Three hundred years after the first production of coke, the history of this importantbreakthrough, an energy transition that, together with the invention of the steam engine,opened way to the industrial revolution, is still thought provoking on subjects such asthe rate of change and the factors that are favoring or slowing down the rate of change,the role of infrastructure and technology in the development of industry, the role ofprotectionism or free-trade on technological changes and last, but not the least, thedevelopment of science and technology as tools for the improvement of the processes andproducts. From the first information of G. Jars and his metallurgical trips and the smallscale tests of the first pioneers of the Enlightment, to the development of large sizeplants incorporating new technologies, this history is that of the important social switchfrom a small scale peasant seasonal activity with many workshops, to the large scaleintegrated industry concentrated in a few places and connected with the suppliers and themarket by the new transportation infrastructure (canals, railways) developed incontinental Europe throughout the XIXth century. Scientists (such as Ebelmen, Lecocq,Boudouard, Berthellot) and technologists (such as the innovation brought by Belgianfurnaces) have played an important role in this mutation.

Single crystals of the low stacking fault energy Cu-2%Al alloy, with initial orientation {112}<111>, have been deformed by compression in a channel die at 77 and 293 K. Microstructural and microtextural aspects of the formed brass-type shear bands were analyzed. Experimental techniques included TEM, SEM, optical microscopy together with SEM/EBSD and TEM/CBED microtexture measurements. The crystals first rotate by slip, then transform their orientation by deformation twinning. As shear banding starts, a strong increase of intensities near the Goss {110}<100> position is observed, and this process is connected with the rotation of twin lamellae within shear bands. At the TEM scale a second weaker component is noticed. Outside the bands, the twin-matrix lamellae rotate differently and the material reorients to {111}<112>.

Le but est d’innover dans le domaine des liaisons au sol en remplaçant une traverse d’un essieu arrière en acier à haute limite élastique par une traverse en matériaux composites : Fibre de verre et Epoxy; tout en conservant les mêmes fonctions qui sont : assurer une rigidité de torsion, lier et maintenir en position les bras de suspension, résister aux sollicitations mécaniques du cahier des charges (nid de poule, choc trottoir, ...), reprendre les points de fixation du bras de suspension. Cette étude tient compte de la problématique de la grande série : minimiser le nombre de pièces, géométrie simple, procédé de fabrication simple avec des cadences élevées, facilité de montage. La démarche employée est la suivante : étape de présélection et intégration des profilés dans le modèle numérique, choix de l’empilement du composite et optimisation, choix d’une solution, conception des interfaces, réalisation d’un prototype. Le gain de masse est significatif puisque la traverse composite avec fixation ne pèse que 3,9 kg à comparer avec les 12,4 kg de la traverse initiale.

Textures and local orientations have been determined in copper alloys after cold rolling and annealing. The measurements show that for a strain below a given threshold a mixed “deformation-recrystallization” texture is obtained after a static primary recrystallization : the {100}<001> cube orientation becomes stronger as annealing procedes, but is not dominating in the final microstructure. Global texture determinations by X-ray diffraction coupled with local orientation measurements by EBSD (Electron Back-Scattered Diffraction) show that in materials cold rolled by 70 and 80%, the orientation changes at the very beginning of the recrystallization process (i.e. at nucleation) are crucial for the formation of the recrystallization texture.

The goal of this study is to empirically investigate the major hot rolling processparameters affecting the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and strain-hardeningexponent of Nb-microalloyed steel sheets. The parameters considered were the roughing,finishing and coiling temperatures. Three levels for each parameter were used to develop amodel relating the process parameters to mechanical properties. By applying the responsesurface methodology, analysis of variance was done to determine the mathematical modelsrelated to each response. The results indicated that decreasing the coiling and finishingtemperatures significantly influenced the mechanical properties. Also, the modelspredicted that the maximum yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and strain-hardeningexponent are simultaneously obtained under the following conditions: roughing temperature= 1097 °C, finishing temperature = 837 °C and coiling temperature = 580 °C. The predictedvalues were close to the experimental values, indicating the suitability of themodels.

“Consistent BOS Performance” was an ECSC funded project that began with the premise that internal converter shape influences process performance. Plant data were analyzed to quantify the effect of shape on performance and the process of slag splashing was studied in detail, as a means of shape control. It was found that the greatest influence on BOS performance is the availability of bottom agitation and this is affected by slag splashing practices.

