching rate of nickel–iron from a matrix to form nickel–iron particles. Nickel–iron particles were generated, aggregated, and grew gradually in the reduction process. Nickel–iron particles can be effectively separated from gangue minerals by magnetic separation.     

Effect of intermetallic compounds on heat resistance of hot roll bonded titanium alloy–stainless steel transition joint

The effect of intermetallic compounds on the heat resistance of transition joint was investigated. The experiment of post-weld heat treatment for the hot roll bonded titanium alloy–stainless steel joint using nickels interlayer was carried out, and the interface microstructure evolution due to heat treatment was presented. There was not found significant interdiffusion at stainless steel/nickel interface, when the specimens were heat treated in the temperature range of 600–800 °C for 10 and 30 min, while micro-cracks occurred at the stainless steel/nickel interface heat treated at 700 °C for 30 min. The thickness of intermetallic layers at nickel/titanium alloy interface increased at 600 °C, and micro-cracks occurred at 700 and 800 °C. The micro-cracks occurred between intermetallic layers or between intermetallic layer and nickel interlayer as well. The tensile strength of the transition joint decreased with the increase of heat treatment temperature or holding time.     

用低碳镁碳砖钢包冶炼低碳不锈钢生产实践

介绍了用低碳镁碳砖钢包VOD、VD工艺冶炼低碳不锈钢的试验情况,分析讨论了低碳镁碳砖对冶炼过程的影响。钢包精炼炉低碳镁碳砖VD工艺可冶炼C≤0.06%、VOD工艺可冶炼C≤0.04%的不锈钢。     

Thermal Recycling of Waelz Oxide Using Concentrated Solar Energy

The dominating Zn recycling process is the so-called Waelz process. Waelz oxide (WOX), containing 55–65% Zn in oxidic form, is mainly derived from electric arc furnace dust produced during recycling of galvanized steel. After its wash treatment to separate off chlorides, WOX is used as feedstock along with ZnS concentrates for the electrolytic production of high-grade zinc. Novel and environmentally cleaner routes for the purification of WOX and the production of Zn are investigated using concentrated solar energy as the source of high-temperature process heat. The solar-driven clinkering of WOX and its carbothermal reduction were experimentally demonstrated using a 10 kW_th packed-bed solar reactor. Solar clinkering at above 1265°C reduced the amount of impurities below 0.1 wt.%. Solar carbothermal reduction using biocharcoal as reducing agent in the 1170–1320°C range yielded 90 wt.% Zn.     

Transformation and leaching kinetics of silicon from low-grade nickel laterite ore by pre-roasting and alkaline leaching process

The mineralogical phase transformation of a low-grade nickel laterite ore during pre-roasting process and the extraction of silicon during alkaline leaching process were investigated. The results indicate that the reaction activity of nickel ores is effectively improved by pre-roasting at 650 °C for 2 h, because of the transformation of lizardite into magnesium olivine and protoenstatite. When finely ground ore samples (44–61 μm) pre-roasted firstly react with sodium hydroxide solution (60 g/L) with a solid/liquid ratio of 1:5 at 140 °C for 120 min, the extraction of silicon can reach 89.89%, and the other valuable elements of magnesium, iron and nickel are accumulated in the solid residues. The leaching kinetics of nickel laterite ore can be described successfully by the diffusion through the product layer control model. The activation energy is calculated to be 11.63 kJ/mol and the kinetics equation can be expressed as 1–3(1–x)^2/3+2(1–x)=13.53×10^?2exp[–11.63/(RT)]t.     

Effects of cooling rate and annealing treatment on sensitization of austenitic-ferritic duplex stainless steel

Duplex stainless steel has higher corrosion resistance and better mechanical properties than conventional type 300 series stainless steel. The corrosion behavior of duplex stainless steel is strongly dependent on the ratio, shape, size and distribution of austenite and ferrite phase in the microstructure. The relationship between the microstructure and the corrosion behavior of the duplex stainless steel was studied. For this purpose, the duplex stainless steel samples were solution heal treated at 1150°C followed by either cooling at various rates (water quenching, air coooling, furnace colling with door opened and door closed) to 820°C and then water quenching to room temperature, or quenching to room temperature and annealing heat treatment at 840°C for various lengths of time. A double loop electrochemical polentiodynamic reactivation (EPR) test was carried out to examine the effect of various cooling procedures or annealing treatment on the sensitization of duplex stainless steel. The grain size, shape, and distribution of the two phases were examined under microscope. From the test results, the relationships were discussed among heat treatment, electrochemical properties and microstructure.     

Thermal behaviors and growth of reduced ferronickel particles in carbon-laterite composites

The thermal behaviors of single laterite ore and graphite-laterite mixtures were investigated by thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermo-gravimetry (DTG), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Four mass loss steps maximized at about 78, 272, 583, and 826°C are observed for the laterite ore, representing the vaporization of free water, the dehydroxylation of goethite, the decomposition of serpentines, and the second dehydroxylation of serpentines, respectively. The reduction reactions of the graphite-laterite mixtures start at around 700°C and can be divided into three major temperature regions. Coal-laterite composites with an addition of 10 wt.% CaO were roasted at 1100-1350°C for 30 min, and the reduced samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indi-cate that the reduction reactions proceed more completely at higher temperatures. The growth of the reduced ferronickel particles is greatly influenced by the roasting temperature. Obvious growth of the reduced ferronickel particles appears with the formation of worm-like crystals for the sample reduced at 1250°C, and spheric particles are observed for the sample reduced at 1300°C. When the reduction temperature in-creases to 1350°C, the reduced ferronickel particles agglomerate to ferronickel granules of 3-8 mm in diameter. The main elements in the granules include iron, nickel, chromium, carbon, and sulfur, with the content of nickel and that of iron of 9.08 wt.% and 85.21 wt.%, respec-tively.     

