Similarity evaluation model for the internal defect detection of strip steel

An internal defect meter is an instrument to detect the internal inclusion defects of cold-rolled strip steel.The detection accuracy of the equipment can be evaluated based on the similarity of the multiple detection data obtained for the same steel coil.Based on the cosine similarity model and eigenvalue matrix model,a comprehensive evaluation method to calculate the weighted average of similarity is proposed.Results show that the new method is consistent with and can even replace artificial evaluation to realize the automatic evaluation of strip defect detection results.

Development of Continuous Coating and Plating Strip Steel

The development trend of coated and plated technology for continuous strip steels,which include hot dip plating,electroplating,organic coating and vacuum plating technology,were summarized.

Numerical Simulation of Continuous Tension Leveling Process of Thin Strip Steel and Its Application

Cold-rolled thin strip steel of high flatness quality undergoes multistage deformation during tension leveling. Thus, the parameters of set-up and manipulating are more difficult. With the aid of FE code MSC. MARC, the tension leveling process of thin strip steel was numerically simulated. Concentrating on the influence of the roll intermeshes in 2# anti-cambering on the distribution and magnitude of residual stresses in leveled strip steel, several experiments were clone with the tension leveler based on the results from the simulation. It was found from the simulation that the magnitude of longitudinal residual stresses in the cross-section of the leveled strip steel regularly presents obvious interdependence with the roll intermeshes in 2# anti-cambering. In addition, there is a steady zone as the longitudinal residual stresses of the surface layers in leveled strip steel vary with the roll intermeshes of 2# anticambering, which is of importance in the manipulation of tension levelers. It was also found that the distribution of strains and stresses across the width of strip steel is uneven during leveling or after removing the tension loaded upon the strip, from which it was found that 3D simulation could not be replaced by 2D analysis because 2D analysis in this case cannot represent the physical behavior of strip steel deformation during tension leveling.

Solidification Structure of Low Carbon Steel Strips with Different Phosphorus Contents Produced by Strip Casting

In the present paper, low carbon steel strips with different phosphorus contents were produced using a twin roll strip casting process. The solidification structure was studied and its features were analyzed in detail. It was found that the strips possessed a fine microstructure compared with the mould cast steels. With increasing phosphorus content more ferrite has been formed with finer grains.

Effect of hot stamping parameters on the mechanical properties and microstructure of cold-rolled 22MnB5 steel strips

Thermomechanical experiments were carried out to reproduce the hot stamping process and to investigate the effects of process parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of stamped parts. The process parameters, such as austenitizing temperature, soaking time, initial deformation temperature and cooling rate, are studied. The resulting microstructures of specimens were observed and analyzed. To evaluate the mechanical properties of specimens, tensile and hardness tests were also performed at room temperature. The op-timum parameters to achieve the highest tensile strength and the desired microstructure were acquired by comparing and analyzing the results. It is indicated that hot deformation changes the transformation characteristics of 22MnB5 steel. Austenite deformation promotes the austen-ite-to-ferrite transformation and elevates the critical cooling rate to induce a fully martensitic transformation.

“Quartus scale” of hot-rolled strip steels and its formation mechanism

The types and growth of various oxide scales formed during the different phases of the production of hotrolled strip steel products are reviewed. Similarities and differences between the ＂tertiary scale＂ on the surface of carbon steels at high temperatures and the oxide scale on pure iron are compared. The micro-structural features of the ＂final oxide scale＂ on the surface of strip steels at room temperature as well as the relationship between these features and the position of the steel coil （plate） and the subsequent processes of recoiling, temper rolling and trimming, etc. are summarized. The actual oxide scales retained on the commercial hot-rolled strip steels at room temperature have been proposed to define as ＂ quartus scale＂ for the first time. The micro-structural development and phase transformation of the initial ＂tertiary scale＂ during and after cooling and coiling are described. The reasons for the ＂tertiary scale＂ on carbon steels differing from the oxide scale formed on pure iron, and the major influencing factors in the formation of various types of ＂quartus scales＂ are analyzed from both thermodynamic and dynamic viewpoints. The development mechanism of ＂ quartus scales＂ is discussed and the potential effects of the ＂ quartus scale＂ state （thickness, constitution, structure and defects）, on the rusting and pickling properties of commercial hot-rolled strip steel, as well as on the mechanical properties of oxide scales are analyzed.

