La Metallurgia Italiana, n.1 Gennaio 2023

La

Metallurgia Italiana

International Journal of the Italian Association for Metallurgy

n.0 1 gennaio 2023 Organo ufficiale dell’Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia.

Rivista fondata nel 1909

La Metallurgia Italiana International Journal of the Italian Association for Metallurgy Organo ufficiale dell’Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia.

House organ of AIM Italian Association for Metallurgy.

Rivista fondata nel 1909

Direttore responsabile/Chief editor: Mario Cusolito Direttore vicario/Deputy director: Gianangelo Camona Comitato scientifico/Editorial panel: Marco Actis Grande, Silvia Barella, Paola Bassani, Christian Bernhard, Massimiliano Bestetti, Wolfgang Bleck, Franco Bonollo, Irene Calliari, Mariano Enrique Castrodeza, Emanuela Cerri, Vlatislav Deev, Andrea Di Schino, Donato Firrao, Bernd Kleimt, Carlo Mapelli, Denis Jean Mithieux, Roberto Montanari, Marco Ormellese, Mariapia Pedeferri, Massimo Pellizzari, Barbara Previtali, Evgeny S. Prusov, Dario Ripamonti, Dieter Senk Segreteria di redazione/Editorial secretary: Marta Verderi Comitato di redazione/Editorial committee: Federica Bassani, Gianangelo Camona, Mario Cusolito, Carlo Mapelli, Federico Mazzolari, Marta Verderi, Silvano Panza Direzione e redazione/Editorial and executive office: AIM - Via F. Turati 8 - 20121 Milano tel. 02 76 02 11 32 - fax 02 76 02 05 51 met@aimnet.it - www.aimnet.it Reg. Trib. Milano n. 499 del 18/9/1948.

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Reproduction in whole or in part of articles and images is permitted only upon receipt of required permission and provided that the source is cited.

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Editoriale / Editorial Editoriale

A cura di Silvano Panza.............................................................................................................................. pag.05

Memorie scientifiche / Scientific papers Laminazione/ Rolling

Design of graphitic lubrication processes for mandrels intended to produce seamless tubes

A. Tavasci, F. Arizzi ................................................................................................................................................. pag.08 La

Metallurgia Italiana

International Journal of the Italian Association for Metallurgy

n.0 1 gennaio 2023 Organo ufficiale dell’Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia.

Rivista fondata nel 1909

Pioneering cold rolling of AHSS and electrical steel

K. Krimpelstaetter, R. Kellermayr, M. Bergmann ................................................................................................ pag.14

Metallurgical design of X60 – X70ME steels for gas and hydrogen transport pipes

M. Guagnelli, G. Malatesta ....................................................................................................................................... pag.24

Effect of Si-Cr-Mo element addition on oxidation characteristics and surface quality of cold rolled duplex steel

C. Wang, Y. Yu, K. Liu, L. Wang, Z. Guo, T. Niu ...................................................................................................... pag.30

n.01 gennaio 2023

Anno 114 - ISSN 0026-0843

Attualità industriale / Industry news

ABS QWR 4.0 quality from the start: new rolling mill concept and scale free furnace enhanced operational performance, sustainability and product quality

edited by: M. Cimolino, F. Rocchetti, E. Salamone................................................................................................. pag.42

Intelligent guides and BMS for bar mills

edited by: S. Capra, E. Galeazzo ............................................................................................................................... pag.48

4th PQF® generation – New horizons for seamless tube production

indice

edited by: M. Leferink................................................................................................................................................. pag.53

New autonomous mechanical system for trimming and sampling wire rod coils edited by: J. Nylander, G. Muscarà............................................................................................................................ pag.58

Finishing/Sizing Group with AGC system

edited by: A. Nardini, D. Biagini, J.C. Timoteo Da Silva .......................................................................................... pag.63

The revolutionary MIDA Hybrid Minimill for a competitive green steel production

edited by: J. Shuli, V. Collini....................................................................................................................................... pag.75

Abrasive Cut-Off Machines in modern rolling mills

edited by: N. Asamer, S. Purrer ................................................................................................................................. pag.81

Le aziende di AIM/AIM's companies

Le politiche commerciali e industriali nella siderurgia tra Europa e Stati Uniti / Trade and industrial policies in steel industry between Europe and the United States P. Cattaneo................................................................................................................................................................... pag.91

Scenari / Experts' Corner

Il principio di materialità nel reporting di sostenibilità

L. Mion ......................................................................................................................................................................... pag.96

Rolling-12 - Interview with Danieli's CEO and Danieli Group's CTO................ pag.98

Atti e notizie / AIM news

Rolling-12 summary - Berger ................................................................................... pag.100 Eventi AIM / AIM events ............................................................................................ pag.101 Comitati tecnici / Study groups ................................................................................ pag.103 Normativa / Standards ............................................................................................... pag.106

Centro di Studio METALLURGIA FISICA E SCIENZA DEI MATERIALI

GIORNATA DI STUDIO

TECNICHE SPERIMENTALI PER LA CARATTERIZZAZIONE DEI MATERIALI 23 FEBBRAIO 2023 tecniche sperimentali (raggi X, microscopia elettronica, analisi di superficie, ecc.) impiegate per lo studio e la caratterizzazione dei materiali d’impiego ingegneristico, risultano in continua evoluzione. Negli ultimi anni, gli aspetti innovativi hanno consentito di estendere l’impiego di tecniche tradizionalmente confinate al laboratorio anche all’ambito industriale grazie alla realizzazione di strumentazioni e software più versatili ed economici.

Le

La giornata di studio intende presentare, a partire dagli aspetti di base, i più recenti sviluppi riguardanti: tecniche di raggi X, spettroscopia meccanica, microscopia elettronica in scansione e trasmissione, analisi di superficie, analisi termica e nanoindentazione, ponendo l’attenzione alle loro potenzialità per applicazioni di interesse industriale.

La giornata è rivolta non solo a chi utilizza quotidianamente queste tecniche in laboratorio, ma anche a tecnici industriali per le possibilità di applicazione alla produzione.

Coordinatori: Alessandra Varone Università di Roma TorVergata Riccardo Donnini Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) - ICMATE, Milano

UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI PADOVA, SEDE DI VICENZA

PROGRAMMA 9.00 Registrazione dei partecipanti 9.15

Saluti ed apertura lavori R. Montanari - Università di Roma Tor Vergata

9.30 Impiego dei raggi X in diffrazione e trasmissione: studi di base sui metalli e applicazioni industriali A. Varone - Università di Roma Tor Vergata 10.10 Tecniche di prelievo e campionamento di provini metallografici I. Giroletti - Omeco, Monza 10.40 Pausa 11.00 Microscopia elettronica in scansione (SEM) G. Angella - CNR ICMATE, Milano 11.40 Principi ed applicazioni della tecnica EBSD R. Donnini - CNR ICMATE, Milano 12.20 Microscopia elettronica in trasmissione (TEM) A. Fabrizi - Università di Padova – DTG, Vicenza 13.00 Pranzo 14.30 Spettroscopia meccanica R. Montanari – Università di Roma Tor Vergata 15.00 Nanoindentazione G. Maizza - Politecnico di Torino 15.30 Spettroscopie per l’analisi delle superfici: XPS, AES, UPS, SPEM A. Mezzi - CNR ISMN, Roma

Per informazioni e iscrizioni:

16.30 Analisi termica A. Castellero - Università di Torino 17.00 Chiusura lavori

Via F. Turati, 8 20121 Milano Tel. +39 0276397770 e-mail: info@aimnet.it www.aimnet.it

editoriale - editorial

Silvano Panza PRESIDENTE AIM

EDITORIALE

EDITORIAL

Cari Associati,

Dear Associates,

si è da poco concluso un anno molto intenso di attività,

A very busy year of activity has just ended, and the first of

il primo della mia presidenza e già siamo ad affrontarne

my presidency, and now we are already facing a new one

uno nuovo che confido possa essere di successo, come

that I trust will be as successful as the previous one was.

lo è stato il precedente.

I am not going to describe here the many “Study Days”

Non sto qui a descrivere le numerose giornate di studio

done, the conferences and the great participation that I

fatte, i convegni e la grande partecipazione che ho

was able to personally verify (information that you can

potuto verificare personalmente, informazioni queste

find by visiting the website.)

che potete trovare visitando il sito.

However, Instead, I would like to offer my sincere sinceri

thanks, because these important results were achieved

ringraziamenti, perché questi importanti risultati sono

thanks to your participation and the careful and punctual

stati raggiunti grazie alla vostra partecipazione e al lavoro

work done by each of the Association's collaborators

attento e puntuale svolto da ciascun collaboratore

under the careful guidance of Dr. Bassani.

Desidero

invece

porgervi

i

miei

più

dell’Associazione, sotto l’attenta guida della dottoressa Bassani.

Instead,

I

would

like

to

share

with

you

some

considerations, which relate my personal life to our life Vorrei invece condividere con voi alcune considerazioni,

as associates.

che mettono in relazione la mia vita privata con quella

They take their cue from a book I have read recently

nostra di associati.

entitled, "The Perfect Curve", written by two bikers like

Esse prendono spunto da un libro che ho letto

me.

recentemente dal titolo: “La curva perfetta”, scritto da

If out of curiosity you read it, you will find some passages

due biker come me.

from its content in the next topics, but I am sure you will

Se per curiosità lo leggerete, troverete nei prossimi

forgive me for this.

argomenti alcuni passaggi del suo contenuto, ma son certo che per questo mi perdonerete.

The author of the book takes his cue from the American Lectures (five plus one unfinished) that Italo Calvino was

L’autore del libro trae spunto dalle lezioni americane

to deliver at Harvard in the 1985/1986 academic year and

(cinque più una incompiuta) che Italo Calvino doveva

which dealt with the qualities necessary for writing in the

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 5

editoriale - editorial

tenere a Harvard nell’anno accademico 1985/1986 e che

third millennium.

trattavano delle qualità necessarie alla scrittura del terzo

The first five speak of: Lightness, Rapidity, Accuracy,

millennio.

Visibility, Multiplicity and the missing one, the sixth,

Le prime cinque parlano di: Leggerezza, Rapidità,

Consistency.

Esattezza, Visibilità, Molteplicità e quella mancante, la

For us motorcyclists these are the factual, moral and

sesta, di Coerenza.

if you will “spiritual” pillars for motorcycle riding and Per noi motociclisti questi sono i pilastri fattuali, morali

these nouns represent five virtues, each of which resides

e se volete spirituali per la guida della motocicletta e

while riding in the actions of each finger of our hand.

questi sostantivi rappresentano cinque virtù, ognuna delle quali risiede durante la guida nelle azioni di ogni

For me, as president of AIM and all my staff, these

dito della nostra mano.

virtues reside in the hand that drives the Association and represent our style of work, which I will attempt to

Per me, in veste di presidente di AIM e per tutti i miei

detail below.

collaboratori, queste virtù risiedono nella mano che guida l’Associazione e rappresentano il nostro stile

Lightness: it is essential for a good motorcycle ride,

di lavoro, che di seguito cercherò puntualmente di

but it is equally important for the management of AIM.

dettagliare.

It is the distinguishing factor in the way we interact with you as members, with all the people and entities

Leggerezza: è fondamentale per una bella guida della

that interface with us, but we point out, however, that

moto, ma è altrettanto importante per la gestione

lightness does not mean superficiality.

dell’AIM. È il fattore distintivo del nostro modo di interagire con voi associati, con tutte le persone e gli

Rapidity: it is the natural outcome of a safe dynamic

enti che si interfacciano con noi, ma puntualizziamo

ride. It’s like ---- strategic planning of the activities in

però che leggerezza non vuol dire superficialità.

our fourteen Study Centers, which grasp the concept to the fullest, quickly identify emerging knowledge needs,

Rapidità: è il risultato naturale della guida dinamica in

analyze them and then translate them into effective

sicurezza. Così come nella pianificazione strategica

study days.

delle attività dei nostri quattordici Centri di Studio, che cogliendo al meglio il concetto, individuano con rapidità

Exactness: the precision of placing the wheels where

i bisogni emergenti di conoscenza, li analizzano e poi li

we need, nothing more and nothing less. We need

traducono in efficaci giornate di studio.

precision in addressing scientific issues and mastering new technologies, but also in organizing Study Days,

Esattezza: la precisione del mettere le ruote dove

Conferences, and Congresses. Lots of awareness to

dobbiamo

achieve the maximum, and not to an undetermined

non,

più

o

meno.

Occorre

esattezza

nell’affrontare le tematiche scientifiche e padroneggiare

extent or degree.

le nuove tecnologie, ma anche nell’organizzare le giornate di studio, i convegni, i congressi. Tanta

Visibility: looking beyond the curve. It is the quality of

consapevolezza per ottenere il massimo non, più o

seeing, being seen, and imagining what is not seen. So,

meno.

it is for us every day. We do culture, training, engage in the various areas of developing and implementing

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 6

editoriale - editorial

Visibilità: guardare oltre la curva. È la qualità di

new technologies. We look ahead, beyond the curve, to

vedere, essere veduti, e immaginare ciò che non si

confirm our leadership within the world of metallurgy.

vede. Così è per noi ogni giorno. Facciamo cultura, formazione, ci impegniamo nei vari ambiti di sviluppo

Multiplicity: because riding a motorbike is a pleasure

e implementazione di nuove tecnologie. Guardiamo

when shared. That's what we do by sharing study goals

avanti, oltre la curva, per confermare la nostra leadership

with other domestic and foreign associations and with

all’interno del mondo della metallurgia.

every single person, even in moments of conviviality.

But in 2023 we will do it even better by renewing and

Molteplicità: perché l’andare in moto è un piacere

enriching our magazine, making sure that it accompanies

quando condiviso. È quello che facciamo condividendo

the evolving needs of a multiplicity of readers.

obiettivi di studio con altre associazioni nazionali ed estere e con ogni singola persona, anche nei momenti

Then there is one more virtue, the one that Calvino

di convivialità. Ma nel 2023 lo faremo ancor meglio

could not describe because he died first: Consistently,

rinnovando e arricchendo la nostra rivista, facendo in

but I would also add Sharing. For bikers, it is to be

modo che accompagni l’evoluzione dei bisogni di una

entrepreneurs of oneself, able to master physical

molteplicità di lettori.

and mechanical forces with lucidity in order to derive maximum joy and maximum results.

C’ è poi una virtù in più, quella che Calvino non poté descrivere, perché morì prima: la Coerenza, ma io

We seize the joy with this beautiful motorcycle that we

aggiungerei anche Condivisione. Per i motociclisti è

have shared together for many, many years: the Italian

quello di essere imprenditori di sé stessi, in grado di

Metallurgy Association.

padroneggiare forze fisiche e meccaniche con lucidità per trarre la massima gioia e il massimo risultato.

The virtues are those to which we adhere to daily in our work, and they are those that we Consistently share

La

gioia

noi

la

cogliamo

con

questa

bellissima

with our collaborators and with all of you.

motocicletta che insieme condividiamo da moltissimi anni: l’Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia.

In conclusion, I can guarantee that my commitment this

Le virtù sono quelle a cui ci atteniamo quotidianamente

year once again will be to the utmost of my ability and

nel nostro lavoro e sono quelle che con Coerenza

strength, as well as that of my collaborators, but -----

condividiamo con i nostri collaboratori e con voi tutti.

but it is asked to not let there be a shortage in yours.

In conclusione, posso garantire che anche quest’anno il

I sincerely wish you all a happy New Year.

mio impegno sarà al massimo delle mie capacità e delle mie forze, al pari di quello dei miei collaboratori, ma voi

Silvano Panza

non fateci mancare il vostro.

Auguro di cuore a Voi tutti un felice Anno Nuovo.

Silvano Panza

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 7

Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione

Design of graphitic lubrication processes for mandrels intended to produce seamless tubes F. Arizzi, A. Tavasci

In the production of seamless pipes, hollows from steel billets are elongated through multi-stand mills using mandrels.

During rolling, mandrels undergo severe thermo-mechanical working conditions which requires the application of lubricants, generally graphite-based. Next to the possibility of improving the performance in terms of inner surface quality, a proper lubrication process between mandrel and pipe allows to reduce the level of frictional stresses and to extend the life span of the tool, with better operational efficiency and reduction in costs due to failures.

Aiming to optimize the mandrel-pipe lubrication process, a test bench was developed in a lab environment to assess spray atomization features and final characteristics of the deposited graphite layer under controlled testing parameters (such as atomization geometries, pressure and deposition surface temperature). In parallel, lubricant rheological properties were characterized with the purpose of relating them to the specific application conditions and requirements.

In the present work, a testing methodology was thus set-up at a laboratory scale, reproducing as much as possible the actual industrial process conditions occurring in lubricant application. The results of this activity allowed defining guidelines and criteria for both the choice of the most suitable product for the specific intended application and the target application conditions, depending on the specific hot rolling mill technology. According to the same guidelines and criteria, mandrel lubrication processes and circuits can be finally designed to ensure the optimization of the graphite layer features and to achieve the most of the lubrication effectiveness.

KEYWORDS: HOT ROLLING , MANDREL LUBRICATION, GRAPHITE, SPRAY INTRODUCTION: HEADING In lubricant formulation for hot rolling application, graphite is typically the main lubricant agent due to its lattice crystal structure (layers can easily slide over each other) and resistance to high temperatures [1].

For industrial application, graphite particles are often dispersed in water; however, even though they are intrinsically

hydrophilic,

graphitic

surfaces

adsorb

hydrocarbon contaminants from the ambient, which renders them hydrophobic [2]. Therefore, graphite

Fabio Arizzi, Adriano Tavasci TenarisDalmine

powder alone could neither be dispersed in water, nor remain in suspension. Moreover, graphite has a lack of polarity leading to poor adhesion to metal surfaces [3].

So, in order to use graphite as a lubricant in hot rolling process, it is necessary to mix the graphite powder with specific additives capable of improving the characteristics of wettability and adherence to metal surfaces.

The types and the quantities of additives added to the

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 8

Scientific papers - Rolling

mixture are responsible for the final rheological behavior,

not break during hot deformation process. Therefore,

i.e. the viscosity of the product that is the fluid resistance

it is essential to define the proper spray configuration

to deformation at a given shear rate.

and surface temperature in such a way as to ensure the

The lubricant rheology behavior is of fundamental

formation of a well-adhering and dry lubricating layer.

importance during Mixing step (to ensure the homogeneity of the mixture and the floating of the graphite particles),

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

Spraying step (to ensure adequate atomization of the

In the present work, a testing methodology was set-up

lubricating fluid) and Adhesion/Drying step (to ensure

to reproduce in laboratory the actual industrial process

uniform coverage of the mandrel surface and adequate

conditions occurring in lubricant application. A test

adhesion of the graphite layer on the mandrel surface).

bench was indeed developed in a lab environment to

Basically, the lubricant must behave like a paint [4].

assess spray atomization features and final characteristics

Spraying is the process through which the graphite

of the deposited graphite layer under controlled testing

is applied to the surface of a hot mandrel. A spray is a

parameters (such as atomization geometries, pressure

collection of droplets resulting by an atomization process

and deposition surface temperature).

which are moving in a controlled way [5]. A droplet is a

The device, with the proposed assembling of Fig.1, is

small particle of liquid characterized by spherical shape

composed by a high pressure pump for the lubricant (up

due to the surface tension of the liquid itself. Achieving

to 100 bar), a frame for holding the spraying nozzle (with

the desired level of atomization requires maintaining a

adjustable vertical distance from the tip of the nozzle to

balance of the fluid viscosity, surface tension and flow rate

the deposition surface of the sample up to 400mm), a

on one side with atomization energy on the other.

motorized device for the horizontal movement of the

Once the droplets of lubricant approach the surface to be

spraying nozzle along the frame during the lubricant

lubricated, they must adhere properly and dry rapidly to

application (linear speed up to 2m/s and constant for all

form a uniform layer of graphite. For a solid lubricant, in

spray time long), an electrical heating unit (to heat the

order to provide an effective lubrication, it is essential that

deposition surface up to 160°C) and a precision weighing

the adhesion layer have a greater binding strength than

scale (to assess the lubricant drying time). The test is

the shear strength of the lubricant itself [6]. Under a stable

managed in fully automatic mode.

lubricant layer, friction coefficient stays flat and does

Fig.1 - Diagram and operation of the lab device.

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 9

Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione By means of this device, the drying time is assessed in real

the spray jet (according to the most convenient method

time by detecting the change in weight of the lubricated

for collecting the fluid - see Fig.2 left side). Furthermore,

hot surface, placed on the precision scale.

at the end of the drying process the level of the adhesion

On the other hand, the graphite flowrate distribution with

between the graphite layer and the sample surface is

the jet angle is evaluated by assessing in a second step the

qualitatively evaluated by cross-cut test (as shown in Fig.2

applied quantity at various distances from the center of

right side).

Fig.2 - Jet angle with applied quantity assessment (left) and outcome of a cross-cut test (right).

In

parallel,

lubricant

rheological

properties

were

well as the thixotropy (response to a sudden change in the

characterized with the purpose of correlating them to the

shear rate).

specific application conditions and to the results of the

In our case, a Brookfield Rheometer RST with Coaxial

spray characterization. Being a graphite-based lubricant

Cylinder - Double Gap spindle was therefore used (see

a non-Newtonian fluid, the important characteristics are

Fig.3) in place of a standard viscometer to correlate shear

the dynamic viscosity both at low shear rate (for mixture

stress and shear rate.

stability) and high shear rate (for adequate sprayability), as

Fig.3 - Brookfield Rheometer RST with Coaxial Cylinder - Double Gap and testing conditions.

Specifically, lubricant dynamic viscosity was assessed

for initial fluid “adjustment”, a second one in order to

superimposing three different steps of shear rate (SR),

evaluate the thixotropic recovery of the fluid and a third

as shown in Fig. 3 (chart on the right side): a first one

one to evaluate the shear thinning of the fluid.

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 10

Scientific papers - Rolling RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Impact of the spraying pressure

Lubricant rheology

For brand new nozzles under characterization, graphite

Dynamic viscosity for the products characterized was

flowrate distribution was at first evaluated: a “bell-shape”

ranging in 400 ÷ 2000 cPs at SR 13 s -1, 40 ÷ 140 cPs at SR

type is maintained in the investigated range (typical of the

1200 s-1 and 2 ÷ 20 s for its recovery from high SR to low

industrial field), see Fig.4. Total flowrate increases clearly

SR.

with the working pressure.

Fig.4 - Graphite flowrate distribution at different pressure.

Impact of the nozzle wear During operation, nozzles undergo important wear. For this reason, graphite flowrate distribution for brand new nozzles was compared to that of a nozzle whose orifice has increased about 8% in area (Fig.5).

Fig.5 - New (left) and worn (right) nozzle orifice.

The wear of the nozzle not only reduces the spray angle more than the pressure does in the investigated range of working conditions, but also changes the graphite flowrate distribution by flattening it (see Fig.6).

Fig.6 - Comparison between the characteristics of the spray jet generated by a brand new and used nozzle.

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 11

Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione

Impact of the application temperature

Drying times were assessed both at different application temperatures and at different deposited quantities, showing

important variability especially in relation to mill operating conditions. The results are shown in the graph of Fig.7:

Fig.7 - Drying times for different application conditions.

Verification of the adhesion properties

leading to a poorly compact layer.

is qualitatively put in correlation with both the application

thick layer increase the drying time and negatively affect

The adhesion of the graphite layer to the metallic surface temperature and the layer thickness itself through the cross-cut test.

Too high temperatures of the surface tend to cause boiling

phenomena that hinder the adhesion of graphite, while too low temperatures excessively lengthen the drying times,

Similarly, high quantities of graphite corresponding to the layer compactness. The scenario is even worse when

high quantity is sprayed in combination with surface

temperature too low. However, it is important to point

out that each product behaves differently according to its formulation and to the application conditions.

Fig.8 - Cross-cut test results for different application conditions.

In conclusion, the applied quantity and the application

application within established operative windows. Limits

choice, must fall in a specific range of values. This let to

assessment, which allow migrating laboratory results to

temperature, which can vary depending on the lubricant combine the best of the lubrication effectiveness with the mill constraints of cycle time and mandrel handling.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT

Aside from the graphite-based product choice and tailoring, the most effective lubrication process requires

dedicated process control systems to ensure the lubricant

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

shall be defined according to simplified protocols of field the field.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

In the present work, a lab methodology and testing

protocol to characterize mandrel lubricant features with respect to spray application conditions was established.

The main results can be thus summarized as follows:

pagina 12

Scientific papers - Rolling

• A test bench was set-up to replicate field application condition of graphite-based mandrel lubricants.

• Spraying nozzles and deposited graphite layer

• Mandrel lubrication shall be optimized taking into account the mill characteristics.

characteristics were characterized as a function of

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Rheological properties of the lubricants under analysis

Caprera, Chief Industrial Officer of Tenaris, who is kindly

industrial application parameters.

were on parallel assessed through a tailored testing protocol.

This paper is published under permission of Antonio acknowledged.

REFERENCES [1] Chung DDL. Review Graphite. Journal of Materials Science 2002;127:1465–1489. Available from: https://doi. org/10.1023/A:1014915307738 [2] Kozbial A.; Zhou F.; Li Z.; Liu H, Li L.: Are graphitic surfaces hydrophobic? ; Accounts of Chemical Research 2019; 49(12): 2765-2773.

Available from: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.accounts.6b00447 [3] Pierson HO. Handbook of Carbon, Graphite, Diamonds and Fullerenes - Properties, Processing and Applications; First edition.

Amsterdam: Noyes Pubblication;1994.

[4] Kazuo T; Shizuo, M., Sumio, I.; Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation. Lubricant composition for seamless steel pipe working, European Patent EP 1 666 576 B1. 2005 Mar 17.

[5] Lefebvre AH, Mcdonell V. Atomization and Sprays; Second edition, Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2017.

[6] Iwama T, Morimoto Y. Die life and lubrication in warm forging. Journal of Materials Processing Technology 1997; 71: 43-48. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-0136(97)00141-6

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione

Pioneering Cold Rolling of AHSS and Electrical Steel K. Krimpelstaetter, R. Kellermayr, M. Bergmann

Decarbonization activities are important to act effectively and sustainably against climate change. Especially the automobile industry triggers the development of Electrified Vehicles with light-weight design to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint over the vehicle’s entire life cycle. This in turn raises the demand for development of new steel grades with improved strength, like 3rd generation AHSS (Advanced High-Strength Steels), press hardened steels, martensitic steels and also thin-gauge high-permeability NGO (Non-Grain Oriented) electrical steels to improve the energy conversion efficiency of electrical motors.

While new high-end cold rolling mills meet the process requirements to produce these advanced steel grades, existing rolling facilities are predominantly not capable to introduce and provide these grades to the market.

Primetals Technologies is continuously developing and supporting its customers by offering innovative products and technologies to meet the high and quickly changing demands of the metals industry and its end customers.

This paper introduces selected cold rolling innovation highlights, which are significantly contributing to a successful production of AHSS and electrical steel, while keeping quality and environmental standards high and operation costs on a competitive, low level.

The “HYPER UC-MILL®” is a new generation of 6-high cold mill with reduced work roll diameters, work roll drive and still high torque transmission capability. This technology is not only today’s role model for new tandem and reversing mills, but also an affordable solution for mill revamps. Its excellent reduction and shape control capability combined with reduced edge loads and straight roll inventory make the HYPER UC-MILL the perfect solution to produce highstrength steels and thin-gauge cold rolled products. Additional new features like strip temperature guidance (STG), edge-drop control (EDC) and Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL®) support a stable and reliable production of highgrade electrical steels with low waste and high yield.