From his own experience, the author discusses the need of Metallurgy for theoretical models and their limits. The development of simple but less accurate models has provided a semi-quantitative approach of many complex metallurgical phenomena that has proven useful to orientate research as well as to afford interpretation-based prediction. Such models can be validated within a narrow range only. These approximate models could be substituted for by elaborated and comprehensive calculations that would provide reliable predictions with the help of ever more efficient computers. It remains a difficult task to take satisfactorily into account every internal parameter and boundary condition of a global system. Furthermore, any new observation requests another calculation that gives a clear picture but no comprehensive understanding of the underlying phenomena. Combining experiments, interpretation and prediction modeling along with few dedicated calculations may eventually allow further progress in such a complex domain as Metallurgy.

In this paper, the effect of an annealing treatment on the microstructure, mechanicalproperties and electrical conductivity of a deformed Cu-12.8 wt%Fe composite prepared bythe “casting/cold working” process is investigated. The Fe filaments exhibit the shapecharacteristic in the as-drawn composite as the annealing temperature is lower than 500°C. When the annealing temperature is above 500 °C, the Fe filaments undergo theinstability process in terms of boundary splitting, coarsening and breakup gradually. Thetensile strength gradually decreases with increasing annealing temperature due to thecoarsening of filament spacing. The work hardening for the composite annealed above 600 °Cis slower than that annealed at a lower temperature. The electrical conductivity reaches amaximum of 60%IACS at a temperature of 450 °C for one hour of annealing, and it furtherincreases with increasing annealing time at 450 °C to reach a plateau of 68% IACS. Thecurve between the tensile strength and electrical conductivity under different annealingprocesses indicates that the optimum annealing temperature for the Cu-Fe composite is 450°C.

The rotating lance, tested in the CaO-Mg and CaC2-Mg processes,promotes a 20% and 30% increase, respectively, in the desulphurizationrate, a 50% reduction of temperature drop, and a reduction ofmetal splash occurrences. A criterion was developed that takes intoaccount the equipment dimensions and the mass flow rates of gasand desulphurization material, with the objective of transposing theresults obtained at Usiminas steel shop n°1 desulphurization station,to other industrial plants. Furthermore, it allows simulations to bemade with the objective of optimizing the pig iron desulphurizationprocesses that use the above mentioned materials as desulphurizationagents.

Using an IF-steel, the application of ferritic rolling in the thin slab direct rolling technology has been studied with the objective of producing thin hot rolled strip with good deep-drawing properties. The effect of the main processing parameters has been simulated in the case of the production of two types of finished products: "soft" hot strip (completely recrystallized during coiling), "hard" strip (obtained with low finishing and coiling temperatures and subsequently annealed).

A portable system to measure strip vibration at the nozzles level on continuous galvanizing lines is presented. It consists of three inductive sensors: two sensors are located near the strip edges and the last one is at the centre of the strip. This system has allowed reproducible results, provided the appropriate calibration procedure is used. The device has been successfully implemented on three lines of Arcelor. Considering the effect of strip tension and size, the frequency and amplitude measurements confirm the trends that can be expected from numerical modelling. Amplitude is always increased by the gas cooling power in the tower. Strip tension has a predictable effect on the frequency peaks; however its effect on amplitude is more ambiguous. Other observations have been made concerning the effects of pot roll bearings and roll intermesh.

This paper addresses issues of material flows in a selection of modern steel plants,especially the generation of wastes, from a social sciences perspective. I analyse keyfactors structuring waste management decisions through the case of “problem” wastesarising at a steel company’s plants. I discuss how some materials come to be construed asmore problematical than others from a material and technological point of view, but alsoby taking into account organisational and legislative issues, in order to show that theconstruction of the “waste” category needs to be envisioned as resulting from a matrix ofsocio-material causes.

In Europe about 600,000 tons of dusts are generated in EAF steelmaking. Valuable metals like zinc, lead, chromium and nickel are recovered from these dusts by external processors, usually. In the past, only few attempts on internal recycling have been made. Within a Brite EuRam II project, the economical and ecological benefits of the internal recycling of EAF dusts from engineering grades steelmaking have been documented. Recent investigations are dealing with the internal recycling of EAF dusts from high-alloy steeImaking, aiming at the recovery of chromium and nickel as well as at an improved foaming of the slag.

