Search Documents

By Vitor Guarnier Domiciano

The need to adjust the monolithic refractories to increasingly severe and unstable Blast Furnace casthouse operating conditions has been a major challenge for refractory suppliers in order to guarantee the runner’s safety and its availability for operation. This paper presents the properties of a new robust single line Al2O3-SiC-C refractory castable developed to endure the severe operating conditions that main runners are facing in today's Blast Furnace casthouse scenario. Practical results during almost one year of testing revealed a significant lower wear speed of the new refractory lining when compared to a standard product.

Aug 1, 2018

By Emanuelle Garcia Reis, Gustavo de Sousa, Rodney Pardo Alves

Gerdau Ouro Branco´s plate mill started the operation in 2016 with high level technology. In general, national and international plate markets are every day more rigorous about final product quality. Suppliers must be aware about dimensional accuracy, surface quality and flatness of the plates, independent of the quality standards. To guarantee the best service to this increasingly demanding and competitive market, it is extremely important to guarantee the original project conditions executing the right maintenance of the rolling mill main components. In order to maintain the product quality and avoid the production and maintenance cost increase, it is important to find ways to control the mill and the main process variables, through daily measurements of the equipment performance. This paper aims to present the influence of the main equipment variables that affect the mill operational stability and how to control and evaluate the mill performance.

Oct 1, 2019

By Gerhard Richter, Norbert Asamer, Gerwald Decker

At various stages during their manufacturing processes - from casting to finishing before delivery - semi-finished steel and special alloy products must be cut and surface-treated as well. The requirements for the individual conditioning steps, however, can be quite different. For example, the work piece can be hot, warm or cold. At any rate, the product must always be perfectly prepared for the next manufacturing step - reliably, in the shortest-possible time and at the lowest-possible cost. For cutting and grinding, BRAUN has developed innovative technologies and highly flexible, tailor-made solutions which meet these requirements in the most optimal way. In particular, BRAUN’s cutting and grinding technologies can also be used for large-scale products.

Oct 1, 2019

By Alberto Pesamosca

The present work analyzes the latest results achieved in scrap based EAFs in terms of application of chemical energy, starting from the observation that the general trend is a reduction of oxygen utilization. Consequently a review is needed about criteria for evaluation of melting process efficiency and equipment design. If from one side the maximization of productivity remains one of the major goals, from the other side some aspects of present market situation, included price of raw materials, are requiring the maximization of process yield. Based on achieved performance figures of selected plants and theoretical considerations, the effect of chemical energy input intensity is analyzed focusing on transformation cost, productivity and total energy input. The effect of present practices with lower oxygen utilization is considered also in terms of global CO2 emissions. Finally, the latest Danieli concepts and technological tools for optimization of chemical input are 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 Marcelo Rebellato, Leonardo Silvestre, Zhang Yongqing, Felipe Bastos, Zhang Weiqiang

This work reviews the new version of GB1499.2-2018 Chinese national standard and specification, which governs the production of high-strength reinforcing hot rolled ribbed bars in China. In addition, it discusses the main concerns from Chinese rebar makers that might affect production and application of Nb-bearing rebars, like reheating temperature required to dissolve given niobium additions, the promotion of bainite microstructure and continuous yielding, as well as Nb strengthening effects. Through extensive investigation involving both thermomechanical laboratory simulations and industrial trial, the existing state and effects of Niobium along the reheating, rolling and cooling are illustrated. At the end, optimum processing conditions have been established to produce high strength rebars for the specified requirements. The adoption of new process conditions reflected in an amount of about 20.0 million tons of Nb-bearing rebar being produced in China in 2018 with required tensile properties and microstructure, and helped rebar makers to reduce production costs considerably. Based on production data, Niobium demonstrated positive strengthening effect for high strength rebars, in particular for small diameter rebars with earthquake resistant performance. What is more, the results of the research enrich the knowledge of the application of Niobium in steels when TMCP rolling is not used.

Oct 1, 2019

By Alberto Lainati

The Bar Reducing and Sizing Technology has a core function in the value-chain for the production of rolled SBQ (Special Bar Quality) products. The EVO 2+4-roll is based on the compact combination of a 2-roll high-reduction module followed by a 4- roll low-reduction module for precise sizing. The EVO 2+4-roll mill, allows to gain significant technical and economical advantages in the hot- and post-rolling process routes: dimensional and surface accuracy, quick adaptability to processing variances and to small lots requirements, superior technological features of as-rolled product, competitive capex and opex. The EVO 2+4 unit has a very compact design, which makes it suitable both for new mills and upgrade applications.