STG ensures that the strip temperature during rolling is kept in a required operation window to improve formability and avoid strip overheating. MQL represents a new roll-gap lubrication technology with many advantages for rolling AHSS and electrical steel. In case of high-grade electrical steel or hard and brittle strip materials, MQL prevents a cool down of strip temperature, which may positively influence the formability and improve the rolling stability. EDC is a further beneficial technology to improve strip edge profile and consequently to reduce downstream trimming losses to get optimum lamination factors with low core loss of electrical steel.

KEYWORDS: COLD ROLLING, AHSS, NGO-EV, HYPER UC-MILL, MINIMUM QUANTITY LUBRICATION MQL, STRIP TEMPERATURE GUIDANCE STG, EDGE-DROP CONTROL EDC INTRODUCTION Carmakers are developing and producing Electrified Vehicles (EV) with light steel body structure, optimized designs and excellent crash behavior that reduce mass and therefore greenhouse gas emissions over the vehicle’s entire life cycle.

Konrad Krimpelstaetter, Roland Kellermayr, Martin Bergmann Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH, Austria - konrad. krimpelstaetter@primetals.com

This calls for new generations of advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) with high deformation resistance and La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

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Scientific papers - Rolling thinner product thicknesses.

production downtimes and delays.

Additionally, there is a sustainable demand from carmakers

Additional to the challenging production conditions,

for ultra-thin non-grain oriented electrical steels with 3.2

product quality (thickness, flatness and surface) is still of

to 3.4% silicon and in a thickness range of 0.2 mm to 0.3

paramount importance. Tolerances for these criteria are

mm. These grades are frequently called NGO-EV and

constantly tightening, especially as the target delivery

have demanding requirements concerning geometrical

thicknesses dive to 0.2 mm and even below. Maximization

tolerances, surface quality, material strength, texture

of yield must go hand-in-hand with efficient use of process

evolution as well as magnetic properties.

consumables. These requirements affect the mechanical,

Electric

traction

motors

consist

of

copper

coils,

electrical and process design of the mills.

permanent magnets, and steel core laminations. Steel core laminations are a stack of isotropic magnetic steel

The mechanical rolling capability of an operating rolling

sheets, which are separated by a lacquer coat to achieve a

mill is primarily determined by:

high permeability and high magnetic induction.

• Power of the main motors and tension levels (main

A high-efficient energy conversion requires low core

drive, reels, bridle rolls)

losses and high magnetization. Accordingly, future

• Available roll separating force (RSF)

passenger cars exchange the combustion engine by highly

• Mill stand stiffness

efficient electric motors resulting in at least doubling the

• Shape control capability

weight of silicon steel per car to approx. 60 – 90 kg / car

• Work roll diameter

(considering NGO-EV only, cf. [7]).

• Roll-gap lubrication efficiency

The trend to use more silicon steels in electrical appliances in the automotive industries motivates steel producers to

INFLUENCE OF WORK ROLL DIAMETER

invest in rolling mill equipment and automation solutions

The effect of the work roll diameter can be demonstrated

to modernize their existing production facilities.

schematically in the gaugemeter diagram (also known as

In order to meet or even surpass today’s product quality

roll force/strip thickness diagram, cf. [3] or [5]) in Fig.1.

levels, knowledge of the processes as well as the devices,

Fig.1 shows the plastic characteristic (red solid line) and

machines and plants comprising these processes is

the minimum achievable exit thickness hout,min in case

essential.

of a large work roll diameter and for an incoming strip

In the past, cold rolling of silicon steel and special steel

thickness h in. Here the absolute strip thickness reduction

grades was mainly done in cold reversing mills because

is limited for the considered product in the specific pass.

they offer high flexibility in terms of pass-schedule design.

The rapid increase of rolling force at thinner exit thickness

Nowadays, with increasing demand on higher volumes

results from severe work roll flattening. The additional

of AHSS and electrical steels, (continuous) tandem cold

required energy transferred via the roll load cylinders is

rolling mills are more and more used, because they offer

mainly wasted into elastic deformation of the work rolls.

higher productivity, higher yield and lower operating

A reduction of work roll diameter shifts the plastic

costs per produced ton of electrical steel.

characteristic curve to the left side in Fig.1. As can be

Cold rolling of high-silicon electrical steel is characterized

seen from this graph, reducing the work roll diameter

by an increased risk for strip breaks. The main reason is

(i.e. switching from red solid to red dashed curve in Fig.1)

due to the high brittleness of high-silicon steels at typical

decreases the minimum achievable exit thickness h’out,min,

cold rolling temperatures. The high room temperature

mainly as a result of lower rolling forces and consequently

brittleness of the strip material in combination with high

reduced roll flattening. This allows for the production

rolling loads (strip tension, contact pressure and shear

of lower strip exit thickness at comparable rolling force

stresses in the roll bite) during cold rolling can lead to

levels.

generation and growth of edge cracks, which can lead

This phenomenon has been successfully utilized in

to strip breaks, equipment damages and significant

cluster mills, as 20-high mills or Z-mills, to be able to

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione produce stainless steel and special grades for many years.

stated that a further limitation of final gauge can arise due

However, for the sake of completeness it needs to be

to kissing rolls outside the strip width.

Fig.1 - Gaugemeter diagram and the influence of reduced work roll diameter on rolling capability.

UCM-MILL AND STRIP EDGE PROFILE CONTROL

cylindrical work roll shape to achieve a stable strip shape,

The work roll diameter of a 6-high Universal Crown Mill

which meets highest strip flatness requirements.

(UCM, cf. Fig.2) in range of 385 to 425 mm is widely used for AHSS and electrical steel production in tandem cold

Fig.2 exhibits the advantages of a UC-Mill by eliminating

mill configuration. It is characterized by driven work rolls

the undesired contact area thanks to the tapered work roll

and an axially shiftable intermediate roll according to the

design and the smart edge-oriented roll shifting, which

actual strip width, together with the installed work roll and

also allows to achieve excellent shape controllability.

intermediate roll bending system. It is possible to utilize a

Fig.2 - Core design of Universal Crown Mill.

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Scientific papers - Rolling

For cold rolling of hard material, the strip thickness

Work rolls with a special chamfer are shifted by means of

profile decreases sharply at the edge area. This is called

hydraulic cylinders provided in each shifting block at the

edge drop and is caused by longitudinal deviation of

drive side. Optimum roll gap profile with reduced edge drop

the work roll flattening. Especially for the production of

is achieved by combining work roll shifting, intermediate

electrical steel, less edge drop is essential to achieve high

roll shifting, work roll bending and intermediate roll

lamination factors and consequently low core losses.

bending. The work rolls with their chamfers are shifted in a way to ensure a pre-defined edge-up control. Edge

To reduce the edge drop, a UCM-W Mill (cf. Fig.3), which

drop control (EDC) is most efficient in the first stands of a

has additionally a work roll shift mechanism, can be

tandem cold rolling mill.

applied to a UCM-Mill.

Fig.3 - Core design of Universal Crown Mill.

HYPER UC-MILL

a comprehensive study of the influence of work roll

The most beneficial mill stand technology for producing

diameter on the shape control capability, Hertzian Stress

the upper range of AHSS and high-grade NGO electrical

between rolls and the reduction ratio was carried out. The

steel represents the 6-high Hyper Universal Crown Control

study focused on the reduction capacity of the tandem

Mill (HYPER UC-Mill), which is a further development of

mill. Rolling loads can be reduced and higher reduction

the well-established UCM technology.

ratios can be obtained by using work rolls with smaller diameters. This study showed that the highest reduction

Although the UCM-mill is capable of processing lower

ratio is achieved with work rolls having a diameter app.

range AHSS and middle grade electrical steel in a 5-stand

20-40% smaller than those of the standard UC-Mill.

configuration, the growing demand for harder AHSS and thinner electrical steels with high silicon content led to

Under the above-described limitations, the optimum

the development of the HYPER UC-Mill (cf. also [2]).

work roll diameter was found in a range of 230 mm to 290

In order to apply smaller diameter work rolls to a TCM,

mm for a HYPER UC-Mill with a maximum width of app.

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione

1300 mm (4 feet).

torque with small diameter work rolls was also developed.

While decreasing the work roll diameter, it was necessary

This technology called “New MH-Spindle” can transmit

to increase the intermediate roll diameter to ensure mill

2.7 times the torque of a conventional Universal Joint (UJ)-

stability for highest shape controllability.

type spindle (cf. Fig.4).

A new gear-type spindle capable of transmitting higher

Fig.4 - New MH-Spindle of HYPER UC-Mill.

As a result, the HYPER UC-Mill was introduced as a new

permeability non-grain oriented (NGO) electrical steel

rolling mill type, which uses smaller work rolls and high

and advanced high-strength steels (AHSS). The reversing

strength spindles to enable rolling of high-strength

mill features a twin-stand 6-high HYPER UC-MILL with

materials and high-grade electrical steels.

driven work rolls and new MH-spindles for highest torque transmission. The mill is equipped with Minimum Quantity

Fig.5 shows a visual comparison of roll arrangements

Lubrication MQL® and an inductive strip heating system.

between standard UC-Mill and HYPER UC-Mill. To keep the highest shape controllability also in case of reduced work roll diameter for the HYPER UC-Mill, the intermediate roll diameter is increased accordingly.

One of the latest references of a HYPER UC-MILL is shown in Fig.6, which was especially designed to produce high-

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Scientific papers - Rolling

Fig.5 -Roll arrangement of Standard UCM and HYPER UCM.

Fig.6 - 2-stand HYPER UCM-Mill for the production of HNGO and AHSS. WORK ROLL DIAMETER EVOLUTION

smaller diameter work rolls and shows a ratio of about

Fig. 7 shows a comparison of mill stand technologies

20% keeping the benefits of the standard UC-Mill mill

with different ratios of work roll diameter to maximum

including work roll drive and is therefore ideally suited for

strip width. While for a classical 4-high mill, this ratio is

rolling AHSS and high-Si NGO electrical steel. Primetals

typically around 30% to 40%, a 6-high UC-Mill shows a

Technologies’ convertible mill Flex-HI® with its 18-

ratio of around 25%. The HYPER UC-Mill utilizes even

high mode and a ratio of about 10% offers an extended

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione

reduction capability to produce high-strength steels down

Fig. 7, 20 Hi-Mills (e.g. HZ-mills) utilize a minimum work

to ultra-low gauge, while keeping the high productivity

roll diameter to offer rolling capability to produce GO

in its classical 4-high mode (cf. [6]). On the very right in

electrical steels and ultra-thin and hard products.

Fig.7 - Comparison of different mill types and work roll diameters.

TANDEM COLD ROLLING MILL CONFIGURATION A typical configuration for continuous tandem cold mill for rolling AHSS and high-grade non-grain-oriented electrical steel sheets is depicted in Fig. 8.

Fig.8 - Typical configuration of tandem cold mill for high productivity AHSS and electrical steel production.

This mill configuration utilizes a strip induction heater in

consumption, oil consumption, maintenance costs,

front of the tandem mill and an additional bridle roll unit

etc.)

between tandem mill and tension reel, which allows to

• Personal costs

increase strip tension in later stands.

• Reduced production time

Benefits of continuous rolling operation compared to

STRIP HEATING PRIOR TO COLD ROLLING

batch operation:

Cold rolling of high-silicon electrical steel (Si ≥ 2.5%) is

• Productivity increase

characterized by an increased risk of strip breaks. The

• Yield increase

main reason is due to the high brittleness of high-Si steels

• Product quality improvement

at typical cold rolling temperatures. The high brittleness

• Reduction of production costs (electricity, roll

of the strip material in combination with high rolling loads

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Scientific papers - Rolling (strip tension, contact pressure and shear stresses in the

Fig.9 shows a ductile-to-brittle transition temperature

roll bite) during cold rolling can lead to generation and

diagram (DBTT), which was determined by a servo-

growth of edge cracks which can lead to strip breaks and

hydraulic high speed testing machine (cf. [1]). The

significant production downtimes and delays.

depicted DBTT is for 3.4% Si non-grain oriented (NGO) electrical steel considering different deformation (strain)

It is known that the strip material brittleness can be

rates. At typically high deformation rates (cf. blue curve

significantly reduced by increasing the strip temperature

at 100 s-1 in Fig.9) for cold rolling, the ductile-to-brittle

before cold rolling (cf. e.g. [1]). The strip temperature at

transition temperature occurs in this case approximately

the entry of a tandem mill is typically at room temperature

at room temperature (here 22°C).

(e.g. 20 to 30°C). The room temperature brittleness also depends on the silicon and aluminum content of the strip

This means that cold rolling at room temperature

material. Higher Si-content (≥ 2.5%) and Al-content (≥

represents a significant risk for strip breaks, because of

0.5%) can lead to increased room temperature brittleness

the reduced fracture elongation and high brittleness of

and consequently reduced ductility and formability during

the strip material. Reducing the deformation rate, i.e.

cold rolling. The reason for generated edge cracks is a

reducing the strip speed and/or reduction, or increasing

prevented dislocation sliding, which leads under applied

the strip temperature improves the ductility, formability

rolling loads to an unwanted twinning effect of the metal

and hence reduces the risk for edge crack propagation

structure.

and strip breaks significantly.

Fig.9 - Ductile-to-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) for a 3.4% Si steel (source: [1]).

STRIP TEMPERATURE GUIDANCE

too high strip temperature can lead to increased work roll

As explained above the strip temperature plays an

temperatures and reduced hardness of the work roll shell

important role for a stable and successful production

material, which can lead for examples to heat streaks or

of high-permeability electrical steels, especially during

other surface defects.

threading and first pass rolling. An increased strip

Therefore,

temperature may in this regard also be beneficial for the

temperature may be beneficial. Actuators to influence

second and later rolling passes. This can be accomplished

and control strip temperatures are strip cooling, work roll

by a controlled strip temperature guidance through the

cooling, strip speed, rolling pass distribution, induction

whole tandem mill resp. reversing pass journey. If the

heating and others.

strip temperature gets too low, a distinctive brittleness of

An advanced strip temperature model significantly

the material together with actual applied rolling loads may

improves the setup and control of the strip temperature

result in edge cracks and strip breaks. On the other hand, a

guidance (STG) and considers the special and difficult

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

a

product-based

guidance

of

the

strip

pagina 21

Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione deformation behavior of high-Si electrical steels. Fig.10

Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL, cf. [4]) can avoid the

shows an example of strip temperature evolution in a

undesired strip temperature drop before the first pass,

5-stand tandem mill with prior inductive strip heating.

because entry side lubrication is done with pure rolling

As one can see, the emulsion lubrication on entry side of

oil atomized with air and sprayed directly onto the surface

stand 1 decreases the prior heated-up strip undesirably,

of the work rolls. This ensures that the strip temperature is

leading to energy waste and costly processing of electrical

not affected by the roll-gap lubrication as it is the case for

steels.

conventional recirculation emulsion lubrication.

Fig.10 - Example of strip temperature evolution in a tandem mill with prior strip heating.

CONCLUSION

solution to produce high-strength steels and thin-gauge

This paper describes latest mill stand technologies and

cold rolled products.

innovations to support a successful and stable production

Additional new features like strip temperature guidance

of AHSS and thin-gauge high-grade NGO electrical steels.

(STG) and edge-drop control (EDC) support a stable and reliable production of high-grade electrical steels with

Classical 4-high cold rolling mills have known technical

low waste and high yield.

limitations in terms of reduction capability to roll hard and thin materials, due to its large contact length between work roll and strip caused by large work roll diameters and excessive work roll flattening under the high rolling forces involved.

The “HYPER UC-MILL®” is a new generation of 6-high cold mill with reduced work roll diameters, work roll drive and still high torque transmission capability. This technology is not only today’s role model for new tandem and reversing mills, but also an affordable solution for mill revamps. Its excellent reduction and shape control capability combined with reduced edge loads and straight roll inventory make the HYPER UC-MILL the perfect

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Scientific papers - Rolling

REFERENCES [1] [2] [3] [4]

[5] [6] [7]

J. Kwon, H. Huh, and J. Kim (2017), ‘Evaluation of the Ductile-to-Brittle Transition Temperature of a Silicon Steel Under Various Strain Rate Conditions With a Servo-Hydraulic High Speed Testing Machine’, Met. Mater. Int., vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 736–744 D. Hikino, Y. Nakajima, I. Nakayama, S. Yasunari (2017), Newly developed universal crown control mill “HYPER UCM” for rolling of high-hardness and thinner steel, 3rd European Steel and Technology and Application Days, Vienna, Austria, June 26-29, 2017 R. Kopp, H. Wiegels (1998), Einführung in die Umformtechnik, Verlag der Augustinusbuchhandlung Aachen M. Bergmann, K. Krimpelstaetter, B. Nilsson, S. Karakavaf, R. Leffers (2019), Intelligent roll-gap lubrication improves strip surface cleanliness in thyssenkrupp steel’s tandem cold rolling mill, 4th European steel technology and application days ESTAD 2019, Duesseldorf, Germany, June 24-28, 2019 V. Ginzburg (1989), Steel-Rolling Technology: Theory and Practice, Taylor & Francis Inc K. Krimpelstaetter, S. Angerer, B. Schinagl (2022), Flexible cassette makes traditional cold mills fit for future steel grades, 12th International Rolling Conference, Trieste, Italy, October 26-28, 2022 A. Böttcher (2022), Electrical steel becoming short in the future, IESSS 2022, Aachen, Germany, April 26-27, 2022

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione

Metallurgical design of x60 steels for gas and hydrogen transport pipes M. Guagnelli, G. Malatesta, Piero Carone, V. Ruggiero, A. Curci

Most of the actual natural gas infrastructure and next generation hydrogen infrastructure consists of pipelines with small diameters. Therefore, to make the energy transition a reality, the steel industry must respond to the demand for increasingly high-performance materials. The purpose of this article is to show the process of design, development, and production of steels for gas and hydrogen transport pipes.

In particular, the present work is focused on the development of grade X60 on typical formats for gas pipeline applications, for which Annex M ISO3183 requires a yield strength to ultimate tensile strength ratio (Y/T) lower than 0.85. In order to achieve an adequate Y/T ratio and toughness on the final product, i.e., the pipe, it is necessary to properly design the chemical composition and final microstructure, and therefore rolling and pipe forming processes. The metallurgical design of these steel grades and their subsequent production were realised thanks to the collaboration between Acciaierie d'Italia (AdI) and the RINA-CSM Rina Consulting - Centro Sviluppo Materiali (CSM). Statistical analysis and metallurgical simulations of mechanical properties evolution were conducted to define the suitable chemical composition, with lower Carbon content, able to satisfy all standard constraints. Industrial tests were conducted by AdI to validate the new alloy design by producing a X60 20’’x12 mm pipe by electrical resistance welding (ERW).

KEYWORDS: ALLOY DESIGN, PIPE PRODUCTION, X60ME, GAS AND HYDROGEN TRANSPORTATION, MICROSTRUCTURE INTRODUCTION

Acciaierie d'Italia is working on enhancing the gas transport

pipe market. Concerning current energy needs, is under

consideration the possibility of using pipes manufactured

not only for the transportation of natural gas, but also for mixtures of natural gas and hydrogen.

In this context, a preliminary analysis revealed that pipes

with X60-X70 grades and relatively low thickness are the most critical products. In fact, AdI's traditional approach

for these products was to take advantage of a waiver from the maximum permissible C content for welded tubes, by the standard after agreement with the customer (note j of table A.1 of ISO 3183: 2019) [1].

Mauro Guagnelli, Giuliano Malatesta, Piero Carone, Valeria Ruggiero, Antonio Curci CSM, AdI, Italy

Considering the possibility of using such pipes for gas

transport, although the current standards in this regard do not give specific indications on the permissible carbon content, it was considered appropriate to stick strictly to the limitations indicated in ISO 3183 (Table A.1) [1].

Working in co-operation with RINA Consulting Centro

Sviluppo Materiali, a new chemical composition to produce ERW X60ME pipes was designed with the

objective of respecting the limitations on carbon content

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Scientific papers - Rolling and guaranteeing Y/T values in compliance with the European market requirements.

The approach used to achieve this goal and the results obtained after the first year of operation are the subject of this article.

specified properties on pipe and knowledge of the effect that the pipe forming processes has on the properties;

- Definition of target microstructure from the target properties identified in the previous step and knowledge

of the relationship between microstructure and steel properties;

METALLURGICAL DESIGN APPROACH

The typical CSM approach to the metallurgical design of

structural steels, schematically described in the Fig.1, was used, and followed in its general lines.

In summary, this approach consists of four successive steps:

- Definition of the target properties on strip from the

- Definition (or verification) of the rolling and cooling operating practices to be applied to the steel to obtain

the microstructure and properties identified in the previous steps;

- Verification by industrial testing of the accuracy of the settings and definition of possible corrective actions.

Fig.1 - Typical CSM approach to the metallurgical design of structural steels.

Definition of the strip target properties

dow of the strip necessary to account for the loss of me-

are summarised in the Tab.1 and Fig.2.

sate the variability due to rolling.

The target properties of the pipe, taken from the standard, Fig.2 also shows the restriction of the target property win-

chanical properties when forming the pipe and to compen-

Tab.1 - Target properties of pipe and strip.

TARGET PROPERTIES Property

Unit

Pipe

Strip

Y

MPa

415 ÷ 565

495 ÷ 545

T

MPa

520 ÷ 760

590 ÷ 730

Y/T

-

≤ 0.85

≤ 0.80

Fig.2 - Target properties windows of pipe and strip.

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione The effect of the pipe forming processes on the mechanical

microstructure capable of guaranteeing the properties

properties was evaluated by analysing historical data and

and the rolling and cooling operating practices required

consists in a reduction of about 30 MPa on the average

to produce the identified microstructure.

yield strength values (Y) and about 20 MPa on the average ultimate tensile strength values (T). The average Y/T ratio

Definition of the target microstructure

values remain substantially unchanged, as well as the

This step was achieved using semi-empirical relationships

impact toughness values. Regarding the strip properties,

linking microstructure and chemical composition to strip

a dispersion of ±50 MPa for Y and T and ±0.05 for the Y/T

properties.

ratio were retrieved from the historical data. Taking these

It is known that for carbon steels with a ferrite-pearlite

data into account, target properties were defined on strip,

microstructure and limited carbon content (< 0.2%

summarised in the Tab.1 and Fig.2.

approx.), the mechanical properties can be described by

Subsequently, it was necessary to define both the

the Hall-Petch equation:

(1) where Y and T represent the yield strength and ultimate

composition

tensile strength respectively and d is the ferritic grain

coefficients derived by linear regression of experimental

size characterising the microstructure; the others are

data, as well as coefficients describing the influence of

coefficients to be derived empirically. Several such

grain size. Merging these literature expressions [2 – 4], in

equations can be found in the literature where the

the past CSM has developed its own equations, which for

known term is expressed as a function of the chemical

micro-alloyed structural steels take the form:

through

linear

relationships,

using

(2) (3)

Based on these expressions, considering a value of C

The possibility of exploiting the presence of constituents,

≤ 0.1 and typical values for the other alloying elements

such as bainite or martensite, by evaluating their effect

and grain size, it was found from initial analysis that the

on properties through relationships of the type was then

required values of Y/T could not be guaranteed with the

assessed:

ferrite-pearlite structure alone.

(4) (5) (6)

where (PF%), (B%), (MA%) denote the percentages of

of CSM historical experimental data, the values of which

polygonal ferrite, bainite and martensite, respectively,

are shown in Tab.2.

while the constants a to f were derived by linear regression

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Scientific papers - Rolling Tab.2 - Values of the constants in equations 4 - 6.

CONSTANTS a

b

c

d

e

f

MPa

MPa

MPa

MPa

-

-

1066

-409

1483

922

0.52

-0.84

Fig.3 (a) shows the results obtained by applying equations

the Y/T value by increasing the Mn and Si content compa-

(4) – (6) to the steel grade LC1, used in the past to pro-

red to LC1 and reducing the Cr content. With this alterna-

duce ERW X65ME pipes; in particular, the optimal micro-

tive composition, the optimal microstructure is characte-

structure should contain between 6 and 12% bainite (B)

rised by a Bainite content between 6 and 12 per cent and

and between 3 and 5% MA.

a Martensite content between 2 and 4 per cent (see Fig.3

A new steel grade (LC2) was therefore defined to improve

(b)).

(a)

(b)

Fig.3 - Mechanical properties of steel as the microstructural composition changes for steel grades: (a) LC1 e (b) LC2.

Verification of Operating Practices

growth capable of calculating the volume fraction of the

Once the target microstructures were defined, depending

different micro-constituents (Ferrite, Perlite, Bainite and

also on the chemical composition, it is necessary to ve-

Martensite) as well as calculating the ferritic grain size.

rify that the rolling and cooling operating practices can

The cooling rate under the ROT showers was assessed to

achieve them. This is usually done by calculating micro-

be 5 °C/s and the coiling temperature was varied between

structural evolution (recrystallisation during hot rolling

600 °C (typical value adopted in the past for the steels of

and phase transformation during cooling on the ROT). In

interest) and 560 °C (limit value of the system under cur-

the present case, a simplified approach was adopted to

rent conditions).

define the austenite condition at the end of rolling. The

Different steel grades were considered for these condi-

simplified approach is based on the following hypothesis:

tions:

complete recrystallization and neglectable grain grow du-

- The grade with relatively high C (HC) limited to standard

ring roughing, complete strain accumulation in finishing.

cooling conditions;

The austenite condition resulted is a microstructure with

- The low-carbon grade already used in the past, but not

a grain size of 25 microns and an accumulated strain of 1.5.

entirely satisfactory (LC1);

The effect of cooling has been calculated by a statistical

- The optimised steel grade (LC2)

physical model based on the concepts of nucleation and La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione

Tab.3 - Results of the microstructural calculation.

TARGET PROPERTIES Dpf μm

B %

M %

Y MPa

T MPa

Y/T -

HC 5-600

4.7

0.7

0

501

609

0.82

LC1 5-600

5.5

0

0

491

573

0.86

LC1 5-580

5.5

0

0

491

573

0.86

LC1 5-560

5.5

6.4

0

527

631

0.84

LC2 5-600

5.5

0

0

487

583

0.84

LC2 5-580

5.5

0

0

487

583

0.84

LC2 5-560

5.5

4.5

0

512

623

0.82

Fig.2 - Microstructural target obtained from simulation with AdI standard operating practices.

Industrial tests

Fig.5 (a) summarises the obtained results and the Fig.5

To reduce the Y/T ratio, an industrial casting with LC2

(b) shows the microstructure; this clearly consists of a

steel grade was produced by AdI and a slab was rolled in

mixture of Polygonal Ferrite and Bainite and possible

the hot mill strip. Subsequently, a sample of the coil was

presence of Martensite, although the content of the

taken at 5.5 m from the tail to evaluate microstructure and

different constituents was not estimated. Considering

properties of this.

mechanical properties, it appears that the objective has

Eleven pipes were obtained from the coil, and they were

been substantially achieved (Fig.5 (a)) but there is scope

qualified by the product quality laboratories in Taranto

for improvement.

and by the CSM laboratories in Rome.

(a)

(b)

Fig.5 - (a) Illustration of the target mechanical properties window with tensile stress and yield stress detected on the strip and on the pipe by laboratory tests and (b) obtained microstructure.

