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By F. D. Rodriguez, J. Ramirez Cuellar, J. Salinas Reyes, C. Gómez-de-la Garza

The Pickling Line and Tandem Continuous Mill (PLTCM) at Ternium Pesquería Facility with a Five Stands, Six High configuration started in 2013. Manufactured by PRIMETALS, to produce steel to exposed automotive market, Turnkey project, with supervision of best practices from Nippon Steel. The main equipment that the process has are; Laser welding machine, 3 loopers, Scale Breaker, jet Pickling tanks, Inspection Station and COGNEX System Side Trimmer (flying width change), Type of Mill: UCMW(S) Carrousel, 2 Tension Reels. The principals goals are, Simulate production programs, validate materials for thin thicknesses before processing, low Re-welds, optimization use Cognex, good performance in Thickness, flatness and productivity.

Oct 1, 2019

By Fernando Velazquez Guzman

Titanium is an alloying element used to refine grain size in steel and improve its physical and mechanical properties. In some stainless steels it is used to increase the resistance to corrosion by the precipitation of titanium carbides or carbonitrides. Its alloying performance is highly variable and depends largely on the stage of the secondary metallurgy process when it is added. Furthermore, the addition method (wire injection or direct addition) has a remarkable influence in secondary refining. This paper describes the tests performed in vacuum degasser (VD), with a highly compacted and encapsulated Ferrotitanium wire (FeTi HC). The yield of titanium in steel increased from 52% to 89%. Moreover, the consumption of the highly compacted Ferrotitanium was optimized.

Oct 30, 2017

By Humberto Tronconi Coelho

The use of friction dampers are wide proposed for a variety of mechanical systems for which it is not possible to apply viscoelastic materials, fluid based dampers or others viscous dampers. An important example is the application of friction dampers in aircraft engines to reduce the blades vibration amplitudes. In most cases, friction dampers have been studied in a passive way, however, a significant improvement can be achieved by controlling the normal force in the contact region. The aim of this paper is to study four control strategies for friction dampers based on three different hysteresis cycles. The first control strategy maximizes the energy removal in each harmonic oscillation cycle, by calculating the optimum normal force based on the last displacement peak. The second control strategy combines the first one with the maximum energy removal strategy used in the smart spring devices. Finally, is presented the strategy which homogenously modulates the friction force. Numerical studies were performed with these four strategies defining the performance metrics. The best control strategy was applied experimentally. The experimental test rig was fully identified and its parameters were used for numerical simulations. The obtained results have shown the good performance for the friction damper and selected strategy, also, the agreement between numerical and experimental results.

Jul 31, 2018

By Levi de Oliveira Bueno

Constant stress testing was used for characterization of creep behavior of a 1Cr0.5Mo steel plate in the ex-service condition. The tests were performed on creep machines equipped with Andrade-Chalmers type profiles, high sensitivity SLVC transducer extensometry, high stability temperature controllers, and facilities for monitoring the creep curves with an automatic data logging system. Ten creep machines of this type were used in this research, in an experimental work that lasted for one year. Three temperature levels were selected: 538, 565 and 593°C, with stress in the range from 52 to 224 MPa producing rupture times varying from 5 to about 3950h. The creep curves were all followed with great scrutiny using data logger scanning rates which enabled storing thousands of readings in each case. The experimental analysis involved measurements of minimum creep rate, rupture time and final elongation at rupture. The data were analyzed according to the classical phenomenological / physical relations (Norton, Arrhenius, Zenner-Hollomon, Monkman-Grant) and also considering five traditional parameterization methodologies (Larson-Miller, Orr-Sherby-Dorn, Goldhoff-Sherby, Manson- Haferd and Manson-Succop). Comparisons are presented among the possibilities of data extrapolation from five different methodologies. Comparison is also made with creep results obtained on a similar plate of the same material in the virgin condition.

Aug 16, 2017

By Mühlböck Marlene

Increasingly stringent global environmental regulations are forcing steel producers to continually improve the efficiency of sinter waste gas treatment. With the Selective Waste Gas Recirculation (SWGR) system from Primetals Technologies, lower production costs can be achieved and the size of downstream waste gas cleaning units can be reduced for investment savings. SWGR features the extraction and reuse of hot sinter off gas from selected wind boxes along the sinter strand, which contributes to improved energy efficiency and off gas treatment in the sintering process. With the next generation of SWGR, Primetals Technologies can provide an energy optimized, emission optimized and environmentally friendly solution that meet customer requirements and country specific regulations. This paper demonstrates the latest developments in selective waste gas recirculation, especially results from pot grate tests and comparison from lab to real plant data. Furthermore theoretical finding and mathematical modelling is presented.