The preparation of corrosion-resistant layers by the electrolytic deposition of tantalum on nickel and stainless steel

The deposition of tantalum by electrolysis in molten fluorides is applied to stainless steel and nickel. The deposit is made at 800°C and is controlled by measuring the cathode potential. Only with deposits on nickel is surface alloy formation observed. This effect is not observed in the case of deposits on stainless steel.     

Carbothermic reduction of U.S. ferruginous manganese resources

The U.S. Bureau of Mines conducted laboratory-scale research to determine the degree to which U.S. ferruginous manganese resources can be reduced to produce an acceptable ferromanganese for alloying iron and steel. The objective was to evaluate the feasibility of prereduction (reduction prior to melting) of such resources as an alternative to direct smelting. As part of the Bureau’s goal to recover metal values economically and efficiently from U.S. resources, ferruginous manganese oxide materials from five deposits were reduced with low-cost and lower grade carbonaceous reductants at temperatures ranging from 600°C to 1,050°C for holding periods from 30 min. to 90 min. Greater than 95% net reduction of the tetravalent and trivalent states of manganese to the divalent state (which represents a typical feed for an electric arc furnace producing ferromanganese) was achieved at 750°C using inexpensive blacksmith coal on samples that did not contain significant amounts of silica.     

Effect of single and double austenitization treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of 16Cr-2Ni steel

Double austenitization (DA) treatment is found to yield the best combination of strength and toughness in both low-temperature as well as high-temperature tempered conditions as compared to single austenitization (SA) treatments. Obtaining the advantages of double austenitization (DA) to permit dissolution of alloy carbides without significant grain coarsening was attempted in AISI 431 type martensitic stainless steel. Structure-property correlation after low-temperature tempering (200 °C) as well as high-temperature double tempering (650+600 °C) was carried out for three austenitization treatments through SA at 1000 °C, SA at 1070 °C, and DA at 1070+1000 °C. While the increase in strength after DA treatment and low-temperature tempering at 200 °C is due to the increased amount of carbon in solution as a result of dissolution of alloy carbides during first austenitization, the increased toughness is attributable to the increased quantity of retained austenite. After double tempering (650+600 °C), strength and toughness are mainly found to depend on the precipitation and distribution of carbides in the microstructure and the grain size effect.     

铝型材仿不锈钢色电解着色工艺研究

为了拓宽铝及铝合金的应用范围，提高铝型材的装饰性，采用单镍盐体系研究成功了铝型材仿不锈钢电解着色工艺，探讨了着色主盐、导电盐、稳定剂、着色电压、着色时间和温度对仿不锈钢着色膜的影响，检测了仿不锈钢膜层的性能。结果表明所形成的着色膜为金属感强、光亮度好、色泽逼真的不锈钢色，具有良好的耐磨和耐蚀性，且工艺操作简单，对环境污染小，生产成本低。适用于大厅、酒店、宾馆等高档设施的高贵典雅装饰装潢。     

-70℃级低温压力容器钢管的研制

用研制的含低碳、Mn、V和微量Ti合金元素的B653钢,采用平炉冶炼+炉外精炼或电炉冶炼+钢包吹Ar和控轧工艺生产-70℃级低温压力容器无缝钢管,产品综合性能达到使用要求,低温冲击功超过日本JISG3460—84标准值5倍以上。     

Corrosion of Stainless Steels in Fatty Acid Media at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures

Abstract

Natural fatty acids were separated and purified by steam distillation at 250–300°C. Corrosion rates were determined for three stainless steels 316L, 317L and Ti-stabilised 321, using weight-loss measurements after 14 days in three fatty acid fractions at 260°C. These results for stainless steels were compared with corrosion rates obtained for nickel, molybdenum and manganese by similar weight-loss measurements. Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm pitting corrosion at the metal surface. The effects of water, low molecular weight fatty acids and impurities such as sodium salts are discussed in relation to the overall corrosion processes in steel steam distillation columns.     

An Investigation on Low-Temperature Thermochemical Treatments of Austenitic Stainless Steel in Fluidized Bed Furnace

In this study, the feasibility of using an industrial fluidized bed furnace to perform low-temperature thermochemical treatments of austenitic stainless steels has been studied, with the aim to produce expanded austenite layers with combined wear and corrosion resistance, similar to those achievable by plasma and gaseous processes. Several low-temperature thermochemical treatments were studied, including nitriding, carburizing, combined nitriding-carburizing (hybrid treatment), and sequential carburizing and nitriding. The results demonstrate that it is feasible to produce expanded austenite layers on the investigated austenitic stainless steel by the fluidized bed heat treatment technique, thus widening the application window for the novel low-temperature processes. The results also demonstrate that the fluidized bed furnace is the most effective for performing the hybrid treatment, which involves the simultaneous incorporation of nitrogen and carbon together into the surface region of the component in nitrogen- and carbon-containing atmospheres. Such hybrid treatment produces a thicker and harder layer than the other three processes investigated.     

大型低碳不锈钢水轮机下环铸件的生产实践

分析了大型低碳不锈钢水轮机下环件的结构特点及生产难点.生产中采用水玻璃砂造型,感应炉熔炼和复合精炼措施,设计合理的浇注系统并设置保温冒口,利用计算机模拟铸件凝固过程,预测缺陷部位,并设计了合理的热处理工艺.经生产验证,铸件的化学成分及力学性能完全满足要求,铸件质量合格,并降低了生产成本,为生产高质量的大型低碳不锈钢铸件提供了宝贵的经验.