Effects of Ti addition on low carbon hot strips produced by CSP process

Large quantity of fine Ti（C,N） particles, 15-30 nm in size, were observed in low carbon hot strips added to a small amount of Ti and produced by CSP process. The results showed that the precipitation of Ti（C,N） mostly took place during soaking and hot rolling, which is significantly different from that in the conventional production. These fine Ti carbonitride particles could be very effective on the austenite grain refinement by hindering grain growth of recrystallized austenite. Their precipitation behavior was discussed and compared with that of the steels produced in the conventional production.

Comparison and analysis of dislocation density, morphology and evolution in microstructure of low-carbon steel produced using different technologies

Three kinds of specimens were produced from hot strips of similar composition and same thickness (nominal gauge 4.0mm) but produced using different technologies, and the dislocation density of these strips was quantitatively measured by positron annihilation technique test. The dislocation morphology and evolution in microstructure of each pass for producing the 1.9mm hot strip using CSP (compact strip production) technology were observed under an H-800 transmission electron microscope; its density was also quantitatively measured using the positron annihilation technique test, and the factors influencing the dislocation density during the production process were analyzed. The experimental results show that the dislocation density in the microstructure produced using CSP technology is higher than that in the microstructure produced using conventional technology. This result was discussed and confirmed on the basis of the finite element simulation and the theory relevant to dislocations.

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.

Correlation of morphological anisotropy and Lankford value of deep drawing sheets hot-rolled by compact strip production

Cold-rolled steel sheets in automotive applications require an excellent deep draw ability, which is characterized by the Lankford value （r-value）. In this study, a correlation was identified between r-value and pancake-shaped grain flatness which is indicated as the ratio of grain diameter in the rolling direction （RD） and normal direction （ND） of sheets （dr/dn）. A mathematical model （ r = e^0.345（dn^1/2-dr^1/2） ） was developed to calculate r-value by the microstructure of steel sheets hot-rolled by compact strip production （CSP）. It is shown that the r-value is higher, if the microstructure of steel sheet is of pancake-shaped grains elongated in the rolling direction. The calculated r-value is confirmed to fit exactly to the measured one from the large-scale production.

Development of Tailored Structure and Tensile Properties of Thermomechanical Treated Micro Alloyed Low Carbon Dual Phase Steel

Direct hot rolled dual phase steel production represents a challenging route, compared with cold rolled and intercritical annealing process, due to complex and sophisticated control of the hot strip mill processing parameters. Instead, high technology compact slab production plant offers economic advantages, adequate control and prompt use of the advanced thermomechanical controlled rolling. The current work aims to obtain different structures and tensile properties by physical simulation of direct hot rolled niobium micro alloyed dual phase low carbon steel by varying the metallurgical temperatures of hot strip mill plant. This starts with adaptation of the chemical analysis of a low carbon content to fall far from the undesired peritectic region to avoid slab cracking during casting. Thermodynamic and kinetics calculations by Thermo-Calc 2020 and JMat pro software are used to define the transformation’s temperatures Ae1 and Ae3 as well as processing temperatures;namely of reheating, finishing rolling, step cooling and coiling temperatures. The results show that the increase of finishing rolling temperature from 780°C to 840°C or decreasing either of step cooling duration at ferrite bay from 7 to 4 seconds, enhances yield and tensile strengths, all due to more martensite volume fraction formation. The yield and tensile strengths also increase with decreasing coiling temperature from 330°C to 180°C, which is explained due to the increase of dislocation densities resulted from the sudden shape change during martensite formation at the lower coiling temperature in additional to the self-tempering of martensite formed at higher coiling temperatures which soften the dual phase steel.

Comparison and analysis of dislocation density,morphology and evolution in mi-crostructure of low-carbon steel produced using different technologies

Three kinds of specimens were produced from hot strips of similar composition and same thickness （nominal gauge 4.0 mm） but produced using different technologies, and the dislocation density of these strips was quantitatively measured by positron annihilation technique test. The dislocation morphology and evolution in microstructure of each pass for producing the 1.9 mm hot strip using CSP （compact strip production） technology were observed under an H-800 transmission electron microscope; its density was also quantitatively measured using the positron annihilation technique test, and the factors influencing the dislocation density during the production process were analyzed. The experimental results show that the dislocation density in the microstructure produced using CSP technology is higher than that in the microstructure produced using conventional technology. This result was discussed and confirmed on the basis of the finite element simulation and the theory relevant to dislocations.

Mechanism of Black Strips Generated on Surface of CSP Hot-Rolled Silicon Steel

Because of the effect of silicon on the formation of oxide scale, black strip defect is common on the surface of compact strip production （CSP） hot-rolled silicon steel, which leads to difficulty in pickling process compared with plain carbon steels. Although high-temperature oxidation of Fe-Si alloy has been discussed a lot, few studies have explained the mechanism of black strip defect generated on the surface of hot-rolled silicon steel and proposed means to prevent it effectively. Thermogravimetric analyzer （TGA） is used to simulate oxidation of Fe-2.2Si alloy for 30 min under air condition, and temperature range is from 1000 to 1150 ℃. Effect of rolling deformation on scale morphology is also discussed. Electron probe microanalysis （EPMA） is used to analyze cross-sectional morphology and elemental distribution of the oxide scale. Schematic diagram of formation of black strip defect is obtained, which helps to provide theoretic basis for proposing of solutions for the Problem. It is proposed that lowering furnace tem-perature and shortening time to stay at high teniperature condition after rolling will be helpful tO relieve the black strip problem.

Comprehensive Shape Control Technology for CSP Hot Strip Mills

With the increasing demand on higher strip quality, the profile and flatness of hot rolling strips have become subjects of concern, particularly for compact strip product(CSP) hot strip mills. Based on the roll contour, control model, and rolling process, a comprehensive shape control technology is proposed and applied to CSP hot strip mill of Lianyuan steel, which includes optimization and design of the work roll contour and varying contact back-up roll(VCR) plus backup roll contour, analysis of the flatness feedback control model, as well as improvement of the rolling process control system. The application of the technology has significantly improved the shape control performance. The roll wear is improved and the general roll consumption of the finishing mill is reduced by 29.86%.The percentages that satisfy the control target ranges of the average strip flatness and crown are increased by approximately 15.40%and 14.82%, respectively. The rejection rate of grade Q235 due to shape quality problem is reduced monthly by 39.69%, which creates significant economic benefits for the plant.