Aug 16, 2017

By Rodrigo Perito Cardoso

Low-temperature nitriding of stainless steels is applied to obtain wear resistant surfaces without losing its corrosion resistance. The treatment consists in introducing nitrogen into the steel surface avoiding chromium nitride precipitation. The corrosion resistance of martensitic stainless steels is expected to be improved if the treatment parameters are correctly selected. It can be related to ?Fe2-3N and a'N phase formation on the treated surface. In the present work the influence of the pretreatment and treatment temperature on corrosion resistance of plasma nitrided AISI 420 steel samples is studied. Annealed, as-quenched and 400ºC-tempered samples were nitrided at 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500°C, for 6 h at 600 V. The pressure was 3 Torr and the gas mixture was composed of 70%N2, 20%H2 and 10%Ar, at a gas flow rate of 3.34×106 Nm3s-1. Plasma was generated using a square-wave pulsed DC power supply and the sample temperature was controlled by the duty cycle. The modified layers were characterized by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and microhardness measurement. The corrosion resistance was studied by electrochemical characterization, by means of Open circuit potential and Anodic polarization curves. The maximum surface hardness was achieved at 400°C. This temperature seems to be near the limit temperature for low-temperature treatment aiming to improve or at least to keep unaltered the corrosion resistance in relation to that verified for non-treated steel samples. Results confirm that the pretreatment and treatment temperature significantly affects the corrosion resistance of the treated surface.

Aug 8, 2018

By Washington Martins da Silva Júnior

In stamping process, sliding between metal sheet and forming tool leads to wear of tool surface. Maintenance of stamping tools involves polishing the tool edge, or, in case of severe damage, replacement of the tool. Hard coatings have been applied on the stamping tool surfaces in order to reduce the maintenance cost causing a great economic impact in metal work industry. In this work, CrAlSiN coatings were applied by PVD onto SRV2W tool steel. The coating toughness was avaliated by the critical load in scratch tests. The following coating parameters were analyzed: 1- substrate surface finishing process; 2- coating architecture (multilayer or gradient); 3- chemical composition of the coating. AlSi concentration varied from the substrate/coating interface to the surface. Coatings were 3 µm thick. Scratch tests were carried out using a Vickers indenter. The applied normal load was varied from 0 to 13 N for a scratch length of 5 mm. In order to study the effect in the toughness, the substrate roughness was controlled by the finishing process before PVD coating. Samples subjected to polishing presented highest critical loads. Gradient coatings presented higher critical loads than those with a multilayer architecture. Coatings with higher concentration of AlSi near the surface supported higher loads before failure.

Jul 31, 2018

By Carlos Gonzalez-Rivera

An alternative cooling curve analysis method focused on the experimental determination of the latent heat of phase changes and phase transformation kinetics is proposed in this work. The method analyses the cooling process of a metallic sample, initially liquid that is contained into a cylindrical metallic mold, both of known weight, thermally isolated at its top and bottom. The method is based on an energy balance associated with the experimental measurement of the temperature change of the sample and the mold during their cooling process. From the numerical processing of the cooling curves, are obtained approximate values of the acting global heat transfer coefficient as a function of temperature in order to describe quantitatively the energy exchange of the metal/mold system with its surroundings. These relationships and other experimental data are used to process the cooling curve of the sample and the mold during solidification, in order to obtain the latent heat of solidification.The method was applied experimentally to zinc and tin of commercial purity, initially liquids and contained into stainless steel molds in order to determine its ability to measure the latent heat of solidification. The obtained results suggests that this method shows a good potential to characterize the solidification of metals.

Oct 30, 2017

By Gilberto Álvares da Silva

New elements have been inserted in NiTi lately, resulting in ternary alloys with specific characteristics beyond Shape Memory Effect and Superelasticity. Among all others alloying elements, the Ag additions itself gives potential antibacterial activity to that smart material. So on, the elaboration procedures of ternary NiTiAg alloys was studied in order to obtain a melting procedure to ensure further studies on this alloy. Microstructural and thermal analyses were used to evaluate the VAR-remelting production of NiTiAg with 4.0% wt silver content. The microstructure is composed by a NiTi matrix, pure Ag precipitates, and, scarcely, TiC inclusions. Heat treatments at high temperature could not dilute those Ag particles, but could lead to the precipitation of new ones. The silver element reduces the temperature of the martensitic transformation, yielding a material with superelastic behavior, beyond induces the R-phase on cooling stage of this alloy.