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Scientific papers - Rolling

CONCLUSIONS

sfying for the validation of methodology and the pipes are

Acciaierie d'Italia and Rina Consulting Centro Sviluppo

in compliance with the ISO3183. However, in the future it

Materiali are collaborating on the development of natural

might be interesting to further investigate the system to:

gas and hydrogen transport steels. CSM's typical approa-

- reduce material yield strength, which is considered high

ch for metallurgical design of pipe steels was adapted to

even if in line with standard requirements;

the case of interest and used to define chemical compo-

- keep, or improve, Y/T values;

sition and operating practices that allow to manufacture

- contain the mechanical properties dispersion to avoid

ERW pipes of grade X60ME, without exceeding 0.12% of

the risk of non-conformity;

the carbon.

- and test the material in hydrogen atmosphere.

Concerning to it, the results of the industrial test are sati-

REFERENCES [1] [2] [3] [4]

ISO 3183:2019 p. 8; Hodgson Gibbs, ISIJ Int. 32-12, 1329-1338; European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Gutiérrez, I., Parker, S., Wadsworth, J., Property models for mixed microstructures: final report, Publications Office, 2003; Pokutylowicz, Collins, Baragar, Yue: Properties-Prediction Model for the Hot Rolling of Long Products, 37th MWSP Conf. Proc., ISS, 1996, Vol. 33, pp427-431.

TORNA ALL'INDICE >

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione

Effect of si-cr-mo on oxidation behavior of duplex steel and strip surface quality C. Wang, Y. Yu, K. Liu, L. Wang, Z. Guo, T. Niu

The interactive effects of Si-Cr-Mo alloy elements on oxidation behavior at scale/metal interface in dual-phase steel are studied in present paper, through thermal simulation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe analysis. The influence of alloy elements on hot coil surface quality under industrial production conditions are also discussed. Results show that the oxidation resistance of Si-Cr steel is stronger than that of Si-Cr-Mo steel, because of Cr-rich protective oxide film at scale/metal interface under elevated temperature. Comparing with steel alloyed

by Si, the primary scale of the Si-Cr and Si-Cr-Mo steel are easier to be removed, owing to the reduction of anchor structure at scale/metal interface. However, Si and Cr element will form dense oxide film under 1,100°C and above, which increases the difficulty of finishing descaling. Owing to the accumulation of Mo on the scale surface, the diffusion channel of Si and Cr elements is blocked, resulating in the increase of oxidation resistance and the decrease of SiCr oxide film at scale/metal interface. Therefore the surface quality of Si-Cr-Mo steel is significantly improved under industrial production. Suggestions conclued from present study can provide useful guidance for production of cold rolled dual-phase steel.

KEYWORDS: OXIDATION BEHAVIOR, ELEMENT ENRICHMENT, INTERACTIVE EFFECT, SCALE, DESCALING INTRODUCTION Basing on the phase transformation strengthening mechanism, the dual-phase steel composed of ferrite and martensite has been developed as advanced highstrength stamping steel for automobile. The cold rolled dual-phase steel are mainly classsfied by C-Si-Mn steel and C-Mn-Cr steel [1,2], which sometimes is micro-alloyed with Nb, Mo and B elements. In the widely used C-SiMn dual-phase steel, the mass percent of Si element is controlled between 0.2% and1.5%, which can improve the austenitic harden ability and improve the purity of the ferrite. However, when the mass percent of Si is more than 0.2% ,the red scale defect are easily generated during hot rolling process resultiing in surface color difference defect on the finished product

[3,4]

C. Wang, Y. Yu, K. Liu, L. Wang, Z. Guo, T. Niu

Shougang Research Institute of Technology China - Beijing Key

Laboratory of Green Recyclable Process for Iron & Steel Production Techology, China

. According to the high

surface quality standards, the Si is replaced by Cr or CrMo as an option to produce C-Mn-Cr/C-Mn-Cr-Mo dual phase steel.

The effect of Si on oxidation resistance at high temperature has been adequately studied by predecessors.The Si element exists as hydrothermal Fe2SiO4 phase at scale/ metal interface at elevated temperatures above 1,173°C. When the temperature drops to 1173°C and below, the

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Scientific papers - Rolling scale will tranformed to eutectoid structure in which

and above, Mo will be oxidized to volatile oxides with

FeO grains will be surrounded by Fe2SiO4. The FeO

dark green color. Xie Hong-bo studied the influence of

particles could be tightly sticked on the slab surface by

Mo on oxidation behvior of high-entropy alloy at elevated

the solidified eutectoid structure, which is difficult to be

temperature and found that the oxidation resistance was

removed by descaling. The residual FeO will be squashed

seriously deteriorated because of volatile Mo oxide[10]. In

by following hot rolling process, leading to the increase of

the referenced papers listed above, the content of Cr/Mo

contact area with oxygen and giving rise to the red Fe2O3

in mass percent is around 10-20%, the scale of given steel

phase[5, 6]. In the range of 700~1,000°C [7], with higher Si

grade mainly consists of compact single-layer oxidation

content, oxidation mass gain and scale thickness of the

film. However, the Si/Cr/Mo content in cold rolled dual-

steel with high Si content are both reduced because of

phase steel range from 0.2~1.15%, the interreaction of Si-

improved oxidation resistance. At present, some papers

Cr-Mo on oxidation behavior should be interesting and

focusing on oxidation behavior of Cr-Mo in stainless steel

not be neglected.

and heat-resistant steel at elevated temperatures. Chen WY found that Cr2O3 protective oxide film accumulated

In present work, the interreaction of Si-Cr-Mo elements

at the strip surface of 3Cr13 stainless steel, in which the

on oxidation characteristics at scale/metal interfacei of

Cr content is about 13.46%, significantly improveing anti-

dual-phase steel are studied. In addition, the effect of

oxidation properties[8]. Zhao Q H concluded that the SiO2

alloyed elements on coil surface quality under industrial

and MnCr2O4 oxide film was formed under 1100°C and

production condition is also discussed, which can provide

SiO2 oxide film adjacent to metal matrix can obviously

useful guidance for production of dual-phase steel.

decrease the oxidation mass gain rate basing on one kind of ferritic heat resistant steel[9]. However, few reports have

EXPERIMENT METHOD

been publised focusing oxidation behavior of the cold-

Three types of composition are designed for present

rolled dual-phase steel at elevated temperature, basing

study. The first sample contains1.15%Si without Cr-Mo;

on C-Mn-Cr/C-Mn-Cr-Mo system. For the oxidation

the second sample contains 0.55% Cr and 0.2% Si without

behvior of Mo element, it is reported that Mo element is

Mo; and the third sample contains 0.2%Si in combination

easy to be oxidized in air when the temperature is heated

with 0.2% Cr and 0.25%Mo (as shown in Tab. 1).

up to 300°C. When the temperature increases up t0 600°C Tab.1 - Designed omposition of high strength DP steel with different alloyed element (wt. %).

NO.

C

Si

Mn

P≤

S≤

Alt

[N]≤

Cr

Mo

Steel 1

0.76

1.15

1.7

0.015

0.005

0.035

0.0030

--

--

Steel 2

0.12

0.20

1.6

0.015

0.005

0.035

0.0030

0.55

--

Steel 3

0.10

0.20

1.5

0.015

0.005

0.035

0.003

0.20

0.25

The oxidation behavior of given three steels are studied

range of 900-1150°C. In order to oxidation behavior

under two different temperature ranges by STA449C type

during hot rolling process, the samples were heated up

thermo gravimetric analyzer. To simulate the oxidation

to 1150°C, 1100°C. 1050°C, 1000°C, 950°C and 900°C,

behavior in reheating furnace, the samples were heated

respectively, in protective argon gas with the heating rate

up to 1250°C in the atmosphere contains 10% CO 2,5%

of 10°C / min. Then, the samples were kept in the air at the

O2 and other argon gas. The samples were heated under

target temperature for 1 min. Finally, the samples will be

given heating rate of 10°C/min and were kept for minutes

put into the protective atmosphere again and be cooled to

under aimed temperature. Secondly, we simulated the

room temperature at the cooling rate of 10°C / min.

oxidation during hot rolling process in the temperature

The surface topography, scale/metal interface topography

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione and energy spectrum, were investigated with the scanning

The anchor made by theFe2SiO4 is nailed into the metal

electron microscopy (SEM). The elements distribution

matrix with a depth of 50 µm. Because of the anchor

quantitative analysis at scale/metal interface was detected

structure,the inner layer of scale has good adhesive force.

by EPMA-1720 electronic probe analysis .

In addition, the oxide particle layer under interface is about

The surface quality difference between differernt dual

50 µm. The anchor pinning morphology is originated from

phase steels under industrial production condition

the melt behavior of Fe2SiO4 at the preset temperature and

was studied in a domestic hot rolling production line

the molten Fe 2SiO4 will infiltrate into the grain boundary of

by Parsytec surface inspection equipment adopting

scale and the steel substrate. Steel No.2 contains 0.2%Si

CCD scanning digital camera with the resolution ratio

and 0.55% Cr element. The mesh scale morphology and

of 500µm*1000µms. One of the key equipment for the

anchor pinning morphology in oxide film are significantly

surface quality control is high pressure descaling system,

reduced. Compared with steel 1, the depth of the liquid

of which the pressure could achieve 20-22MPa. For the

Fe2SiO4 infiltrated into the matrix decreased to about

three designed steels, the rolling process parameters

20µm. During the samples’ preparation process, due to

is the same in order to investigate the effects of alloyed

the weakened anchor pinning structure, the scale is easy

elements on coil surface quality.

to crack and peel off. Cr content of steel No.3 is reduced to 0.2% on the basis of steel No.2 with an addition of 0.25%

RESULTS

Mo. The mesh scale morphology and anchor pinning

Oxide film morphology under heating furnace conditon

morphology is not obvious, but large oxide particle with

As shown in Fig. 1, the oxide film micromorphology

a particle-layer thickness of 50µm present at sacle/metal

of thres different steels under 1250°C

interface. The outermost layer scale of steel No.3 was also

are given. The

oxidation film of steel No.1 at scale/metal interface shows

easy to peel off during sample preparation process.

typical anchor pinning morphology of Si alloyed steel, in which the ferrous oxide (FeO) is surrounded by Fe2SiO4.

(a) Steel 1

(b) Steel 2

(c) Steel 3

Fig.1 - Scale/interface morphology of given three steels under heating furnace condition.

The distribution of Cr–Si element at scale/metal interfa-

could also be found. Complementary relationship betwe-

ce of steel No.2 is shown in Fig. 2 in detail. Si enrichment

en the distribution of Cr and Si is found in the scale. In

taking place in the mesh scale structure, anchor pinning

the region of the mesh structure where the Si element is

structure and small oxide particles. The content of Si ele-

rich, the Cr element is poor. Because the content of Cr

ment in the mesh structure is highest illustrated as red

element in scale is higher than Si element, the anchor pin-

color. Si-rich in the oxide particles originated from the

ning morphology formed by Fe 2SiO4 nearly disappeared.

internal oxidation of alloying element and the Si content in oxide particles is lower than that in the mesh scale. Cr element accumulates greater in the scale than that in metal matrix. In the oxide particles, Cr element enrichment

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Scientific papers - Rolling

(a) scale morphology

(b) Si distribution

(c) Cr distribution

Fig.2 - The element distribution of Cr – Si in oxidation film of steel 2.

Oxidation scale morphology of steel 3 is given in Fig. 3.

both about 0.2%. According to the free energy rule,

The mesh structure in the scale of steel No.3 is significantly

Si is oxidized earlier than Cr, inducing Si-rich in oxide

weakened compared with steel 2, especially in the

particles. Mo-rich layer distributed in the metal matrix

inner oxidation layer adjacement to matrix. The mesh

around scale/metal interface, the depth of which is the

scale almost disappeared. Complementary relationship

same with internal oxidation zone. Mo is not involved in

between content of Cr and that of Si element in oxidation

the formation of the internal oxide particles.

scale. In steel 3, the content of Cr and Si element are

(a) scale

(b) Si element distribution

(c) Cr element distribution

(d) Mo element distribution

Fig.3 - The Cr-Si-Mo element distribution at the interface in oxidation film of steel 3.

As shown in Fig. 4, energy spectrum analysis of the

are formed. With increase of Cr content and decrease of

oxidation particles was applied at the interface of steel

Si content, the width of the molten band decreases. It is

No.1 and steel No.2. The Si content in the band of molten

inferred by the energy spectrum analysis that competition

Fe2SiO 4 is as high as 10-13%. Meanwhile, with the internal

oxidation mechanism resuts in the complementary

oxidation of Mn, a series of oxides of low melting point

relationship between Si content and Cr content in scale.

(a) Steel No.1

(b) Steel No.2

Fig.4 - Energy spectrum analysis of scale/metal interface in steel 1 and steel 2.

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione Oxide morphology under hot rolling condition

uneven when the temperature heated up to 950°C. The

The surface morphology of oxidation scale of given three

scale surface looks like tumor morphology at 1050°C.

types of dual phase steel under different temperature

When the temperature rises to 1100°C, preferential

was simulated by thermo gravimetric analyzer. The scale

growth of oxide particles is found on the surface and

morphology transformation patterns of the three given

the scale mainly consists of coarse particles. Under the

steels under different temperature is consistent. Fig. 5

condition of 1150°C, oxide particles present obvious

illustrates the oxide film morphology of steel No.2 at

granular structure with a grain size of 50 μm.

different temperatures. Under tested condition, the scale is thin and smooth at 900°C and becomes rough and

Fig.5 - Oxide film morphology under different temperature (1:900°C, 2:950°C, 3:1050°C, 4:1100°C, 5:1150°C).

More and more cracks can be observed on the scale

and larger, inducing internal stress growth at scale/

surface as the test achieved higher and higher aimed

metal interface and surface scale spalling during sample

temperature

preparation, as shown in Fig. 6[11].

because

thermal

expansion

coefficient

difference between scale and matrix becomes larger

Fig.6 -Oxide film peeling morphology at 1050°C. (1: broken and peeling of the outer oxide film, 2: internal compact oxide film)

Element enrichment in oxidation film under hot rolling

the dense Si - Cr composite oxide film at scale/metal in-

condition

terface, steel No.2 alloyed with Si- Cr has better oxidation

SEM was applied to determine scale thickness under dif-

resistance than that of steel No.3 alloyed with Si-Cr-Mo.

ferent test temperature. Results is given in Fig. 7. steel

The scale thickness of steel No.3 is the thickest. The scale

No.1 alloyed with Si content of 1.15 mass% possesses the

thickness of steel No.3 is about 20 µm thicker than that of

best oxidation resistance and thinnest scale thickness at

steel No.1 at 1150°C.

1150°C among the three predesigned steels. Benifit from

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Scientific papers - Rolling

Fig.7 - Scale thickness of three given steels under different temperature.

The cross section morphology and energy spectrum

anchor pinning morphology under 1250°C as shown in

results upon oxidation particles of steel No.1 under 105°C

Fig.1, under the tested condition of 1050°C, Fe-Si-O

is illustrated in Fig. 8. The inner oxidation particles in

composite oxide located between outermost scale and

metal matrix beneath the scale/metal interface are made

metal matrix remains solid state without infiltration into

of Si-Mn compound oxide, labeled as spectrum 1 to 3.

metal matrix or outermost scale, in which the enriched Si

The oxidation film of Fe-Si-O thickness is about 7-8 µm

content reaches up to 9%. The enriched Si content in the

and consists of small dense particles resulting in good

mesh scale is about 12% on average under 1250°C.

oxidation resistance. Compared with the mesh scale and

(a) Cross-section morphology

(b) Energy spectrum

Fig.8 - Cross section analysis of steel 1 (high Si steel) at a simulated temperature of 1050°C.

The element distribution at scale/metal interface of the

that of Si originates from the different content of Cr and

steel No.2 under 1050°C was detected by electron micro-

Si in metal matrix inducing better oxidation kinetics for Cr

probe analysis, as shown in Fig. 9. A clear dense alloyed

than that of Si.

elements enrichment zone located at the inner side of oxidation film, in which enriched Cr content reaches up to 13% and enriched Si content is only 3%. Higher content of Cr in the dense alloy element enrichment layer than

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione

(a) Scale morphology

(b) Si

(c) Cr

Fig.9 - Map scanning elements analysis of steel2 at 1050 °C. The element distribution at scale/metal interface of

metal interface located nearby the matrix. Because of

the steel No.3 alloyed with Si-Cr-Mo under 1050 °C is

higher oxidation free energy of Mo than that of metal

detected by electron microprobe analysis, as shown in

matrix, the presentation of Mo-rich layer in the inner layer

Fig. 10. All of these three kinds of alloy element enrich

of oxidation scale break the continuity of Si-Cr oxide film,

at the inner side of oxidation film. As element diffusion

resulting in the decrease of oxidation resistance and the

distance order is Si > Cr > Mo, Mo-rich layer at the scale/

increase of scale thickness.

(a) Scale morphology

(b) Si

(c) Cr

(d) Mo

Fig.10 - Map scanning elements analysis of steel3 at 1050 °C.

Surface quality of duplex steel in practice

system, as illustrated in Fig. 12, the spacings and angles

Influenced by the formation of fayalite phase and strong

of descaling nozzles should be meticulously designed to

adhesion force of primary scale under high Si content

gurrantee constant impact force upon the interact area

condition, it is difficult to remove this kind of scale by

of neighbouring nozzles. Otherwise, the impact forces

present roughing and finish descaling system. Severe red

sharply decreases upon the overlapping area of descaling

scale defects distrubution is found on the hot rolling coil

water, leading to residual banded red scale. The area ratio

surface of steel No.1 in industrial produciton practice, the

of banded red scale decreases to 5~10% while applying

area ratio of which reaches up to 70~90%, as shown in

the Si-Cr alloying pattern for duplex steel. While applying

Fig.11. In the produciton of steel No.2, the pattern of red

the Si-Cr-Mo alloying receipt, the dense oxidation film in

scale defects tranformed as bands like, the pitch of which

the inner side of scale is broken by the presence of Mo-

matched with spacing of finishing descaling nozzles very

rich layer. Under the same production parameters, the

well. The descaling difficulty for steel No.2 upon the

proportion of red scale area on hot rolling coil surface is

temperaure range of 1000-1100°C originates from the

significantly decreased to less than 5% for Steel No.3 and

dense Si - Cr composite oxide layer at scale/metal interface,

good surface quality of duplex steel is achieved.

as shown in Fig. 6. Basing on present finishing descaling

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Scientific papers - Rolling

(a) Steel 1 (Si)

(b) Steel 2 (Si-Cr)

(c) Steel 3 (Si-Cr-Mo)

Fig.11 - Surface quality of hot rolling coil with different alloy systems.

Fig.12 - Schematic diagram of the descaling nozzle.

DISCUSSION

scale thickness.

As typical alloyed elements in metal matrix, such as Cr,

According to the thermodynamic calculation with the

Al, Si, have strong cohesive force with oxygen. From the

equation listed in Tab.2[13], the Gibbs free energy of

thermodynamic side, the diffusion coefficient of metal

oxidation reaction between alloyed elements or ferrus and

ions in these oxide films is limited,stable Cr, Al, Si et al.

oxygen is ranked as: Δ G (SiO 2) < ΔG (MnO) < Δ G (Cr 2O3)

oxide could be formed during oxidation process, covering

< Δ G (Mn3O4)< Δ G (FeO) < Δ G (Fe3O 4) < Δ G (Fe2O3) <

the strip surface as compact and uniform oxidation

Δ G (MoO). The oxidation serial of typical alloy elements

. In present study, the

(Si, Cr, Mo, and Mn) in steel and ferrus under elevated

film, acting as protective film

[12]

conclusion was proved that the scale thickness decreased

temperature is Si, Mn, Cr, Fe, and Mo.

with the addition of Si and Cr elements. The dense oxide film can inhibit the process of steel oxidation and reduce

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione Tab.2 - Relationship between ΔG of oxidation reaction and temperature for different alloy elements.

As the generation of SiO2 andCr2O3 will reduce the oxygen

receipt by addtion of Cr and preventing the generation of

partial pressure at the scale/metal interface. The "oxygen

eutectoid product of Fe2SiO4.

absorption effect" effectively inhibits the oxygen atom

At the initial stage of oxidation, the sufficient oxide film

diffusing into the substrate, prevents internal oxidation

on the surface has not been established, and the oxidation

and promotes the formation of compound oxidation

rate is governed by the interface reaction between

film of SiO2 and Cr2O3. According to present study, at

atomsphere and substrate. Along with time extension,

the temperature ranged from 900 to 1150°C, Fe 2SiO4 and

the oxidation film gets denser and denser acting a barrier

Fe 2SiO4-FeCr2O4 spinel at scale/metal interface in steel 1

layer to protect the substrate from being oxidized. The

and 2 enhance the compactness of oxide film and perform

further growth of the oxide film depends on the diffusion

excellent oxidation resistance, slowing down the growth

of alloyed elements. In solid state, diffusion is the only

of scale. In steel No.2, because of higher content of Cr is

mode of mass transport. Fick studied this The diffusion

designed, the activity of Si is obviously decreased, Cr is

phenomenon in solid state was studied by Fick and

prior to be oxidized first, reducing the generation of Si

described as first Fick law, listed as follows:

oxide. Thus, the anchoring morphology in scale of steel No.1 at 1250°C is eliminated by modifying the alloyed Eq. (1)

In which, J is the diffusion flux, D is the diffusion coefficient,

film on element diffusion is, and the better protection

dc/dx is the mass concentration gradient along the x

of the film is. The diffusion coefficients of various ions in

direction and Ds is the self-diffusion coefficient.It can

typical oxides are given in Tab. 3. It can be found that the

be seen from the above formula that the self-diffusion

self-diffusion coefficient of SiO2 is the smallest, followed

coefficient of a certain element in the alloy is the diffusion

by Cr2O3 and α-Fe 2O3. According to the thermodynamic

coefficient when its mass concentration gradient goes to

calculation results, the oxidation particles generated from

zero.Diffusion rate depends on the diffusivity of alloyed

typical alloyed elements are very stable. Combined with

.

the extremely low self-diffusion coefficient, all of these

elments in oxidation film at elevated temperature

[14, 15]

The diffusion coefficient of the oxide film reflects the

oxides can act as protective oxide film.

difficulty of the alloying element and oxygen passing through the oxide film. The smaller the diffusion coefficient is ,the more obvious barrier effect of oxide

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Scientific papers - Rolling

Tab.3 - Self-diffusion coefficients of different oxide.

Oxide

Self-diffusion coefficients

FeO

9×10-8

Fe3O4

2×10-9

Fe2O3

2×10-15

Cr2O3

1×10-14

SiO2

1.3×10-18

MnO

1×10-10

Based on the relevant experimental results and the above

and Si4+ has the smallest diffusion coefficient in the

thermodynamic and kinetic analysis, steel No.1 has the

oxide film, Si element could only be oxidized at the Cr2O3

best oxidation resistance because of Si-Mn-Fe oxidation

film/metal interface. The oxidation film of Si element

film at scale/metal interface during oxidation process. The

distribution is illustratd in Fig. 12. Owing to the stronger

Si-Mn-Fe oxidation film acting as best protection barrier

cohesive force between Cr and O than that between Fe

with smallest self-diffusion coefficient. The formation

and O, Cr-rich oxidation film is first formed on the surface,

mechanism of the anchor morphology can be summarized

acting as protective film at scale/metal interface, just like

as followiig. Firstly, Si element is enriched at the scale/

Si oxidation behavior. Under actual production condition,

metal interface. When the temperature is below 1170°C,

at the elevated temperature in the heating furnace, the

a layer made of oxide particles is formed at the interface.

interfacial oxidation of Cr weakens the enrichment of Si

When the temperature is heated up to 1170°C or above,the

element at the interface, decreases the anchor depth of

particles made of FeO-SiO2 transform from solid to liquid,

Fe2SiO4 and makes the primary scale easy to be removed

and then the molten Fe2SiO4 phase penetrated into the

by descaling, combined with the preset temperature

matrix along the grain boundary or defects in the matrix

below the melting point of FeCr2O4 phase. As the compact

and finally forms the typical anchor morphology.

Si-Cr composite oxide layer at the interface has a strong

In the oxidation process of steel No.2, the major oxides

adhesive ability to resist descaling impact, the spacings

in scale are Cr 2O 3, MnO, SiO 2 and Fe xOy. Basing on the

and angles of descaling nozzles should be meticulously

thermodynaic of Cr oxidation reaction and higher Cr

designed to gurrantee constant impact force upon the

content in steel No.2, Cr is prior to be oxidized first and

interact area of neighbouring nozzles and to eliminate the

tranforms as protective Cr2O3, reducing the generation of

banded like secondary scale.

Si oxide. Since the content of Si in steel No.2 is decreased

FIG.13 - Interface oxidation mechanism of Cr-Si element in steel No.2.

Because of higher Gibbs free energy of Mo oxidation

Si-Cr oxide film and Fe2SiO 4 at scale/metal interface.

reaction, Mo is the last element in the given threee steels

Therefore, the scale adhesion of steel No.3 is reduced,

to be oxidized during hot rolling process. Mo-rich laye

and the surface quality of hot rolling coil of steel No.3 is

locates at the inner side of oxidation film, reduces the

obviously improved.

activity of Si and Cr and prevent the formation of dense

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Memorie scientifiche - Laminazione CONCLUSION 1)

2)

3)

In the produciton of steel No.2, the pattern of red

Steel No.1 alloyed with Si content of 1.15 mass%

scale defects tranformed as bands like. The area

possesses the best oxidation resistance and thinnest

ratio of banded red scale decreases to 5~10% while

scale thickness among the three predesigned steels.

applying the Si-Cr alloying pattern for duplex steel.

Benifit from the dense Si - Cr composite oxide film

The descaling difficulty for steel No.2 originates

at scale/metal interface, steel No.2 alloyed with Si- Cr

from the dense Si - Cr composite oxide layer at

has better oxidation resistance than that of steel No.3

scale/metal interface. The spacings and angles of

alloyed with Si-Cr-Mo. The scale thickness of steel

descaling nozzles should be meticulously designed

No.3 is the thickest.

to gurrantee constant impact force upon the interact

Influenced by the formation of fayalite phase and

area of neighbouring nozzles

strong adhesion force of primary scale under high Si

4)

While applying the Si-Cr-Mo alloying receipt, the

content condition, it is difficult to remove this kind

dense oxidation film in the inner side of scale is

of scale by present roughing and finish descaling

broken by the presence of Mo-rich layer. Under the

system. Severe red scale defects distrubution is

same production parameters, the proportion of red

found on the hot rolling coil surface of steel No.1 in

scale area on hot rolling coil surface is significantly

industrial produciton practice, the area ratio of which

decreased to less than 5% for Steel No.3 and good

reaches up to 70~90%.

surface quality of duplex steel is achieved.

REFERENCES [1] [2].

[3].

[4].

[5].

[6].

[7].

[8].

[9].

[10].

[11].

[12].

[13].

[14].

[15].

Song S, Yan C, Jiang J, Li Z. Application of QP980 in lightweight development of body in white. Modern Manufacturing Engineering.

2017.

Basabe VV, Szpunar JA. Growth Rate and Phase Composition of Oxide Scales during Hot Rolling of Low Carbon Steel. ISIJ International.

2004;44(9):1554-9.

Okada H, Fukagawa T, Ishihara H, Okamoto A, Azuma M, Matsuda Y. Prevention of Red Scale Formation during Hot Rolling of Steels.

ISIJ International. 1995;35(7):886-91.

Fukagawa T, Okada H, Maehara Y. Mechanism of Red Scale Defect Formation in Si-added Hot-rolled Steel Sheets. ISIJ International.

1994;34(11):906-11.

