Effect of Rare Earths on Properties of BNbRE Rail Steel

The development and properties of BNbRE rail steel and the effect of RE on rail steel were studied. The results show that the properties of rail steel ( σ b≥980 MPa, δ 5≥8%) can be improved by adding RE and niobium and adjusting the content of C, Si and Mn in steel. At the same time, the abrasion resistance, contact fatigue and fatigue property of BNbRE rail steel are excellent. It also shows that RE in rail steel has the functions of purifying steel, modifying inclusion and micro alloy action effect. The improved steel making process enhances the quality of molten steel. Although the content of RE is low, excellent properties of BNbRE rail steel are achieved.

Influence of Rare Earths on Contact Fatigue of Rail Steels

Rail/wheel contact fatigue of NbRE rail, Nb rail and U74 rail was investigated using contact fatigue tester. Microstructure and morphology as well as microhardness in the fatigue profiles were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and Vickers hardness respectively. The experimental results show that rare earths are able to delay the initiation and the propagation of fatigue cracks and postpone the surface shelling or spalling, even more, to reduce the crack propagation angle and the crack propagation depth in steady stab as well as the plastic deformation area, and to improve work-hardening of the rail steel.

Effect of Rare Earth (Niobium) on Costed and Hot-Rolled Microstructure and Properties of Heavy Rail Steels

A compared investigation was made on the microstructure and mechanical properties of continuous casting square blanks of BNbRE and U71Mn heavy rail steels having eutectoid composition. The variation of solidified structure of the square blanks was demonstrated by measuring hardness. The observation to the structure and inclusions in the head, waist and base of the hot-rolled rails of the test steels were carried out with optical microscope and SEM. It is found that the casting blanks of both tested steels compose of three areas with constant hardness and three hardness varying areas, and there is considerable P-eutectic structure in the blank of the U71Mn steel. The distribution of the inclusions in the UT1Mn steel rail is mainly oxides in both rail head and rail base, and is mainly MnS in the waist of the rail. There has strong effect of the addition of rare earth elements on them. The discussion on these results was made.

Reaction mechanism between Al_(2)O_(3)–MgO refractory materials and rare earth high-carbon heavy rail steel

Submerged entry nozzle(SEN)clogging is a major problem affecting the production quality of rare earth steel,and finding a suitable refractory outlet can significantly reduce production costs.To explore the relationship between refractory composition and interface interaction,unprotected coated Al_(2)O_(3)–MgO refractories and SiO2-coated Al_(2)O_(3)–MgO refractories were added to rare earth high-carbon heavy rail steel under laboratory conditions,and the Al_(2)O_(3)–MgO refractory was found to be more suitable.The results show that,from the epoxy resin side to the refractory side,the contour of the refractory interface reaction layer can be divided into two main layers:an iron-rich reaction layer and an iron-poor reaction layer.Calculations based on the spherical model suggest that the adhesion force is proportional to the size of the refractory particles and inclusions,and the same result applies to the surface tension.Controlling the inclusions at a smaller size has a specific effect on alleviating the erosion of refractories.Combined with the erosion mechanism of Al_(2)O_(3)–MgO refractories,the interface reaction mechanism between Al_(2)O_(3)–MgO refractories and molten steel was proposed,which provides ideas for solving SEN clogging.

Effects of Rare Earth on Structure and Mechanical Properties of Clean BNbRE Steel

The mechanisms of RE in clean BNbRE steel were studied by means of experimental measurement, microstructural observation and theoretical analysis. For BNbRE steel, the state and the content of RE were measured, and the effects and the mechanisms of RE on sulfide inclusions, microstructure and properties of steel were determined. On the condition of increasing the cleanliness of steel, the mechanisms of RE in steel were changed to certain degree. Small amount of RE has the effect of cleaning, modifying inclusions and alloying in clean steel, too. With increasing the cleanliness of BNbRE steel, addition of RE should be decreased properly. Under experimental conditions, the optimum addition of RE is -0.01 % （mass fraction） for clean BNbRE steel, while RE can evidently improve plasticity and impact toughness of BNbRE steel.

