Search Documents

By Giuseppe Pintaude

This study aims to evaluate the effect of specimen preparation on the dry sliding wear behavior of CA-6 NM stainless steel. Two different surface finishing manufacturing processes were applied: lapping and metallographic polishing. The wear tests were conducted in reciprocating ball-on-flat system, performed for two loads: 5 or 8 N. For all test conditions, hardmetal ball was employed as counterbody. The surfaces were evaluated using 3D interferometry technique to determine their surface roughness, including texture analysis regarding isotropy. Surface characterization results indicated the presence of texturing and preferential orientation, since the parameter Str was smaller than 0.5 for samples of both the studied conditions. Two distinct levels of isotropy evaluated through Str parameter were achieved: 0.13 for lapping and 0.3 for metallographic polishing process. It is clear from wear tests that the variation of average surface roughness is the key point for tribological behavior of CA-6 NM stainless steel.

Jul 31, 2018

By Moisés Paulo Teixeira

The use of tailings for the synthesis of new materials is a worldwide concern today. This paper approaches the utilization of tailings of soapstone (steatite) in order to produce ceramics. The results show that the addition of soapstone in a ratio over 20% in the ceramic mass has enhanced the bending resistance of the ceramic samples when they were fired at temperatures of 900°C or 1000°C.

Oct 30, 2017

By Mario González Ramírez

The safe transport of sour gas requires steels with enhanced hydrogen induced cracking (HIC) resistance. Centerline segregation bands of high hardness microconstituents and non-metallic inclusions are the heterogeneities usually linked to HIC failures in pipeline steels. Full-scale production heats of a new low Mn, Nb microalloyed steel were produced by different steel mills aiming at the application in sour gas environments. The new alloy design provides both effective strengthening and control of sulphide inclusions. Coil microstructure consisted of fine grained ferrite with a small volume fraction of uniformly dispersed eutectoid aggregates. Most importantly the microstructure was uniform in both the longitudinal and transverse directions and exhibited exceptional consistency. Samples from this steel were submitted to HIC testing according to NACE standards TM0284-2003 without any sign of cracking. The results, so far, confirm that this new alloy design provides the unique opportunity to economically produce a high strength pipe steel grade with improved sour service resistance for the linepipe industry.

Aug 8, 2018

By Maurizio Massimo

Danieli developed the “3Q” suite of process control technologies to address three critical principles: delivering the highest product Quality, in the required Quantity, with Quickness of response required for today’s casting machines. Ever increasing market demands for productivity and slab quality necessitate the latest advances/improvements in equipment design, process technology, and control software for all types of slab casters, and Danieli boasts a unique experience that extends from ultra high-speed thin slab casters to extra high-thickness conventional slab casters. The “3Q” system is monitored and controlled by a unique, intelligent HMI incorporating. Touch screen technology and Operator Assistant tablets. Operator Assistant is a tablet based system that guides the operator through the plant process, so that in the event of a process change or an alarm the operator is automatically presented with the choice of possible solutions / actions. The comprehensive range of technological packages cover all aspects of caster design and automation control, from feeding of liquid steel into the tundish to the final slab leaving the caster.

Aug 17, 2017

By Kazuya Nakabo

In this article, influences of restraint and MgO content on densification of alumina-magnesia castable during heating were experimentally studied. High thermal expansion-alumina-magnesia castable specimens were surrounded by low thermal expansion-alumina-silica castables, and heated in an electric furnace. Doing so allows restrained heating of alumina-magnesia castable. According to the results of simple calculations, the restraint stresses were estimated to be between 2 to 20 MPa, so the experimental conditions were considered reasonable. As a result of the experiments, it was verified that restraint densifies alumina-magnesia castable, resulting in an increase in modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity. The densification effect of restraint became larger as the MgO content increased. The effects are attributable to an in-situ spinel forming reaction, which improves corrosion resistance.Taking the temperature distribution in the castable lining into account, large restraint stress is expected for the hot face while only a little effect is expected for back end. Thus, excessive difference in material property in the thickness direction, which is undesirable in terms of structural spalling, is a concern.Hence, the MgO content of alumina-magnesia castable should be determined carefully, taking not only corrosion resistance but also spalling resistance into consideration.

Oct 30, 2017

By José Aparecido Pereira

The innovative methodology developed by the author allows the elaboration of an Angle Roll Pass Design based on the practical observations of the rolling process and applies mathematical criteria, using the Ekelund´s formula supported by Advanced Excel tools (Reach Goal, PROCV-PROCH, Macros) and AutoCad. The first step is the definition of the number of stands, roll dimensions, gear boxes reduction, initial stock, average reductions, spread factors, finishing speed and type of grooves. For each pass are calculated: bite angle, spread, section reduction, lost and gain of temperature, separating force, speed, torque and motor power. After these calculations and checking of the parameters, the program calculates the dimensions of the passes transforming the flat passes into shaped ones. With these dimensions it is possible to draw the grooves using AutoCad and check section reductions. This methodology was already used for the development of a new project and also to check the parameters of existing ones, with comparison of the results and has shown to be reliable in real and tested projects. It is an innovative process that is not available in known literature.

