The mechanical properties of a 10.5% chromium stainless steel striphave been determined as a function of the cold rolling reductionratio. The best formability properties after annealing are associatedto the higher cold deformation. This is a consequence of the texturedevelopment and through thickness homogeneity. The recristallizedgrains mis-orientation has been studied with the CSL approach andthe coincidence index.

EMF in a blast furnace can be used to predict liquid level variationsinto the hearth. After the strong influence of some process parametershas been minimized, the variation of the EMF at the end ofconsecutive castings can be used as a criterion of liquid level variations.Currently this criterion is integrated in a mathematical modelthat sends messages to an on-line advisory tool.

A cold rolled DP-grade (TS 600 MPa), coiled at 550°C, was comparedwith a steel of approximately the same analysis but with theaddition of 0.015 wt% Nb, coiled at 520 and 600°C respectively. TheNb-addition refines the ferrite grain size substantially and a moreuniform grain shape is achieved. The smaller grain size of the ferriteand martensite phases, results in a material with better formability.Recrystallization and phase transformations were studied with thelaser ultrasonic technique. This technique could be implemented onindustrial annealing lines.

Almost 40% of the 180 conventional hot strip mills in the world werebuilt before 1970. Flexible concepts developed by SMS Demagallow older hot strip mills to be modernized such that they meettoday's market requirements in the same way as latest-generationmills. The article presents the principles of the concept phase as wellas some examples for successful modernization projects which featuredvery different requirements.

CRM developed a new cost effective procedure to have a moreaccurate assessment of roll performance related to oxide formation,friction level and wear for hot rolling. The procedure consists ofinserting different work roll materials in pilot work rolls to performspecific continuous pilot hot rolling campaigns with a detailed analysis.This gives a direct comparison between the different materialstested in a real rolling environment. Furthermore it reduces the technicalrisk related to the introduction of new work roll grades andspeeds up the roll development.

Two innovative processes have been developed in order to produceultra fine grained steel at the hot strip mill. One is based on highspeed, large reduction forging, the other on combined rolling/bendingstrain accumulation. Both processes afford drastic reductionsof the strip ferrite grain-size.

A 30% increased production rate and surface cleanness can be obtained by DFI oxyfuel combustion on a galvanizing line of TKS. A 3 m long DFI unit, with direct flame impingement on the strip, allows a 200 °C surface temperature increase and a production rate of 105 ton/hour.

Crystallographic textures of hot rolled microalloyed steel strips fromthe thin slab direct rolling AST process is determined by EBSD. Theeffect of the thermomechanical treatment on the strip texture is analyzed,pointing out a significant through thickness gradient.

New international regulation imposing double hull tankers, lead toturn over end of life tankers to FPSO (Floating production StorageOffloading). This raises a problem with the life extension of the unitsthat must account for the new operational conditions. Bureau Veritashas introduced a method to assess the residual life of a tanker andto decide of the necessary modifications and improvements to reachthe new contractual life time. The method is described with the supportof an actual example.

Lean Duplex Stainless Steels (LDSS) have been used or are beingconsidered as substitutes for several well-established materials, invarious applications. This paper concentrates on AL 2003TM LDSS(UNS S32003) as a substitute for Type 316L stainless steel.Comparative data are presented including corrosion test data invarious media, mechanical test data, and design strength limits.Examples of applications are given.

Since 2000 the performance of Corus cold mill 21 has improvedsubstantially. The Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) increasedfrom 33% to 43% and productivity has increased from a level of 1.4million tonnes in 1999 to nearly 2.0 million tonnes presently. A suitablebalance in the triangle of technology, installation and people hasproven to be the key prerequisite in this performance increase. Thekey knowledge areas to operate, maintain and improve the mill arenow all available within the production organization.

The paper reviews the 200 series and points out the specificities ofthe new developed grades. Chemical compositions, mechanicalproperties, corrosion resistance properties and applications are presented.The lack of international codes for those grades is pointedout. Finally warnings are addressed for improper uses of those gradesby end-users.

Ultra and Very High Strength Steels (UHSS, VHSS) solutions are proposedby ArcelorMittal to meet front, side, rear and rollover crashrequirements. UHSS and VHSS steel monolithic solutions havestrongly progressed crash safety and lightening. Another steptowards higher performance is afforded by UHSS and VHSS TailoredWelded Blank (TWB) configurations.Three parts are analysed that participate actively in vehicle crashworthiness: sidemember, B-pillar reinforcement and front-end bumper.A comparison between monolithic solutions and TWB solutionsis presented, in order to determinate the extra gains (i.e. masssaving, energy absorption) that a TWB solution can offer.

The background of the development of the BRP technology(Baosteel BOF Refining Process) is presented along with the experimentalconditions and results. The relations between dephosphorizationand basicity of slag, bottom blowing, temperature at endpoint are analyzed. The effects on dephosphorization of bottom blowing,total iron of slag and silicon content in hot metal are also considered.The performance results indicate that, in the de-P converterand the de-C converter respectively, the dephosphorization efficiencyis over 84% and 64% with phosphorus contents below 0.014%and 0.005%. Steels that are difficult to elaborate, such as tire cordedor X 65 pipeline steel with HIC-resistance benefit from the BRP technologyin Baosteel.

Production of pipes and tubes in Russia reached 7.9 Mt in year2006. The share of welded pipes has raised up to 58% and is expectedto grow further in the future. Russian tube producers are involvedin a steady effort of modernization of equipment andcommission of new facilities with a view to offer larger volumes ofhigher quality products that meet the requirements of internationalstandards.

The automobile industry has been marked for continuous modernizationof its projects, in order to meet a high demand of safety, durability,fuel consumption, design and cost.This paper reports the latest developments that have been carriedout by ArcelorMittal Brasil for improving the quality of coated andnon-coated steel products for automotive use, taking into accountan integrated management among Companhia Siderurgica deTubarão (CST), Vega do Sul and ArcelorMittal Auto.

This paper deals with the influence of thermal strains/stresses causedby braking on the fatigue life of cast nodular iron disc brakes forrailway vehicles. The thermal stresses have been experimentallyderived and the durability has been assessed for a breaking loadspectrum comprising 6000 stop brakings from 200 km/h, 3000 stopbrakings from 160 km/h, 1500 stop brakings from 120 km/h and30000 usual brakings periods slowing down from 90 km/h.The fatigue critical areas have been identified and a redesign of thediscs made it possible to afford the requested service life of3×106 km.

The construction sector has an impact on our environment. InFrance for example, the building sector accounts for 40% of totalannual energy consumption and 22% of greenhouse gas emissions,and it generates more than 30 million tonnes of waste. The Frenchstandard content and its application to steel products are presented.

Fatigue crack propagation in a welded joint of a cablecar post hasbeen developed, based on parameters measured on real joints. Itmakes it possible to optimise the schedule for inspection of theposts.

The new approaches that have been recently introduced to accountfor the potential effects of the PWR water environment on the highcycle thermal fatigue of austenitic stainless steel components havebeen experimentally assessed under conditions matching the actualin service loadings.