Zhang M, Shao G. Characterization and properties of oxide scales on hot-rolled strips. Materials Science and Engineering A, Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing. 2007;A452/53(Apr):p.189-93.

Kizu T, Nagataki Y, Inazumi T, Hosoya Y. Effects of Chemical Composition and Oxidation Tempera-ture on the Adhesion of Scale in Plain Carbon Steels. ISIJ International. 2001;41(12):1494-501.

Yang Y-L, Yang C-H, Lin S-N, Chen C-H, Tsai W-T. Effects of Si and its content on the scale for-mation on hot-rolled steel strips.

Materials Chemistry and Physics - MATER CHEM PHYS. 2008;112:566-71.

Chen WY, Wang SQ, Wei MX, Feng N. Study on high temperature oxidation resistance of 3Cr13 steel. Foundary. 2012;61(03):296-9.

Zhao QH, Liu JY, Liu J. Research on anti-oxidation properies of Cr13Si5 ferritic heat resistant steel under 1100°C. Foundary Technology.

2011;32(02):179-83.

Xie HB, Liu GZ, Guo JJ. Effects of Mn, V, Mo, Ti, Zr elements on microstructure and high temperature oxidation performance of AlFe-C-rCo-Cu-X high-entropy alloys. Zhongguo Youse Jinshu Xuebao/Chinese Journal of Nonferrous Metals. 2015;25:103-10.

Min K, Kim K, Kim SK, Lee D-J. Effects of oxide layers on surface defects during hot rolling processes. Metals and Materials International.

2012;18(2):341-8.

Chatterjee-Fischer R. Internal oxidation during carburizing and heat treating. Metallurgical Transactions A. 1978;9(11):1553-60.

Takada J, Yamamoto S, Kikuchi S, Adachi M. Determination of diffusion coefficient of oxy-gen in γ-iron from measurements of internal oxidation in Fe-Al alloys. Metallurgical Transactions A. 1986;17(2):221-9.

Carl, E., Lowell, Charles, A., Barrett, et al. COSP: A computer model of cyclic oxidation. Oxidation of Metals. 1991.

Auping J. COSP for windows—Strategies for rapid analyses of cyclic-oxidation behavior. Oxidation of Metals. 2002.

TORNA ALL'INDICE >

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 40

Luciano Lazzari

zzari

Vol. I

Luciano La

Diario ista n o i s o r r o c di un tanza

Diario di un corrosionista

ordi, Appunti, ric

Dia

rrosionista rio di un co

DIARIO DI UN CORROSIONISTA

polemiche a

dis

APPUNTI, RICORDI,

Vol. I

POLEMICHEaAdistanza DISTANZA Appunti, ricordi, polemiche di Luciano Lazzari

Luciano Laz

zari

ed. AIM - 2022 ISBN: 978-88-98990-30-6

tiva Tecnica

Narra

Formato cartaceo Prezzo di copertina: Euro 14,00

Vol. I

Il testo è la raccolta di riflessioni maturate dall’autore durante l’attività più che quarantennale di ricercatore e di ingegnere della corrosione, allo scopo da una parte di testimoniare l’esperienza maturata e dall’altra esternare le considerazioni critiche su molti aspetti pratici e teorici della disciplina. Sono anche descritte le tappe percorse dall’autore per giungere a risultati che ritiene originali nell’ambito dell’ingegneria della corrosione.

Luciano Lazzari si è laureato con lode in Ingegneria Chimica al Politecnico di Milano dove ha insegnato Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali e Corrosione e Protezione dei Materiali fino al 2015. Svolge attività professionale presso Cescor srl di cui è Presidente.

Oltre che autore di numerosi articoli in riviste scientifiche ha pubblicato tra gli altri Engineering Tools for Corrosion (2017) e con Pietro Pedeferri il libro Cathodic Protection (2006). Ha ricevuto due onorificenze: la Medaglia di titanio AIM (2017) e la Medaglia Cavallaro EFC (2022).

Narrativa Tecnica

Attualità industriale - Industry news

Abs qwr 4.0 quality from the start: new rolling mill concept and free furnace enhanced operational performance, sustainability and product quality edited by: by: M. Cimolino, F. Rocchetti, E. Salamone

Today, success in the wire rod market can be achieved only by combining high plant productivity, efficiency, superiorquality finished products and plant flexibility. These requirements, in addition to Danieli’s latest research efforts and industrial setup activities, point the way to environmental sustainability, true green-steel production and the adoption of a circular economy model, as seen in the tangible results achieved by the ABS QWR 4.0 project, which rolled the first billet on November 27th, 2020, and now is considered a word leader and benchmark between the wire rod suppliers.

KEYWORDS: QUALITY WIRE ROD MILL, DIGITALIZATION, GREEN STEEL

INTRODUCTION With a 190-million-euro investment, the plant in Cargnacco (Udine, Italy) produces 500,000 tpy of special steel and automotive application wire rod, from 5.0 to 25 mm dia., at a finishing speed of 430 km/h. Actually, the final product is equally shared between the Italian and European markets.

The high plant productivity and flexibility are guaranteed not only by the up-to-130-tph capacity, but also by both the 170–230-mm round blooms and the 150–180-mm square billets, to be used as starting material, which come only from ABS (IT) or Sisak (HR) facilities.

LAYOUT The whole layout was developed following the principle

M. Cimolino, F. Rocchetti Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche, Italy

E. Salamone

Danieli Centro Combustion, Italy

by which the entire rolling mill production area is intended more as a mechanical workshop, like those used for numerical control machines, rather than a conventional rolling mill. The building structure is a clear expression of this concept: a low roof height with a short-span shed, with the individual machines used only when needed, optimizing spaces, process flexibility and equipment readiness. The workshop area is located behind the shutter doors, and all installed equipment can

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 42

Industry news - Attualità industriale

be automatically moved there to be prepared or changed

Block, guiding the feeder material into the sizing Twin

due to wear.

Module Block, operated by a multi-drive system.

This integrated approach embraces the design of long-life,

Respecting the “any size, any grade, at any time” motto,

easily refurbished equipment, with resources and energy

this concept optimizes process flexibility in terms of steel

consumption optimization in favor of renewable sources.

grades to be produced, rolling strategies to be applied,

The 10,000 tons of Ecogravel® (EAF slag recovery) used

and quick size changes, including for small-scale orders.

for paving is a virtuous example of environmental care but

This plant makes 35 automatic changes on rolling stands,

also a profitable investment.

blocks,

To maximize the product size change, Danieli custom-

devices, loop laying head and Hi-Profile guide channels.

designed three routes for specific dimensions and steel

Everything that is required to change a section is fully

grades—ABS has more than 1,000 steel grades in its

automatic and automated.

portfolio—which play a fundamental role in the changing

It is required only eight minutes to change the entire

sequences.

mill—and, generally, no more than 15 minutes in particular

Three specific rolling lines are installed to optimize both

circumstances—to which should be add three minutes

the process and machine utilization and availability. The

between one billet’s end and a new section’s beginning.

straight roll pass line is adopted for 5.0-to-11.5-mm final

To further confirm the flexibility of the plant, it is possible

diameters; the second one allows bypassing the semi-

to adopt different routes to cool down the material also

multi-drive Fast Finishing Block eight passes, and is

on roller conveyor (air cooling, slow cooling under the

adopted for 12.0–23.0-mm final dimensions. The third line

hoods, fast cooling with fans or by the EDC), and there

is used for final sizes ranging from 23.5 to 25 mm and also

is the possibility to collect the material in two different

permits bypassing the six-pass multi-drive Pre-Finishing

positions, using the hot or cold pit.

water

boxes,

high-speed

shears,

HiProfile

Fig.1 - General Layout from re-heating furnace to Pre-Finishing-Block.

Fig.2 - General Layout from Pre-Finishing-Block to Cooling Conveyor.

EQUIPMENT

Preface

Re-Heating Furnace

formation is affected by long residence times of steel at

Danieli Centro Combustion installed the first walking-

high temperatures in combination with oxygen presence.

beam furnace designed to minimize oxidation phenomena

For this reason, the patent-pending furnace chamber

through the combination of a highly accurate combustion

has been separated into several “micro-chambers” using

control in sub-stoichiometric conditions and a tightly

walls, noses and diaphragms in order to control individual

sealed furnace chamber.

volumes with a different air-gas ratio. By controlling

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

to

this

technological

advancement,

scale

pagina 43

Attualità industriale - Industry news such parameters, it is possible to actively intervene on

fans to achieve in-line-patenting of high-carbon grades

oxidation kinetics to inhibit scale formation.

using boiling water. For maximum flexibility, the system

Enhanced

combustion

control

was

developed

has been designed to shift sideways from in- to off-

through higher pressure-drop flow transmitters for

line position in order to treat suitable steel grades and

gas, and flow straighteners for air. Furthermore, the

dimensions through a process water tank. Compared

reducing atmosphere generated in the hottest zones is

to other methods, the EDC process provides a sorbitic

compensated with post-combustion air injected into

microstructure, in terms of uniformity and controlling

the furnace by nozzles arranged on the roof and side

grain growth and scale formation, enhancing cold

walls. A laser spectrometer continuously detects oxygen

drawability.

percentage in the recuperative zone before the waste gases leave the furnace, and this parameter is inserted in

On-Line Sensors

a safety control loop that acts on post-combustion air in

The most recent iteration of automatic, motorized smart

order to have the desired oxygen at fumes exit. Then, the

guides is installed in both the stands and the wire rod

oxygen presence in the furnace is reduced thanks to new

blocks and will receive real-time feedback from each

mechanical and customized solutions to guarantee the

billet, adjusting the guide force acting on the bars as well

chamber tightness.

as rollers position, and monitoring bearing status.

Several pyrometers and thermal imaging cameras are

Rolling Mill Equipment

placed along the entire line: these tools continuously

All SHS 4.0 housingless stands are fully electrified to

monitor and record material temperature, and fine-

comply with the “green mill” concept. Replacing hydraulic

adjustments to the reheating furnace, on-line induction

controls with electrical ones ensures multiple advantages,

heating and all in-line water box treatment status are made

from eliminating oil and oil leaks to cutting off the central

possible thanks to sophisticated automation systems.

hydraulic unit’s electrical consumption, as well as savings

In addition, Hi-Section (eddy-current mass flow meters),

in civil works and erection time.

and Hi-Profile (laser-based measurement instrumentation)

The

3-MW

Danieli

Automation

induction

heating

solutions

continuously

control

material

dimension,

technology is installed between the free roughing

offering live feedback to automatically regulate workflow,

stands and the continuous mill: it represents a most

ensuring bar optimization in terms of size tolerance,

environmentally friendly solution for reheating steel and

cobble reduction and rolling guide wear. Furthermore,

reducing scale formation. Its environmental advantages

special cameras installed between the stands check

include reduced consumption when efficiently transferring

material tension, for a looper-less mill layout.

energy to the material, no gas emissions, while required

Thanks to the equipment reliability and process toughness

electrical energy can come from renewable sources by

on September 17th, 2021, has been set a rolling mill speed

green energy production systems.

record, of 132.4 m/s, equal to 476.6 Km/h rolling 5.5-mm-

The already-discussed complete automation includes the

dia wire rod. Until now, this record remains unbeaten for

high-speed shear, which avoids manual operation of head

other special steel producers.

and tail trimming and, therefore the need for a dedicated workforce. It can trim rolled material with high accuracy

PRODUCT TRACEABILITY

and repeatability at 430 Km/h speeds and beyond,

Danieli believes maintenance is paramount to ensure

synchronizing the laying head to ensure proper coil laying

high plant availability and reliability. That is why all key

on the cooling conveyor. One additional benefit from this

equipment includes an ID tag with a barcode to identify

equipment is that it increases the safety of operators in the

device information, such as storage operations and

area.

remaining

The Easy Drawing Continuous system—EDC for short—

devices, such as cartridges, cylinders and guides are

can be applied as an alternative to traditional cooling

equipped with radio-frequency identification tags. A

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

tons/hours

before

refurbishment.

Many

pagina 44

Industry news - Attualità industriale workshop management system supervises equipment

tracking the product from melting to customer delivery.

preparation and organization, checking and providing

Finally, coils are stored in a fully automated warehouse

continuous grooves and guides status updates. An

designed to safeguard the products’ surface quality,

advanced, integrated laboratory located next to the coils

while ensuring a high degree of process flexibility with

finishing facilities is used for instant feedback on the rolled

short lead-times on orders. It can hold more than 11,000

products’ final mechanical and metallurgical properties;

tons of wire rod coils. After being automatically tagged

additionally, it allows final product certification before

and stored, the material can be organized in relation to

shipping, with real-time product traceability, closing

incoming orders and production requirements.

the circle on a fundamental requisite for a modern plant,

Fig.3 - Fully automated warehouse.

A

new-generation

pulpit

with

3Q

technologies

is

function and process parameters are supervised by two

fundamental to support advanced technologies such

operators only—one for the mill process itself and the

as artificial intelligence, augmented and mixed reality,

other for on-line heat treatments—who monitor the main

empowering the operators’ perception and helping them

plant KPIs and process parameters.

to both identify and predict anomalous process behaviors.

An additional advantage of this pulpit is that all mill

Fig.4 - Overview of the latest-generation, highly automated pulpit.

PROCESS SOLUTION

automatically thanks to the strong automation control, so

The development of all these concepts is guided by the

that there are no operators on the field.

new QWR process solution and production approach:

Benefits from this method are manifold: it preserves

this is the one and only wire rod mill in the world today

operators’

where mill management is remotely controlled, based on

conditions; only fourteen highly qualified operators are

the zero-man-on-the-floor approach during production

required per shift, compared to a traditionally operated

and size changes. All mill activities are performed

rolling mill with a similar product portfolio, thanks to the

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

safety,

significantly

improving

working

pagina 45

Attualità industriale - Industry news strong emphasis on automation control.

through control of continuous cooling on roller conveyor.

Indeed, advanced automation plays a fundamental role

Thanks to this, variation in the mechanical properties

throughout the plant, especially with the “first coil

along the coil and ring can be reduced. Benefits can be

in quality” concept (i.e. without trial losses), which

achieved also for the bearing grades where deformation

is achieved thanks to on-line sensors and measuring

at a non-recrystallization region of austenite may permit

instruments working in a closed-loop control managing

enhanced carbide distribution and dimension.

metallurgical, dimensional, and quality aspects. The process efficiency is directly related to the ability of

QUALITY FROM THE START

managing the process: that is why the rolling line is

Flexibility in configuration, speed in set-up changes, no-

controlled via an innovative monitoring system with

trial billets, and first coil produced in full quality (both

more than 2,000 data acquisition sensors, and over 15,000

for dimensions and metallurgical characteristics) cannot

continuously recorded parameters. Sensors provide

be achieved by neither overwhelming operators nor

continuous real-time process and plant data, whether

stressing equipment.

directly measuring physical values or applying process

The QWR approach is to have the operator supervising

models. Digitalization helps the operators to avoid

and controlling all changes and mill preparation activities

mistakes, increasing workplace safety and, as an added

with limited-to-null manual intervention, enhancing

benefit, product quality.

equipment

robotization,

extensively

using

on-line

instruments and sensors for quality and product checkup Thermo-Mechanical Rolling

in a closed-loop control, and multi-route layout for

The in-line heat treatments need mentioning, thanks

different steel grades and product dimensions. The

to their ability to control steel by applying Thermo-

automatic setup for heat treatments is an example of this,

Mechanical Rolling, ensuring appropriate final wire rod

where the process control system automatically loads the

metallurgical and mechanical properties to improve

proper setup table from the database and sends it to the

steel strength, toughness and ductility. That is why grain

equipment control, without manual intervention.

refinement may be considered the most-effective way

The equipment has been changed from traditional

to deal with these demands without increasing alloying

maintenance management and condition-monitoring

elements, thanks to the several controlled cooling stages

systems to real-time support and diagnostics.

along the mill and roller conveyor.

The process has been developed so that models and

The thermomechanical rolling process is characterized

monitoring are widely deployed to manage all parameters

by deformation in the non-recrystallization region of

along the mill and, consequently, optimize final product

austenite, usually in the range from 750 °C to 850 °C,

quality and mill performance. Additionally, predictability

where it may be carried up to a specific area of reduction

is now possible, to understand a phenomenon before it

to obtain the desired grain refinement and microstructure

manifests. The implementation of the “Danieli Intelligent

modification.

Plant” philosophy is a revolution for plant management

For the medium-carbon, micro-alloyed steels for cold

and post-processing analysis.

forming, the reduced prior-austenite grain size (PAGS) achieved by means of thermomechanically controlled

CONCLUSION

processes avoids hardness hot spots that would have

ABS QWR 4.0 is the latest wire rod mill reference for Danieli

required annealing treatments before cold forming. Also,

and features the most advanced technical solutions. This

improvements in cold drawability can be achieved by

is a concrete example of the proactive approach which

controlling the scale layer, which is thinner and uniformly

has always made our activities and values stand out. ABS

distributed.

and Danieli put words into action, showing that we walk

The mechanical strength of high-carbon steel is related

the talk as undisputed leaders in the rolling mill field.

to interlamellar pearlite spacing and can be enhanced

This means investing to ensure our customers stay ahead

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 46

Industry news - Attualità industriale of the field in the future, too: ABS Quality Wire rod 4.0

terms of technological innovation, digitalization, safety

is today the realization of the rolling mill of the future in

and a green steel approach.

ABS QWR 4.0 qualità sin dall'inizio: nuovo concetto di laminatorio e forno senza scaglia per migliorare le prestazioni, la sostenibilità e la qualità del prodotto ABS QWR 4.0 ha laminato la prima billetta il 27 novembre 2020. Lo stabilimento situato a Cargnacco (Udine) produce 500.000 t/a di vergella per acciai speciali e applicazioni automotive, da 5,0 a 25 mm dia. a velocità di finitura massime di 430 km/h. Il riscaldo ad induzione della Danieli Automation rappresenta una soluzione per il riscaldo dell'acciaio riducendo la formazione di scaglia. Inoltre, l'energia proviene da fonti rinnovabili e ciò rappresenta una soluzione che rispetta l'ambiente. Un pulpito di nuova generazione con tecnologie 3Q è fondamentale per supportare tecnologie avanzate come l'intelligenza artificiale e la realtà aumentata, potenziando la percezione degli operatori e aiutandoli ad identificare e prevedere comportamenti anomali del processo. Lo sviluppo di tutti questi concetti è guidato dal nuovo approccio al processo e alla produzione del QWR: questo è oggi l'unico laminatoio per vergella al mondo in cui la gestione del laminatoio è controllata a distanza, basata sull'approccio zero-man-on-the-floor durante la produzione e cambi di prodotto/acciaio.

Inoltre, la prevedibilità è ora possibile, per comprendere un fenomeno prima che si manifesti. L'implementazione della filosofia “Danieli intelligent plant” è una rivoluzione per la gestione degli impianti e l'analisi a valle del processo. Danieli Centro Combustion ha avviato con successo il primo forno a trave mobile “senza scaglia”, progettato per minimizzare i fenomeni di ossidazione attraverso la combinazione di un controllo della combustione estremamente accurato in condizioni sub stechiometriche e una perfetta tenuta della camera del forno, riducendo quindi l'Opex. La formazione di scaglia è influenzata dal lungo tempo di permanenza dell'acciaio alle alte temperature, combinato alla presenza di ossigeno. Per questo motivo la camera del forno è stata suddivisa in più “microcamere” da pareti, nasi e diaframma in modo da poter controllare singoli volumi con diverso rapporto aria-gas. Controllando tale parametro è stato possibile lavorare attivamente sulla cinetica di ossidazione inibendo la formazione di scaglia. Tutte le suddette soluzioni hanno permesso anche di ottenere ottimi risultati in termini di consumo specifico. La presenza di ossigeno nel forno viene poi ridotta lavorando in condizioni di assoluta sicurezza, grazie a nuove soluzioni meccaniche atte a garantire la tenuta della camera e personalizzate per questo progetto, come la macchina di kick-off a tenuta d'acqua, la porta di scarico con barriera all'azoto, il tetto chiuso coibentato con fibra ceramica, e tutte le visiere di ispezione a perfetta tenuta. ABS Quality Wirerod 4.0 è la realizzazione del laminatoio del futuro per innovazione tecnologica, digitalizzazione, sicurezza e approccio green steel.

TORNA ALL'INDICE >

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 47

Attualità industriale - Industry news

Intelligent guides and bms for bar mills edited by: E. Galeazzo, S. Capra

Intelligent guides may be considered the greatest example of Industry 4.0 applied to rolling mills. The Morgårdshammar

brand is ready to launch patented packages on the market: RollX and Wide Smart Guides (WSG): automatic, motorized guides for any bar and wire rod rolling mill. MH is ready to supply a complete series of motorized guides for rolling mills to make them “Smart, digital and safe” (operators are not necessary on the floor).

Bearing Monitoring System (BMS) for guides. To detect the speed of guide rollers thanks to sensors mounted on the roller holder, so that the condition and performance of bearings and rollers can be controlled during the production process. The BMS can be applied to all standard MH guides, new and used, and on the new series of motorized guides.

KEYWORDS: ROLLX, WSG, INTELLIGENT GUIDES, BMS, INDUSTRY 4.0, HMI INTELLIGENT GUIDES FOR THE INDUSTRY 4.0

The technological development that has pervaded the

market over recent years has contributed to renew the rolling guides concept.

Through the introduction of sensors and actuators, roller

guides have been transformed from a mere mechanical device to guide the rolled section into a feedback system on the rolling process of the plant.

Intelligent Guide should be considered the greatest example of Industry 4.0 applied in a rolling mill.

CONVENTIONAL GUIDES

In conventional roller guides all adjustments are manual.

Moreover, they have a strong design with oversized

components to resist to high forces and increase their lifetime, while also resisting in case of wrong settings.

Fig.1 - “Conventional

guide” for the rolling mill.

Enrico Galeazzo, Salvatore Capra Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche, Italy

Fig.2 - “Conventional guide” for FFB.

The main drawback of manually setting the roller guides

is that the operator can occur in potentially dangerous operation that can cause issues on either the roller guides or the rolling process.

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 48

Industry news - Attualità industriale Roller guide too tight → Increasing forces on both the

safer work environment for all operators along the rolling

Roller guide too loose → The bar is neither correctly

is maintained throughout rolling. This means less roller

body with possible bushing deformation and the bearing with possible breakage;

guided nor free to move without homogeneous roller wear

and roll wear. This wrong setting can affect the final bar quality and tolerance.

mill. Intelligent Guides control material size, wear, speed and alignment by means of constant force control that

wear, longer bearing service life, reduced maintenance and longer service life in the mill.

These guides can provide more than 23 hours of continuous rolling, with constant monitoring of the following parameters:

— rolled section size where an Intelligent Guide is installed;

— detection of groove wear to ensure quality and tolerance of the final product; — tensile stress in the mill.

Fig.3 - Single-point adjustment to manually set the gap.

Roller guide misaligned with the groove → This can happen on the rolling mill finishing stands, especially on

vertical ones where the alignment is made in an horizontal

configuration before tilting. In operation on the blocks due

to shaft elongation the guide remains in the same position while the grooves move with the shaft. These misalignment also causes roller and rolls bad wears.

On the finishing stands and on the fast finishing blocks it is very important to ensure the perfect alignment between the roller guide rollers and the groove in order to achieve a good final bar quality and very close tolerances.

Year 2020 we don’t have enough instruments to control the

rolling process. For instance, on the blocks ‘’we know what is entering and exit but we don’t know what is happening

inside the black box’’ this is what one the main customer’s operators said.

We must consider also that the rolling mills are the most dangerous place for workers and the roller guides

The Intelligent Guides can be set up in less than one second, significantly improving overall equipment efficiency.

The high flexibility of these intelligent guides makes it possible to roll different products without guide changes

or rolling line stoppages, this is one of the major benefits

of this solution. Also, return on investment is very fast: roughly one year for each plant.

Additionally, the auto-setting function reduces the risk of

cobbles and the reduction wear in the consumable parts will cut warehouse costs, making the product advantageous in terms of maintenance.

Last, just one click on the control-desk to completely set-

up a rolling mill. This is the concept of Danieli Intelligent Guides.

With the Intelligent guide we can avoid the abovementioned risky operation, and we can achieve: — Better roller guide setting and adjustment; — Misalignment problems resolution; — Rolling process control;

— Safe working conditions;

— Conversion of the rolling mill to Industry 4.0.

sometimes need operators on the mill, who also need to

be very close to the hot-rolled stock to check and adjust them.

INTELLIGENT GUIDES – ROLLING MILL REVOLUTION

Intelligent guide packages are a manufacturing revolution.

By receiving real feedback on each billet, managers can act in a predictive way and reconsider standard rolling mill production.

The guide system can be equipped with HMI to provide a

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

Fig.4 - RX motorized guide for Rolling mill.

Fig.5 - WSG - motorized guide for blocks and finishing stands.

pagina 49

Attualità industriale - Industry news The main features of the Intelligent guide are:

— Automatic force and position control of rollers during guiding;

— Measurement of dimension, force and vibrations etc.; — Bearing monitor system;

— Stand-alone automation system as well as possibility of fully integrated system;

RollX – Intelligent guide for rolling mill

A key component in the design of the guide is of course the servo motor that is controlling the gap between the roller holders by means of force and position control. It can

calculate the position and give feedback on the dimension

of the stock. The roller holders adapt to continuous change in the dimension. Thus, the guide can handle variations

— Increased plant flexibility;

of the stock and automatically change dimensions in-

— Minimized risk for cobbles;

between billets.

— Cost-efficient wear parts;

— No man on the floor – safety first.

Fig.6 - Motor in the RX.

Fig.7 - HMI (nuovo HMI di DA).

We are taking the one single point to the extreme and now

groove in the rolling stand and be ready to roll a new

click.

from 22 to 26, finishing in one stand with one guide setting.

have one setting point for the complete mill, with a simple Process Optimization: If guide settings can be changed

really quickly and the guide is located at a fixed position

in the mill, then you could side shift the stands to another

dimension. In that case you would be able to roll everything, Traditionally you must change entry guide halves when

making big changes in dimension, but with this concept you don’t have to do that.

Fig.8 - Pass schedule example.

Energy savings and optimization: If you have a traditional

the same time. By doing so, you can save a lot of setup time

dimension, which means that waiting time is pretty heavy

energy because you will reduce the total time needed for

rolling schedule, heating is done in steps for each when changing in the furnace temperature multiple times for each dimension. With the RX planning concept multiple dimensions are loaded in the furnace for one temperature at

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

for temperature in the furnace. And of course you also save

production. But the big gain is in the time saved in waiting while the furnace is heated to the right temperature.

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Industry news - Attualità industriale

Fig.9 - Traditional rolling schedule.

WSG – Intelligent guide for the FFB

As per the RX on the rolling mill, the setting can be set up automatically also in the WSG thanks to two servo motors.

Fig.10 - RX rolling schedule. decided to use two motors in order to control and move

independently the position of the left or right roller holders.

Due to the maximum precision requested in the FFB we

Fig.11 - Motors and sensors on WSG.

Fig.12 - HMI control.

Two force sensors measure the value of pressure from

We can define different bar’s pressure according to steel

groove (detecting the force each side).

on the roller guide.

the bar and the possible misalignment with respect to the

grade, and control the forces in order to avoid problems

Fig.13 - Block elongation.

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Attualità industriale - Industry news Moreover, due to the increasing of the temperature inside

the FFB, during rolling the shafts can elongate up to 0.5 mm: this means that the guide remains in the starting position

while the rings (and the groove) move. The WSG is able to detect also this misalignment thanks to the force sensor,

and adjust itself with the motors. The guide is always set up correctly.

balanced between the two rollers, an alarm indicates a bearing problem.