Monitor automatic gauge control strategy with a Smith predictor for steel strip rolling

The simplified transfer function diagram block for a monitor automatic gauge control （Mon-AGC） system of strip steel rolling process was investigated. The new notion of strip sample length was given. In this way, the delay time varying with the rolling speed was evaded. After a Smith predictor was used to monitor the AGC system, the control laws were deduced for both proportional and integral regulators. The control strategies showed that by choosing the controller parameter P=∞ for both control algo- rithms each regulator could compensate the whole strip gage error in the first control step. The result shows that the integral algo- rithm is more controllable for the system regulating process and has a better steady-state precision than the proportional regulator. Compared with the traditional control strategy, the new control laws have a faster response speed and a hieher steadv-state precision.

Precipitation characteristic of high strength steels microalloyed with titanium produced by compact strip production

Transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and physics-chemical phase analysis were employed to investigate the precipitates in high strength steels microalloyed with Ti produced by compact strip production （CSP）. It was seen that precipitates in Ti microalloyed steels mainly included TiN, Ti4C2S2, and TiC. The size of TiN particles varied from 50 to 500 nm, and they could precipitate during or before soaking. The Ti4C2S2 with the size of 40-100 nm might precipitate before rolling, and the TiC particles with the size of 5-50 nm precipitated heterogeneously. High Ti content would lead to the presence of bigger TiC particles that precipitated in austenite, and by contrast, TiC particles that precipitated in ferrite and the transformation of austenite to ferrite was smaller. They were less than 30 nm and mainly responsible for precipitate strengthening. It should be noted that the TiC particles in higher Ti content were generally smaller than those in the steel with a lower Ti content.

Seismic responses of the steel-strip reinforced soil retaining wall with full-height rigid facing from shaking table test

To investigate the seismic response of the steel-strip reinforced soil retaining wall with fullheight rigid facing in terms of the acceleration in the backfill, dynamic earth pressure in the backfill, the displacements on the facing and the dynamic reinforcement strain distribution under different peak acceleration, a large 1-g shaking table test was performed on a reduced-scale reinforced-earth retaining wall model. It was observed that the acceleration response in non-strip region is greater than that in potential fracture region which is similar with the stability region under small earthquake,while the acceleration response in potential fracture region is greater than that in stability region in middle-upper of the wall under moderately strong earthquakes. The potential failure model of the rigid wall is rotating around the wall toe. It also was discovered that the Fourier spectra produced by the inputting white noises after seismic wave presents double peaks, rather than original single peak, and the frequency of the second peak trends to increase with increasing the PGA(peak ground amplitude) of the excitation which is greater than 0.4 g. Additionally,the non-liner distribution of strip strain along the strips was observed, and the distribution trend was not constant in different row. Soil pressure peak value in stability region is larger than that in potential fracture region. The wall was effective under 0.1 g-0.3 g seismic wave according to the analyses of the facing displacement and relative density. Also, it was discovered that the potential failure surface is corresponds to that in design code, but the area is larger. The results from the study can provide guidance for a more rational design of reinforced earth retaining walls with full-height rigid facing in the earthquake zone.

Thermodynamic Research on Precipitates in Low Carbon Nb-Microalloyed Steels Produced by Compact Strip Production

Microalloying element Nb in low carbon steels produced by compact strip production （CSP） process plays an important role in inhibiting recrystallization, decreasing the transformation temperature and grain refinement.With decreasing the rolling temperature, dislocations can be pinned by carbonitrides and the strength is increased. Based on the two sublattice model, with metal atom sublattice and interstitial atom sublattice,a thermodynamic model for carbonitride was established to calculate the equilibrium between matrix and carbonitride. In the steel produced by CSP, the calculation results showed that the starting temperature of precipitation of Ti and Nb are 1340℃ and 1040℃, respectively. In the range of 890-950℃, Nb rapidly precipitated. And the maximum of the atomic fraction of Nb in carbonitride was about 0.68. The morphologies and energy spectrum of the precipitates showed that （NbTi） （CN） precipitated near the dislocations. The experiment results show that Nb rapidly precipitated when the temperature was lower than 970℃, and the atomic fraction of Nb in carbonitride was about 60%-80%. The calculation results are in agreement with the experiment data. Therefore the thermodynamic model can be a useful assistant tool in the research on the precipitates in the low carbon steels produced by CSP.

