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By Yong Tian, Tian Zhang, Zhao-Dong Wang

To meet the requirements of high-performance steel plates, while reducing manufacturing costs and saving energy, the advanced cooling system for plate mill (ADCOS-PM) with functions of accelerated cooling (ACC), ultra-fast cooling (UFC), and direct quenching (DQ) was researched and developed by the State Key Laboratory of Rolling and Automation (RAL). Since 2003, several sets of ADCOS-PM device were developed and implemented in industrial practice. To fully utilize the ADCOS-PM technology, the combination of various strengthening mechanisms was promoted by NG-TMCP technology and low-cost, high performance plates were produced such as pipeline steels, and high-strength construction machinery steel.

Oct 1, 2019

By HaiWen Luo, Bin Hu

A ultra-high strength medium Mn steel with good ductility was designed and manufactured via the combination of warm rolling and V alloying, which produced not only the extensive precipitation of fine VC particles in both ferrite and austenite but also the bimodal size distribution of retained austenite (RA) grains. A substantial increase of yield strength up to 650 MPa was achieved due to the addition of V without deteriorating ductility. The coarse RA grains firstly transformed to martensite during yielding at the much higher stress threshold, followed by a significant work hardening due to dislocations multiplication, twinning-induced-plasticity (TWIP) and transformation-induced-plasticity (TRIP) in the ultrafine RA grains. The best combination of strength and ductility included 1.5 GPa ultimate tensile strength and 28% total elongation. This was achieved due to the sustainable TRIP and TWIP effects in the later straining stage resulting from the ultrafine austenite grains, the latter were reversely transformed from the recrystallized ferrite grains.

Oct 1, 2019

By Michel Rodrigo Luiz, Glaucio Augusto Polini, Leonardo de Souza Melo, Giovani Rodrigues, Giardini F. Lazzarin

ArcelorMittal's pickling and cold rolling line has been demanded to increase production since the installation of equipment in 2015. In addition to improving productivity related to these new equipment, several additional jobs were planned and executed on equipment already installed has been carried out in order to improve the efficiency of the line. The present work exposes what was done in the scale breaker (tension leveler) to improve the availability results of the section and consequently of the line.

Oct 1, 2019

By Luis Henrique Torres Dantas, Maycon Athayde, Rossano Augusto Pilon Nunes

The objective of this work is to evaluate the physical quality achieved in the iron ore pellets and the temperature profile in the pellet bed by applying an inversion in the flow during the cooling. The firing of pellets requires a minimum residence time in the sintering temperatures of the hematite grains [1]. The applied concept aims at raising this time to pellets located at the bottom of the bed which would provide an improvement in the physical quality of the product. The tests were carried out in a pot-grate type oven and the samples of fired pellets were divided into three aliquots according to the loading position of the pot termed top, middle and bottom, the pellets were sieved and subjected to physical tests and the compared to conventional indurating flow with the same ores and inputs. It was possible to show an increase of 7 to 8% in the compressive strength of the medium and bottom layers, maintaining the top layer results. The objectives of the research were achieved and the tests will be extended to assess the impacts on the mass and energy balance of the indurating machine and its components.

Oct 1, 2019

By Leandro Seixas Bicalho, Raphael Alcantara da Costa, Pedro Martins de Almeida Rollo, Eduardo Tres, Anderson D. Thomazini

Usual pelletizing process requires the use of iron ore within a given range of particle size. The pelletizing plants often have comminution circuits composed of ball mills and roller presses to meet the granulometric parameters. Aiming at the partial removal of grinding operations and elimination of wet ore processing, the present study evaluated the pelletizing of two samples of ore with lower surface area: (1) sample with only one passage into the roller press (specific surface area of 997 cm²/g) and (2) “in natura” sample as fed to the pelletizing plant (specific surface area of 450 cm²/g). These experiments were conducted with the use of bentonite and the products E/PE MIN 070/19 and E/PE MIN 090/19, made available by Clariant for this purpose. The results indicated that conventional bentonite is not efficient for coarse particle agglomeration. On the other hand, the products E/PE MIN 070/19 and E/PE MIN 090/19 achieved good performance. Considering a sample with only one passage into the roller press it was possible to form pellets similar to those produced in the conventional process.

