Subsurface macro-inclusions and solidified hook character in aluminum-killed deep-drawing steel slabs

Subsurface macro-inclusions and hooks are detrimental to the surface quality of deep-drawing steel sheets. However, little is known about the relationship between macro-inclusions and hooks. Thus, in this work, two ultralow carbon （ULC） steel slabs and two low carbon （LC） aluminum-killed steel slabs were sampled to study the relationship between hooks and subsurface macro-inclusions, which were detected on the cross-sections of steel samples with an area of 56058 mm2 using an automated scanning electron microscopy/energy-disper-sive X-ray spectroscopy system. Results show that subsurface inclusions larger than 200 μm were almost entrapped by hook structures, whereas the location of other inclusions smaller than 200μm had no obvious dependence on the location of solidified hooks. Furthermore, the number density （ND） of subsurface inclusions larger than 200μm decreased from 0.02 to 0 cm-2 in ULC steel as the mean hook depth decreased from 1.57 to 1.01 mm. Similar trends were also observed in LC steel. In addition, the detected inclusions larger than 200μm were concentrated in the region near the slab center （3/8 width-5/8 width）, where hook depths were also larger than those at any other locations. Therefore, minimizing the hook depth is an effective way to reduce inclusion-induced sliver defects in deep-drawing steels.

Process for improving the ladle free- opening rate for high aluminum steel in continuous casting

Steel 20Mn23AlV is a type of high aluminum steel with a very low ladle free-opening rate. The aluminum composition of 20Mn23AlV ranges from 1.6% to 2.45% ,which is significantly higher than other types of steel. According to the real condition of 40 t ladle in steel-making plant of Baosteel Special Steel Company, previous works show that the key factors affecting the ladle free-opening rate of high aluminum steel in continuous casting are：sand material, accessories baking, ladle nozzle cleaning, the process and amount of adding sand, and the rate of argon stirring during refining. Therefore, improving the ladle filler sand quality, baking all of the raw materials, controlling the addition of ladle filler sand, cleaning the ladle nozzle, and optimizing argon stirring during the refining process can resolve the problem of a low ladle free-opening rate of high aluminum steel caused by the long ladle time of liquid steel.

Research on the properties of laser welded joints of aluminum killed cold rolled steel

Aluminum killed cold rolled steel used for automobiles was welded in this paper by using CO 2 laser with wavelength 10.6μm.The experiment shows that high quality of welding can be realized at welding speed of 4 500mm/min by optimizing the parameters.The strength and hardness of laser welded joints for aluminum killed cold rolled steel increased compared to those of the base metal while the formability decreased.Forming limit diagram of joint material indicated that the laser weld seam should avoid the maximum deformation area of automobile parts during the designing period for the position of weld seam.

A STUDY OF CONTINUOUS EXTRUSION-CLADDING PROCESSFOR PRODUCTION OF ALUMINUM-CLADDING STEEL WIRE

In this study the process of cladding steel wires with aluminum is investigated experimentally. It is studied how the cladding process and the quality of products are influenced by the aluminum deformation temperature, the wheel speed, the temperature of steel wire, the wire speed and the steel wire tensile force. The relation among the process parameters above is discussed, and the effect of the aluminum deformation temperature on the coating microstructure is analyzed. This paper suggested a reasonable range of process parameters for producing aluminum cladding steel wires.

Corrosion behavior of aluminum/steel dissimilar metals friction stir welding joint

The corrosion performance of aluminum/steel contact and aluminum/steel FSW joint in 3.5 wt.%NaCl solution were analyzed using potentiostatic tests.The post-corrosion microstructure of the welding joint was characterized by optical microscope(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS).The results showed that the localized corrosion of FSW joint of Al/steel dissimilar metals mainly initiated at the interface transition zone(ITZ).Precipitation of intermetallic compounds(IMCs)and Fe-rich phase particles in ITZ accelerated the corrosion of the FSW joint.This phenomenon has been attributed to distinct corrosion potentials between IMCs and steel,aluminum base metal.The corrosion resistance sequence of IMCs in ITZ is Fe_(3)Al>FeAl>Fe_(2)Al_(5).

Interfacial characterization of resistance spot welded joint of steel and aluminum alloy

The dissimilar material resistance spot welding of galvanized high strength steel and aluminum alloy had been conducted. The welded joint exhibited a thin reaction layer composed of Fe2Al5 and Fe4Al13 phases at steel/aluminum interface. The welded joint presented a tensile shear load of 3.3 kN with an aluminum alloy nugget diameter of 5.7 mm. The interfacial failure mode was observed for the tensile shear specimen and fracture occurred at reaction layer and aluminum alloy fusion zone beside the interface. The reaction layer with compounds was the main reason for reduction of the welded joint mechanical property.