Aug 17, 2017

By Jean Viana Bahia, Antônio Adel dos Santos, Vicente Tadeu Lopes Buono

During cold rolling of Cr-Mo alloyed DP steel, considerable oscillation of thickness may occur. The literature points out that such occurrence is due to non-uniform cooling of the coil after the hot rolling process. Since the austenite transformation in this steel continues after coiling, the microstructure and, consequently, mechanical properties are very susceptible to natural variations in cooling rates associated with distinct positions of the coil. The influence of coil cooling conditions on thickness oscillation during cold rolling was evaluated in this work by using both industrial experiments and dilatometer tests. It was verified that an industrial coil presented large variation of mechanical properties associated with its heterogeneous microstructure. Consequently, thickness oscillation occurred during cold rolling. Dilatometer tests simulating hot run-out table and coil cooling showed that the austenite transformation is very slow under small cooling rates that occur after coiling. Thus, the slow transformation rate makes the coil very susceptible to environmental conditions around it during its natural cooling and is responsible for variation in mechanical properties of the coil. To ensure the formation of a more homogeneous microstructure in the whole coil, it is necessary either to make use of technologies that improves the cooling uniformity or to adjust the steel alloy design. The latter alternative has been done with relative success by using conceptions with lower amounts of Cr and Mo.

Oct 1, 2019

By Dustin Vickress

The premature failure of copper staves in the lower stack and bosh is frequently the cause for an interim blast furnace repair at great cost to the blast furnace owner. Protective accretions may form on the stave hot face, but when these accretions are lost the staves can begin to deteriorate both due to abrasive wear from exposure to the descending burden materials and due to thermal cracking from exposure to hightemperature process excursions. These mechanisms can lead to failure of cooling passages, which forces blast furnace operators to shut off these channels, accelerating the rate of copper stave wear. Finger cooler technology was developed to extend blast furnace life by restoring cooling to damaged staves. Evidence for their effectiveness is presented herein in the form of experimental test work and conjugate heat transfer (CHT) analysis carried out using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. These tests demonstrate that under typical blast furnace excursion conditions, a stave fitted with finger coolers will undergo half the temperature rise of a stave fitted with conventional cigar coolers.

Aug 17, 2017

By Douglas Glenn Stalheim

The demands for improved mechanical properties in hot rolled long products are increasing as the expectations of global Standards and construction designer’s increase. Cost constraints limit the excessive use of expensive alloys to meet these expectations. In addition, depending on the mill, equipment can limit what can be realized to meet the increasing expectations. The most effective way to meet the increasing expectations for improved mechanical properties of optimum strength and ductility is through producing steel with as fine as possible uniform cross sectional grain size in the “as-rolled” condition. The best solution to the development of this fine and uniform cross sectional grain size is to develop a cost effective alloy design coupled with proper metallurgical process control implemented into an existing mill’s equipment capability and layout. In other words, properly bringing together alloy, metallurgy, process control and existing equipment capabilities to develop an optimum product that can meet the increasing demands of the construction designer. This paper is designed to give a solid understanding of the production and metallurgical requirements to achieve a grain size in “as-rolled” long products that is as fine as possible within the limitations of the process and production parameters of the individual plant.

Jul 30, 2018

By D. A. Aranda-Regino, C. Gómez-de-la-Garza, J. Ramírez-Cuellar, L. A. Leduc-Lezama

The Pickling Line Tandem Cold Mill (PLTCM) at Ternium’s Pesqueria plant with a 5 stands, 6 high configuration started in 2013. At the time of the start up the work roll specification and grinding practices were stablished following a low risk policy to be able to sustain any start-up associated accident. Once a stable operation has been achieved both these policies are being modified to improve productivity and reduce costs. The specified hardness of the rolls has been increased and efforts are being made to optimize the grinding according to the rolling campaign length and materials. The fatigue damage in work rolls, after rolling and its removal by grinding was followed by hardness measurements made at the end of the rolling campaign and after grinding. Softening of the rolls after rolling was found mainly in final stands to be related to the averaged stress experienced during the campaign, the original roll hardness was recovered after grinding. Hardness evolution was also followed after each grinding step finding that the total amount of grinding could be reduced. The grinding practice was modified accordingly for the first stands and the yield of work rolls in them has improved.