Oct 1, 2019

By João Batista Ribeiro Martins, Érica Simões Rodrigues, Ramiro da Conceição do Nascimento Júnior, Marcos Tadeu D’Azeredo Orlando

In order to guarantee the quality of the sinter and process control some measurements are made such as RDI and FeO (Fe2+). However, the behavior of sinter during reduction in the blast furnace is not always understood, when it is analyzed only metallurgical, physical and chemical quality. Therefore, it is necessary to find alternative techniques to understand more this behavior. In this work four experimental trials were performed to obtain sinter samples with different FeO (Fe2+) contents. Optical microscopy was performed to identify and quantify the phases in sinter and to evaluate the magnetic behavior of each one, the Magnetic Susceptibility technique was used. The results obtained between Optical Microscopy, Magnetic Susceptibility and quality parameters were compared and then was identified that Magnetic Susceptibility may be an alternative to help the understanding of sinter behavior in Blast Furnace.

Oct 1, 2019

By Alain Denis, Marcelo Curtes Martins, Jeferson Rocio de Oliveira

In this work we present a study of optimization of a new inhibitor for turbulence pickling line. The efficiency of inhibition was measured and the weight of loss was evaluated in four different materials to optimize the dosage of the inhibitor. In seven months we had 8.7% of reduction in pickling losses.

Oct 1, 2019

By Michel Rodrigo Luiz, Glaucio Augusto Polini, Giardini F. Lazzarin

ArcelorMittal's pickling and cold rolling line has been demanded to increase production since the installation of equipments in 2015. In addition to the improvement in productivity related to these new equipment, one of them the automatic surface inspection system (SIAS), work has also been developed in other equipment seeking improvement of production indicators. The present article exposes the actions and gains that were achieved with actions on two equipments in the same section as the Side Trimmer. The first one deals with the optimization of time gains with sequencing adjustments without financial contribution, using only internal labor seeking reduction of unproductive times by adjustments of the side trimmer in the cold strip mill. The second item discussed demonstrates the actions and the gains generated due to the availability of new resources (installation of SIAS equipment), the optimization of these resources seeking a focus on the reduction of ruptures in the tandem cold mill, configuring the same in the aid of the identification of critical defects and also in the automatic speed reduction action of the tandem cold mill in defects considered serious. In both cases the intention was to improve production, seeking to improve the results of the section and the line.

Oct 1, 2019

By Elen Mancini Santi Paulettor, Vinicius Calheiros, Eduardo de Oliveira Cabral

At this paper, Eirich will present its new tool for sinter analysis integrated to the sintering control system. For stabilization and optimal, continuous control of the sintering process, QualiMaster MT1, a device was developed which guarantees fully automatic representative sampling and material analysis and thus a high and stable sintering quality. Mining tailings often has a considerable proportion of valuable substances. In addition to this work, we will also present our mixing technology that allows the economic recovery of these mining tailings.

Oct 1, 2019

By Geovane Viturino da Silva, Jeziel de Melo Canedo, André Wulff Hirano, Maxwell Pereira Cangani, Luiz Henrique Curado Ribeiro

With the deterioration of the quality of the iron ore, the new conditions of quality of the raw materials (mainly sinter feed) were adapted to their processes, resulting in the need for changes in the chemical quality of the sinter for blast furnaces in the Ternium Brazil, without changing the parameters of chemical, physical and metallurgical quality. Due to the change in this scenario, there was a great impact on the quality of the fine iron ore this year in 2019, due to which the work ranges of sinter MgO and B2 were currently modified to minimize these impacts in the blast furnaces of Ternium Brazil. This work aims to minimize the effects of the sinter worsening, with the reduction of the sinter MgO and B2 bands, with an increase of 2% in the mixture yield and FeT elevation in the range of 1.6% in the sinter product.

