Threshold Hydrogen Content for Flake-Free Wheel Steel

Steel in Translation, 2007, Vol. 37, No. 5, pp. 463–466. © Allerton Press, Inc.,
2007.
B. S. Ivanov, M. E. Getmanova, G. A. Filippov, L. V. Chuprina, and A. A.
Yandimirov
Central Scientific-Research Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy
OAO Nizhnedneprovskii Truboprokatynyi Zavod
OAO Vyksunskii Metallurgicheskii Zavod
Flaking is more apparent in forged and hot-rolled components of large cross
section [1, 2]. Modern methods of smelting, ladle treatment, and vacuum
treatment obviate the need for antiflake treatment. The threshold hydrogen
content ensuring the elimination of flakes in vacuum-treated steel is ~2 ppm, as
confirmed by practical experience [1–3]. However, the threshold hydrogen
content must depend on both the chemical composition and structure of the
steel. It is important to elucidate this dependence, in order to select appropriate
antiflake treatment conditions.
CURRENT TRENDS IN THE PRODUCTION OF RAILROAD WHEELS AND THE
EFFECT
OF OUT-OF-FURNACE TREATMENT OF THE STEEL ON THEIR PROPERTIES
Metallurgist, Vol. 50, Nos. 7–8, 2006
It is known that the oxygen content of steel in large part determines the structure of the ingot and the
growth of axial and surface defects in the final product. Average usable output decreases with an
increase in theoretical oxygen content (based on the concentration of aluminum) (Fig. 1). The vacuum
degassing of steel makes it possible to restrict its hydrogen content (determined using the transducers
of the system HYDRIS Heraus Electron-nite) to 2 ppm or less in 100% of the cases, which in turn
guarantees the absence of flakes in the finished steel. This means that hydrogen content has no effect
on the quality indices of wheels within the investigated concentration range (1.5–2 ppm).

ENERGY-SAVING HEAT TREATMENT FOR WHEELS

Metallurgist, Vol. 52, Nos. 1–2, 2008
The use of continuous steel casting at the Vyksa Metallurgical Plant to make semifinished products for
wheels is making it possible to improve the quality of the wheels and reduce the metal consumption
coefficient. At the same time, the plant has needed to find ways to shorten the wheel production cycle
so as to lower the cost of this product. This is now being done by eliminating the soaking operation
and shortening the heating period that precedes quenching.
After deformation, we by-passed the front furnaces and sent the wheels to the heat-treatment section
for heating in rotary furnaces to the quenching temperature. The wheels were cooled for roughly 30
min before quenching in order to complete the γ → α transformation. The temperatures of the rim and
web before the wheels were charged into the quenching furnaces were 610 and 520°C, respectively.
The experimental and comparison wheels were tempered at 480°C in connection
with the lower carbon equivalent of steels R7 and R9. The duration of the
tempering operation was 2 h, 30 min for the experimental wheels and 4 h, 20
min for the comparison wheels. It is known that this temperature range is safe
from the viewpoint of flake formation during the cooling of wheels from the
finishing temperature. That much was established from experimental studies
performed at the Nizhnedneprovskii Pipe Plant (in Dnepropetrovsk). No flakes
formed in the rim when it was allowed to cool to temperatures above 300°C while
the wheels were being transported on the conveyor leading to the front furnaces.
The combined length of time over which the temperatures of the rim and web
decreased to 420 and 350°C was 56 min. Analysis of the curve (see Fig. 1) shows
that the cooling time should be 40–50 min if the wheels are cooled in still air and
taken one-by-one to the quenching furnaces after the end of deformation. If the
wheels are transported to the furnaces in stacks, the cooling time needs to be
lengthened 30–40%.
Conclusions
Wheels rolled from a continuous-cast, vacuum-degassed semifinished product
and strengthened by separate heatings administered without an isothermal hold
had good values for tensile strength, impact toughness, and the ductility
characteristics.
If the wheels are cooled in still air, they should be cooled no longer than 40–50
min between the end of deformation and charging into furnaces used to heat
products for quenching. For cooling times of 40 and 50 min, the respective
temperatures of the rim and web before charging into the furnaces should be 530
and 440°C, 460 and 380°C.
In addition to the economic benefits, eliminating the soaking operation and
shortening the length of the heating operation performed prior to quenching will
make it possible to increase the productivity of the heat-treatment section.
UIC-812-3 Manufacture of the wheels