Internal Friction in Rail Waist of BNb and BNbRE Steels

The internal frictions of the specimens in the waist centre of the commercial BNb and BNbRE rails, which were left in air for two years, were measured. It is found that there is an obvious Snoek-Kê-Koester （SKK） peak in both steels, and still exists a measurable deformation-enhanced Shock peak（DESP） in the specimens of the BNbRE steel. The internal frictions in the deformed specimens of the both steel rails were also measured. Unlike the case of the tread specimens showing a decrease of SKK damping due to deformation, the SKK damping of the rail waist specimens increases after deformation; and the specimens containing rare earth（RE） show more noticeable damping increase than those without RE. The results of the internal friction measured during ascending and descending temperature under 700℃ show that there is a high temperature damping which can be completely disappeared during descending temperature for both steels.

EFFECTS OF La ON STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF HEAVY RAIL STEEL

The mechanisms of La in heavy rail steel were studied by means of experimental measurements, microstructure observation and theoretical analysis in the present work. For heavy rail steel, the state and the content of La were measured, and the mechanisms and the effects of La on sulfide inclusions, microstracture and properties of steel were determined. Strip-like sulfides disappear in heavy rail steel with La/（O＋S）〉3.50, which is shown that the metallurgical function of modifying sulfide inclusions has been achieved by La. La can fine the grain size of the austenite in heavy rail steel. Under the experimental condition, the plasticity and the impacting toughness of heavy rail steel with 0.005wt% La can evidently be improved.

稀土加入时机对重轨钢成分及夹杂物影响

针对重轨钢“BOF→LF→VD→CC”生产工艺中不同时机添加稀土的效果进行工业试验研究,通过对不同工序加入稀土的重轨钢铸坯进行取样,对样品的稀土含量及夹杂物尺寸、数密度、形貌等进行分析。结果表明:VD后加稀土生产的铸坯中稀土收得率为11.73%,高于LF后加稀土生产的铸坯中稀土收得率2.83%。结合全流程氧含量分析结果,表明稀土加入钢中后就参与脱氧反应,反应产物上浮去除;稀土的加入可有效降低钢中夹杂物尺寸,相较于不加稀土的重轨钢,LF后加稀土和VD后加稀土生产的稀土重轨钢铸坯样品中,夹杂物长度平均值分别由9.28μm降低至7.91、1.42μm,平均宽度由5.71μm降低至4.81、2.27μm;稀土的加入可降低夹杂物评级,对A类、B类、D类夹杂物评级降低效果明显,其中VD后加稀土生产的重轨钢铸坯样品夹杂物评级更优。通过不同工序加入稀土试验对比发现,VD后加稀土的工艺更能提高重轨钢夹杂物变质的能力。SEM及EDS分析结果表明,稀土主要存在于硅钙镁铝系夹杂物中,并使硅钙镁铝系夹杂物由水滴形变为球形,表面发生硫的富集;对硫化锰夹杂分析结果表明,VD后加稀土工艺可使钢中硫化锰与硅钙镁铝系夹杂共生,降低硫化锰对钢带来的危害。

Research on Hot Plasticity of Continuous Cast Blank for Heavy Rail between BNbRE and BNbRE(V) at High Temperature

The text determines the hot plasticity of CC blank for heavy rail between BNbRE and BNbRE(V) under 1300～850 ℃ by using Gleeble 1500D. It also makes comparative analysis of the microstructure and fracture of the tensile specimens by scanning electronic microscope. The result indicates that hot plasticity is almost zero when temperature is between 1200～1300 ℃. While hot plasticity of BNbRE(V) is better than BNbRE between 975～1200 ℃. Plasticity decreases with the reducing temperature from 975 ℃. Hot plasticity of BNbRE(V) reaches the minimum because of the precipitation of vanadium in the specimens reaches the maximum at 850 ℃.Vanadium largely affects the plasticity of steel in brittle temperature region Ⅲ and the embrittlement extends to lower temperature.