Adaptive illumination light source for online machine vision inspection of tin steel strips

The different reflection characteristics of the surface of tin steel strips and the different speeds of the tinning line demand an adaptive illumination light source for online machine vision inspection. This light source can be integrated with a time delay integration charge-coupled device （TDI CCD ） to capture the images of moving objects and facilitate inspection of the surface quality of tin steel strips. On-site application show the effectiveness of the TDI camera with the adaptive illumination light source in detecting the surface defects on tin steel strips of three different materials and with different tin coating weights.

Microstructure analysis of AISI 304 stainless steel produced by twin-roll thin strip casting process

The microstructure of AISI 304 austenlte stainless steel fabricated by the thin strip casting process were investigated using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope （SEM）, transmission electron microscope （TEM）, and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The microstructures of the casting strips show a duplex structure consisting of delta ferrite and austenite. The volume fraction of the delta ferrite is about 9.74vo1% at the center and 6.77vo1% at the surface of the casting thin strip, in vermicular and hand shapes. On account of rapid cooling and solidification in the continuous casting process, many kinds of inclusions and precipitates have been found. Most of the inclusions and precipitates are spherical complex compounds consisting of oxides, such as, SiO2, MnO, Al2O3, Cr2O3, and FeO or their multiplicity oxides of MnO.Al2O3, 2FeO.SiO2, and 2MnO.SiO2. Many defects including dislocations and stacking faults have also formed during the rapid cooling and solidification process, which is helpful to improve the mechanical properties of the casting strips.

Microstructure and corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel electroslag strip cladding

The 304 stainless steel strips were deposited one layer on carbon steel base metal by electroslag strip cladding （ESC） and submerged arc cladding （SAC）, respectively. The solidification microstrueture of ESC metal was analyzed by the optical microscopy, scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The corrosion resistance studies of strip cladding metals were carried out in 10% oxalic acid electrolytic etching test. The results showed that the cladding metal obtained by ESC presented low content of C, high content of Cr and enough alloying element of Ni in the chemical composition. The transition zone of ESC with small width was almost parallel with the base metal, leading to a lower dilution. There are three types of solidification modes （ A→AF→FA ） occurred in the ESC metal due to the decrease of cooling rate and degree of dilution from the transition zone to the top of ESC metal. As a result, the microstructure of ESC metal exhibited mainly austenite with a small amount of ferrite, contributing to achievement of better corrosion resistance.

Effect of Direct Quenching and Partitioning Treatment on Mechanical Properties of a Hot Rolled Strip Steel

Three different online heat treatment processes were designed to study the effects on the mechanical properties of a 0.19C-1.6Si-1.6Mn（wt%） hot rolled strip steel.The microstructures were characterized by means of SEM,TEM,EPMA,and XRD.The mechanical properties were estimated by tensile tests.Results showed that a satisfying combination of strength and ductility could be obtained through the ferrite relaxation and direct quenching and partitioning process.Analysis was also focused on this process.The microstructure contained proeutectoid ferrite grains,martensite packets and blocky or interlath retained austenite,and also contained carbide-free bainite in the case of relatively high quench temperatures.The retained austenite fraction was increased through proeutectoid ferrite and partial bainite transformation,while the tensile strength was also consequently decreased.The most of retained austenite transformed to ferrite under deformation and the elongation was obviously improved.

Industrial trial of strip-casting weathering steel

Baostrip has chosen a steel-grade weathering steel for industrial trial. By carefully designing the composition and manufacturing process,qualified weathering-steel products have been successfully produced on the Ningbosteel-Baosteel strip casting industrialization demo project( NBS) production line. The industrialized practice of Baostrip shows the following: The surface microstructure of weathering-steel products is polygonal ferrite +pearlite,and that of the center is acicular ferrite. After single-stand on-line hot rolling at a 26% low pressure rate,the thickness tolerance ratio controlled within ± 25 μm reaches 99. 6%. The surface convexity and the wedge can be controlled to | C40 |< 50 μm and | W40 |< 30 μm,respectively. The mechanical properties of the strip are superior,exhibiting a yield strength range of( 430 ± 50) MPa,a tensile strength range of( 550 ± 50) MPa,and an elongation range of( 27 ± 5)%. The corrosion resistance is equivalent to that of current commercial atmospheric corrosion-resistant steels,with a relative corrosion rate of 43%. When used,the weathering steel produced by the strip-casting process meets the strict quality and usage requirements of container steel sheets.

