Some Features of the Influence of Titanium and Nitrogen Addition to NiCrMoV Steel

This paper reports a study of the addition effects of either titanium or titanium and nitrogen of steel grade DIN 56NiCrMoV7 on mechanical properties. Three steel grades were produced in 30 kg-induction furnace, one conforms the chemical composition of conventional 56NiCrMoV7 while the other two produced steels were microalloyed by either titanium or titanium and nitrogen. The produced cast steel grades were reheated to 1150°C and hold for 2 hours, followed by forging process. The forging process was carried out in temperature range 950°C - 1100°C. Solution treatment of hot forged steels was conducted at 880°C, 850°C followed by air and oil quenching, respectively. Quenched steel samples of different steel grades were tempered at different temperatures in the range of 300°C to 650°C for 45 min. The hardness variations after tempering of the two modified steels comparing with the conventional 56NiCrMoV7 steel were studied. Microadditions of titanium or titanium and nitrogen were found to produce secondary hardening at 550°C to 575°C (45 min) with a hardness peak higher than that attained in the conventional 56NiCrMoV7 steel. The effect of titanium and nitrogen additions on phases formation was investigated by Thermo-Calc. SEM was used to confirm Thermo-Calc analysis. Interpretation between hardness and formed phases has been illustrated.

Electroslag Refining of CrNiMoWMnV Ultrahigh-Strength Steel

Increasing demands for ultrahigh-strength steels in commercial as well as military applications have raised interest in finding alternatives to the high-cost high-alloyed steel and super-alloys currently used, e.g. the use of economic low-alloy compositions processed via low-cost air induction melting and electroslag refining (ESR). In this work the yield of alloying elements and the removal of the impurities nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus as a result of electroslag refining (ESR) in a newly developed CrNiMoWMnV ultrahigh-strength steel (UHSS) have been studied in relation to their activities in the molten metal pool. Six experimental heats of CrNiMoWMnV UHSS with different chemical compositions were designed, melted in an induction furnace (IF) and refined using ESR. This was followed by hot forging of the ingots at 1100°C to 950°C. ESR using a CaF2-CaO-Al2O3 slag system led to a high yield in Cr, Ni, Mo, W, Mn and V, while the yield of Si is low. The desulphurization of all six UHSS grades was pronounced with most of the sulphur removed either to the slag or by gas reactions. The degree of dephosphorization was only 5% irrespective of the steel composition. On the other hand, denitrification (removal of nitrogen) was achieved. It ranged from 8% to 63% depending on the steel composition. The yield of the alloying elements and removal of impurities from the steel during ESR depends on the chemical and physical properties of the ESR slag and the activity of the elements in the molten state, taking into account elemental interactions.

Parameters Affecting the Production of High Carbon Ferromanganese in Closed Submerged Arc Furnace

This study has been performed to investigate the different parameters affecting on the production of high carbon ferromanganese in closed submerged arc furnace. The analysis of industrial data revealed that using manganese ores with low Mn/Fe ratio necessitates higher amount of Mn-sinter in the charge. Using Mn-blend with higher Mn/Fe ratio reduces the coke consumption and this leads to reducing the electrodes consumption. The recovery of Mn ranges between 70 and 80 %. Much higher basic slag has slight effect on Mn- recovery. However, as slag basicity increases, the MnO- content of slag decreases. The manganese content of produced HCFeMn depends mainly on Mn/Fe ratio of Mn-blend. For obtaining HCFeMn alloy containing minimum 75%Mn, it is necessary to use Mn-blend with Mn/Fe ratio of higher than 6. A model for determination of the amount and composition of off-gases has been derived based on the chemical composition and material balance of the input raw materials and the produced alloy and slag. By using this model, the amount of off-gases was found to increase by increasing both Mn-blend and coke consumption.

Parameters Affecting Energy Consumption for Producing High Carbon Ferromanganese in a Closed Submerged Arc Furnace

The power consumption is considered to be the most important factor affecting the production cost of ferromanganese alloy.Different parameters affecting the energy consumption for industrial production of high carbon ferromanganese HCFeMn were investigated in a closed submerged arc furnace.The analysis of industrial data revealed that the most energy-consumed factors were the direct reduction by solid carbon,Boudouard reaction,metal and slag formation,and decomposition of fluxing materials(limestone and dolomite).To reduce the energy consumption and minimize the energy losses in the production process of HCFeMn,it was recommended to use Mn blend with minimum Mn to Fe ratio of 6and lower SiO2content or higher basicity.The added coke must be adjusted according to the material balance to prevent the over-coke and to minimize the highly endothermic"Boudouard reaction".In addition,it was recommended to work at basic slags with the ratio of(CaO+MgO)to SiO2equal to 1.0-1.2instead of much higher slag basicity.Furthermore,the mass losses had to be minimized through adjusting the handling and charging process and to take care of all metal produced.

Effect of cooling rate and composition on microstructure and mechanical properties of ultrahigh-strength steels

The influence of cooling rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of two new ultrahigh-strength steels(UHSSs)with different levels of C,Cr and Ni has been evaluated for the as-cooled and untempered condition.One UHSS had higher contents of C and Cr,while the other one had a higher Ni content.On the basis of dilatation curves,microstructures,macrohardness and microhardness,continuous cooling transformation diagrams were constructed as a guide to heat treatment possibilities.Cooling rates(CRs)of 60,1 and 0.01°C/s were selected for more detailed investigations.Microstructural characterization was made by laser scanning confocal microscopy,field emission scanning electron microscopy combined with electron backscatter diffraction,electron probe microanalysis and X-ray diffraction.Mechanical properties were characterized using macrohardness,tensile and Charpy V-notch impact tests.UHSS with the higher C and Cr contents showed lower transformation temperatures and slower bainite formation kinetics than that with the higher Ni content.Higher cooling rates led to lower volume fractions and carbon contents of retained austenite together with finer prior austenite grain size,as well as effective final grain size and lath size.These changes were accompanied by higher yield and tensile strengths.The best combinations of strength and toughness were obtained with martensitic microstructures and by avoiding the formation of granular bainite accompanied by proeutectoid carbides at low CR.For the cooling rates studied,UHSS with the higher C and Cr contents showed the higher hardness and strength but at the cost of toughness.