— Detect vibrations and tension for each pass; — Bearing control and warning;

— Stand-alone automation system as well as possibility of fully integrated system;

Now we’re able to know what is happening inside the block!

This isn’t only a guide but a useful instrument to control the process.

— Minimized risk for cobbles; — Cost-efficient wear parts;

— Bearing monitoring system to check the bearing status and avoid mill problems (cobbles) due to bearing breakages;

NEW BMS SYSTEM

Another tool to drive the rolling mill in the Industry 4.0 is the BMS.

We applied two inductive sensors (one on each roller holder), and thanks to these devices we are able to detect

the slot on the rollers and count the revolutions per minute (rpm).

If the rpm is not compatible with the bar speed or it isn’t

— Reusing the bearings in good condition and consequent cost savings;

— Possibility to know how much time the roller takes to reach the maximum speed (bar speed) when the head comes and stop;

— the rotation when the tail leaves the guide during interbillet;

Fig.15 - Deceleration detection.

All the Intelligent Guides described above are natively equipped with the BMS, but this system can be applied to all standard Danieli/MH guides new and existing on site.

With the Intelligent Guides and the BMS system, the future is now.

TORNA ALL'INDICE >

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Industry news - Attualità industriale

4th PQF® generation – New horizons in seamless tube production edited by: M. Leferink

Over the last two decades, SMS has commissioned 21 PQF® plants featuring three-roll retained mandrel mill technology for all leading companies in the seamless tube industry. These producers have recognized that this technology is opening up new possibilities for rolling tubes and pipes with better, tighter tolerances as well as steel grades with higher alloy content and material yields, and offers operating personnel far greater flexibility.

In this paper, SMS describes the fourth and latest generation of PQF® plants.

This patent-pending solution will be yet another milestone in the PQF® success story and represents a quantum leap in productivity in seamless tube production.

SMS experts have improved the original solution by aiming to increase output by up to 30% with this fourth generation of PQF® plant. This gain is not only possible with new plants; existing PQF® plants can also fully benefit from this with a low-investment upgrade.

KEYWORDS: PQF®, PREMIUM QUALITY FINISHING, SEAMLESS TUBE & PIPE, THREE-ROLL MANDREL MILL, COST REDUCTION, INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY, FOURTH GENERATION INTRODUCTION: HISTORY OF PQF® DEVELOPMENT SMS group is renowned worldwide for its future-oriented technologies and outstanding service for the metals industry. The company applies its 150 years of experience and its digital know-how to provide the industry continuously with innovative products and processes – even beyond its core business – and generates worldwide sales of around 2.6 billion euros. As a global player with German roots, SMS takes responsibility for its 14,500 employees. SMS is the right partner for challenging projects and supports its customers throughout the lifecycle of their plants, enabling profitable and resourceefficient value creation chains. Paving the way to a carbonneutral and sustainable metals industry is the company’s

Manfred Leferink

SMS group GmbH, Germany

stated goal.

In 2003, SMS opened a new chapter in seamless tube production with the first PQF® installation. Now, SMS has commissioned the 21st PQF® with the third generation of BCO design (Table 1).

In 2021, SMS developed the fourth and latest generation of PQF® (Premium Quality Finishing) plant.

Looking ahead, this new, high-speed generation is on course to set benchmarks in terms of quality, energy efficiency, and above all productivity and profitability.

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Attualità industriale - Industry news Tab.1 - Evolution of PQF® design development.

Evolution of PQF® design development Type of PQF® design

Year of introduction

Generation

No. of references

ACO – Axial Change Over

2003

1st

8

LCO – Lateral Change Over

2005

2nd

11

BCO – Bilateral Change Over

2015

3rd

3

BCO – High speed

2021

4

-

th

7-inch BCO-type PQF® at Jiangsu Changbao Precision

PQF® mill (see Fig. 1) on time as per the original project

Steel Tube Co, Ltd.

schedule. With six rolling stand positions in the PQF®,

In spite of the difficult circumstances during the pandemic

it meets the growing demand for precise, high-strength

in China and around the world, Jiangsu Changbao and SMS

seamless tubes.

successfully commissioned the latest 7-inch BCO-type

Fig.1 - Advanced third PQF® generation with six rolling stands.

Fourth generation of PQF® tube mill

earlier free-floating and semi-floating mandrel mills with

floating mandrel mill at Baowu, Baoshan works, which is

process for the fast inlet side of the mandrel mill.

Back in the early eighties, SMS commissioned a 7-inch freestill the world’s most productive tube mill, manufacturing

more than 800,000 tons of quality tubes in rolling cycles of 13.3 seconds and up to 270 pieces per hour.

Now, SMS has combined the high-capacity version of

the high-quality PQF® BCO-type mill and developed a new To achieve higher piece rates of up to 200 pieces per hours

and corresponding cycle times of only 18 seconds, the conventional process on the inlet side of the PQF® had to be modified, as shown in Figure 2.

Fig.2 - Necessary modification of PQF® inlet side for rapid mandrel handling.

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Industry news - Attualità industriale A second, rack-type pre-inserter was introduced, which

option of transferring the mandrel bar earlier out of the

inserts the mandrel bar into the hollow bloom in front

rolling line. This also reduces the operating time of one

of the PQF® at a much higher speed compared to the

rolling cycle.

retainers available on the market today. This reduces

All in all, the new design solutions reduce the cycle

the operating time dramatically. Due to the offside

time by approx. six seconds compared to the three-roll

arrangement of the new retainer design, you also have the

retained mandrel mills currently in operation worldwide.

Fig.3 - Plant view with cone-type piercing mill, PQF®, and fast inlet side for rapid mandrel handling.

The functionality and process of the fast inlet side of the

transferred to the cooling line.

PQF® can be briefly described as follows: The hollow

The high-speed inlet side is combined here with a modern

bloom coming from the piercing mill is picked up by a

PQF® mill in the size range up to 7 inches.

manipulator from the deoxidation position and lowered directly onto the rolling line in front of the PQF®. The

This patent-pending solution will be yet another milestone

pre-inserter inserts the mandrel bar, which is already

in the PQF® success story and represents a quantum leap

prepositioned, at high speed.

in productivity in seamless tube production.

The head of the off-site retainer accelerates and, at a well-

SMS experts have improved the original solution by

defined point, the so-called “hand-over” from the pre-

aiming to increase output by up to 30% with this fourth

inserter to the retainer is executed.

generation of PQF® plants.

As soon as rolling is completed, the mandrel bar is

Fig.4 - PQF® rolling process with fast inlet side for rapid mandrel handling.

This gain is not only possible with new plants; existing

Digitalization and “The Learning Tube Plant”

PQF® plants or two-roll mandrel mills can also fully

There are different digital solutions on the market, but the

benefit from this with a low-investment upgrade.

SMS approach of “The Learning Tube Plant” goes beyond individual solutions. Four pillars (see Figure 5) have been

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Attualità industriale - Industry news identified for boosting the efficiency and sustainability of a seamless tube plant: 1.

Predictive Production Planning to achieve the shortest lead times and minimal downtimes

2.

Predictive Product Quality for “first class” tubes on the cooling bed and in the dispatch area

3.

Predictive Energy Management

4.

Predictive Asset Optimization.

Fig.5 - The Learning (Tube) Plant – four pillars for boosting efficiency and sustainability.

AI-fueled production optimization process

approach to optimizing product quality and equipment

Artificial intelligence is consistently applied throughout

conditions along the entire process route. Starting with

the whole seamless tube production process, improving

the EAF (electric arc furnace) and continuous casting

both the process and production.

machine, the main rolling units of the hot mill area include the cone-type piercing mill, PQF® mill, sizing/stretch-

The four pillars, combined with the digital AI concept of a

reducing mill, and of course the adjacent finishing lines

DATA FACTORY, provide the foundation for the holistic

and dispatch area.

Fig.6 - Artificial intelligence applied in seamless tube manufacturing.

CONCLUSION

the conditions for extracting fossil energy deposits

PQF® – The standard of the future

become more and more extreme, the tubes must meet

Around 40 million tons of seamless tubes are produced

correspondingly high quality and load requirements.

worldwide every year, around half of these in high-

Existing obsolete equipment for seamless tubes can also

grade PQF® quality. The main customer is the oil and

be replaced by state-of-the-art, digitalized PQF® plants of

gas industry, which uses OCTG tubes that are preferably

the fourth generation, as shown in Figure 7.

made using the PQF® process. The reason is this: As

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Industry news - Attualità industriale

Fig.7 - Side view with PQF® rolling stands for change-over operation.

Conventional seamless tube lines cannot viably compete either with the quality or enhanced future productivity of highprecision PQF® plants.

REFERENCES [1] [2] [3]

Wilms M. Steel+Technology. 3(2021), 46-48 p.

Leferink M. RusNITI Conference 2021, Chelyabinsk, Russia Kirchner W, Marin P, Rinaldi P. Device and method for handling mandrel rods in a tube rolling mill - Patent pending

TORNA ALL'INDICE >

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

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Attualità industriale - Industry news

New autonomous mechanical system for trimming and sampling wire rod coils edited by: J. Nylander, G. Muscarà

This paper presents a novel, patent pending, Autonomous Trimming & Sampling Station which is introduced on the market as the TRIMBOT.

KEYWORDS: AUTOMATION, COIL HANDLING, COIL TRIMMING, SAFETY, ROBOTICS, VISION SYSTEM, ROLLING MILL, YIELD INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND In a typical long product rolling mill, during the process of transforming a billet into a small diameter wire, the head and tail is normally of inferior quality compared with the main part of the coiled wire. There are several processrelated reasons for this such as the inability to properly cool the front-ends and uneven cooling of the wire on the cooling conveyor after the loop laying head. Regardless of the reason for this lesser quality, these parts of the wire must be removed in a process referred to as static coil trimming, followed by collecting a sample which is analysed in order to verify the intended properties of the finished product. Trimming can be performed anywhere in the rolling mill as long as it is located after the forming of the final wire. For this reason, static conventional

J. Nylander, G. Muscarà

Automazioni Industriali Capitanio, Odolo, Italy

trimming and sampling stations are typically located within the confines of the coil handling system, but there are instances where it is performed at the end of the cooling conveyor. It’s a predominantly a manual activity where at least one operator counts rings to identify, separate, cut and remove anything ranging from a short piece of a loop to several loops from the exposed end of a wire rod coil based on static instructions specifying how much to remove from each coil. This manual activity offers a very poor work-environment and is a frequent source of injuries to the operator. The actual method of counting rings also impacts negatively on both yield and product quality.

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Industry news - Attualità industriale Conventional trimming is always expensive to operate,

based on counting rings. The new process is able to cut

without adding any particular value to the finished product.

the wire with extreme accuracy and repeatability which

Together, the cost of manual labour, the cost associated

reduces the amount of waste and increases the overall

with a reduction in yield and the cost associated with

yield of the rolling mill. The autonomous system is also

increased scrap, is significant to any long product rolling

able to communicate with the rolling mill in real-time,

mill.

making it possible to dynamically adjust the trimming and

To address this, we are introducing a new, patent-pending

sampling process on each individual coil depending on

robotic system on the market intended to completely

the actual rolling parameters for each individual billet.

eliminate the above-mentioned manual trimming activity

Fig.1 - Illustration of a typical TRIMBOT installation.

A NEW PROCESS

exact position along the length of the wire where the

As explained previously, the dominating manual trimming

prime quality product begins.

method using a manual ring counting process based on

Once the exact position is reached, the system must also

static instructions has inherent problems with flexibility,

be able to cut the wire at this exact position, regardless of

precision and uniformity.

where it occurs to be along the length of the wire.

After the completed trim-cut, the same system must be

Therefore, rather than calculating an approximate number

able to measure, cut and remove a suitable sample of the

of rings based on static instructions on a C-Hook, or a

prime quality wire.

tilted pallet, and cutting at an approximate location along the selected loop, a more accurate method must involve

Any optimal trimming process must therefore include the

actually measuring the distance along the wire. This

following steps:

approach provides an opportunity to measure and locate

• Locate the end of the wire.

the optimal location of where to make a trim-cut with

• Measure from the end of the wire to the exact position

extreme accuracy and to constantly adjust this location

along the wire to make the cut.

based on the actual production parameters.

• Making a cut at the exact location.

• Measuring, cutting and collecting a sample of the wire.

Such accurate and dynamic functionality requires a new process. Before it is possible to measure the distance with

In any existing straight bar rolling mill anywhere in the

some level of accuracy, the actual end of the wire must be

world, this process is very common. However, on the

located.

finished coiled wire, it has never been applied which is why the novel process is both old and tested as well as

When the end of the wire is located, the system must be

completely novel.

able to measure along the wire until it has reached the

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Attualità industriale - Industry news

Fig.2 - Illustration of the principle of moving the cutting tool along the circular shaped helical wire-loop.

A NEW TYPE OF MACHINE

have the same shape and be able to move in a circular

As established, on a straight wire, the activity of locating

manner that follows the helical shape of the continuous

the end of a wire and from there measuring along the wire

coiled wire and all the vital functions and features must

to find the trimming position is quite straightforward.

then be distributed along the circular shaped machine.

However, in a coil, where the wire has the shape of a continuous helical multitude of wire loops, it is more

This resulted in a completely new machine referred to as

challenging.

the Ring Processing Turret (RPT).

Any solution must also preserve the orderliness of the

The Ring Processing Turret is essentially a circular guide

wire loops within the coil and be gentle and not scratch or

with a shape that follows the circular shape of the coiled

damage the actual wire rod. This led to the realization that

wire. Distributed along the circular guide is an advanced

since the product that is to be processed has a circular

pinch-roll assembly, a significant number of sensors,

shape, then the machine that performs the process must

several guide segments and a cutting device.

Fig.3 - Illustration of the Ring Processing Turret.

Pinch-roll assembly contains the wire receiving guide

to be removed after completed trimming.

system, pinch & drive-roll, position encoder, and wire end detection sensors. The transfer guide leads the wire front-

Because the Ring Processing Turret performs its process

end to the cutter unit. The cutter unit cuts the wire and

relative to the exposed end of the coiled wire, and not

the sample guide retains the sample piece. The transition

relative to the system carrying the coil, it can perform

guide and the scrap ejector guide lead the scrap rings out

its different process-steps regardless of how the coil

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Industry news - Attualità industriale is oriented. This makes it possible, for the first time to

algorithm of which one of these wires is to be picked.

perform trimming and sampling on a vertical coil.

Once the selection is made, a robotic arm moves to ROBOTIC ARM & VISION SYSTEM

collect the selected wire and to subsequent place the

To support the interaction between the coil and the Ring

loop segment into the extended receiving guide of the

Processing Turret, we have designed a ring transfer and

ring processing turret. After the ring processing turret

separation system, as illustrated in Fig. 4, which pulls the

has performed its trimming and sampling sequence, the

forwardmost rings from the exposed end of the C-hook

robotic arm moves into position to collect and discharge

towards the turret while also spreading them to create

the trimmed rings. If a sample is required, it is collected in

additional separation. An advanced vision system, as

a separate sample guide which extends and exposes the

illustrated in Fig. 5 takes a snap-shot of the wire loops and

sample to the robotic arm, which then collects the sample

makes a selection based on an advanced image analysis

and places it in the sample tray, as illustrated in Fig. 6.

Fig.4 - Illustration of rings being transferred from the C-hook toward the turret.

Fig.5 - Photo of separated rings & the vision system interpretation of the same.

Fig.6 - Illustration of the robotic arm collecting a sample.

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Attualità industriale - Industry news BENEFITS HIGHLIGHTS

destination. Upon arrival at the site, it can be installed and

The TRIMBOT is intentionally designed to be reasonably

commissioned within hours and reach full capacity within

priced and inexpensive to install and operate. The ambition

a few days.

is to make the machine suitable for every existing as well

The ambition has been to create a system that can pay

as any future wire rod rolling mill in the world and also to

for itself in 12 to 24 months depending on production

make the machine affordable to every potential customer.

rate and product mix. The savings would in part originate

To make this possible, the TRIMBOT is designed to be

from the reduction in wages and benefits, but the most

installed directly in front of any existing C-hook on any

significant savings will originate from increased yield and

existing mill floor without excavation or pouring of the

the reduction of scrap produced. For any normal rolling

new foundation. The system is very compact and while the

mill, the yield will increase between 0,15 and 0,30 % and

actual TRIMBOT equipment only requires approximately

the scrap will be reduced by the same amount.

10 m2 of floor space, a safe work area with both sample

The TRIMBOT process also makes it possible to perform

and scrap collection, will require 25 to 30 m2 depending

dynamic trimming. This means that the actual trimming

on the final configuration. It is also completely electrical,

location is allowed to change from one coil to the next,

which eliminates any risk of hydraulic oil contamination

depending on the actual rolling conditions for each coil.

from leaking hoses, pipes or connections.

The design is also such that parts that are subject to wear

CONCLUSIONS

are easy to access and simple to replace. The entire system

The completely electrical TRIMBOT is designed to fit and

is also designed to fit into a standard 20” covered shipping

operate in almost any existing coil handling system with

container and the weight is less than 5 tons which makes it

minimum disturbance to the existing site. It is primarily

easy to handle on most sites with existing cranes.

designed to replace any existing manual ring counting

The system is meticulously tested under realistic

trimming activity, but its value to the rolling mill extends

conditions prior to being prepared for shipping to its final

beyond only replacing the human operators in this area.

Fig.7 - Illustration of the full TrimBot station.

It offers a level of trimming accuracy that isn’t possible

incredible improvement in accuracy, and with this level

with a manual trimming method. A manual “ring counting”

of accuracy, it becomes relevant to adjust the actual

trimming has an accuracy of +/- one or two rings while the

trimming position based on the dynamic variations in the

TRIMBOT makes it possible to reach a trimming accuracy

rolling process for each individual coil.

of +/- 5 mm under certain conditions. This represents an

TORNA ALL'INDICE >

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Industry news - Attualità industriale

Finishing/sizing group with agc system edited by: A. Nardini, E. Colombo, D. Biagini, J. T. Da Silva

The uses of long quality products (SBQ) increasingly require high metallurgical properties and excellent tolerances. Their

rolling is therefore a fast process that requires high speed control and communication capabilities, with fast response electromechanical-hydraulic control systems. To offer high process stability, POMINI Long Rolling Mills has developed a

finishing/sizing unit equipped with an AGC (Automatic Gap Control) system for the automatic control of the gap between

the rolls, able to dynamically maintain the required dimensional tolerances. The finishing/sizing unit is placed at the end of the continuous train and consists of two vertical and horizontal two-roll stands. To control the size of the bar, the AGC

system manages the dynamic positioning of the rolls, whose light variation is applied by means of synchronous screws operated by a hydraulic servomotor with proportional valve. With the finishing/sizing unit enslaved to the AGC system, a minimum tolerance of 1/5 DIN for round bars can be obtained. The same system is applicable, with the applicable changes in the product characterization, even with flat bars, for which a minimum tolerance of 1/4 DIN can be obtained.

KEYWORDS: HYDRAULIC POSITION CONTROL, AUTOMATIC GAP CONTROL, FINISHING SIZING STAND GROUP, AGC CONTROL INTRODUCTION

In the steel industry, the production of a SBQ rolling mill, for smooth bar and flat profile, calls for high accuracy in the product specification and high stability of the process.

The bar rolling is a fast process which requires high-speed control and communication capabilities, thus the control objects are electromechanical and hydraulic systems with fast response. With the technological and industrial

development, the requirements for high-quality profiles in terms of tight tolerances and metallurgical properties are becoming critical. A finishing sizing group composed

by 2-rolls finishing stands (Vertical + Horizontal) is considered.

Alberto Nardini, Ezio Colombo, Daniele Biagini, Jobson Timoteo Da Silva POMINI Long Rolling Mills, Italy

Fig.1 - Arrangement of sizing mill.

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Attualità industriale - Industry news

This technology is the most important mechanism for dynamic thickness control in conventional rolling mills.

Since the AGC system is responsible for maintaining the

dynamic performance of predicted quality dimensional tolerances, it is designed to suppress the disturbances during

the

rolling

process

such

as

hardness

and

temperature fluctuation of the bar typically during head/tail passing through.

The extremely sophisticated algorithms are developed to fulfill the task of dynamic thickness and width for a

flat or ovality control for a round section, however, the

philosophy and the principles for tuning AGC control gains become very complicated and difficult to the operators in

the case of improving the quality for specific product and process.

The schematic arrangement of the sizing mill is shown in Figure 1. The mill stand consists of a housing-less stands

containing two cylindrical work rolls, which perform the

reduction in the two directions vertical and horizontal consecutively. Gap control includes the control for the top and bottom mounted rolls by servo hydraulic motor

driven through synchronous screw-downs and manage

with a proportional valve. These actuators are controlled as

required to support roll change, bar rolling and mill testing.

The stand can be also unlocked from the left to the right

side in order to be able to control independently the two sides.

The size of the steel is controlled by dynamic roll positioning. Because the reduction of hot steel in the

roll bite is sensitive to mill speed changes as well as temperature and hardness changes in bar entry, the gauge control must be able to control to the desired bar size in

the face of these disturbances. This control involves the careful coordination of a number of strategies. The rolls are positioned prior to entry bar of the mill in base a fixed

receipt saved in level 2. It involves predictive models of

the steel- rolling process, which will give accurate roll-

position settings. To produce output bar of the desired dimensions, the roll position is then altered during rolling

of the bar. This dynamic roll positioning during rolling is referred to as automatic gauge control (AGC). The results of rolling each bar are further analyzed and used as adaptive corrections to the predictive models.

Fig.2 - Schematic diagram of the sizing mill and example of installation.

The success of the sizes control depends on the ability of

involves an intimate connection between the traditional

system. This blending is particularly evident in the

structured system design approach is necessary to ensure

these various facets of the control to blend in a cohesive

successful development of the absolute, or predicted, mode of automatic gauge control. This mode of control

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

mill setup and AGC functions. Here it can be seen that a the proper integration of the various components of the dimensions control.

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Industry news - Attualità industriale ARCHITECTURE OF AUTOMATIC GAP CONTROL

for known incoming product variations. To upgrade the

The sizing stands group is also composed with the presence

device is being added in the entry position of sizing group

SYSTEM

of two profile measurement gauges. One of these devices, located at the exit of the final stand, accurately measures

the size dimension in a distance from the mill and therefore gives a delayed measurement of the bar sizes.

Feedforward AGC is provided to help compensation

feedforward AGC functionality, another measurement in order to correlate the final exit dimension to the entry feedstock. The measurement gauges assist the AGC

algorithm as it, cannot completely correct gauge due to factors such as different material spread due to different rolling temperature and tension control along bar.

Fig.3 -Concept control of measurement gauge.

THE MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE

laser constantly see the complete profile illuminated by

independent optical modules allow for a continuous line

The system is based on optical triangulation principle and

The moving bar passes through the gauge head. Four of laser light to be projected around the section being

measured. The camera, mounted at an oblique angle to the

the laser line, enabling full dimensioning of the product. structured light.

Fig.4 - Measurement gauge.

The gauge head is the working heart of the system. It is a

optic link and fed into the operator workstation by a

electronics and rugged engineering. This measurement

by an infrared scanning pyrometer, and the system

unique combination of state-of-the-art precision opto-

data is transferred from the optical assemblies by a fiber

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

dedicated network. The product temperature is measured processor computes the cold size. To protect the opto-

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Attualità industriale - Industry news electronic system from its harsh working environment,

value of spread due to first sizing stand. AGC can adjust the

speedy off-line maintenance is achieved by incorporating a

to change the gap of first sizing stand, avoiding any not

the gauge head is both water cooled and air purged, and

trolley into the main gauge body allowing the gauge to be removed from the line. In case of twisting, the measuring

stands even without this equipment, but they can be useful necessary correction on last one.

gauge can evaluate the twist angel (α).

MODEL OF AUTOMATIC GAP CONTROL SYSTEM

Since final dimensions are the result of two rolling, the

the dimension at the exit of both sizing stand, thus is

installation of an additional measuring gauge between

the two stands or the implementation of a virtual sensor for groove wearing would be useful to get in time the real

Core of the AGC is the algorithm which ensure to foresee

necessary to know exactly the lateral flow of the metal in the roll gap (called spread). Starting model is the HenselSpittel equation

(Eq.01)

The original formula has been modified by POMINI Long Rolling Mills thanks to know how gain with several decades of experimental parameters. The final version of algorithm collects many added variables in a formula that can be summarized in the following form:

(Eq.02)

In order to predict the dynamic variation of delivery

dimensions under the correction of roll gap from AGC system, a control model is utilized to calculate the consequent effects of roll gap variation on the profiles.

In this section, firstly, equation and its linearized model

are introduced. And then, for the purpose to simplify

the structure of the simulation system, two main control algorithms of the AGC control system are taken into account, and the corresponding mathematical models are

also introduced. The gaugemeter equation (h = S0 + P/M,

see Figure 5) uses gap position and rolling force to estimate

exit sizes of each stand. In Figure 3, before metal enters the roll bite the effective roll gap is equal to the setup gap position, S0. When metal enters the roll bite, force builds up and the mill stretches causing the effective roll gap to

open. In the gaugemeter equation P/M is the amount of the mill stretch when a roll separating force is applied. Exit

thickness is therefore equal to the unloaded gap position plus the stretch.

Fig.5 - Geometrical Rolling parameter.

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Industry news - Attualità industriale

The amount that the mill stretches is not actually linear as

Figure 6 show the relationships between gap position, mill

of stretch is a combination of stretch in the mill housing

due to bearings settlement and the stand spring load.

suggested in the above gaugemeter equation. The amount and deflection in the roll barrel. The mill housing stretch

is typically non-linear at low forces and becomes nearly linear with force at high forces. Roll deflection is typically linear with force but varies significantly as the bar section

stretch and section sizes considering both the variation

To also validate the behavior of each side if single stand is

installed an electric transducer to check the real correlation between encoder gap for screw and capsule position.

changes.

Fig.6 - Gap variation vs rolling load and bearing settlement.

Fig.7 - Shape defects.

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Attualità industriale - Industry news

If measured exit profile needs a light correction, the

unique body composed by rolls, bearings, shafts, screws,

looking for the optimum value in a predefined range that is

Finite Element Model but also with several calibration

easiest and fastest way is the hydraulic pre-set adjustment, charged in the AGC database recipes. Hydraulic unit main purpose is to increase stand stiffness, avoiding that rolling

loads may relax the whole structure, ensuring a minimum clearance according to the aim of 1/5 DIN for rounds and 1/4 DIN for flats. Stands mechanical characterization (as a

…) has been developed not only with a dedicated structural tests: the results of these tests allowed to foresee the effect

of hydraulic adjustment on the stiffness. The mathematical

model to evaluate the rolling loads has been carried out on the base of Hensel-Spittel equation of stress

(Eq.03)

as for the spread equation, POMINI Long Rolling Mills

developed the original model modifying the experimental parameters. As for POMINI Sizing Group stand version,

the hydraulic pre-load adjustment is allowed during rolling if software receive an alert signal from the electric transducers installed in each side of single stand.

Both for rounds and flat the analysis requested as main input the steel grade, the entry speed and temperature conditions, the draught. Even if each steel family has an

own pressure setup, the equations used to describe the

correlation among characteristic dimension of incoming bar, rolling loads, hydraulic pressure and shape deformation can mainly be considered similar. Representing on a chart

the link between the diameter of bars and the hydraulic pressure required, it appears that the behavior derived can

be generally described with a linear equation: the graph below (referred to a spring steel) shows an example.