Influence of oxide scales on the corrosion behaviors of B510L hot-rolled steel strips

The influence of oxide scales on the corrosion behaviors of B510 L hot-rolled steel strips was investigated in this study. Focused ion beams and scanning electron microscopy were used to observe the morphologies of oxide scales on the surface and cross sections of the hot-rolled steel. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used for the phase analysis of the oxide scales and corrosion products. The corrosion potential and impedance were measured by anodic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. According to the results, oxide scales on the hot-rolled strips mainly comprise iron and iron oxides. The correlation between mass gain and test time follows a power exponential rule in the damp-heat test. The corrosion products are found to be mainly composed of γ-Fe OOH, Fe3O4, ？-Fe OOH, and γ-Fe2O3. The contents of the corrosion products are different on the surfaces of the steels with and without oxide scales. The steel with oxide scales is found to show a higher corrosion resistance and lower corrosion rate.

Microstructure of AISI 304 stainless steel strips produced by a twin-roll caster

By optical inspection of macro-etched metallography and electron back-scattered diffraction （EBSD） mapping, this paper analyzed the microstructure of austenitic stainless steel strips produced with an equal-diameter twin-roll strip caster. The results indicate that the microstructure of the strips includes two columnar zones with highly compact dendrites and one equiaxed zone. The characteristics, such as grain size and growing direction of columnar grains and equiaxed grains, were investigated. An additional transitional area with many finer grains between the columnar zone and the equiaxed zone was found. As shown in EBSD analysis, small angle boundaries exist both in the columnar zone and the equiaxed zone, although they are especially more in the transitional area. Additionally, some 〈111〉 twin boundaries were found in the microstructure of the strips.

Kinetics of austenite growth and bainite transformation during reheating and cooling treatments of high strength microalloyed steel produced by sub-rapid solidification

First,strip cast samples of high strength microalloyed steel with sub-rapid solidification characteristics were prepared by simulated strip casting technique.Next,the isothermal growth of austenite grain during the reheating treatment of strip casts was observed in situ through confocal laser scanning microscope(CLSM).The results indicated that the time exponent of grains growth suddenly rise when the isothermal temperature higher than 1000℃.And the activation energy for austenite grain growth were calculated to be 538.0 kJ/mol in the high temperature region(above 1000℃)and 693.2 kJ/mol in the low temperature region(below 1000℃),respectively.Then,the kinetics model of austenite isothermal growth was established,which can predict the austenite grain size during isothermal hold very well.Besides,high density of second phase particles with small size was found during the isothermal hold at the low temperature region,leading to the refinement of austenite grain.After isothermal hold at different temperature for 1800 s,the bainite transformation in microalloyed steel strip was also observed in situ during the continuous cooling process.And growth rates of bainite plates with different nucleation positions and different prior austenite grain size(PAGS)were calculated.It was indicated that the growth rate of the bainite plate is not only related to the nucleation position but also to the PAGS.

Study on Production of Rubber Sealing Strips with Steel Bones

Rubber sealing strips with steel bones are used in car manufacturing that produced in large quantities. Cutting processes, such as milling and punching, are needed when the strips are produced. Accuracy, smoothness and flatness of the machined surface have to be guaranteed in the cutting process; moreover, deformation of the steel bone and peeling-off of the rubber must be avoided. Therefore cutting action of rubber/steel strips differs from that of rubber or metal workpiece separately. In this paper, milling and punching of rubber/steel strips were studied with the aim to increase the part quality of a production line for sealing strips of cars. Suitable cutting tools and fixtures are both necessary for cutting of the strips. The teeth of the milling saw should be made knife-edged and the cutting edge of the punching tool be inclined. Fixtures should be used to sustain the workpiece and resist deformation. By using of suitable tools and fixtures, high quality of rubber/steel sealing strips is achieved in the production line.

Effect of hot rolling on the microstructure and impact absorbed energy of the strip steel by CSP

The microstructures and impact absorbed energies at various temperatures were investigated for steel strips hot rolled to thickness reductions of 95.5%, 96.0%, 96.5%, 97.0%, and 97.5%. Results indicate that grain refinement can be realized with an increase in hot rolling reduction. Besides, finer precipitates can be achieved with an increase in hot rolling reduction from 95.5%to 97.0%. The impact absorbed energy decreases with a decrease in testing temperature for steel strips hot rolled to 95.5%, 96.0%, and 96.5%reductions in thickness. However, in the case of steel strips hot rolled to 97.0%and 97.5%reductions in thickness, the impact absorbed energy remained almost constant with a decrease in testing temperature.