The common experimental methods used in the laboratory for the study of corrosion-fatigue are based on the evolution of global mechanical and electrochemical variables in relation with environment, mechanical loading or microstructure. For a better understanding and modelling of the physical-chemical processes involved in crack initiation and propagation, it is necessary to make use of techniques giving access to quantitative informations at local scale. Recent results concerning the breakdown of passivity, the morphology and the growth kinetics of potential initiation sites, the corrosion processes at crack tip and quantitative fractography are briefly reviewed.

The MRS-100 system combines at the same time the simplicityof a linear sliding gate and the advantages of a round plate.This sliding gate is based on 3 innovating approaches: a slidinggate built around a refractory plate, a mechanism that avoids thecracking of plates and finally, an optimisation of the round platethrough a programmable sequential rotation at the ladle stand.This MRS-100 system leads to a safe use, an improvement of thetasks at the working station and a reduction of the user costs.

When producing ultra-thin hot strip, the yield and economy depend on achieving narrow geometrical and material properties fulfilling the increased customers demand. In production, the correct measurement of the strip properties is necessary. This paper gives advanced measuring and control techniques for the parameters concerning thickness profile, flatness profile, coil face profile, temperature profile, surface finish profile of ultra-thin hot rolled strip.

Dans le cadre de l’étude de la fatigue thermique de tuyauteries du parc de centralesnucléaires, des essais de fatigue multiaxiale à grand nombre de cycles sont effectués pourtenter de quantifier l’effet de la multiaxialité et de contrainte moyenne sur la durée devie du matériau et alimenter un modèle d’endommagement à deux échelles. Des outils demesures de champs cinématiques ainsi que d’observations micrographiques sont mis en placeafin de tirer le maximum d’information de chaque essai : comportement cyclique,déformation plastique progressive, scénario d’apparition des fissures. Des résultatsd’essais proportionnels et non-proportionnels sont présentés.

CRM is studying the possibility to comply with stringent PMregulations by improving the collection efficiency of existingdedusting systems, in order to avoid investments in expensiveadditional abatement means. The idea is to agglomeratefine dust particles together or onto coarser ones by applyingultrasound to the dust laden waste gas flow, upstream of thededusting unit.

Cementite decomposition leading to the formation of the whiteetching layer (WEL) on the surface of rail tracks was investigated byelectron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in the TEM and by threedimensionalatom probe (3D-AP). It is shown that the carbonconcentration inside cementite laths undergoing severe plasticdeformation in the transition zone between the pearlitic substrateand the WEL remains stoechiometric. However there exists a boundarylayer at the ferrite/cementite interface where the carbon compositiondecreases, indicating that decomposition is an interfacialphenomenon. Carbon atoms diffuse into the ferrite and segregatealong structural defects leading to a heterogeneous supersaturatedcomposition in the white etching layer.

The damage behaviour of materials depends strongly on the residual stresses generated inside the coatings realized under high energy beams. The purpose of the present work is to demonstrate the effect of intrinsic and geometrical parameters of the coated system on the stress level at the coating surface. The results of the elaborated phenomenological model show that the residual stress level depends, in particular, on the substrate and coating modulus ratio. It is then possible, based on the judicious choice of this ratio, to optimize the stress level.

Tests were performed on austenitic stainless steels. In order to investigate thermal fatigue resistance of quasi-structural specimens, test facilities enforcing temperature variations similar to those found under the operative conditions have been developed. Multiple cracking networks similar to those detected during in-service inspections have been reproduced. Experiments and simulations deal with crack initiation and crack growth. In the case of multiple cracking simulation, a Skelton's modelling has been used. A shielding effect between cracks is evidenced. It leads to a dramatic reduction of crack growth rate. Such effect is also crucial for the crack network stability under additional loading.

CRM developed a probe determining the raw material trajectories in bell-less top charging, by measuring the force generated by the material stream on a beam, in function of its position in the furnace. A prototype probe was tested on an industrial blast furnace during its first charging after a relining. These trials allowed the determination of both coke and sinter trajectories for the various chute angles. These results were validated by measurements carried out simultaneously by Irsid with painted bars.

EU regulations to be proclaimed will insist on product life cycle, Health-Safety-Environment issues and they will further enforce new ecotaxes. Anticipating these demands would afford Steel a competitive advantage and would further improve its image. The objectives of coated steel products, both in terms of process and properties are presented. The new developments of high performance steel surfaces are highlighted.

This communication presents experimental observations of plastic deformation in submicronic metallic multilayers. As the length scale decreases down to the nanometer range, we evidence a major change in deformation mechanisms, plasticity becoming less localized as in traditional slip bands of dislocations. AFM and nanoindentation techniques are used in conjonction with more standard techniques to characterize plastic deformation.