Fig.8 - Pressure Hydraulic setting, example for Round family Ø 47-95 mm.

While the “characteristic dimension” used to build the mathematical expressions for round is obviously the diameter, for flats a such easy approach was not possible

and then they required a further development, looking for the best combination among the variables (steel family,

two charts, the equations for first and second stands have

a different rank and even the “characteristic dimensions”

used to approximate in the best way the behavior are not the same.

width, height) and using a different approach between

first and second sizing stand. As is shown by the following

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Industry news - Attualità industriale

Fig.9 - Characteristic dimensions setting, example for Flat range family.

Another action to get the correct exit dimension is the tension control between the two sizing stands: usually, in a continuous mill the rolling material must be flow among the stands in such a way that no deformation take place

due to tension introduced by “not properly managed”

rolling speed. Under specific conditions, AGC can define for the first sizing stand a different rolling speed respect

the nominal value, managing correctly in the upstream continuous mill but not changing anything for the second

stand. This not-adaptation is required to get a very small

footprint and identify the relationship between the inter

stand tension and bar shape variation after the first stand of sizing group. The input width changes approximately linearly until the yield strength limit of the material is

reached, but if this limit is exceeded the evolution of the width changes quickly because rolling becomes unstable.

Rounds did not require any analysis on “characteristic

dimensions” (the diameter), meanwhile it became essential for flats.

deformation that cannot be obtained by modifying the hydraulic settings, because it involved the whole section

and not only one axis. A dedicated Finite Element Model has been developed to estimate the roll / bar contact

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Attualità industriale - Industry news

Fig.10 - Tension control effect.

If both mentioned actions (hydraulic pre-set adjustment

and tension control) does not allow to obtain a finite profile within the requested ultra-precise tolerances (it may happen if the variations from the nominal parameters

or groove wear conditions are considerable), also a gap correction may be requested during rolling.

If the feeding conditions are out of defined limits (either

for dimensions or/and temperature), an alert appears

on the dedicated pulpit screen and the AGC will be put

out of order to avoid any improper series of (too) heavy

corrections. It has to be intended that sizing stands will continue to roll ensuring the best tolerance according with the feeding boundary conditions, but there will not be any

type of automatic setup adjustment because these wrong conditions could not lead to a uniformity in the exit sizes of the bar (thus, the system switch on manual mode).

CONTROL AND ADJUSTMENT FLOW CHART

AGC main way of working is represented in the following

flow chart. If the feeding conditions (dimension and

the output measured by the gauge installed upstream, an

algorithm gives the foreseen dimension at the exit of last sizing stand: if the deviation between forecast and real

dimension is beyond a set limit, AGC starts an auto- tuning

(this information will be stored for use it when a similar condition will occur).

If one or both electric transducers installed in each side

of single stand detect an excessive strain of the structure, pre-setting working pressure would be auto adjusted on real time under rolling.

If width or height (or diameters) dimension at the exit are out of tolerances, the system introduces a gap adjustment,

thus stretching arrangement will be issued if ovality were beyond the allowable limits.

Each time that the measured dimensions (width; height;

diameters) are out of tolerances and a gap adjustment is required, AGC develop a series of iterative steps and at the end of each the result is compared with allowable

tolerances in a close loop analysis: only the best adjustment will be tested on rolled bar.

temperature) are within the defined limit, starting from

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Industry news - Attualità industriale

Fig.11 - AGC Logic diagram.

APPLICATION The

most

important

design

objectives

were

high

availability, efficient installation, optimum delivery, and

ease of maintenance. A flexible modular approach was

modules. Many of them are managed as a coordinated group

of AGC functions while other functions are performed as more individual modules separate from this group.

chosen to enhance these design objectives. This approach was further enhanced with the extensive use of structured design techniques.

Structured design techniques were used throughout both the hardware and software parts. The essential nature of structured design involves breaking down the complex

requirements into small modules which are then easily managed. The main design effort is involved in the process of building each module and assembling them together

to form the complex set of automation functions. Well

Product data:

Product dimension:

Flat 60x40 mm

Vertical Rolls diameter Stand 16:

477,0mm

Rolling speed: 2.4m/s Horizontal Rolls diameter Stand 17:

504,8mm

Steel grade: 11MnS30 Temperature: 980°C Bar length:

58 m

structured design promotes the flexible modular approach which is significant both during the design phase and for the long-term maintenance of the system.

The overall AGC software is divided into a number of individual control units, actions, and communication

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Attualità industriale - Industry news

Fig.12 - AGC OFF Tolerance Dimension Results.

Fig.13 - AGC ON Tolerance Dimension Results.

HMI SCREEN

present, hydraulic pressure setup and loads on both sides),

because the system is working automatically, using the

conditions are satisfied or not.

The interface on pulpit screen has a light-weight layout recipes archived and then recalled by operators from the

plus several icons that allow to know if each of general

library simply by entering the profile. The data shown on

screen regards mainly the stand setting (gap reference and

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Fig.14 - Main HMI overview.

Operators can open the dedicated HMI window to check the status of AGC sequence as it follows:

INIT

Initial phase: AGC is not working because is switched off

WAIT

AGC is waiting for the first billet (rolled in the upstream stands)

FIRST PHASE

Sizing group is rolling: AGC starts to fit the matrix of parameters get while the first bar is passing through (no adaptation during the rolling)

SECOND BILLET

Since the entry/ exit conditions and the stands setup are known by measuring systems and Level2, AGC checks if the Algorithm can be validated or a further modification of parameters is needed (if the system is confident of algorithm evaluation, automatically dummies this additional control)

FIRST AGC

The system is ready to start the correction on the incoming bar

AGC

System continuous running with AGC active

Fig.15 - AGC sequence detail.

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Attualità industriale - Industry news

Another user-friendly interface contains the setting values

An input that will be necessary insert manually each time

values are related on rolling datasheet, hydraulic and

in the workshop: the system will archive in the PLC that

to be entering by operators to record the recipe. Those

interstand setup developed by POMINI Long Rolling Mills during project analysis.

is the original gap when the stand assembly is completed value, linked with the stand to be properly recalled when the stand will be inserted on mill.

Fig.16 - HMI parameter setting for AGC. The initial settings must be adjusted not only during the

conditions, and the tracking of each modification is used to

new profile or steel grade. If may be done updating similar

On HMI screen are designed the buttons and the arrows

hot commissioning tests, but also in the first campaign of a recipes, operators can recall the correspondent one and easily change the parameters in the table: this procedure

it’s the same used to adapt a product schedule to current

record the setting change.

that can guide the operator to the modification and save of a recipe.

Fig.17 - HMI Recipes handling page.

TORNA ALL'INDICE >

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Industry news - Attualità industriale

The Revolutionary MIDA Hybrid Minimill for a competitive green steel production edited by: J. Shuli, V. Collini

After more than 20 years in research, development and consolidation of the endless casting and rolling process, Danieli has set new standards in long steel production as the most efficient and cost-effective way to produce it with the socalled MIDA—Minimill Danieli—Plant.

The first pillar of the whole technology is Danieli’s Octocaster, with its unique capability to cast billets at speeds up to 10 mpm and 99% plant yield, making up-to-250-tph productivities possible, with one single casting and rolling strand.

Second pillar of the technology is the Automation system which, thanks to the most advanced process control solution and technological packages, ensures the proper synchronization in casting and rolling.

Third is reduced Carbon footprint, obtained thanks to several unique technologies such as Q-HEAT electric induction heating, Q-ONE, the digital power feeder of the Electrical Arc and Q-JENIUS, which enables a controlled routing of “green” energies which, together with Danieli Digimelter, maximizes the productivity with minimum OpEx and environmental impact.

Moreover, Danieli adds clean energy to the MIDA, finding a perfect synergy that enhances competitiveness and production sustainability named MIDA Hybrid, using the most modern and reliable solutions for the production of environmentally clean and cost-effective steel products.

KEYWORDS: MIDA, HYBRID, OCTOCASTER, QONE, DIGIMELTER, ENDLESS, ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY INTRODUCTION In the early 2000s, Danieli industrially developed the concept of MIDA QLP® (Minimill Danieli for quality long products, featuring Endless Casting and Rolling technology), the extremely compact minimill for long products with a single casting strand directly connected to the rolling mill. This eliminates the need for billets to be cut, then cooled and stored in a billet yard, and then reheated in a gas-fired reheating furnace prior to rolling. Just a single-strand, high-speed caster producing an endless billet that is immediately hot-rolled, in a continuous process for hours and hours.

Jozi Shuli, Valeria Collini

Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.A., Italy

In 2007, Sovel Sidenor was the first steelmaker to operate Endless Casting and rolling, revamping one conventional caster strand. Since 2009, CMC has been the pioneer, developer and advanced user of end-less casting and rolling technology with three Danieli MIDA QLP® minimills, breaking production records, and producing straight rebar, spooled rebar-in-coil and in the future merchant bars too.

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Attualità industriale - Industry news

Fig.1 - Evolution of MIDA product Mix capabilities over the years.

To come, in 2023 Bashundhara will produce on a single casting strand at 150 tph by operating the first MIDA JUMBO QLP®, adding low- and high-carbon smooth wire rod products to their straight rebars production.

Available in four configurations—Nano, Regional, Jumbo,

Twin—MIDA plants can produce straight, coiled, spooled

and merchant bars with capacities from 100,000 to 2,000,000 tpy.

Each configuration offers the most competitive CapEx and

OpEx, giving tangible advantages over traditional minimill users: it comprises a steelmaking section, featuring Endless

Scrap Charging System, a heating station with a ladle

refining furnace; a FastCast Plus single-strand Octocaster (Octagonal outfit section) with a direct link to the rolling mill and an induction heater for billet temperature

equalization; 16 to 20-stands, an ultra-compact rolling mill, made up of cantilever, and eventually housingless stands

when slitting technology is required; and the innovative

DRB-Direct Rolling & Bundling system, for the production of superior quality bar bundles without using a traditional,

long cooling bed for multiple bars, setting a new standard in the marketplace.

OCTOCASTER:

THE

FIRST

PILLAR

CASTING AND ROLLING TECHNOLOGY

OF

ENDLESS

Benefits of Endless casting and rolling

Since its introduction, the Endless casting and rolling

process has given impressive results in terms of operating

costs (OpEx), reporting about 20% OpEx savings, for any plant size, when producing high quality straight rebar.

The factors that most influence the transformation cost savings (in certain cases even up to 80% of the benefits) are the overall high mill yield, up to 99%, and the absence of gas reheating furnaces, because of no cold-billet production.

Fig.2 - OpEx composition (reheating, yield and others) presenting savings comparison for conventional and Danieli Endless Casting and rolling processes.

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Industry news - Attualità industriale OCTOCASTER®, INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY AT THE

To match the above requests, Danieli proposed the

As explained, energy saving is one of the major targets for

octagonal casting shape, which is the preferred shape for

HIGHEST LEVEL POSSIBLE

today’s and tomorrow’s steel industry, due to its impact

on the reduction of operational expenditures and carbon

dioxide emissions. In direct casting and rolling the higher the casting speed, the lower the thermal energy lost from the caster to the rolling mill, and the lower the energy

Octocaster®, which is the name of the CCM based on the

high-speed casting application. This new concept, which Danieli has been following since 2014, helps to minimize bulging phenomena happening when the solidified shell is so thin that bends out because of the ferrostatic pressure.

required to roll the steel into the final product.

Fig.3 - Casting and Rolling electrical energy consumption based on the casting speed.

The OctoCaster® implementation enhances the casting

and rolling from 7 m/m with the original square section mold design (Power Mold and ECO-Power mold) up to 10 m/m, which means 40% additional production.

Basically, with the octagonal section, our intention was to

use one hybrid shape that incorporates the best attitudes of both round and square billet shapes, such as section

self-containing and temperature distribution typical of

round sections, and section guiding along the tube, which is typical of square sections.

THE AUTOMATION SYSTEM: THE BRAIN OF THE WHOLE PROCESS

The synchronization between caster and mill, the core of the endless process, is ensured by a control algorithm

that allows smooth and reliable production flows in all operating conditions.

In recent years, automation has been implemented at all process stages by transforming a conventional plant into

an Intelligent Plant, as a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly manufacturing location, thanks to the extensive digitalization of process and a strong interconnection

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

between humans and intelligent systems. The Endless

casting and rolling system are controlled from a single pulpit, having a common platform where all data and events,

Points of Interest, both human-driven and automatically

recorded, are made available for further analysis (the time machine), empowering process analysis and improvement.

CARBON FOOTPRINT REDUCTION: LEADING TO A NET-ZERO STEEL MAKING FACILITY The

Endless

casting

and

Rolling

system,

an

environmentally friendly production equal-ized by Q-Heat induction heaters

Liquid steel is transformed into finished product in less than 15 minutes: the process is continuous and stable, and the never-ending billet is rolled for hours and hours,

achieving high efficiency in terms of yield, energy savings and environmental sustainability.

A gas reheating furnace isn’t needed to connect the casting

and rolling processes anymore, since there is only an Induction heating system called Q-Heat to ensure billet

equalization during a very short and transient period for proper billet rolling, especially at the start of the casting

pagina 77

Attualità industriale - Industry news sequence. After few minutes, when the casting speed

reaches the desired “cruise level”, Induction Heaters can be flexibly switched off.

The benefits of this include flexible heating with zero CO2 emissions and accurate temperature control across the transfer bar length.

— The whole power management system across the plant is managed by what we call Q-Jenius, and this allows the

steelmaker, if green energy is available, to link the energy directly to the EAF.

Q-One: new digital power system

Digimelter and Digirefiner, the new generation of Electric Arc furnaces and Ladle furnaces powered by Q-One system

To cope with the new zero-CO2 requirements of modern

steelmaking, Danieli has developed the Digimelter, the evolution of the traditional EAF into the new green era, with a new power system and new process optimizations.

The power feeding system is provided by the innovative Danieli Q-One, which is the latest Danieli patented technology for EAF power feeding and management.

Q-One digitally controls both arc current and voltage,

independently for each electrode to optimize the melt-

ing process, with the possibility to operate at different frequency, with positive impact on process and consumption and, moreover, is providing the highest power

factor and lowest disturbances, so it does not require any

The Digimelter has three main components:

— The intelligence of the system, provided by Q-Melt; this is an automated power and chemical energy input

program, using off-gas analysis installed just off the furnace elbow, allowing the furnace to operate in

autopilot mode optimizing energy input accordingly the real-time process parameter;

— The power system is provided by the revolutionary

electric disturbance compensation systems like SVC.

The benefits are the ability to connect directly with Green

energy, less network disturbances, high power factor, easy

maintenance, improved electrical energy and electrode consumption and, most importantly, reduced overall

carbon footprint, thanks to optimized energy consumption.

Q-One digital power feeding system, to optimize

power feeding and management, reducing overall consumptions;

Fig.4 - Q-ONE installation.

Q-Jenius: New digital power system

in-house, and their direct and efficient usage for the main

technology and state-of-the-art power electronics that

reducing the energy acquired from the power grid. To

Q-Jenius is Danieli’s proprietary solution based on DC enables controlled routing of “green” energies produced

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

plant’s electrical loads, like EAF, LF and induction heating, avoid any waste of “green” energy produced during a

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Industry news - Attualità industriale

plant’s poweroff or downtimes, Q-Jenius also supports the use of energy-storing devices, like Battery Energy Storage

systems, where unused energy can be accumulated for use at a later time. Thanks to its modular design, Q-Jenius is highly scalable.

Its modularity and scalability meet the challenges of modern energy management, even in case of individual

modules’ failure. Furthermore, being based on a limited

number of component types - all of small size - it implies a low investment in spares.

Q3-Jenius dynamic energy management automatically exploits available energy storage systems, recharging

them whenever convenient and dynamically using the accumulated energy for best load management (“peak

shaving” and other energy cost optimization strategies).

Finally, based on the accurate tracking of the mix of

energies used (auto-produced “green” energy portion vs. power grid portion), Q3-Jenius also generates “carbon footprint” reports, quantifying and certifying the reduced CO2 emission for the steel produced.

Fig.5 - Casting and Rolling electrical energy consumption based on the casting speed.

CONCLUSIONS The

revolutionary

MIDA

Hybrid

competitive Green Steel production

minimill

for

a

Danieli adds clean energy to the MIDA, finding a perfect

new green steel era.

We are producing with the highest productivity, with the lowest transformation costs, respecting the environment,

and making a significant contribution to CO2 reduction in

synergy that enhances competitiveness and production

the steel industry.

most modern and reliable solution for the production of

on CO2 emission reduction (Scope 1 and 2) related to the

sustainability named MIDA Hybrid (H-MIDA), using the

quality long steel products in a competitive, flexible and

As conclusion, the graph below perfectly shows the trend technology improvements made over the years.

environmentally clean way, thanks to several patented technologies.

Danieli minimill technologies and related services lead

to the widest application of circular economy concepts,

where metallics are not only transformed into steel with the most efficient energy-saving processes, but also make use of renewable energies, without disturbances to the electric networks.

In summary, H-MIDA answers the challenges faced by the

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Attualità industriale - Industry news

Fig.6 - Minimills CO2 emission comparison (Scope 1 + 2) based on the conversion factor of 350 gr of CO2/Kwh.

REFERENCES [1] [2] [3] [4]

Shuli J., Tortul F. MIDA QLP and Wirerod: A winning combination to enhance rolling speed, stability and tolerance AISTech Proceedings 2022 De Luca A.: The Danieli Octocaster®: Latest Development in High-speed Casting, DaNews 186, 2021 Danieli: Danieli QLP—Quality Long Products. Featuring Danieli Universal Direct Rolling Technology, 2021 Danieli: Danieli MIDA—Universal Direct Rolling Minimills. Featuring Digimelter Hybrid, Octocaster and Dysencaster, 2021

TORNA ALL'INDICE >

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Industry news - Attualità industriale

Abrasive cut-off machines in modern rolling mills edited by: N. Asamer, S. Purrer

Abrasive cutting is the ideal cutting technology to increase the throughput capacity as well as the flexibility of hot rolling mills, mainly for long but also for flat products. The highest degree of automation reduced overall running costs and in particular an improved quality of the rolled products are as well substantial advantages of abrasive cutoff machines compared to conventional cutting techniques. For that reason, modern rolling mills, for SBQ products, are equipped with abrasive cut-off machines. During recent years, also numerous existing rolling mills have been upgraded by retrofitting abrasive cut-off machines. To achieve best possible results, however, it is essential that the abrasive cut-off machines used are specifically designed and perfectly tuned to the individual application. Taking largescale projects recently executed by BRAUN as examples, the concepts how the requirements of rolling mill equipment and rolled product are met are described.

KEYWORDS: LONG PRODUCTS, FLAT PRODUCTS, SBQ PRODUCTS, ROLLING MILL, RESOURCE, EFFIZIENT PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES REQUIREMENTS FOR CUTTING OF SBQ PRODUCTS To respond to the increasingly demanding requirements of their customers and to remain competitive on the market, the steel mills have been facing pressure to adapt their operation procedures and production facilities to meet the most stringent criteria regarding product costs (to be as low as possible), production flexibility (as high as possible) and especially product quality (as high and reliable as possible). This also concerns the rolling operations as one of the main processes in the steel industry.

Apart from other specific requirements, such as e.g., a homogeneous material structure, uniform mechani-cal properties and a perfectly shaped cross section of the

Norbert Asamer, Stefan Purrer BRAUN Maschinenfabrik, Austria

rolled product, etc., accurately cut bar ends are essential for the production of value-added products, such as SBQ (special bar quality) which are more and more demanded by the market, especially by the automotive industry as one of the steel industry’s most important customer groups.

Friction saws (with metallic saw blades), shears and torches are conventional techniques to perform the cutting jobs in rolling mills. Considering the aforementioned demands from the market, however, the disad-vantages associated with these cutting methods – poor cutting

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Attualità industriale - Industry news quality that requires deburring or even addi-tional cutting

of top-quality, value-added bar products. It meets the

afterwards, need for extensive maintenance, high energy

requirements of the market and the needs of the steel

consumption, noise, low flexibility regarding changes

industry to the largest extent. In particular, abrasive

in the product mix of the mill, etc. – have become less

cutting features the following substantial advantages:

and less tolerable. To produce SBQ, these conventional

An excellent quality of the cut surface can be reliably

cutting techniques are not suitable at all.

achieved (thanks to the consistent self-sharpening of the cutting wheel): the cuts are straight, precise, and bright,

KEY FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES OF THE ABRASIVE

without hardening of the cut surface. Thus, subsequent

CUTTING TECHNOLOGY

machining processes to adjust the material ends (e.g.,

In contrast to that, abrasive cutting has become the

deburring, edge trimming, etc.) can be eliminated.

state-of-the-art cutting technology for the production

Fig.1 - Hot abrasive cutting.

All other cutting methods result in a more or less bad

consistently good cutting quality over the whole service

cutting surface - partly with brisk, adhering burr (fric-

life of the cutting wheel.

tion saw), partly with distorted, uneven surfaces (torch cutting) or with deformation of the material ends (shear).

Abrasive cutting is suitable for an extremely wide range

That either requires additional refining of the cut product

of different kinds and grades of materials - not only for

(such as deburring) or otherwise com-promises the

high-alloyed steels, special alloys or nickel-base metals.

quality of the rolled product. That, however, means - in

Also, carbon steels and low-alloyed structural steels can

the first case - additional costs or - in the other case - a

be perfectly cut with an abrasive cut-off machine and can

devaluation of the product. Furthermore, with increasing

then be used for special purposes and sold as value-added

wear of the saw blade or the shear knife, the quality of the

products, e. g. as automotive steels or engineering steels.

cut gets even worse, whereas abrasive cutting ensures a

Fig.2 - bar ends cut with friction saw.

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

Fig.3 - abrasive cut bar ends.

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Industry news - Attualità industriale Whereas a friction saw has its limitations at higher material

significant disadvantages indicated above.

shear is of no use for cutting of cooled down materials

Unlike friction sawing, abrasive cutting is a dry cutting

temperatures and at higher alloyed, harder materials, a

or for cutting of bigger material cross sections. Abrasive cutting, however, is equally suitable for cutting cold, warm or hot materials and repre-sents a real universal cutting

process. This is of special importance for hot rolling mills

where interruptions in the operation of the mill with the rolled products cooling down are likely to happen.

Abrasive cutting is a high-performance stock removal

process. Thanks to a high abrasion rate, abrasive cutting enables rapid cutting times. Only shearing is faster - but has

process. No liquid coolant needs to be applied. Thus, wastewater recycling or cleaning of polluted coolant is not necessary.

Furthermore, abrasive cutting is equally suitable for cutting cold, warm, or hot materials. Therefore, it rep-resents a real universal cutting process. This is of special importance for

hot rolling mills where interrup-tions of the mill operation causing the rolled products cooling down are likely to happen.

Fig.4 - Efficient cutting rates in relation to material temperature and dimension.

For cutting layers of bars right after the cooling bed, the material temperature lays usually in the range between abt.

100 and 500 °C, i.e., cold or warm cutting, depending on the diameters of the rolled bars and on the actual rolling

operation. As shown in Fig. 4, cutting at higher material temperatures is of advantage (even faster cutting - but also increased service life of the cutting wheel).

Since well-designed abrasive cut-off machines allow changing worn cutting wheels against new ones with-

in shortest times (depending on the wheel size within

3 to 5 minutes), they are ideal cutting facilities for

continuous production processes and are operated fullyautomatically. The proper cutting program can be selected automatically according to the actual product data and cutting requirements out of cut-off ma-chine’s PLC.

BASIC TECHNOLOGICAL CONCEPT AND MACHINE DESIGN

Depending on the cutting application in the rolling mill, the following cutting principles are typically applied: Chop stroke cutting

The cutting wheel is moved to the material in a chopping motion with a radial infeed into the workpiece. Generally, this principle is used for cutting of single round, squared or nearly squared cross sections. With a properly designed

cut-off machine, also rectangular parts or narrow layers of workpieces can be cut.

Traverse cutting

The cutting wheel is moved horizontally across the

material, in a single cutting stroke. This principle is used for cutting wider layers of round, squared, and nearly squared cross sections, ingots, billets, but also flat products such as rectangular slabs, plates, or sheets.

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Attualità industriale - Industry news

Fig.5 - Chop-stroke cutting principle.

Fig.6 - Traverse cutting principle.

The cutting principle applied for a certain application is

ABRASIVE CUTTING OF SLABS, BLOOMS, BILLETS OR

also reflected in the basic design of the abrasive cut-off

HEAVY BARS

machine. Altogether, BRAUN has developed five different

In primary rolling mills, the heavy bars, billets, blooms

basic machine designs. Four of them are widely used in

- or sometimes also slabs - are cut in hot condition.

rolling mills, for the major applications described in the

Predominantly, the cross sections of the work pieces

following.

are still quite large. Therefore, chop-stroke cutting is the preferred method for cutting these materials as single pieces. Due to the material sizes to be cut, cut-ting wheel diameters typically range from 1 250 to 1 800 mm.

Fig.7 - Principle of a chop-stroke cut-off machine, type W (with horizontal rocker).

Ideally, the abrasive cut-off machine is equipped with a

at a high level also for smaller cross sections. To prevent

horizontal rocker, like machine type W. The infeed motion

round work pieces from overlapping, vertical top clamps

of the cutting wheel goes downwards which has the

are added to the material clamping system.

significant advantage that also rectangular work pieces can be cut with an optimum utilization of the cutting wheel.

Somewhat smaller billets can be cut as narrow layers of 2 or 3 pieces. This allows to keep the throughput capacity

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 84

Industry news - Attualità industriale

Fig.8 - Abrasive cut-off machine, type TS 16 W, for hot cutting of heavy bars (Acciaierie Valbruna Bolzano, Italy)

For downstream processes, abrasive cutting of the hot

.

ABRASIVE CUTTING OF RAILS AND SECTIONS

materials provide clear advantages. Thanks to the smooth,

Compared to the type W, machine type L has the advantage

material faces are eased. Also billet grinding can be done

to linear cutting motion and a very stable and rigid base

clean cutting surface, stamping, marking, or labelling of the

of a somewhat higher accuracy for the cutting process due

with less problems since abrasive cutting avoids the thick

frame of special vibration-damping design.

burrs resulting from saw-ing or flame cutting, as well as the deformations of the material ends (“noses”) resulting from shearing.

Fig.9 - Abrasive cut-off machine, type TS 16 W, for hot cutting of heavy bars (Acciaierie Valbruna Bolzano, Italy). .

Fig.10 - Abrasive cut-off machine, type TS 16 L, for hot cutting of rails in rail rolling mill, for crop cutting of rails (voestalpine Rail Technology, Donawitz, Austria).

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 85

Attualità industriale - Industry news

Traditionally, friction saws have been used for the hot

abrasive cutting, however, were recognized.

nology, however, a technology leader in rail production,

more than one year and the customer is highly satisfied.

cutting of rails in rolling mills. voestalpine Rail Tech-

Meanwhile, this cut-off machine has been in operation for

decided to try abrasive cutting instead and - at first -

With one cutting wheel having a starting diameter of 1 600

provisionally modified their saw into an abrasive cut off

mm, 2 500 – 3 000 cuts can be reached – a drastic reduction

machine themselves. The cutting results with an abrasive

of cutting costs compared to before.

wheel were much better compared to a metallic friction saw blade - but not as high as expected. The advantages of

ABRASIVE CUTTING OF BARS OR SECTIONS IN LAYERS

Fig.11 - Abrasive cut-off machine, type TS 16 W, for hot cutting of heavy bars (Acciaierie Valbruna Bolzano, Italy). .