Oct 1, 2019

By Bruno Sampaio Jannuzzi, Klayton Sebastião Leopoldino, Rodrigo Jorge dos Santos Arruda, Sergio da Cunha Motta

Devido à necessidade de mitigar os riscos aos quais os empregados próprios e contratados ficavam expostos, durante o processo de peação de bobinas, em porões de navios, e também de reduzirmos os custos nessa operação, concluímos que deveríamos alterar o processo para aumentar a segurança dos trabalhadores, com a eliminação de materiais perfurocortantes, gerar redução do esforço físico, com a substituição de equipamentos e, consequentemente, obter redução de custos e ganho de produtividade, no embarque de bobinas de aço, em porões de navios, no Sepetiba Tecon - Porto de Itaguaí.

Oct 1, 2019

By M. A. Mekicha, M. B. de Rooij, C. Pelletier, D. T. A. Matthews

One of the main factors that reduce strip cleanliness are iron fines, which are formed due to the abrasive interactions of the roll surface and the strip in the roll bite during cold rolling. They can cause a problem in fouling of the cold rolling mill as well as downstream processes. It has been repeatedly observed that chrome plating the work roll improves strip cleanliness. In the present work, scratch tests and reciprocating sliding tests were carried out under lubricated conditions to explore the influence of chrome plating on iron fines formation. Scratch tests were conducted to study the influence of chrome plating on iron fines formation at single asperity scale due to its intrinsic property. Reciprocating sliding tests were performed to study the influence of chrome plating a rough surface on iron fines formation, taking into account the initial roughness. The scratches made using chrome plated pins showed lower friction, generated less iron fines and exhibited lower material transfer. Reciprocating sliding tests done using the uncoated pins showed galling at different sliding distances depending on the roughness of the pin. On the contrary, reciprocating sliding tests with the chrome plated pins exhibited no galling irrespective of the roughness.

Oct 1, 2019

By Simon Chiartano

A global reflection on the design of blast furnace main runner was investigated in this paper. TRB Company used its skills and expertise to understand what the best option for this sensitive component is, including some innovative tools: intelligent block design for safety lining, thermal & thermomechanical numerical simulation, immersive measurement by thermocouples, IR thermal camera, 3D laser scanner.

Oct 1, 2019

By Amauri Garcia, Noé Cheung, André dos Santos Barros, Clarissa Barros da Cruz, Thiago Soares Lima, Rafael Kakitani

Materiais de interface térmica (Thermal Interface Materials - TIMs) são responsáveis pela troca térmica entre a fonte geradora de calor do processador integrado e o dissipador de calor. Devido ao seu baixo ponto de fusão, boa fluidez e cumprimento com as exigências de regulamentação (Restriction of Hazardous Substances - RoHS), ligas à base de bismuto têm sido investigadas para aplicação como TIMs de alta performance. Neste contexto, a análise das propriedades dessas ligas em função de parâmetros microestruturais torna-se, portanto, de elevado interesse científico e tecnológico para o setor eletrônico. Assim, este trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver correlações entre propriedades de resistência à tração e a microestrutura da liga Bi-0,28%Ni solidificada sob um intervalo de taxas de resfriamento usualmente obtido em processos industriais. Por meio de microscopias óptica e eletrônica de varredura foi observada uma morfologia tipicamente eutética lamelar, composta por lamelas ricas em bismuto com o intermetálico Bi3Ni nos contornos. Os espaçamentos lamelares (λL) foram, então, correlacionados com os parâmetros térmicos de solidificação, sendo propostas leis experimentais de crescimento microestrutural. Ao fim, observou-se que, para λL < 101 μm, equações do tipo Hall-Petch caracterizam a variação do limite de resistência à tração e do limite de escoamento.

Oct 1, 2019

By Renan Bueno Wojciechowski, Yukio Shigaki

The quality of flat rolling process depends highly on multiple factors such as applied forces, materials involved for both strip and rolls, roll geometry and its positioning. To calculate the strip shape, a mathematical/numerical model can be applied, showing the final product and how the equipment behaves when changing some parameters. This is usually a time-consuming task for both user and computer, especially when it involves thin and hard strips. By coupling a quick rolling load calculation method as Bland-Ford and Finite Element Method (FEM) for roll stack deformation, it is possible to create an accurate and user-friendly rolling simulator. This paper presents the improvements done in the 3D FEM/multi-slab method and its actual capabilities by simulating two cases of a 6-High rolling mill. Different analysis in this equipment can be easily done in about 10 minutes by using the developed an electronic spreadsheet program interface and the folder generated with relevant results and logs. An operation manual and a commercial FE program plugins were made to aid construction of a completely new model. The code was created in a modularized way to assist the application of this simulator for other operational conditions.