The components for electronics and electrotechnics are usually classified in two families with similar market shares: the “active” components and the “passive” components. The aim of this paper is to analyze and to describe a range of ceramics passive components. The materials properties and the resulting service properties of ceramics parts are presented. This presentation is then illustrated with some significant examples of ceramics components.

In 2003, the blast furnaces in Sollac Lorraine faced the challenge ofensuring self sufficiency in coke while maintaining a constant productionlevel. This challenge has been taken up successfully byreducing the coke ratio and by increasing PCI. This was achieved bychanging the tuyeres conditions, by optimizing burden quality andburden charging and improving the wall heat control.

This article synthesizes a number of studies involving both quantitative characterization of precipitate microstructures (size and volume fraction) and modelling of precipitation kinetics. The main experimental methods used are Small Angle X-ray and Neutron Scattering and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The modelling is based on semi-analytical models (coupled differential equations) and on numerical models (based on the discretization of the precipitate size distribution). A variety of systems are studied, both aluminium alloys and steels. After considering isothermal precipitation, the issues of dynamic and non-isothermal precipitation are discussed. Finally, precipitation phenomena occurring during welding are characterized.

A new SSMR process to produce ultra-fine-grained hot strip is introduced,featuring: closely spaced rolling stands, continuous highspeed rolling with moderately large reductions rolling, rapid interpasscooling and rapid finish rolling cooling. An ultra-fine-grained CMnsteel strip (1μm) is obtained with a 700 MPa yield stress. Aproper choice of the work roll diameter and a careful control of thefriction coefficient should make it possible to keep the rolling forceat a level compatible with the design capacity of a conventional rollingmill.

The finite difference method of the low-alloy wear-resistant steel quenching process wasstudied. The temperature field and cooling rate variation of thickness of 45-mmwear-resistant steel (NM450) were calculated for different quenching practices. Themicrostructure and hardness of quenched plates were examined. The results indicate thatwhen quenching started, the cooling rate was highest on the subsurface and decreasedgradually until the center of the plate. However, as the quenching progressed, the coolingrate distribution along the plate thickness was reversed. The cooling rate increasedlinearly when the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) increased from 0–10 000W/m2 K, and then the speed gradually slowed down until achieving the maximumcooling rate. Close to the plate mid-thickness, the maximum cooling rate was easilyreached. Compared with high-pressure (HP) quenching and low-pressure (LP) quenching, underthe HP + LP continuous quenching mode, it is possible to obtain a high critical coolingrate in the temperature range of 900 °C–400 °C and small temperature difference betweenthe surface and center below 400 °C. The microstructure and hardness distribution on theplate surface for the HP + LP quenching mode indicated 100% martensite on the surface andmartensite with a little granular bainite in the plate center, while the hardnessdifference in the entire steel plate was less than 7%. This study provided guidance forthe formulation and optimization of wear-resistant steel.

ULCOS is a large European research project that aims toidentify and develop technology that could enable a drasticreduction in CO2 emissions from ore-based steel production.The IRonMAking flowsheeting model (IRMA) has madea vital contribution to one of the ULCOS subprojects, asIRMA models were used to evaluate the economics andCO2 reduction potential of a large number of alternativeironmaking routes.
IRMA is a software tool that allows for the use ofthermodynamic data relevant to iron- and steelmaking in aflowsheeting environment. It was developed by Corus to serveas a dedicated, flexible and accessible tool to evaluate andcompare a wide range of ironmaking routes.
IRMA can be used to calculate consumption figures, productquality and the occurrence and significance of emissions.IRMA can do this for a wide range of operating conditionsand raw material compositions.
IRMA is currently being used for benchmarking, design andpilot plant development of the ISARNA process, which wasdeveloped in the context of the ULCOS project. ISARNA isone of the four process routes that have been selected forfurther development within ULCOS.

The tools of the hot strip mill are reviewed in details: furnace, roughingmill, descalings, finishing mill and coolings involved in themodification of the transverse thermal profile. Industrial databases,numerical simulations and experiences are used to identify the mainparameters and their influence. From this analysis actions are definedthat could be taken to improve or to preserve the thermal profile.