After the last rolling pass, the rolled bars or sections already

layers of bars or sections.

long when they are transferred onto the cooling bed. All

Especially for this application, it is imperative to achieve

have the final shape. The work pieces are usually still quite what has been left after passing the cooling bed is to cut

the bars or sections in warm condition to their final lengths

before bundling. To meet the throughput requirements of the mill - despite the already relatively small material cross sections -, the products are cut in wider layers by means of

traverse cutting. Depending on the actual sizes of the work

pieces, typical cutting wheel diameters are between 800 and 1 600 mm.

For the horizontal cutting motion, the traverse cut-off machine comprises a linear-guided travel slide. On this

slide, the cutting rocker is mounted. The actual cutting

infeed is performed by the horizontal slide. The purpose of

a good quality of the cut surface. If the cutting quality is

insufficient, as it is mostly the case with a shear, the bar ends must be trimmed or cut once again with a separate

cutting facility (a band saw for commercial material grades or an abrasive cut-off machine for more special materials,

respectively for a wide range of material grades) at a later stage - either by the steel mill or by its customers.

Due to this fact, more and more steel mills have chosen to

install traverse abrasive cut-off machines even in existing rolling mills - either in addition to an existing shear or to replace a shear

the rocker is the adjustment of its tilting angle in accordance with the diameter of the cutting wheel getting smaller after

each cut, as well as the upswing of the cutting wheel once the traverse cut has been completed so that the travel slide

can return to its starting position without blocking the layer of bars or sections on the roller table. Machine type F represents the typical design of a traverse abrasive cut-off

machine. It allows the cutting of up to abt. 1 300 mm wide

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 86

Industry news - Attualità industriale

Fig.12 - Traverse cut-off machine, type TS 16 F

for warm cutting of bars in layers (SIDENOR Basauri, Spain).

ABRASIVE CUTTING OF EXTRA WIDE LAYERS OF

the rocker is moved overhead, in linear guides mounted

PLATES OR SHEETS)

This design avoids that the rocker protrudes too wide (as

BARS OR SECTIONS (AS WELL AS WIDE SLABS,

For cutting extra wide layers of bars or sections (over abt. 1 300 mm), a gantry-type traverse abrasive cut-off machine, type FP is the right solution. The horizontal travel slide with

onto a sturdy gantry structure.

it would be the case with the “standard” traverse abrasive cut-off machine, type F, if the layer with exceeded abt. 1 300 mm) and ensures a stable, accurate horizontal cut.

Fig.13 - Principle of BRAUN gantry-type traverse abrasive cut-off machine, type FP.

Fig.14 - Gantry-type traverse abrasive cut-off machines, type TS 12 FP,

for warm cutting of up to 1600 mm wide layers of bars (SHIGANG, Shijiazhuang, China).

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 87

Attualità industriale - Industry news The same machine type FP can also be used for cutting wide slabs, plates or sheets. The first installation of this

kind was done at BÖHLER Bleche, Austria. As part of an overall modernization project of their plate mill, they were

searching for a cutting technology that should replace

the existing shear. This shear was causing problems and was also not able any more to meet the increased quality

requirements. Already cut ends had to be trim cut again in cold condition by means of bandsaws in the plate

conditioning shop. The task was to eliminate this additional manipulation of the plates and to cut the overall production

they decided in favour of the abrasive cutting technology.

The gantry-type traverse abrasive cut-off machine, type TS 12 FP supplied by BRAUN is designed for the cutting of

up to 2 300 mm wide hot-rolled plates and sheets in hot condition. Additionally, cold slabs are also cut with this

machine into shorter pieces – for this purpose, the cut-off machine had to be equipped with a specifically designed material clamping device with individually actuated, self-

adjusting clamping elements, for safely clamping the slabs despite their slightly rounded surfaces.

costs. After a comparison of all viable cutting methods,

Fig.15 - Gantry-type traverse abrasive cut-off machine, type TS 12 FP,

for hot cutting of plates and sheets as well as cold cutting of slabs (BÖHLER Bleche, Austria).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS ON MACHINE DESIGN

existing rolling mills and to improve product quality and

art technology for a wide range of cutting applica-tions in

To achieve optimum results, however, it is essential that the

As described above, abrasive cutting is the state-of-thehot rolling mills, both for cutting of long and flat products.

Abrasive cut-off machines are also an ideal tool to upgrade

mill performance.

abrasive cut-off machine utilized for a specific application is properly designed.

Fig.16 -The “cutting system” (courtesy of Tyrolit).

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 88

Industry news - Attualità industriale The abrasive cut-off machine is one of BRAUN’s main products. Therefore, it enjoys an extremely high priority

within BRAUN’s company policy. Thanks to more than 55

years’ experience, ongoing research, and development,

as well as a close collaboration with the leading of cutting wheel manufacturers, BRAUN has been able to establish an

extensive know how for being in the position to offer stateof-the-art machine designs to the customers, perfectly tuned to their specific applications.

CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK

Due to the increasingly competitive market environment, the steel mills will remain under consistent pres-sure to

further improve their production facilities. Even though the various cutting processes at different stages during rolling

operations are still widely regarded as minor processes,

it has become evident that cutting does indeed have a

substantial impact on the performance of the mill, on the quality of the final products and on the overall production costs.

Fig.17 -Pre-assembly and functional test of cut-off machines prior to shipment.

Nowadays, most of the modern hot rolling mills are equipped with abrasive cut-off machines from the very

beginning. During recent years, more and more abrasive cut-off machines have also been retrofitted to existing

rolling mills. Due to the many advantages of the abrasive

methods (as described in the above paper), this trend will continue. In particular the imple-mentation of an abrasive cut-off machine in an existing mill, however, does require specialist know how.

cutting technology versus other, conven-tional cutting

TORNA ALL'INDICE >

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 89

Organised by

MI- 27-30 LA - MAY NO 2024 International ForgeMasters Meeting

Call for papers

AIM and Federacciai proudly announce that the 22nd International ForgeMasters Meeting will be held in Italy in 2024.

The Conference will be enhanced by an Exhibition at which companies will have the opportunity to inform all delegates of their latest developments. The detailed exhibiting and sponsorship packages will be available on the IFM 2024 website in the following months.

In the meantime, companies interested in taking part in the Exhibition or sponsoring the event may contact:

Save the date!

The appointment will be in Milan on 27-30 May 2024.

All involved in and interested in the area of open die forging are warmly invited to attend.

At IFM 2024 the most important and current issues affecting the sector will be discussed. Experts in the fields of greatest interest will be attending and addressing such issues.

IFM is a unique forum to meet researchers, skilled technicians and decision makers; in other words IFM 2024 is an unmissable event for the forging industry!

Prospective authors wishing to present papers are invited to submit a tentative title and an abstract of about 400 words (in English), specifying a maximum of two topics for each proposal, to the Organising Secretariat.

Visit website

www.ifm2024.org to submit your abstract.

Deadline Submission of abstracts: 30 June 2023 Information on acceptance: 13 October 2023 Submission of full papers and speakers registration: 15 December 2023

Exhibition & sponsorship opportunities

e-mail: commerciale@siderweb.com tel. +39 030 2540006

Organising secretariat Via Filippo Turati 8 - Milan - Italy t. +39 0276021132 or +39 0276397770 aim@aimnet.it - www.aimnet.it

AIM's companies - Le aziende di AIM

Le aziende di AIM Cari Associati, Il nostro sforzo di migliorare la Rivista ci porterà nel 2023 alcune sorprese, di cui la prima già nel numero di gennaio.

D’intesa con il Presidente AIM Silvano Panza diamo oggi il via ad una nuova rubrica scritta a rotazione dai Soci Benemeriti AIM. I Soci benemeriti sono una ventina, e ne potete trovare la lista aggiornata

sul sito web dell’associazione (https://www.aimnet.it/soci-benemeriti.

php): si tratta di aziende particolarmente sensibili alle tematiche me-

tallurgiche, disposte a sostenere i principi dell’Associazione italiana di Metallurgia, ente culturale senza fini di lucro "mirato alla diffusione della scienza e della tecnologia dei materiali metallici ed altri materiali per l' ingegneria”.

Si tratta di aziende di primario livello che hanno al loro interno le più svariate competenze. Abbiamo pertanto richiesto loro di scrivere qualche pagina lasciando la più ampia scelta circa le tematiche da trattare (situazione aziendale, argomenti del momento, criticità, sviluppi, unicità delle aziende, impianti innovativi ecc...) per avere il loro parere sul tema scelto o per consentire di mettere in evidenza temi che possono risultare utili anche ad altre realtà aziendali.

Cominciamo su questo numero con un interessante articolo di Tenaris Dalmine che tratta del sempre complesso tema degli scambi di prodotti siderurgici tra Europa e USA. Buona lettura Il direttore de La Metallurgia Italiana Mario Cusolito

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 91

AIM's companies - Le aziende di AIM

Paolo CATTANEO Tenaris Dalmine

Competition and access to markets Senior Manager – Europe

Le politiche commerciali e industriali nella siderurgia tra Europa e Stati Uniti Introduzione

preponderante nello sviluppo del

GATT nel 1949, mentre Italia e Ger-

Per tutto il XX secolo – e in partico-

PIL mondiale degli ultimi 20 anni di

mania Occidentale aderirono al GATT

lare a partire dalla fine della Seconda

settori quali l’energia, l’elettronica

rispettivamente nel 1950 e 1951.

Guerra Mondiale - il Commercio

e i servizi, la siderurgia costituisce

Lo scopo era di dotare la Comunità

Internazionale è stato un motore

ancora oggi un elemento rilevan-

Internazionale di una base giuridica

fondamentale di sviluppo dell’eco-

te dell’agenda politica nazionale e

su cui operare per promuovere il

nomia e di prosperità per tutti i Paesi

internazionale, che, attraverso le sue

Commercio Internazionale, attra-

che hanno adottato questa politica,

scelte, oscillanti tra libero mercato e

verso la riduzione o l’eliminazione

registrando un sensibile aumento

protezionismo, è in grado di produr-

di tariffe/dazi e delle altre barriere

del proprio reddito. Per decenni la

re ricadute rilevanti nelle economie

non tariffarie (standard di prodotto,

comunità internazionale ha ritenu-

nazionali.

certificazioni, “made in”, ecc.), che ne ostacolavano la crescita.

to che l’integrazione di un numero sempre più elevato di Paesi nell’e-

In questo articolo vogliamo dare uno

conomia mondiale costituisse un

sguardo agli elementi che hanno

World Trade Organization (WTO)

potente sistema di redistribuzione

caratterizzato la relazione tra Europa

Il GATT rimase in vigore sino al 1995,

della ricchezza. Dal 1950 il ad oggi, il

e Stati Uniti nell’ambito delle politi-

quando nacque il suo successore, il

Commercio Internazionale è cresciu-

che commerciali ed industriali nella

World Trade Organization (WTO)

to circa 3 volte in più rispetto al PIL

siderurgia. A tal proposito è utile una

siglato a Marrakesh da 123 Nazioni,

mondiale.

breve contestualizzazione storica,

sempre con lo scopo di promuovere

per capire con quali tempi e moda-

il commercio attraverso l’abbatti-

La siderurgia, fin dalla sua repentina

lità, sin dal secondo dopoguerra, le

mento delle barriere. Per dare un

crescita a dimensione industriale, av-

Nazioni abbiano cercato di dotarsi di

ordine di grandezza, nel 1947 livello

venuta nel XVIII secolo in Inghilterra

strumenti comuni, regole e sanzioni,

medio di tariffe (dazi che gravavano

e Germania (Prussia), è da tutti gli

per gestire il Commercio Internazio-

sull’importatore dei beni provenienti

studiosi indicata come uno dei prin-

nale.

dall’estero) imposte tra i 23 Paesi che aderivano al GATT era del 22%,

cipali – se non il principale - pilastri della crescita economica in Occiden-

General Agreement on Tariffs and

mentre nel 1999 crolla al 5% tra ben

te. La combinazione di Commercio

Trade (GATT)

123 Nazioni.

Internazionale e siderurgia ha inevi-

Nel 1947 fu stipulato a Ginevra il

tabilmente portato i due elementi ad

General Agreement on Tariffs and

L’industria siderurgica americana e

essere al centro di dispute interna-

Trade (GATT) da 23 Nazioni, fra cui

le barriere anti-dumping

zionali e transnazionali a partire dagli

Stati Uniti, Cina, UK, Francia, Austra-

L’industria siderurgica U.S.A. è strut-

anni ’70 fino ai giorni nostri.

lia, Brasile ma non Germania, Italia e

turalmente debole perché non ha

Nonostante il ruolo sempre più

Unione Sovietica. La Cina lascerà il

mai investito sull’export: non a caso

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 92

AIM's companies - Le aziende di AIM si fa fatica a ricordare aziende ameri-

locale, attaccata e indebolita dall’im-

come quelle di numerosi economisti

cane in grado di competere su scala

port indiscriminato. Già nel 1983,

e studiosi, tutti critici per la viola-

globale. L’acciaio U.S.A. sopravvive

il presidente Reagan aveva intro-

zione rispetto al principio del libero

grazie al mercato locale, l’export non

dotto tariffe sui prodotti siderurgici

mercato, fanno il resto e così Bush,

è significativo e la politica ne difende

che restarono in vigore per 4 anni.

nel dicembre del 2003, ritira la legge.

l’esistenza. Al contrario, i produttori

L’assenza di strumenti forti nel GATT

Il dibattito in U.S.A. non è di poco

europei, pur passando attraverso

e il peso egemonico degli U.S.A. in

conto: i sostenitori della linea prote-

drammatiche ristrutturazioni, conti-

quegli anni impedirono ogni reazio-

zionistica non mancano, soprattutto

nuano ad investire e ad espandersi,

ne a livello internazionale.

in Stati chiave come Pennsylvania,

individuando anche nel mercato

Ohio and West Virginia e, come ve-

U.S.A. uno sbocco importante della

Ma fu un altro presidente Repubbli-

dremo, qualche anno dopo torneran-

propria produzione.

cano, George Bush, che introdusse

no a farsi sentire.

nel marzo del 2002 delle tariffe che Sin dagli anni ’80, l’industria side-

si applicavano indiscriminatamente

Il percorso di consolidamento al

rurgica U.S.A. è sopravvissuta grazie

a tutti i prodotti siderurgici impor-

ribasso dell’industria siderurgica

alla dimensione e alla ricchezza del

tati da tutti i Paesi ad eccezione

U.S.A. prosegue dopo il 2003: alle

mercato interno, combinata con

di Messico e Canada, membri del

varie crisi che si susseguono, cor-

strumenti di protezione che limita-

NAFTA (North American Free Trade

rispondono chiusure di aziende e

vano l’accesso al mercato locale ai

Agreement). La fiducia dell’Unione

quelle che sopravvivono ne escono

produttori stranieri. Lo strumento

Europea nell’Organo Internazio-

indebolite. Il mercato U.S.A. richiede

più noto è il dazio anti-dumping,

nale (WTO) deputato a risolvere le

prodotti, in quantità e qualità, che i

che punisce produttori che pratica-

dispute in ambito commerciale porta

produttori locali non sono in grado

no politiche di esportazione molto

gli stati membri a valutare misure ri-

di fornire; l’import è sempre più indi-

aggressive, per ottenere quote di

torsive nei confronti degli Stati Uniti

spensabile e ne traggono vantaggio

mercato grazie a prezzi molto bassi.

che mai vengono poste realmente in

non solo Paesi di consolidata espe-

L’anti-dumping è riconosciuto dal

essere, per ragioni di puro calcolo

rienza siderurgica come Germania,

WTO, ma negli U.S.A. la sua legittima

di convenienza. Infatti, nonostante

Italia, Spagna, Francia, Giappone e

applicazione è stata probabilmen-

l’export di acciaio in U.S.A. abbia un

Corea del Sud, ma altri nuovi attori

te abusata: da sempre infatti negli

peso rilevante per il settore siderur-

del mercato internazionale quali

U.S.A. vengono imposti dazi mol-

gico europeo (tra il 5% e il 7%), la

Cina, Brasile, Indonesia e Vietnam

to più elevati rispetto ad altre aree

sua incidenza sul volume comples-

trovano negli U.S.A. spazi di crescita

omogenee, quali Unione Europea o

sivo di esportazioni verso gli U.S.A.

importanti.

Giappone, arrivando a fare dello stru-

è molto limitata (circa l’1%): una

mento un elemento di vero protezio-

guerra commerciale non conviene

Nel 2018 il Presidente Trump, auto-

nismo e non di difesa.

alla UE. Ciononostante, la decisione

definendosi più protezionistico di

di Bush di imporre dazi fino al 30%

Reagan e Bush, in linea con uno dei

A partire dai primi anni 2000, il con-

sull’import di acciaio ha vita breve. La

suo slogan “America first”, proclama

cetto di free trade inizia a vacillare

presa di posizione del WTO, chiama-

l’introduzione di tariffe del 25% per

e, mentre l’Unione Europea rimane

to a legittimare la decisione U.S.A. è

l’importazione di acciaio da tutte

coerente agli obiettivi del WTO, gli

chiara: non sussistono i presupposti

le provenienze, escluse ovviamen-

U.S.A., fronteggiando una delle nu-

per tale decisione, quindi i dazi sono

te Canada e Messico, a protezione

merose crisi del settore siderurgico,

in violazione delle regole internazio-

dell’industria locale. L’obiettivo di

ritengono necessario un intervento

nali. Le diverse posizioni interne allo

Trump è che l’industria americana

politico per proteggere l’industria

stesso partito Repubblicano, così

recuperi competitività grazie alle

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 93

AIM's companies - Le aziende di AIM tariffe protezionistiche imposte ai

diretti e indiretti all’industria europea

“one to one” con Argentina, Brasile

produttori stranieri e in parte questo

e ai lavoratori del settore. Non solo

e Corea del Sud, ma sostanzialmente

avviene: a fronte della garanzia politi-

per la siderurgia europea sarà più

la situazione rimane cristallizzata fino

ca che le misure rimarranno in vigore

difficile esportare in U.S.A., ma altri

alla fine del 2021. Il cambio di Am-

per anni, le aziende U.S.A. lanciano

Paesi esportatori, perdendo volumi

ministrazione in U.S.A. apre qualche

imponenti piani di investimenti per

di export verso gli U.S.A., saran-

spiraglio politico e quindi negoziale

rinnovare gli impianti e non raramen-

no interessati a deviare le proprie

che, verso fine 2021, si concretizza in

te installando nuove capacità.

esportazioni verso il mercato aperto

un accordo tra U.S.A. e UE che rende

ed attrattivo dell’Europa che rischia

esenti circa 3,3 milioni di tonnellate

Per evitare il rischio che il WTO si

di essere “sommersa” dall’acciaio

di export UE verso gli U.S.A.. L’ac-

esprima nuovamente contro que-

proveniente dall’estero. Nell’arco di

cordo è sostanzialmente identico a

sta decisione, Trump si appella alla

circa 6 mesi, L’UE propone e approva

quello che 3 anni prima la UE aveva

Sezione 232 del Trade Expansion Act

uno strumento definito di “Salva-

rifiutato di discutere con l’Ammi-

del 1964, che consente di imporre

guardia”, che dal gennaio 2019 asse-

nistrazione Trump. Dal punto di

dazi sulle merci importate in quantità

gna delle quote massime di prodotti

vista commerciale non è un grande

tali da compromettere la sicurezza

che ciascun Paese potrà importare

successo, in quanto le 3,3 milioni di

nazionale. Si tratta chiaramente di

in UE senza alcun vincolo. Una volta

tonnellate costituiscono poco più

una forzatura legale, che però spiaz-

raggiunto il massimale scatta una

del 70% di quanto la UE esportava

za tutti: è l’inizio di una vera e propria

tariffa del 25%. Si tratta di una misura

prima del 2018. Il significato politico

guerra commerciale, che Trump sca-

molto più sfumata di quella U.S.A.

è certamente più rilevante: l’Europa

tena contro tutti i Paesi “antagonisti”

(che applica indiscriminatamente

torna a trattare con gli U.S.A. e per

ma anche contro quelli politicamente

una tariffa del 25%) e che permette

il futuro si auspicano decisioni più

vicini. Il vero obiettivo è la Cina (non

quindi a ciascun Paese esportatore di

concordate e meno aggressive verso

solo per la siderurgia), ma la difesa

mantenere una quota di export gra-

la UE, non solo nel settore Siderur-

a oltranza dell’industria siderurgica

tuita pari alla media degli ultimi anni.

gico.

locale rimane un obiettivo fondante

Una decisione di compromesso che

della legge.

cerca di mantenere fede al principio

Sviluppi delle ultime settimane del

del libero mercato, ma che non può

2022

L’Europa, ritenendo ingiustificata e

fare a meno di prendere atto della

1. Il WTO ha finalmente deliberato

unilaterale la decisione di Trump,

mossa protezionistica degli U.S.A..

in merito alla decisione di Trump

questa volta reagisce rapidamen-

Complessivamente l’impatto per il

del 2018 di avvalersi della clausola di

te, sia pure con un’azione non così

settore siderurgico Europeo non è

sicurezza nazionale per introdurre

impattante, e rifiuta di sedersi al

drammatico, in quanto il mercato

tariffe del 25%: la decisione non era

tavolo per negoziare condizioni

U.S.A. continua a dipendere dalle im-

legittima in quanto mancavano i pre-

speciali, quali quote di esportazioni

portazioni di acciaio, sia pure a prezzi

supposti (il WTO afferma che la sicu-

esenti oppure un dazio ridotto, ma

più elevati e in volumi più contenuti.

rezza nazionale può essere invocata

valuta una serie di azioni ritorsive

Contestualmente la “Salvaguardia”

solo in caso di guerra). Gli U.S.A., per

contro gli U.S.A. su altri prodotti e

impedisce che il mercato Europeo

ora, non accettano il giudizio e non

un’azione specifica per difendere il

venga invaso dall’ export dei Paesi

intendono rispettare il suggerimento

proprio mercato e l’Industria euro-

terzi che non può accedere al merca-

del WTO che prevede l’eliminazione

pea dell’acciaio. Le tariffe del 25%

to U.S.A..

immediata delle tariffe del 25%.

creano infatti forti distorsioni nel

2. La UE ha approvato la cosiddetta

Commercio Internazionale siderur-

Nei tre anni successivi a questa

Carbon Tax Europea (CBAM) che sarà

gico e gli effetti determinano danni

legge, gli U.S.A. negoziano soluzioni

applicata a partire dal 2026. Si tratta

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 94

AIM's companies - Le aziende di AIM di un’imposta concepita per pro-

Questa decisione sta allarmando

mercio dei prodotti siderurgici tra le

teggere l’industria Europea (acciaio,

l’Europa e richiederà una complessa

Nazioni aderenti e il coordinamento

alluminio, cemento, fertilizzanti) in

discussione con gli U.S.A. per evitare

delle azioni di difesa commerciale

fase di decarbonizzazione da quei

che un flusso gigantesco di investi-

verso quei Paesi che non implemen-

competitor esterni che non sono

menti, anche di aziende Europee,

tano, con tempistiche urgenti, gli in-

soggetti ai rigidi e onerosi obiettivi

si trasferisca nel medio termine in

terventi volti alla decarbonizzazione,

climatici dell’Unione Europea. La

U.S.A. rallentando inevitabilmente la

in primis Cina ed India. Un percorso

tassa graverà quindi su tutti i prodotti

transizione energetica nel Vecchio

complesso e dall’esito incerto, che

importati dai Paesi terzi che non si

Continente e spostando da Europa a

dovrà conciliare le diverse tecnolo-

saranno dotati di una politica simile a

U.S.A. la produzione di beni e servizi

gie con cui si produce l’acciaio e le

quella Europea.

collegati.

diverse tempistiche con cui i singoli

3. L’amministrazione Biden ha

Stati avanzano nel processo di decar-

approvato un imponente piano di

La transizione energetica collegata

bonizzazione. Certamente un tentati-

investimenti, il cosiddetto Inflation

alla siderurgia è entrata nella di-

vo di trovare comportamenti comuni

Reduction Act (IRA). Si tratta di un

scussione del Commercio Interna-

e riconoscersi come Paesi partner e

pacchetto di 391 miliardi di dolla-

zionale

non come concorrenti, quantomeno

ri che, da gennaio 2023, agevolerà

U.S.A. e UE stanno discutendo di una

nell’ambito della transizione energe-

imprese e famiglie nella transizione

partnership (probabilmente insieme

tica del settore siderurgico.

green. Un volume di sussidi senza

a Canada, Giappone e pochi altri)

precedenti per convincere le im-

dedicata alla riduzione della CO2 nel

prese a tornare a investire negli Stati

settore dell’acciaio. Gli obiettivi sono

Uniti e a “comprare americano”.

l’azzeramento delle tariffe nel com-

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 95

Scenari - Expert's Corner

Il principio di materialità nel reporting di sostenibilità

La crescente richiesta di informazioni legate alle

la materialità è stata quasi sempre interpretata come

tematiche sociali ed ambientali, in aggiunta ai

una soglia numerica, molto spesso calcolata come

dati economico finanziari contenuti nei bilanci di

percentuale sui ricavi, per comprendere se un errore

esercizio, pone le aziende di fronte alla necessità di

o un’omissione nei dati di bilancio avrebbe potuto

comprendere quali siano gli aspetti da comunicare.

influenzare la decisione di un investitore.

Infatti, al fine di rendere ciò che si comunica

Questo approccio alla materialità ha ora bisogno

credibile e di valore, la predisposizione del reporting

di aggiornarsi in quanto il panorama generale si

ESG (ambientale, sociale e di governance) dovrà

sta modificando. Negli ultimi anni la maturata

includere i temi che sono rilevanti o “materiali” per

consapevolezza che gli aspetti ambientali e sociali

l’organizzazione e non ci si potrà limitare ad un mero

influenzano il valore e la capacità presente e futura di

e semplice elenco dei dati ESG storici presenti in

un’organizzazione di creare valore per sé stessa, le sue

azienda.

persone, i suoi clienti, fornitori e la società in generale

È proprio in questo contesto che si inserisce il

ha portato un crescente interesse nel comprendere

principio di materialità che, nella sua definizione più

come le aziende si comportano in riferimento a tutti

semplice, è il principio secondo il quale il reporting

i temi ESG. Questo interesse è stato accompagnato

di sostenibilità dovrà contenere tutte le informazioni

da una forte richiesta per la comunicazione di risultati

che possano influenzare i processi e le decisioni degli

non-finanziari che vadano ad intercettare tutti i temi

stakeholder di un’organizzazione.

che potrebbero avere un impatto significativo per una

Storicamente il concetto di materialità è stato

serie di diversi stakeholder aziendali.

strettamente

economico

Per rispondere a queste esigenze di comunicazione

finanziari e considerando solo gli interessi degli

sono stati sviluppati diversi framework di riferimento

investitori di un’azienda (shareholder). In tal contesto,

che le aziende utilizzano per comprendere le questioni

connesso

ai

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

soli

dati

pagina 96

Experts’ Corner - Scenari

chiave su cui impostare l’analisi di materialità. Va però

In ogni approccio il primo passo per condurre un’analisi

detto che ciascuno di questi framework ha un suo scopo,

di materialità è quello di identificare gli stakeholders che

una sua platea e conseguentemente un’articolazione del

si vogliono coinvolgere e suddividere questi in interni ed

concetto di materialità differente.

esterni. Va specificato che non esiste alcuna regola che

Il Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) ad oggi considerato

indica chi sono gli stakeholder da coinvolgere, ma è la

come il principale e più diffuso standard per la

stessa organizzazione che dovrà comprendere quali sono

comunicazione integrata di dati economici, sociali ed

i soggetti da includere.

ambientali afferma che il report deve includere tutte

Il

le “tematiche economiche, sociali ed ambientali che

engagement” ossia il coinvolgimento degli stakeholder

significativamente impattano o che influenzano il giudizio

nell’identificazione

e le decisioni di uno stakeholder”.

materiali per l’organizzazione. Il loro coinvolgimento

Differente definizione viene invece data dall’ International

può avvenire attraverso interviste dirette, sondaggi e

Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC), che definisce un

questionari o altre forme. Alcune organizzazioni per

problema rilevante se questo può influire in modo

identificare i temi materiali combinano il risultato dello

sostanziale sulla capacità dell’organizzazione di creare

stakeholder engagement con le tematiche materiali

valore nel breve, medio e lungo termine.

suggerite all’interno del settore in cui operano e dai

Infine, l’AA1000, che sancisce gli Accountability Principles

rilevanti framework di riferimento come il sopracitato GRI

Standards stabilendo degli standard specifici del settore

o i 17 Sustainable Development Goals definiti dall’ONU.

per la divulgazione della sostenibilità aziendale, definisce

La lista di tematiche emersa deve poi essere rifinita,

come materiale un tema che può influenzare decisioni,

valorizzata e valutata per identificarne la significatività per

azioni e performance di un’organizzazione o dei suoi

l’organizzazione sia in termini di importanza sia in termini

stakeholder.

di probabilità di accadimento.

passo

successivo e

è

quello

nel

dello

prioritizzare

“stakeholder le

tematiche

Molto spesso per rappresentare i risultati del processo

L'autore, Luca Mion, presenterà i contenuti dell'articolo il 23 febbraio dalle ore 14:30 alle 15:30 in occasione di un webinar aperto a tutti, previa registrazione.