Micro-alloying of Rare Earths in Heavy Rail Steel

In the present study, heavy rail steel was prepared by the process of vacuum induction furnace smelting, forge work and rolling. Effects of Rare earths (RE) on microstructure and mechanical properties of heavy rail steel were systematically investigated by metallographic microscope, SEM, integrated mechanical testing machine, impact tester and so on. Metallographic analysis shows that, a few of RE can evidently delay the growth of austenite grain and fine pearlite. When the RE content is 0.016%, both annealing and normalizing pearlite laminae distances reach the minimum which is 115 nm (annealing) and 104nm (normalizing), respectively. But when the RE content reaches 0.133%, the annealing and normalizing pearlite laminae distance is respectively increased by 40% and 13%. Mechanical properties tests show that, a few of RE has not notable effect on the strength, but both plasticity and ductility can be improved obviously. When the RE content is 0.016%, both plasticity and ductility reach maximum. The maximum of elongation and reduction of area is 13.3% and 29.0%, respectively. However, when the RE content reaches 0.133%, the strength, plasticity and ductility are decreased. Especially, the low temperature (-40 ℃) and room temperature (20 ℃) ballistic work is respectively decreased by 9% and 24.8%.

U76CrREH钢轨工业生产与应用

文章简述了稀土轨研发生产历程,对不同时期稀土轨研究做了简要总结。重点针对TB/T 2344.1—2020标准中U76CrREH钢轨技术规定及工业生产进行了介绍。U76CrREH是包钢自主设计和研发生产、我国铁路最高强度等级的钢轨。主要利用稀土净化钢水和细化显微组织,实现提高钢轨服役疲劳寿命的作用。工业生产从成分进行窄范围要求,采取低H、低O等控制技术,保证了钢轨内部冶金质量;通过采用轧制、在线热处理冷却技术,U76CrREH钢轨抗拉强度不低于1280 MPa,踏面硬度(HB)不小于370,微观组织为珠光体,表面质量达到标准技术要求。钢轨在某局管内小半径曲线进行应用,服役三个多月,累计通过总重达到30 Mt,钢轨表面状态、磨耗等正常,侧磨为0~0.13 mm。

稀土对BNb钢轨踏面区内耗谱的影响

测量了放置1年(1 a)的BNbRE和BNb钢供货(即热轧)态重轨踏面区样品及其700℃,30 min,水冷(W.C.)室温变形样品的内耗.结果表明,两种钢的热轧态样品均有Snoek—Ke-Koster(SKK)峰,但内耗有较明显的差异:BNb钢轨的SKK峰明显高于、也宽于BNbRE钢的SKK峰,前者的峰温较后者约高20℃;但前者没有Snoek峰,后者则有该峰.两种钢变形样品的SKK峰大体相同.同时,测量了放置2年(2a)的两种钢轨的供货样品和变形样品的内耗,结果与放置1a的样品有明显不同.

稀土在BNbRE重轨钢中的作用机制

通过化学分析、金相观察和理论分析,研究了稀土在BNbRE重轨钢中的存在状态和含量的变化规律,以及它对钢的硫化物夹杂、微观组织和性能的影响机制。研究发现,对于BNbRE重轨钢,加入大量的稀土并不能增加钢中固溶稀土的含量,固溶稀土的含量均保持在0.0012%以下。少量的固溶稀土可以细化BNbRE重轨钢的奥氏体晶粒和珠光体片层结构。在本实验条件下,BNbRE重轨钢的最佳稀土加入量约为0.02%,此时BNbRE重轨钢的塑性和冲击韧性得到显著提高。

不同碱激发剂作用下稀土尾矿地聚物的抗压强度与泛霜程度研究

本研究将稀土尾矿预处理后与适量偏高岭土混合作为硅铝原料制备地聚物,在改变碱激发剂类型及MOH(M=Na或K)浓度的情况下,研究地聚物试样抗压强度与泛霜程度的变化规律。结果表明,在四类碱激发剂(包括NaOH型、KOH型、"NaOH+硅胶粉"型、"KOH+硅胶粉"型)中,使用"KOH+硅胶粉"型激发剂时,可制备出抗压强度最高和泛霜程度最低的地聚物试样,并且所制备优选试样的泛霜程度与其抗压强度的线性相关程度最高;比较四类激发剂各自对应优选地聚物试样的凝胶相中Si含量表明,"NaOH+硅胶粉"型、"KOH+硅胶粉"型激发剂对应的试样分别相对NaOH型、KOH型激发剂对应的试样更高,并且这四个试样在宏观上的强度性能表现与其在微观上的形貌特征得到互相验证。