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 J. Bas A. F. Smeulders

Traditional laboratory lubrication tests, including those for cold rolling lubricants often involve measurement of neat oils. To achieve increased levels of test severity, such tests are often carried out at high temperatures and prolonged durations. However, we found that the levels of lubricant degradation and wear in these tests can be much higher than in the field. Moreover, steel rolling is not done with neat oils, but with emulsions, where the presence of water influences film formation, surface chemistry and oil composition in the roll bite. To better approach the situation in the field, and thus to be able to develop rolling oils with improved lubrication performance, several lubrication tests were developed for emulsions: direct measurement of film formation and measurement of Stribeck curves, in which the emulsions can be assessed in terms of their boundary lubrication and elastohydrodynamic behaviour. The key innovation is that also another test method was developed, which focuses on boundary lubrication and wear, and the role of extreme pressure and anti-wear additives. Realistic levels of test severity are achieved in the tribometer by mimicking frictional power intensities and flash temperatures for typical cold rolling or tinplate mills. Test conditions can be adapted according to the mill stand or pass number and other cold rolling process parameters. The emulsions are kept at normal operational temperature. Clear differences could be observed between emulsions of various concentration and composition. The viability of the method is illustrated by a number of field cases, in which a good correlation is demonstrated between the laboratory tests and the performance in a pilot or production mill.

Jul 30, 2018

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 Adilson de Castro

In this paper a new technology for a compact iron ore sintering machine is analyzed. The compact sintering process is based on the massive injection of gaseous fuels and the solid fuel is only agglomerated fine charcoal obtained by biomass. The solid fuel used in this study is obtained by agglomeration of fine charcoal produced from elephant glass which has very short period for production and CO2 capture(less than 6 months in tropical climate). To overcome the lower heat supply into the combustion front of the sintering process the simultaneous injection of oxygen and gaseous fuel is proposed. The proposed methodology is to combine the solid fuel (agglomerated fines charcoal) and steelworks gases in a compact machine to enhance heat and mass transfer with high productivity (about 5 times the conventional large machine). A multiphase mathematical model based on transport equations of momentum, energy and chemical species coupled with chemical reaction rates and phase transformations is used to analyze the inner process parameters. A base case representing a possible actual industrial operation of the sintering machine is used in order to compare different scenarios of practicable operations which represents advanced operations techniques. The model was used to predict six cases of combined operation with biomass and fuel gas utilization with oxygen support.

Aug 2, 2018

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 Steven George Jansto

The hot ductility behavior of different microalloyed steel chemical compositions was examined simulating the thermal and strain conditions through the straightening or unbending section of the continuous casting machine. All samples were obtained from industrial slab casters ranging from 200 to 300 mm in slab thickness from steel mills throughout the world including China, Brazil, North America and Europe. The slabs were crack-free and hot rolled into prime quality products. No laboratory heats were tested. Although these microalloyed steels exhibit inherently lower hot ductility behavior, as measured by percent reduction in area at elevated temperature, these steels still exhibit sufficient ductility to satisfactorily meet the unbending stress and strain gradients existing in the straightening section of most casters. The majority of the published hot ductility data, as measured by % reduction in area (%RA), were based on laboratory heats and hence, are inaccurate in accessing the propensity for slab cracking on an industrial caster. This situation then results in invalid conclusions for different chemistries. This research has determined the minimum required %RA for crack-free casting is significantly lower than results based upon previously published laboratory generated data. For example, the literature quotes 40% RA minimum for Nb-bearing steels when in fact as low as 10% minimum RA is more than sufficient to assure crack-free casting based upon the extensive testing and analysis performed in this study. Instead of %RA, the measurement of strain energy has been introduced to evaluate hot ductility behavior. It is concluded that strain energy is a better measure of hot ductility behaviour than %RA. There is considerable value in the evaluation of the hot stress and strain curves, process metallurgy parameters and their relationship to slab quality instead of just basing hot ductility decisions on simple %RA measurements.

Aug 16, 2017

By Jan Krull

A high productive coke making process in connection with stringent emission control has clearly become a demand of plant operators and stakeholders. Further to this, availability, quality and coal costs are key concerns for the iron and steel industry in its efforts to optimize raw material cost. Today, the optimization of raw material cost in integrated steel works has further gained priority. Coking coal reflects up to 20% of the cost of steel. In top charged batteries coal preparation and blending is one of the concerns to lower coal cost by maximizing the percentage of non-coking coals in the blend. Stamp charging technology is technologically and economically an effective solution in the process of pre-carbonisation. Paul Wurth’s jumbo top charged oven as well as proven stamp charging technology have recently set new benchmarks in Europe, India and Brazil in terms of productivity, stability and emission control.