Immersing Treatment of Steel Plate Surface in Steel-Aluminum Solid to Liquid Bonding

The interfacial status of the steel-aluminum solid to liquid bonding plates (their steel plate surfaces were or were not immersed in flux aqueous solution) were measured by using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and X-ray diffraction . The results showed that the layer of flux (the minimum thickness was 15 μm on the steel plate surface) could protect the steel plate surface from oxidizing effectively at high temperature in solid to liquid bonding. The melt temperatUre of the flux should be lower than 580 ℃ so that it could be melted and removed completely. No. 1 flux (patent product made by the author) made up of halogeindes could also force liquid aluminum to infiltrate into steel plate surface and thus the interfacial shear strength of the bonding plate was rather large.

Analysis of Intel-metallic Phases Formed on Surface Vapor Oxidized H13 Hot Work Steels in Molten Aluminum

In this paper, the author dipped surface vapor oxidized H13 steel specimens into 700 °C molten aluminum liquid for a certain period of time. Analyze the intermetallic phases formed on the H13 samples surface with optical microscope and X-ray diffraction method. The observation of immersion test sample’s cross-section shows that Fe3O4 film will protect die substrate from molten aluminum erosion. The identification of the intermetallic phases reveals that they consist of 2 parts, which is named as the composite layer and the compact layer. Further investigations are made in order to know the phase constituents of the 2 layers, they are A18Fe2Si (outer composite layer), (AlCuMg) and A15Fe2 (compact layer), respectively. The experimental results show that on the same specimen, a convex surface with bigger radius of curvature is more likely to be molten and the melting loss speed is also faster than a flat and smooth surface. The thickness of compact layer on a smooth surface is much bigger than that of the convex surface. Therefore, the author supposes the compact layer is favorable in stabilizing the die surface material from further melting loss, as their formation on the die surface, the melting loss speed will decrease.

Powder Metallurgical Fabrication and Microstructural Investigations of Aluminum/Steel Functionally Graded Material

Aluminum/steel electric transition joints (ETJs) are used in aluminum reduction cell for the purpose of welding aluminum rod and steel bracket components. Solid state welding process used for joining aluminum and steel at the electric transition joints have the drawbacks of cracking and separation at the interface surfaces. Cracking and separation at the electric transition joints are caused by the stress singularities that developed due to the mismatch in thermal and mechanical properties of each material. To overcome the drawback of electric transition joints, aluminum/steel functionally graded may be used as electric transition joints or proposed. Therefore manufacturing and investigation of aluminum/steel functionally graded materials fabricated by powder metallurgy process were carried out through the current work. Different samples with different layers of aluminum/steel functionally graded materials were compacted using steel die and punch at the same compacted pressure and sintered temperature. After investigating the different samples of aluminum/steel functionally graded materials under different fabrication conditions, the suitable fabrication regime was determined with the aid of microscopic observations.

Artificial neural networks in steel-mushy aluminum pressing bonding

Artificial neural networks were successfully used to research the modeling of aluminum solid fraction, preheat temperature of steel plate, preheat temperature of dies, free diffusing time before pressing and the interfacial shear strength in steel mushy aluminum pressing bonding. Further more, the optimum bonding parameters for the largest interfacial shear strength were also optimized with a genetic algorithm.

Aluminum Control in CrNiMoV Steel during Electroslag Remelting Process

The residual aluminum content has a great influence upon CrNiMoV steel properties and the optimal content is about 0.010%. The aluminum control during the ESR process has been investigated in this paper. All experiments were car ried out in a 20 kg ESR furnace. The results show that when a 60%CaF_2-30%Al_2O_3-5%SiO_2-5%CaO slag system and proper deoxidizing schedule is used, a reasonable ingot with optimal aluminum contents can be obtained. Silicon and magnesium contents are approximately the same with those in the electrode.

Analysis of Coating Microstructure of Hot-Dip Aluminum of Deformed Low-Carbon Steel Containing Rare Earth

The coating microstructure of hot-dip aluminum (HDA) of deformed low-carbon steel containing RE was analyzed by metallography microscopy, TEM and XRD, and the forming mechanism was also discussed. The results show that, the Fe_2Al_5 phase, on whose subcrystal boundaries, Al particles with the size of 7～30 μm existing on parallel linear are, grows a strong orientation. And the spread activation energy of Al is 155.22 kJ·mol -1. In addition, the effects of deformation on coating microstructure of hot-dip aluminum and the function of RE were preliminarily analyzed.

Effects of Ni on microstructure and properties of aluminum- stainless steel TIG welding-brazing joint with AI-Si filler

Effects of Ni on microstructure and properties of aluminum-stainless steel TIG welding-brazing joint with Al-Si filler were studied. Different mass percentage of Ni powder was added in the flux separately. Results of tensile tests show that a significant improvement on mechanical properties of the butt joint is obtained using the modified flux. Moreover, obvious differences on microstructures of the interfaces were observed with Ni addition, that two intermetallic compound （IMC） layers at the interface change to one layer and the IMC thickness also decreases. Finally, effect mechanism of Ni was analyzed and discussed. Ni addition leads to an enrichment of element Si at the brazing interface, and furthermore suppresses the formation of intermetaUic compound. The reduction of IMC thickness is the main reason for the improvement of joint properties.