Aug 8, 2018

By Ananda Moreira Vaz Ourique de Avila

Ferritic stainless steels have been used in the making of high and intermediate temperature operation solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) interconnects, replacing the ceramic materials. However, at high temperatures, on the order of 700-850 0C, these steels can present significant oxidation and degradation processes, promoting increased electrical resistivity and corrosion losses that result in contamination of the electrodes and reducing the performance and the useful life of the SOFC. Thus, the knowledge on kinetics of oxidation/corrosion of these steels and their relationship with the microstructural transformations are of great importance. In this study, samples of ferritic stainless steels AISI 430, AISI 441 and Crofer22APU® were tested for oxidation at high temperature (800 0C) for long periods of time (up to 3,600 hours) and mass gains were monitored allowing the determination of the oxidation behaviors of these steels. Additionally, the microstructural characteristics of the samples before aging (corrosion-oxidation test) and after various oxidation times were evaluated by optical (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as by micro chemical elemental analysis (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) phase analysis. Electrical characterization allowed determination of electrical area-specific resistances (ASR) characteristics of the systems studied, thus relating the electrical and oxidative behaviors of steels evaluated.

Aug 7, 2018

By Jan Krull

A high productive coke making process in connection with stringent emission control has clearly become a demand of plant operators and stakeholders. Further to this, availability, quality and coal costs are key concerns for the iron and steel industry in its efforts to optimize raw material cost. Today, the optimization of raw material cost in integrated steel works has further gained priority. Coking coal reflects up to 20% of the cost of steel. In top charged batteries coal preparation and blending is one of the concerns to lower coal cost by maximizing the percentage of non-coking coals in the blend. Stamp charging technology is technologically and economically an effective solution in the process of pre-carbonisation. Paul Wurth’s jumbo top charged oven as well as proven stamp charging technology have recently set new benchmarks in Europe, India and Brazil in terms of productivity, stability and emission control.

Aug 1, 2018

By Nicolás Ariel Zabala

During the make-up and break-out of the connections, threaded joints are exposed to intense mechanical and tribological solicitations. The connection performance is influenced by its geometry, material properties, surface treatments and thread compound. The aim of this work is to evaluate and characterize the tribological behavior of different thread compounds applied on manganese phosphated carbon steel under low speed and high pressure sliding contact. Four thread compounds were evaluated: one containing lead, zinc and graphite; other lead-free, containing copper and finally, the last two lead-free and containing non-metallic solids. The tribological behavior was analyzed by a block-on-ring tribotest. During the test, load varied linearly between 250 N and 7000 N; loading and unloading lasted 14 sec and were performed in opposite directions of rotation to simulate the make-up and break-out operations. Friction force and load as a function of time were registered. Upon completion of the test, wear surfaces were analyzed by SEM, optical microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The obtained results show that the lead and zinc containing thread compound displayed the best behavior, showing a wear reduction of approximately 20%. These results are in line with previously known oilfield experience. Average COF values around 0.15 were measured and no significant differences between dopes were observed; indicating that the wear behavior was influenced by the additive package.

Jul 31, 2018

By Eleir Mundim Bortoleto

A finite element modeling approach was developed to study adhesion phenomena during the unidirectional contact between a two-dimensional plane-strain square and a flat slab. Surfaces were metallic or ceramic, different pairs of materials were analyzed and their adhesion was considered by means of a FORTRAN subroutine (DLOAD), which was connected with commercial finite element code Abaqus and provided surface attractive forces based on the Lennard-Jones interatomic potential. Adhesive loads were considered both during approximation and separation of the surfaces. During the separation step, material transfer between surfaces, due to adhesion, was modeled by means of damage initiation and propagation at the flat slab. The parameters considered in the simulations were normal load, chemical affinity and system size and the different conditions were analyzed by comparison of the interaction forces during approach and withdrawal. This work also presents detailed descriptions of: (i) the evolution of energy dissipation due to adhesion hysteresis, (ii) the formation-growth-breakage of adhesive junctions and (iii) the evolution of stress distribution during the process. Results have indicated that chemical affinity between the bodies in contact is more relevant for adhesion than the applied load. Besides, smaller asperities are less prone to promote adhesive wear, but they may be subjected to high stress concentration effects.

Jul 31, 2018

By Caroline Antunes Correa

Durante o processo por estampagem incremental, parâmetros como velocidade relativa, tamanho e material da ferramenta de estampagem, podem mudar as características superficiais do material. Para um biomaterial ser utilizado em implantes, um dos principais aspectos que pode influenciar sobre o processo de osseointegração são propriedades superficiais como rugosidade e molhabilidade. Nesse contexto, esse trabalho visa avaliar o efeito do processo de estampagem incremental seguido pelo tratamento térmico sobre a rugosidade e molhabilidade de chapas de Ti-cp com estampagem. A composição química e a morfologia das superfícies foram avaliadas por MEV/EDS. Resultados preliminares indicaram que a morfologia superficial é fortemente modificada pelo processo de estampagem incremental.