Oct 1, 2019

By Bi Zongyue, ZhangYongqing, NiuTao, Guo Aimin

Over the past twenty years, significant advances have been made in the field of microalloying steels and associated applications, among which one of the most successful application cases is development and application of heavy-gauge X80 coil with high temperature processing HTP practice used for China's Second West-East pipeline, the longest X80 pipe in the world. During this process, HTP design concept has been sucessfully applied to develop 18.4mm X80 coil with demanding low-temperature fracture toughness requirements. In the meanwhile, China's metallurgical workers have further optimized HTP design concept with the aid of powerful rolling mill and coiling equipment, and made it possible to develop 21.4mm X80 coil used for Russia-China East line. In the paper, we would simply review the development history of high-strength pipeline steels, and then give more priority to the fundamental points for sucessful development of 18.4mm X80 coil and SSAW pipe, which paved the way for subsequent development of 21.4mm X80 coil and SSAW pipe. Finally, we would present the test results of mass production and burst tests, and dispel the suspicion that SSAW pipes made of X80 coil are more qualified to resist ductile fracture.

Oct 1, 2019

By Ivo Filipovic

The steel melting process in an Electric Arc Furnace is a complex set of tasks, coping with highly dangerous hazards as fire, explosions, uncontrolled reactions, hot metal projections and gas or dust emissions. Melt shops are dangerous working areas for operators, recording statistics with a high frequency of injuries. In the past years, without dedicated safety equipment, there wasn't a real attitude to the risk prevention. The paper describes the available technological packages to eliminate the manned activities on the melting floor, with the aim to prevent accidents and keep furnace operators safe. The technological packages suite extends the automatic control of the EAF melting process to all the operations from charging phase to tapping. Plus, the integration of the most frequent operations by automated specialized tools effectively minimizes power-off times, enhancing reliability and improving the transformation costs.

Aug 17, 2017

By Adrian Villanueva

In this study, we compare the influence of two water soluble polymer-based organic binders added to bentonite, to form a hybrid-binder system for Iron Ore Pelletization. The kinetics of the agglomeration process and resulting properties of green pellets were analyzed, and examined in detail through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) analytical techniques. It was encountered that the differences in the mechanical properties of the pellets produced by each binder system could potentially be explained by the ability of the polymer to interact with bentonite at a macromolecular level.

Oct 30, 2017

By Felipe Darabas Rzatki

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a high performance thermoplastic often selected for high temperature tribological applications under chemically aggressive environments. The present work evaluate the tribological behavior of a high performance PEEK composite under ambient and high temperature (30 and 80°C, respectively). The atmosphere was also varied (air or tetrafluorethane). An AMTI tribometer equipped with a hermetic chamber and a heating system was used to carry out sliding tests of PEEK cylinders on 304 stainless steel polished discs (Sq < 10 nm) with reciprocating movement and 175 N normal force. Surfaces roughness analyses were performed with a white light interferometer. As expected, there was a strong influence of temperature on the tribological behavior of the samples tested in ambient atmosphere (25% decrease in friction coefficient associated with a 100% increase in wear rate). On the other hand, samples tested in tetrafluorethane atmosphere showed no significant friction temperature dependence.

Jul 31, 2018

By Christian Overhagen

In bar and wire rod mills, rolling procedures featuring three- and four-roll technologies are state-of-the-art to produce high-quality long products. While a rolling model for the three-roll process including an equivalent pass method was already presented by the author, pass design methods are dealt with in the current work. The geometry of the rolled product and roll grooves are described mathematically using functional contours, allowing geometric-numerical methods to be used for manipulation and deformation simulation of the rolled product. For a given pass, the output section is constructed using these methods. Roll force, torque and rolling power are calculated using the mathematical rolling model presented before. Interstand tensions are discussed as influencing parameters on the force, torque and power demands, as well as on the section shape. A mathematical model for the influence of interstand tensions on lateral spread is incorporated in the model. To complete the pass design model, elastic mill stand feedback is considered in terms of a fixed elastic modulus for each rolling stand, the elastic feedback and therefore cross-sectional variation due to elastic mill spring being calculated iteratively from the roll force by application of the Gagemeter equation. The interaction of section height and width faults due to elastic mill spring and spread variations is analyzed in detail and the consequences for the roll pass design are shown.