Flow characteristics of aluminum coated boron steel in hot press forming

The flow characteristics of aluminum coated boron steel in hot press forming were investigated.Furthermore,the effects of aluminum coated layer on press forming were analyzed during deep drawing.The results show that aluminum coated boron steel exhibits a high sensitivity on temperature and strain rate.Aluminum coating layer appears in surface flaking in a temperature range of 700-800 ℃,but smooth surface is formed above 900 ℃.

Experimental study on dissimilar TIG welding-brazing of 5A06 aluminum alloy to SUS321 stainless steel

Dissimilar metals TIG welding-brazing of 5A06 aluminum alloy to SUS321 stainless steel has been carried out with Al-Sil2 eutectic filler metal and modified non-corrosive flux. The surface appearance and microstructures of the joint were analyzed and the average tensile strength of the joint was estimated. The results show that a sound dissimilar metals joint is obtained by TIG welding-brazing. Slag and residual flux on steel surface can be removed by sanding easily. The joint has dual characteristics： in aluminum alloy side, it is a welded joint, while in stainless steel side, it is a brazed joint. The whole interface layer, unequal in thickness at different position, ranges from 5 μm to 25 μm. The average tensile strength of the butt joint reaches 120 MPa and the fracture occurs at the interface layer.

Non-metallic Inclusions in Continuously Cast Aluminum Killed Steels

In aluminum killed steels, the size, shape, quantity and formation of non-metallic inclusions in ladle steel (before and after RH vacuum treatment) and in tundish as well as in slabs were studied by EPMA (Electron Probe Microanalysis) and by analyzing the total oxygen. The results showed that in the slabs the total oxygen was quite low and the inclusions discovered were mainly small-sized angular alumina inclusions. This indicates that most inclusions have been removed by floating out during the continuous casting process. In addition, the countermeasures were discussed to decrease the alumina inclusions in the slabs further.

Variation and optimization of acid-dissolved aluminum content in stainless steel

As a key step in secondary refining, the deoxidation process in clean stainless steel production is widely researched by many scholars. In this study, vacuum oxygen decarburization（VOD） deoxidation refining in a 40-t electric arc furnace ＋ VOD ＋ ingot casting process was analyzed and optimized on the basis of Al deoxidation of stainless steel and thermodynamic equilibrium reactions between the slag and steel. Under good stirring conditions in VOD, the deoxidation reaction reaches equilibrium rapidly, and the oxygen activity in the bulk steel is controlled by the slag composition and Al content. A basicity of 3–5 and an Al content greater than 0.015wt% in the melt resulted in an oxygen content less than 0.0006wt%. In addition, the dissolved oxygen content decreased slightly when the Al content in the steel was greater than 0.02wt%. Because of the equilibrium of the Si–O reaction between the slag and steel, the activity of SiO2 will increase while the Si content increases; thus, the Si content should be lowered to enable the formation of a high-basicity slag. A high-basicity, low-Al2O3 slag and an increased Si content will reduce the Al consumption caused by SiO2 reduction.

DRAWING OF ALUMINUM-CLAD STEEL WIRE BY FORCE-FEED LUBRICATION

The force feed lubrication method is used for drawing aluminum clad steel wire. It is studied how deformation of wire and aspect of the lubricant film are influenced by the die angle, the reduction, the drawing speed and the gap between pressure die and wire. It has been concluded that when the factors above mentioned promote to thicken lubricant film, the drawing force is reduced and this favors the homogenous deformation of aluminum coating and steel core.

The Bonding Properties of Solid Steel to Liquid Aluminum

The bonding of solid steel plate to liquid al uminum was studied using rapid solidification. The relationship models of interf acial shear strength and thickness of interfacial layer of bonding plate vs bond ing parameters (such as preheat temperature of steel plate, temperature of alumi num liquid and bonding time) were respectively established by artificial neural networks perfectly.The bonding parameters for the largest interfacial shear stre ngth were optimized with genetic algorithm successfully. They are 226℃ for preh eating temperature of steel plate, 723℃ for temperature of aluminum liquid and 15.8s for bonding time, and the largest interfacial shear strength of bonding pl ate is 71.6 MPa . Under these conditions, the corresponding reasonable thickne ss of interfacial layer (10.8μm) is gotten using the relationship model establi shed by artificial neural networks.

Effect of intercritical annealing temperature and cooling rate on the microstructure and mechanical properties of low-carbon aluminum killed steel

In this study, the intercritical annealing process for a typical low-carbon aluminum killed steel is investigated. A cold-rolled sheet was annealed at intercfitical temperatures ranging from 730 ℃ to 770 ℃ and then cooled in air or water. The annealed steel was then baked at 210 ℃, and its mechanical properties and microstructures were analyzed in detail. It is shown that after the air-cooling process,the strength of steel decreased and ductility increased with an increase in the annealing temperature. However, after water-cooling, the strength and ductility both increased with the increase of annealing temperature. These results are attributed to the property- optimization of the steel.