Oct 1, 2019

By José Aparecido Pereira

The customer asked for a 5” angle roll pass design. For this angle, in a normal pass design, a 160mm billet is required. For the production of this billet would be necessary a new 160mm mold for the Continuous Casting Machine, which produces 150mm billets, increasing the complexity of the melt shop. The rolling mill is designed to produce angles up to 4", technical information recommended the replacement of a gearbox because this process would generate torque up to 15% above nominal. An innovative roll pass design was done using 150mm billet using the Aparecido-W Method that cause a higher spread in the first three passes, thus reaching the desired leg length. As this method is not used in any other known rolling mill, a FES (Finite Element Simulation) and FEM (Finite Element Modeling) was done by a Research & Development center which demonstrated that the design was viable. From July, 2018, three tests were done being produced around 700 t of good quality products without difficulty of set up. The rolling mill team carried out this project at a very low cost and in record time of five months. The average torque of the motors was 36%, without overload for the equipment.

Oct 1, 2019

By Rogério Martins Pereira, Charles Pierri de Souza, Lucas Gabriel Correa

The Tandem Cold Mill is composed by stands with rolls positioned so that the rolling force can be transmitted to the strip being processed. Due to the mechanical stresses inherent in the process, the roll bearings are heated and are equipped with lubrication and cooling systems. Nevertheless, there is the challenge of continuously monitoring the temperature of the bearings, which would allow preventive intervention in case of overheating. This paper presents an in-house solution to temperature measuring system applied to the backup roll bearings of a continuous Tandem Cold Mill. The system uses Zigbee technology and is integrated with the main control system, allowing early diagnosis of bearing heating and proper intervention. Results and features of the system are discussed.

Oct 1, 2019

By Norbert Asamer, Stefan Purrer

Depending on the product or the material grade, conventional deburring machines, such as e.g. with rotating hammers, are in many cases not capable to reliably or completely remove burrs from the edges of a continuously cast product. Burr, however, is generated at the front and/or tail ends of a slab, bloom or billet as a result from torch cutting. Likewise, traversal grinding of the slab’s rolling surfaces can also cause burr at the long side edges of the slab whereby such burr can even be more difficult to remove. Based on their experience and know-how with abrasive machining processes (abrasive cutting, high-pressure grinding) over a period of more than 50 years up to now, BRAUN has developed a highly flexible deburring grinding machine for applications which are too difficult for conventional deburring techniques. BRAUN’s deburring grinding machines were successfully introduced to the steel industry and have proven their worth under normal production conditions already. The subject paper describes the key features and advantages of BRAUN’s machine design and the operational results from the first already completed projects.

Oct 1, 2019

By Dagoberto Brandão Santos, Marcus Vinícius Pereira Arruda, Fernando de Souza Costa, Túlio Magno Fuzessy de Melo

The development of advanced high strength steels (AHSS) is motivated by the automotive industry demands for higher strength steels with better formability and stretch-flangeability to avoid fractures during parts forming. In response to this, the new steel grades must have special microstructures in terms of constitution, morphology, distribution and hardness, which are strongly dependent on the chemical composition of the steel sheet and its processing, especially in the continuous annealing stage, in the case of cold rolled sheets. In this study the influence of the annealing heating rate and intercritical temperature (IT) on the microstructural evolution and the final hole expansion ratio of a cold rolled 980 MPa AHSS grade was evaluated. The annealing process was simulated using a Dilatometer and a Gleeble machine, and the microstructures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and nanohardness measurements. The increase of heating rate resulted in an overlap between ferrite recrystallization and austenite formation, changing the austenite morphology from a random to a fibrous distribution, while a higher IT resulted in more homogeneous microstructures and higher hole expansion ratios. This microestructural homogeneity, confirmed by nanohardness measurements, suggested that the difference in hardness between ferrite and the second phase affects the micro-void formation and crack propagation during the hole expansion test.

Oct 1, 2019

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