Oct 1, 2019

By Hormando Leocadio, CWM van der Geld, Julio Cesar Passos

Impinging water jets promote high heat flux extraction rate. Steel industry widely employs the process for accurate temperature control to improve the microstructure and to ensure adequate mechanical properties. The range of surface temperatures, heat fluxes and cooling rates are very large, which makes it important to obtain an accurate value of the heat transfer coefficient. This paper presents an experimental and numerical study of the heat transfer behavior of a high temperature (450°C - 900°C) steel plate cooled by a water jet at 20°C to 70°C. High-speed imaging (up to 20,000 fps) within water jet impingement zone allowed the characterization of the boiling regimes in the early stages of cooling. The effects of initial temperature, water jet temperature and velocity on the heat transfer coefficient were analyzed by inverse heat conduction method that predicts the heat flux and temperature on the top surface from temperatures measured with thermocouples inserted in test plate. Heat transfer is strongly affected by the initial temperature of the hot steel, water jet temperature and, less intensely, by jet velocity. High cooling rates start when liquid water is in direct contact with surface temperatures above 700°C.The results will contribute to the enhancement of the temperature cooling control on the runout table and cooling model employed at Usiminas Hot Strip Mill.

Oct 1, 2019

By José Divo Bressan

Present work examines material surface damage by cavitation erosion of metals or the wear phenomenon from water bubbles collapse near the metallic surface. Material surface damage by cavitation erosion is due to wear mechanisms of liquid micro-jets impingement and shock waves. Experimental cavitation in tap water was investigated, using the proposed new design of compact rotating disk equipment. In this device, a rotating disk with cavitation inducers and specimens fixed on it ran in tap water to provide cavitating flow at constant high speed of 47.9 m/s similar to service conditions in pumps and propellers. Two types of cavitation inducers in the rotating disk were investigated: through-holes and pins. Carburized cast iron, aluminum, brass and bronze specimens were tested in this device. The cavitation damage mechanisms were observed by scanning electron microscope. Surface damage in the specimens was measured by mass loss and plotted in graphs of mass loss versus running time. After 25 hours testing, the specimens surface showed pitting formation and mass loss. All specimens presented surface damage: pit diameter size was about 100 or 150 to 300 micron. In aluminum specimen, damages by burned pit formation and plastic deformation could be seen, however, the mass loss was lower than the expected, possibly due to alumina film formation. Present equipment had quite good test reproducibility when compared with results from literature.

Jul 31, 2018

By Sunil Katharia

In February 2016, the upgraded Blast Furnace 1 of JSW Steel Limited (JSW) at its Vijayanagar Steel Plant was blown in after a 6 months shutdown in which the whole furnace was rebuilt on the existing foundation and within the existing tower structure. Despite several plant constraints it was possible to increase the furnace inner volume by 85% - reaching 2307 m3 from existing 1250m3. The upgradation project covered the stockhouse and its dedusting system, top charging system, furnace profile, furnace cooling system, casthouse and its dedusting system, slag granulation plant, pulverized coal injection plant, hot blast system and gas cleaning plant – with major interventions in order to cope up with the changed operating conditions. The total scope of the project was split by JSW into several packages, all based on design data provided by Paul Wurth. JSW was responsible for coordinating the local subcontractors along with Paul Wurth which has been appointed as main technology supplier in charge of complete basic and selected detail engineering in the key areas and of the supply of core equipment such as the Bell-less Top®, copper staves, GCP key items and TMT casthouse machines. The main design concept and the key points of the project such as optimization of project ROI, advanced erection concepts as well as a summary of the operating results are presented confirming JSW “BF1” upgradation as one latest examples of the current state of the art in the revamping projects.

Aug 17, 2017

By Andrea Zanon

Recently steel manufacturers have significantly focused their attention on safety and working conditions thanks to new labour laws, comprehensive operators’ knowledge and increased company social responsibility. Even with a reduced budget, investments on safety are now widely approved. Mill constructors aim at developing upgraded solutions to comply with these new requirements. In some cases mill constructors can even anticipate customers’ requests and consequently put into the market innovative solutions. In this text we will analyze some advanced solutions developed by Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche Spa - the leading company in long-product rolling mills - aimed at improving working conditions on wire-rod block settings. In particular, we will focus on rolling guides installed on fast-finishing blocks and on servo-assisted device for rolling rings changing. In fact, this equipment has shown effective benefits on our test plants and has mainly cut out the tendency of the personnel to be absent due to backache. This paper will first present standard working conditions, will then introduce the newest equipment developed by Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche Spa, will analyze its operation and finally will describe in detail the benefits that can be reached with its use.

Jul 30, 2018