Using recent and more accurate data, the thermodynamic model of Ma and Janke has been extended to a five element system. The content of non-metallic inclusions has been investigated for two grades of duplex stainless steels after solidification. The chemical and morphological features of the inclusions were determined by SEM observations and EDS analysis for different cooling rates. The results are interpreted on the basis of the chemical-physical interactions in the Fe-Cr-Ni-Si-Mn-O system. They can be used to define the optimal oxygen potential pattern for the casting of this type of steel in foundries.

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.

Especially in OECD countries, the reduction of primary energy consumption is a major taskto avoid further increase in CO2 emissions. Since 37% of the annual energyconsumption is related to the building sector, it is a major challenge for the future todevelop methods for significant improvement of the energy efficiency of building design,construction and operation. It has to be noted that the development of sustainablebuildings addresses both engineering and social aspects. From an engineering viewpointmethods to improve the ecologic efficiency of buildings by increasing the lifetime have tobe provided. From a social viewpoint these new approaches must take the future needs ofsociety into consideration. In addition, also governance structures and the regulatoryframework for the construction and operation of buildings need to be modified in thedirection of sustainability. The article will initially identify the major research topicsfor the development of sustainable design principles for buildings. Afterwards, structuralrequirements will be defined and translated into required property profiles for buildingmaterials. Herein, both mechanical and functional properties are of importance, so thatapproaches will be presented how to combine these properties in composite buildingmaterials. With respect to mechanical properties, new steels will have to be developedwith an improved balance of strength and ductility, so that some promising steel designconcepts will be shown. Additionally, new approaches for the failure assessment of thesenew steel types will be presented to enhance the exploitation of the characteristics ofthe innovative materials.

The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Directive (IPPC) published in the EU in 1996 is presented within an approach based on source-targeted measures. The Directive implementation is based on the granting of permits and it introduces new concepts like Best Available Technique (BAT), Best Reference Document (BREF) and Level Playing Field (LPF). The consequences for the EU steel industry are discussed.

The 4th Daughter Directive to the Air Quality Directive sets, for year 2012, a target value of 1 ng/m3 for the concentration of benzo(a)pyrene in ambient air. This target cannot be met at present in the ambient air of numerous coke plants. Operators are thus requested to take every reasonable measure in order to come closest to the desired air quality standard. Technical measures for minimizing benzo(a)pyrene emissions will focus on optimizing the pressure conditions in the oven chamber as well as on improving the sealing capabilities of coke oven closure facilities. The techniques for reduction of benzo(a)pyrene emissions, developed by Deutsche Montan Technologie GmbH, are presented.

Les alliages ferritiques Fe-8 %Al possèdent des propriétés physiques et mécaniques prometteuses pour le développement et la conception de nouveaux types d’aciers allégés. Ces alliages présentent cependant des défauts de surface appelés « roping », apparaissant après l’étape d’emboutissage à froid. La formation de ces défauts est principalement attribuée à la distribution hétérogène des orientations des grains. Dans cette étude, les effets de la quantité de déformation, de la vitesse de déformation et de la température ont été examinés en utilisant la torsion à chaud. Les essais ont été réalisés à des températures comprises entre 900 °C et 1100 °C et des vitesses de déformation comprises entre 0,1 s-1 et 10 s-1. Il a été montré que deux types de recristallisation dynamique pouvaient intervenir durant la déformation à chaud : la recristallisation dynamique continue et la recristallisation dynamique discontinue.

Freckle defects were found in electro-slag remelting (ESR) ingots, which severely limitthe development of the larger-diameter ingots. The macrostructure and the composition ofthe freckles in a low-alloy structure steel ESR ingot were investigated to clarify thefreckle formation mechanism. The results shows that the freckles in the ingot were causedby the upward solute-rich liquid flow in the mushy zone, and the composition of thefreckles corresponds to that of the liquid, with a liquid fraction of 0.36 to 0.43. Therelative Rayleigh number (Ra), a freckle criterion considering the effect of atilted solidification front, was adopted to evaluate the freckle formation tendency in theindustrial-scale ESR ingots based on the results of the experiments, kinetic simulationand thermophysical property calculation. The calculated results of Ra are in good agreementwith the actual distribution of the freckles in the ingot.

Steel making based on scrap melting is a substantial sourceof electric disturbances, such as voltage fluctuations, flicker,harmonics and unbalance between phases: unless mitigated,they all will spread over the feeding grid, violate the gridcode, and disturb other users connected to the same grid.With SVC (Static Var Compensator) and/or STATCOM, griddisturbances can be efficiently and cost effectively mitigated,enabling the plant owner to meet the valid grid codes. Atthe same time, productivity can be increased and productioneconomy can be improved.
The paper presents SVC and STATCOM for steel plantapplications; goes into the latest technology, and highlights acouple of recent, state of the art installations and their benefitsin steel manufacturing.

In order to improve the blast furnaces stability and productivity, industrial trials with the aim of reducing the circulating alkali load in the furnace and tests on a laboratory scale have been performed. The mechanical behaviour (fines generation) during reduction in presence of alkalis of various iron materials loaded in the blast furnace (sinter, pellets, iron ores) has been characterized with a set of Boris trials.