Aug 16, 2017

By Tamilis Rodrigues Braga

Embora a indústria de fundição recicle toda espécie de sucata metálica, usada como matéria-prima no processo, é uma grande geradora de resíduos sólidos, devido, principalmente, à elevada quantidade de areia empregada no processo. As fundições precisam adotar alternativas que minimizem o descarte das areias. A reciclagem interna, por meio da recuperação mecânica, se estabelece como uma opção com benefícios econômicos e ambientais. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a influência da utilização da areia de cura a frio recuperada nas propriedades mecânicas do molde e no acabamento do fundido. Verificou-se que é possível a utilização de até 50% de areia recuperada no processo de moldagem, mantendo propriedades adequadas de desempenho.

Oct 30, 2017

By Gil Ribeiro Vilela Neto

Na busca por se tornar cada vez mais sustentável, a indústria mineral vem recorrendo às soluções tecnológicas que minimizem o impacto ambiental gerado pela disposição dos rejeitos resultantes dos processos de beneficiamento de minérios. Neste cenário, umas das soluções é a aplicação de tecnologias de separação sólido-líquido com o objetivo de maximizar o desaguamento dos rejeitos e, consequentemente, diminuir o volume ocupado por eles quando dispostos e aumentar a recirculação de água. Este trabalho tem como objetivo, determinar a influência da concentração de sólidos em polpas de rejeitos denominados de “lamas” no desempenho do espessamento e a determinação da concentração de sólidos ótima para atingir o melhor desempenho do espessador.

Aug 16, 2017

By Diego Santana Torga

É comum encontrar sintonia de controladores PID que não levam em consideração o sinal de controle aplicado a variável manipulada. Portanto, variações rápidas e amplitudes elevadas podem ser geradas, que, na prática, pode ser inviáveis, devido à limitação física de atuadores e equipamentos industriais. Nesse artigo é desenvolvido um método de sintonia em que os parâmetros do PID são calculados por meio do Algoritmo Genético. A função de custo proposta penaliza tanto a amplitude do erro de controle quanto à variação da variável manipulada. A estabilidade é garantida com as restrições de robustez sobre o pico das funções sensibilidades. Exemplos simulados demonstram as vantagens da sintonia proposta.

Oct 30, 2017

By Diego José Inforzato

Hot tensile data were correlated with creep data, in Aluminum Alloy AL7475-T7351, as part of a broader research program, aiming at the validation of a methodology that proposes an equivalence between the two kind of results, for metallic materials in general. The methodology is based on a criterion that establishes correlation among the following parameters from each test: the strain rate, ultimate tensile stress, and time to reach the ultimate tensile stress, in tensile tests, are equivalent respectively to the: minimum strain rate, applied stress and rupture time, in creep tests, for a given test temperature. The present material was tested at 3 temperatures: 133,166 and 193ºC, using 3 nominal tensile strain rates in the hot tensile tests: 3.2x10-6, 1.6x10-4 and 6.4x10-3 s-1 and 9 applied stress levels in the creep tests, varying from 140 to 400 MPa. The conversion of the hot tensile data to creep-like data allowed performing the analysis of all the results together according to the traditional creep relations proposed by different authors, namely: Norton, Arrhenius, Zener-Hollomon and Monkman-Grant, with the determination of the corresponding parameters in each case. The equivalence between hot tensile and creep data is also confirmed for this aluminum alloy.

Aug 8, 2018

By Márcio de Morais Tavares

A espectrometria de fluorescência de raios X (FRX ou XRF) é uma das técnicas analíticas mais utilizadas em geoquímica. Na indústria mineral também se utiliza a espectrometria de absorção atômica (AA). A comparação de concentrações de sílica e alumina de oito amostras padronizadas de minério de ferro obtidas a partir das técnicas FRX e absorção atômica, constitui o objetivo deste trabalho. Foram realizadas análises dos mesmos padrões em outros dois laboratórios para reprodutibilidade dos resultados. Foram utilizados um espectrômetro FRX e um espectrômetro de absorção atômica para realização dos ensaios. As análises produziram resultados satisfatórios, com desvios médios de 0,502 para a sílica e 0,096 para a alumina.

Aug 16, 2017

By Douglas Will Leite

O objetivo deste estudo é recuperar parte do alumínio empregado na fabricação das embalagens de medicamentos do tipo “blister”, por tratamento químico e térmico seguido de separação gravimétrica, resultando na obtenção de alumínio na forma de óxido (Al2O3). A caracterização do produto particulado metálico obtido constitui-se em um caminho para se chegar ao patamar de existência de coleta seletiva após seu descarte, diminuição deste tipo de embalagens nos aterros sanitários e/ou incineradores de lixo doméstico e posterior reaproveitamento com amplos benefícios ambientais. A caracterização morfológica do óxido de alumínio obtido foi realizada utilizando as técnicas instrumentais de ICP/AES e MEV/EDS.

Aug 7, 2018