U76CrRE稀土钢轨性能研究

在钢轨钢中加入铬和稀土元素,通过金相显微镜、扫描电镜检验观察其夹杂物、组织,研究新一代稀土钢轨的冲击韧性,耐磨性和耐腐蚀性。实验结果表明,新一代稀土钢轨改善了夹杂物形态,提高了冲击韧性,改善耐磨和耐腐蚀性。

稀土尾砂和抛光砖废料资源化制备发泡陶瓷的研究

采用稀土尾砂为主要原料、抛光砖废料为发泡剂,并辅以低温砂、黑泥和滑石等为原料制备轻质发泡陶瓷。实验借助材料试验机等现代测试方法 ,研究了稀土尾砂和抛光砖废料的添加量、烧成温度、保温时间等因素对发泡陶瓷的体积密度、抗压强度等性能的影响规律。实验结果表明:在稀土尾砂60wt%、低温砂20wt%、黑泥15wt%、烧滑石5wt%,抛光砖废料外加量15wt%,烧成温度1150℃、保温时间30min的条件下,所制备的轻质发泡陶瓷材料具有良好性能,体积密度为0.31g/cm3、抗压强度5.63MPa,能够满足使用性能的要求。

稀土对重轨钢冲击韧度的影响作用机制

通过实验测定、金相观察和理论分析,研究了稀土对重轨钢冲击韧度的影响作用机制.随着稀土加入量的增加(0～0.06%,ω),重轨钢中的固溶稀土含量均先逐渐增大,达到一定值后开始减小.当稀土加入量为0.01%时,重轨钢的奥氏体晶粒尺寸明显细化,冲击韧度显著改善.稀土在改善重轨钢冲击韧度的同时,可以减小横向冲击功和纵向冲击功之间的差距,消除钢的各向异性,增强钢的各向同性.在本实验条件下,最佳稀土加入量为0.01%.

稀土对BNbRE重轨钢微观组织的影响

通过实验测定、金相观察和理论分析,系统研究了稀土在BN bRE重轨钢中的赋存状态和存量的变化规律,及其对微观组织的影响作用机制。研究发现,对于BN bRE重轨钢而言,加入大量的稀土并不能增加钢中的固溶稀土含量,固溶稀土含量均保持在0.0012%以下。少量的固溶稀土可以细化BN bRE重轨钢的奥氏体晶粒度和珠光体片层结构。

稀土轨钢过冷奥氏体转变机理及CCT曲线的预测方法

通过金相观察、扫描电镜分析、能谱分析、电化学萃取定量相分析等方法，研究了稀土和铌元素对稀土微合金重轨钢热处理性能的影响机理．结果表明，铌影响碳的扩散是铌提高轨钢淬透性的主要机理；稀土通过在晶界偏聚和影响碳的扩散而对过冷奥氏体产生一定的影响；而稀土轨钢淬透性提高的主要原因在于硅锰含量的增加．在机理分析的基础上，建立了该钢种过冷奥氏体等温转变和连续冷却转变曲线的预测方法．

BNb与BNbRE钢轨踏面区的内耗

测量了BNb钢和BNbRE钢重轨踏面区使用(热轧)态及其700℃、30min WC、室温变形态试样的内耗。发现,两种钢轨热轧态试样都有Snoek—Kê—Kster(SKK)峰;但这两种钢热轧态样品的内耗,有较明显的差异:未加稀土的BNb钢轨的SKK峰明显地大于加丁稀土的BNbRE钢轨的峰,前者的峰温度也较后者高约20℃;但后者有可测的Snoek峰,而前者则没有此峰。两种钢变形态样品的SKK峰大致相同。对结果做了讨论。