Aug 1, 2018

By Flávia Tereza dos Santos Fernandes Tolomelli

Este trabalho teve como objetivo estimar as temperaturas de transformação de fases por meio de termodinâmica computacional (A1 e A3), dilatometria (Ac1 e Ac3) e monitoramento do resfriamento ao ar após passes de laminação a quente em escala piloto (Ar3 e Ar1). Objetiva ainda descrever a evolução microestrutural da austenita em um aço baixo C microligado ao Nb onde se almeja a produção de um aço ferrítico-bainítico, coletando-se amostras após cada passe de laminação através do congelamento da microestrutura por intermédio de resfriamento em salmoura com o objetivo adicional de verificar a ocorrência de recristalização entre passes.

Jul 30, 2018

By Caroline Antunes Correa

Durante o processo por estampagem incremental, parâmetros como velocidade relativa, tamanho e material da ferramenta de estampagem, podem mudar as características superficiais do material. Para um biomaterial ser utilizado em implantes, um dos principais aspectos que pode influenciar sobre o processo de osseointegração são propriedades superficiais como rugosidade e molhabilidade. Nesse contexto, esse trabalho visa avaliar o efeito do processo de estampagem incremental seguido pelo tratamento térmico sobre a rugosidade e molhabilidade de chapas de Ti-cp com estampagem. A composição química e a morfologia das superfícies foram avaliadas por MEV/EDS. Resultados preliminares indicaram que a morfologia superficial é fortemente modificada pelo processo de estampagem incremental.

Aug 16, 2017

By Melina Gamis da Silva

A evolução microestrutural que ocorre durante o processo de laminação a quente pode ser modelada em termos dos tamanhos de grão da austenita e de suas frações recristalizadas ao longo dos passes. Este artigo apresenta uma metodologia que permite a análise da cinética de recristalização e precipitação durante a laminação, com base na composição química do aço e parâmetros do processo. Essa metodologia pode ser utilizada na criação de modelos computacionais. Neste trabalho, as simulações apontaram para a alteração do teor de Nb e da temperatura de reaquecimento da placa como solução para otimizar o processo, resultando em melhorias no produto, ganho de produtividade e redução de custos.

Aug 16, 2017

By Tamilis Rodrigues Braga

Embora a indústria de fundição recicle toda espécie de sucata metálica, usada como matéria-prima no processo, é uma grande geradora de resíduos sólidos, devido, principalmente, à elevada quantidade de areia empregada no processo. As fundições precisam adotar alternativas que minimizem o descarte das areias. A reciclagem interna, por meio da recuperação mecânica, se estabelece como uma opção com benefícios econômicos e ambientais. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a influência da utilização da areia de cura a frio recuperada nas propriedades mecânicas do molde e no acabamento do fundido. Verificou-se que é possível a utilização de até 50% de areia recuperada no processo de moldagem, mantendo propriedades adequadas de desempenho.

Oct 30, 2017

By Noan Tonini SImonassi

A utilização de compósitos de matriz polimérica reforçados com fibras naturais vem assumindo um papel importante no âmbito da engenharia de materiais. O baixo custo, a biodegradabilidade e a redução do peso especifico torna a utilização desse tipo de compósito bastante atrativa. O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar o desempenho da fibra de sisal como reforço do policarbonato visando uso utilização militar, especialmente em proteção balística. Antes da confecção dos corpos de prova, foi realizada a redução no tamanho de partícula do policarbonato e da fibra de sisal através de um moinho de facas, posteriormente dos corpos foram submetidos aos ensaios de tração e flexão.

Oct 30, 2017

By Luiz Antônio da Silva

Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar os resultados do procedimento de geração de energia elétrica adicional a geração econômica na CTE2 com gás natural, visando a redução de custo no grupo CSN.O estudo foi efetuado através da avaliação dos preços do mercado de curto prazo de energia elétrica e análise do processo de geração da planta, aos quais permitiram diagnosticar as melhores praticas e definir a melhor configuração operacional.Os resultados apresentados foram significativos para as condições de operação, o que representa redução do custo de energia elétrica para o grupo CSN e aumento da segurança operacional da planta da CTE2.

Jul 31, 2018

By Gil Ribeiro Vilela Neto

Na busca por se tornar cada vez mais sustentável, a indústria mineral vem recorrendo às soluções tecnológicas que minimizem o impacto ambiental gerado pela disposição dos rejeitos resultantes dos processos de beneficiamento de minérios. Neste cenário, umas das soluções é a aplicação de tecnologias de separação sólido-líquido com o objetivo de maximizar o desaguamento dos rejeitos e, consequentemente, diminuir o volume ocupado por eles quando dispostos e aumentar a recirculação de água. Este trabalho tem como objetivo, determinar a influência da concentração de sólidos em polpas de rejeitos denominados de “lamas” no desempenho do espessamento e a determinação da concentração de sólidos ótima para atingir o melhor desempenho do espessador.

Aug 16, 2017