Per partecipare: www.aimnet.it

di analisi della materialità si fa affidamento ad una matrice di materialità su cui rappresentare le tematiche emerse utilizzando come assi “importanza per gli stakeholder” e “significatività del loro impatto” oppure rifacendosi a quali sono i temi “material” tra i 17 temi elencati dal sustainable development goal definiti prioritari per l’organizzazione.

I temi emersi dall’analisi di materialità e rappresentati

Come appena visto le definizioni di materialità, soprattutto

nel reporting integrato saranno quelli prioritari per

quando si parla di temi di sostenibilità, sono differenti tra

l’organizzazione

loro pur assomigliandosi per molti aspetti, ma il vero e

monitoraggio e controllo dell’azienda.

concreto problema per un’organizzazione è quello di

Osservare

capire come identificare i temi materiali.

fondamentale, in quanto il suo scopo principale è proprio

Per rispondere a questo quesito va dapprima chiarito

quello di fornire un’immagine completa all’interno e

come non esista un modello scientifico o matematico

all’esterno dell’azienda di quali sono gli impatti che

per identificare i temi materiali e come questi non siano

l’organizzazione esercita sull’ambiente e sulla società.

il

su

cui

principio

ci

si

della

aspetta

un

materialità

costante è

quindi

costanti ma possano variare nel tempo. Proprio per quest’ultima ragione il processo scelto andrà comunque ripetuto nel tempo per verificarne i risultati.

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

Luca Mion

pagina 97

Scenari - Expert's Corner

12th International Rolling Conference Trieste, Italy

Interview with Rolando Paolone, CEO Danieli & CTO Danieli Group

After almost 10 years the International Rolling

Also, the organizer of the event is AIM, the Italian

Conference returned to Italy, where Danieli is based

Association of Metallurgy, and so it is a source of

and from which it started a global crusade to provide

pride for Danieli to support this year’s edition of the

technology and machinery for steel and nonferrous

conference.

metal producing.

So, it is not surprising that Danieli chose to be the

2. What technologies and innovations did Danieli

primary sponsor of the Rolling-12 and to support us

present during this conference?

in sharing knowledge and perspectives on the rolling

This event is organized as a “vertical” discussion, in

process and technologies.

the sense that we are talking specifically about rolling,

And who would be better to discuss technology than

and therefore we have presented the audience with

Rolando Paolone, the CEO of Danieli and CTO of

everything Danieli offers in the field of long and flat

Danieli Group?

products rolling.

We interviewed Mr. Paolone at the Stazione Marittima in Trieste, where our conference was held, and here’s what he told us.

3. What are the conventional technologies in the rolling process, and what are the new trends that are conquering the market?

1. What prompted Danieli to sponsor the 12th

As regards long products, large amounts of rebars are

International ROLLING Conference?

produced across the world, and this is done by using

The Rolling conference is organized to draw attendees

conventional technologies, which means a rolling

from around the world, to involve all stakeholders in

mill where billets are rolled after being reheated in a

the sector.

reheating furnace.

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 98

Experts’ Corner - Scenari Compared to this technology, which has been used over

predictability, which means digitalizing the steelmaking

the last decade and more, Danieli is proposing a new

operations. Therefore, ‘virtual’ rolling, to simplify the

technology that is entirely innovative and, besides being

process planning and anticipate shape characteristics in

excellent from the point of view of production cost-

case of long products, or mechanical properties of flat

competitiveness, it is also very good with regard to green

products.

production.

Basically, the steel sheet remains a steel sheet, but with

We are talking, for example, about the MIDA endless

different mechanical properties according to different

casting-rolling process.

applications.

This is one of those technologies, let's say a rolling line, that may be defined as traditional b that, however, brings

5. What answers is Danieli providing to customers

amazing advantages for productivity.

transitioning to sustainable rolling?

Also, the Q-ONE system, which you will surely have

It’s necessary to guarantee profitability to our customers,

heard of recently, completes this line and therefore, let’s

and so we introduce them to the solutions that improve

say turns the installation into a rolling mill complete with

competitiveness,

entry section.

production costs -especially production costs! - while

The use of Q-ONE, from the point of view of emission

maintaining a high level of profitability.

reduction, absolutely improves the plant performance

And if these technologies are also green, well, bingo!

compared to a conventional rolling mill.

We’ve come full circle!

which

ultimately

means

reducing

I’d say that, for various reasons, Danieli started many 4. What are the main challenges in steel rolling now,

years ago to try to evolve towards precisely a reduction in

and how can Danieli help plant operators to overcome

production costs and today this evolution is considered

these challenges?

an advantage in terms of sustainability, in the sense that

Our customers feel the need to advance their products

consuming less resources and energy, also results in less

according to market requirements, and this is true for

emissions.

both long and flat products.

And so, this is an interesting subject to propose to our

While the rebar product maintains its features that just

customers. Moreover, during this event, moving away

need to conform to specific requirements, the steel

a little from the verticality of the event itself, we have

section market is changing and there are different

presented the Danieli green technologies and the green

standards to follow: the European market differs from Asia

approach, a model for the steelmaking sector.

or America, etc.

And I’d add that I saw here a very attentive audience who

How do we help our customers as their needs evolve?

seemed very interested in the subjects we discussed.

The great support we can provide today is digital

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 99

Atti e notizie - AIM news

12th International ROLLING Conference La dodicesima conferenza internazionale IRC 12 si è tenuta a Trieste dal 26 al 28 ottobre 2022.

Hanno partecipato 375 persone dei quali circa 30 hanno assistito in videoconferenza. Sono stati presentati 115 lavori.

Vale la pena ricordare che le nuove tecnologie, come l’endless rolling (Arvedi ESP in collaborazione con Primetals), arrivano ad avere uno spessore minimo in cui i prodotti raggiungono le aree dei laminati a freddo (BQ di 0,6 mm di spessore del coil, in larghezza standard).

L'attenzione è stata rivolta anche ai modelli matematici e alle simulazioni di processo.

Il tempo di presentazione è stato limitato a 20 minuti per ciascun relatore, in modo da poter accogliere le numerose relazioni in due sole sessioni, fatta eccezione per il pomeriggio del giorno centrale che ha visto una terza sessione parallela. Lavorare in solo due sessioni ha consentito ai relatori di presentare il proprio lavoro davanti a un pubblico sempre molto nutrito.

Uno degli highlight delle sessioni tecniche è stata la presentazione da remoto di Vladimir Ginzburg - uno dei pionieri della tecnologia di laminazione e della letteratura - che ha già 87 anni.

Trieste, uno dei porti asburgici (fino al 1914), ha mostrato il suo lato migliore, con edifici e siti di interesse culturale riportati al loro splendore originale. Il fascino delle strade e delle piazze, l'eleganza delle vetrine dei negozi, i ristoranti hanno offerto un’ottima cornice al Rolling-12.

Apice del Convegno è stata la serata di gala organizzata da AIM e dal main sponsor Danieli al Teatro Giuseppe Verdi, dove i partecipanti hanno assistito a un’emozionate concerto proposto da un'orchestra sinfonica e un coro al completo e a seguire un cocktail offerto nei bellissimi spazi del teatro.

Il prossimo evento, l'IRC 13, si terrà negli Stati Uniti nel 2025

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 100

Atti e notizie - AIM news

Eventi AIM / AIM events

CONVEGNI ECHT 2023 EUROPEAN CONFERENCE HEAT TREATMENT & SURFACE ENGINEERING – Genova, 29-31 maggio 2023 XV GIORNATE NAZIONALI CORROSIONE E PROTEZIONE - Torino, 5-7 luglio 2023 http://www.aimnet.it/gncorrosione/

International Meeting EAF: PRODUCTIVITY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, RAW MATERIALS AND DECARBONIZATION – 16-17 novembre International Workshop on HIGH STRENGTH STEELS – Bergamo, 30 novembre-1 dicembre

CORSI E GIORNATE DI STUDIO Corso CREEP – Milano, 17-18 gennaio e 15 marzo Giornata di Studio I METALLI E LO SCAMBIO TERMICO: NUOVI TREND E APPROCCI INNOVATIVI PER SCAMBIATORI DI CALORE E GESTIONE DEL CALORE – Milano, 24 gennaio Scuola di TECNICHE ELETTROCHIMICHE PER LO STUDIO DELLA CORROSIONE “CECILIA MONTICELLI” – Ferrara, 7-8-9 febbraio Giornata di Studio ASPETTI E GESTIONE DELLA NORMATIVA NEL CAMPO DEI TRATTAMENTI TERMICI – Webinar FaReTra, 9 febbraio Giornata di Studio TECNICHE DI CARATTERIZZAZIONE DEI MATERIALI – Vicenza, 23 febbraio Giornata di Studio EMERGENZA COSTI ENERGETICI: CHE FARE IN FONDERIA? – Webinar FaReTra, 24 febbraio Corso METALLURGIA DI BASE PROPEDEUTICO AI TRATTAMENTI TERMICI (TTM) – Milano, 7-8 - Webinar FaReTra, 16-17 marzo Giornata di Studio VERIFICA E MANUTENZIONE DI STRUTTURE METALLICHE STORICHE – Milano, 9 marzo Corso CREEP – Modulo AVANZATO – Milano, 15 marzo Giornata di Studio PROCESSI POST STAMPA ADDITIVA: DAL DESIGN DEL CICLO DI PRODUZIONE AL MANUFATTO – Bergamo, 19-20 aprile Corso FAILURE ANALYSIS – ibrido, 20-21-27 aprile Giornata di Studio DUPLEX E SUPERDUPLEX: FILIERA DI PRODUZIONE E NETWORKING – 18-19 maggio Giornata di Studio SVILUPPI NELLA LAMINAZIONE DI ALLUMINIO E RELATIVE APPLICAZIONI – c/o Laminazione sottile, 19 maggio Corso RIVESTIMENTI – I MODULO RIVESTIMENTI SOTTILI – 14-15 giugno Giornata di Studio SOSTENIBILITÀ NELLA PRODUZIONE DI COMPONENTI MECCANICI – 21 giugno

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

Per ulteriori informazioni rivolgersi alla Segreteria AIM, e-mail: info@aimnet.it, oppure visitare il sito internet www.aimnet.it

S2P 2023 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SEMISOLID PROCESSING OF ALLOYS AND COMPOSITES – Brescia, 6-8 settembre 2023 http://www.aimnet.it/s2p/

pagina 101

Atti e notizie - AIM news

Giornata di Studio METALLO DURO – Macugnaga, 13-15 settembre Giornata di Studio SALDATURA DELLE LEGHE LEGGERE – settembre Giornata di Studio CARATTERIZZAZIONE FUNZIONALE DI SUPERFICI MODIFICATE - novembre

www.aimnet.it

Giornata di Studio PALLINATURA E DIFFRATTOMETRIA RX – Agrate Conturbia (NO) c/o GNR, novembre

FaReTra (Fair Remote Training) - FORMAZIONE E AGGIORNAMENTO A DISTANZA Modalità Asincrona (registrazioni) Corso PROVE NON DISTRUTTIVE Giornata di Studio TRATTAMENTI SUPERFICIALI SU ALLUMINIO, A SCOPO DECORATIVO E PROTETTIVO Corso Modulare METALLOGRAFIA – I MODULO, II MODULO “METALLI NON FERROSI” Corso modulare FONDERIA PER NON FONDITORI Corso TRIBOLOGIA INDUSTRIALE – I MODULO Giornate di Studio GETTI PRESSOCOLATI PER APPLICAZIONI STRUTTURALI Corso DIFETTOLOGIA NEI GETTI PRESSOCOLATI: METALLIZZAZIONI Corso ADDITIVE METALLURGY Corso METALLURGIA PER NON METALLURGISTI Giornata di Studio PRESSOCOLATA IN ZAMA Giornata di Studio LA SFIDA DELLA NEUTRALITÀ CARBONICA Corso itinerante METALLURGIA SICURA Corso modulare TRATTAMENTI TERMICI Corso modulare I REFRATTARI E LE LORO APPLICAZIONI Corso GLI ACCIAI INOSSIDABILI 11ª edizione Corso FAILURE ANALYSIS 11a edizione Giornata di Studio PERFORMANCE E DEGRADO DEI MATERIALI METALLICI UTILIZZATI IN CAMPO EOLICO: CAPIRE PER PREVENIRE

L’elenco completo delle iniziative è disponibile sul sito: www.aimnet.it

(*) In caso non sia possibile svolgere la manifestazione in presenza, la stessa verrà erogata a distanza in modalità webinar

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

pagina 102

Atti e notizie - AIM news

Comitati tecnici / Study groups CT CONTROLLO E CARATTERIZZAZIONE PRODOTTI (CCP) (riunione telematica del 13 dicembre 2022)

Consuntivo di attività svolte •

•

GdS sulla “Microscopia elettronica applicata alla failure analysis” (Padova, 23 settembre 2022): nella precedente riunione si era constatata

la buona riuscita della manifestazione. Ora sono stati esaminate le schede di valutazione compilate dai partecipanti, che confermano la buona impressione che la GdS ha lasciato.

Corso PdD (16 e 17 novembre 2022 in modalità mista: in presenza e da remoto sincrona e asincrona con registrazioni): il corso ha avuto 23

iscritti (6 in presenza, 17 online). I questionari di valutazione ricevuti dimostrano un generale apprezzamento per il corso, ma evidenziano

le difficoltà di dialogo con i docenti, soprattutto per le persone non presenti in aula. Il coordinatore Trentini ha rilevato questo disagio che bisogna cercare di limitare nel futuro coinvolgendo di più coloro che seguono online. Trentini rileva anche che nessuno dei partecipanti è venuto a sapere del corso dai social: si decide di mettere sui social un estratto del corso per favorire la partecipazione.

Manifestazioni in corso di organizzazione •

•

Il corso di Failure Analysis (coordinatrice Valentina Ferrari) sarà strutturato presumibilmente in 4 mezze giornate (20-21- 27-28 aprile).

Era prevista una giornata in RTM Breda a Cormano con lezioni al mattino e visita al pomeriggio, ma non si potranno tenere le lezioni: si cercheranno soluzioni alternative per massimizzare le presenze alla visita.

GdS sullo stato di servizio degli impianti: viene mostrata una bozza del programma, che cerca di evitare di focalizzarsi su una sola tipologia di impianto per trovare piuttosto punti in comune tra diverse tipologie. Sono stati individuati campi trasversali (impianti a creep,

trattamento acque e trasporto di gas, impianti di sollevamento, conversione delle condizioni di esercizio del piping da metano a metano+idrogeno) dei quali si approfondiranno aspetti normativi, questioni tecniche, progettazione e tecniche di controllo in campo. Viene

nominato un comitato ristretto che si riunirà in gennaio, coinvolgendo anche il Comitato Materiali per l’Energia. Devono anche essere definiti i docenti.

Iniziative future •

È in programma il corso Analisi Chimiche.

CT PRESSOCOLATA (P)

(riunione telematica dell’11 ottobre 2022) Notizie dal Comitato •

Francesco Tonolli di FL Lab chiede di entrare a far parte del Comitato Tecnico Pressocolata; i presenti approvano.

Manifestazioni in corso di organizzazione •

GdS Emergenza costi energetici: il coordinatore Parona presenta la locandina per il webinar dedicato ai costi energetici, con cinque interventi più la tavola rotonda finale. La data proposta per febbraio è ancora da confermare. Si cerca qualche imprenditore che possa partecipare alla tavola rotonda portando anche esperienze dirette sul tema.

Iniziative future •

GdS sulla sostenibilità nelle fonderie HPDC: il presidente Parona ha preso contatto con Timelli, presidente del CT Metalli Leggeri per

•

GdS su getti strutturali legati al settore della mobilità elettrica. Parona ha avuto alcuni contatti con esito al momento negativo. Cercherà

• •

organizzare congiuntamente questa manifestazione. ulteriori strade per ottenere maggiore disponibilità.

Master itinerante di “Progettazione Stampi”: una indagine conoscitiva lanciata da AIM per sondare l’interesse per questa manifestazione ha avuto scarso successo e sarà ripetuta.

Si pensa di organizzare una GdS dei nuovi prodotti per l’elettrico (EM Housing, Junctionbox, Battery Box, ecc.)

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 103

Atti e notizie - AIM news

CT AMBIENTE E SICUREZZA (AS) (riunione ibrida del 15 dicembre 2022)

Notizie dal Comitato •

La riunione si svolge prevalentemente attorno al tema della transizione ecologica ed energetica vista dai diversi punti di vista delle azien-

•

Feralpi segnala che è stata istituita una nuova unità “Transizione ecologica ed energetica” che utilizza un approccio diverso dal passato.

de presenti. In particolare

Non si tratta più di mera rendicontazione dei progetti ma di pianificazione di attività e target, condivisione con CDA e integrazione con il piano industriale. Il progetto coinvolge tutto il gruppo Feralpi, ma si concentra sulle sedi che hanno lavorazioni a caldo. Vengono esposti

• •

i 7 indicatori strategici.

Tenaris presenta il suo approccio agli obiettivi, a cominciare dalla riduzione di CO2 complessivo. Si sottolinea l’importanza di avere dati paragonabili con quelli provenienti dall’estero.

Tenova: si mettono a confronto diversi tool per valutare il “carbon footprint”. Con metodi diversi i risultati non sono gli stessi. Ci sono ancora molti dubbi su come procedere.

Iniziative future Sicurezza •

Nel 2023 si organizzerà il corso itinerante sulla sicurezza e si cercheranno argomenti suggeriti da partecipanti ai corsi precedenti.

•

Nel 2023 si organizzerà una giornata ambientale.

Ambiente

CT TRATTAMENTI TERMICI E METALLOGRAFIA (TTM) (riunione ibrida del 19 dicembre 2022)

Notizie dal Comitato •

Alla riunione sono presenti quattro ospiti che si presentano: Alessandro Torboli di GNR; Ivan Zorzi di Quaker Houghton (responsabile

della pianificazione e organizzazione vendite), che sostituisce Daniele Piccardo che ha cambiato azienda; Alessio Musetti di Piaggio (la-

boratorio materiali), che affianca Valentina Sbrana, già membro del CT; Marco Belfi dottorando del dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica del Politecnico di Milano. Il Comitato dà parere positivo per il loro ingresso come membri permanenti.

Consuntivo di attività svolte •

•

Corso di metallografia – secondo modulo (Ferrara, ottobre 2022): si è avuta una importante partecipazione e l’indice di gradimento è stato

alto come si evince anche dai questionari ricevuti. Pellizzari aggiunge che sia la sessione in presenza (propedeutica) che quella on-line sono state seguite con attenzione. Il corso si ripeterà alla sua naturale scadenza tra tre anni.

GdS “Cementazione e nitrurazione”, tenuta in presenza presso Gefran il 6 ottobre 2022: il presidente Morgano evidenzia la location eccezionale, la elevata partecipazione, molto costruttiva dal punto di vista delle memorie e della tavola rotonda finale. Davvero strategica e risolutrice la scelta di utilizzare il vicino monastero per lo svolgimento della giornata, pur garantendo un accurato tour in fabbrica. De Sa-

rio mette in evidenza i buoni risultati anche dal punto di vista organizzativo e pone l’attenzione sulla presenza della direzione di GEFRAN

nel momento inaugurale della giornata, segno evidente dell’impegno che l’azienda ha profuso per la buona riuscita dell’evento. Buon •

feedback dei questionari di gradimento.

GdS "Dalla scelta alla realizzazione di componenti trattati termicamente: come evitare problemi tecnici e contrattuali" (30 novembre

2022 in presenza presso l’Università di Brescia): buon numero degli iscritti presenti e partecipazione attiva. Il tema trattato e gli argomenti interessanti hanno reso la tavola rotonda molto animata. La panoramica degli interventi è stata ampia e ha dato tanti spunti. Vengono esaminati i questionari di gradimento: ci sono molte proposte che il comitato si occuperà di approfondire.

Manifestazioni in corso di organizzazione •

GdS “Il Mondo Industrial - aspetti metallurgici e metodologie di controllo”: dopo parecchi rinvii per motivi pandemici la GdS comincia a

•

Seminario sulle normative: questa seconda edizione tratterà di aggiornamento ed evoluzione delle norme. La data prevista è il 9 febbraio

prendere forma. La manifestazione è prevista tra il 17 e il 20 ottobre 2023.

al mattino in modalità webinar. I dettagli saranno messi a punto nei prossimi giorni.

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

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Atti e notizie - AIM news

Iniziative future •

•

•

GdS presso Piaggio di Pontedera: a distanza di quattro anni dalla precedente manifestazione, la Piaggio di Pontedera è disponibile ad ospitare un’altra GdS con visita al museo. Sono ancora da definire i temi e i relatori (cementazione, trattamenti preliminari ecc.). La manifestazione si terrà nella primavera del 2023.

GdS su sostenibilità: Costanza Colombo di AGRATI sta organizzando questa manifestazione che avrà per tema economia sostenibile e

circolare, inquinamento, valutazione di impatto degli attuali impianti, possibili modifiche, ecc. Una possibile data è quella del 21 Giugno; la sede potrebbe essere Agrati.

Corso di metallurgia di base per i trattamenti termici: questo corso viene effettuato a rotazione ogni 3 anni, e nel 2023 sarà proposto a inizio primavera. Un comitato ristretto provvederà a preparare il programma e contattare i relatori.

CENTRO RIVESTIMENTI E TRIBOLOGIA (R) (riunione del 22 settembre 2022)

Notizie dal Comitato •

Viene presentata Chiara Soffritti, ricercatrice presso l’Università di Ferrara. I presenti accettano la sua domanda di partecipare al CT.

Consuntivo di attività svolte •

La GdS “Sfide tecnologiche nella modifica superficiale di manufatti additive” si è svolta a Milano il 22 novembre 2022. Vengono esaminati i questionari di gradimento raccolti: il corso è stato gradito dai partecipanti, con valutazioni prevalentemente tra buono e ottimo. Sono

stati segnalate alcune possibilità di miglioramento che il comitato cercherà di prendere in considerazione per quanto di sua competenza.

Manifestazioni in corso di organizzazione •

Corso rivestimenti: si discute di organizzare il corso a cominciare dal primo modulo “film sottili”, mantenendo lo schema delle due giornate per processi di base e applicazioni. Vengono quindi riletti i commenti dei partecipanti alla precedente edizione, che chiedevano di ampliare la parte relativa ai processi CVD e PVD. Le altre presentazioni vengono confermate, aggiungendo un paio di presentazioni nella

•

seconda giornata. Il corso potrebbe tenersi il 14 e 15 giugno 2023.

Il presidente Bolelli propone una GdS sulla rugosità, visto che è stata modificata la normativa per la misurazione. coinvolgendo i produt-

tori degli strumenti. Si propone anche di inserire altri argomenti, sulla falsariga della GdS organizzata nel 2016 sulla caratterizzazione delle

superfici. Questa GdS si potrebbe organizzare per novembre 2023, focalizzandola sulle superfici e non solo sui rivestimenti, in modo

da poter parlare della rugosità. Il titolo potrebbe essere “Caratterizzazione funzionale di superfici modificate”. Si discute della possibile scaletta di interventi, eventualmente coinvolgendo il CT Controllo e Caratterizzazione dei Prodotti.

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

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Atti e notizie - AIM news

Normativa / Standards UNI EN 14525:2005

Norme pubblicate e progetti in inchiesta (aggiornamento 13 gennaio 2023)

Adattatori di flange e manicotti a larga tolleranza da utilizzare con tubazioni di materiali differenti: ghisa duttile, ghisa grigia, acciaio, PVC-U PE, fibrocemento

Norme UNSIDER pubblicate da UNI

prCEN ISO/TR 19905-2 rev

nel mese di dicembre 2022

Petroleum and natural gas industries - Site-

UNI CEN/TR 10345:2022 Guida per il trattamento statistico dei dati derivanti da prove interlaboratorio per la validazione dei metodi di analisi

e

e

ghisa

preparazione

-

dei

determinazione

Norme UNSIDER pubblicate da CEN e ISO nel mese di dicembre 2022 EN ISO 23062:2022

UNI EN ISO 14284:2022 Acciaio

Campionamento campioni

della

Progetti UNSIDER messi allo studio dal CEN (Stage 10.99) – gennaio 2023

per

la

composizione

chimica UNI EN 14525:2022 Manicotti e adattatori di flange a larga tolleranza in ghisa sferoidale e in acciaio da utilizzare con tubazioni di materiali differenti: ghisa sferoidale, ghisa grigia, acciaio, PVC-U, PVC-O, PE, fibrocemento

Foundry machinery - Safety requirements for molding and coremaking machinery and associated equipment (ISO 23062:2022) EN 17800:2022 Life cycle cost (LCC) and life cycle assessment (LCA) for CO2 emissions in ductile iron pipe systems EN 13480-3:2017/A5:2022 Metallic industrial piping - Part 3: Design and calculation

Norme UNSIDER ritirate da UNI nel mese di dicembre 2022 UNI EN ISO 14284:2004 Acciaio e ghisa - Campionamento e preparazione dei campioni per la determinazione della composizione chimica UNI CEN/TR 10345:2008 Guida per il trattamento statistico dei dati derivanti da prove interlaboratorio per la validazione dei metodi di analisi

EN 10025-4:2019+A1:2022 Hot rolled products of structural steels Part 4: Technical delivery conditions for thermomechanical rolled weldable fine grain structural steels ISO/TS 16901:2022 Guidance on performing risk assessment in the design of onshore LNG installations including the ship/shore interface ISO 5451:2022 Ferrovanadium — Specification and conditions of delivery

specific assessment of mobile offshore units - Part 2: Jack-ups commentary and detailed sample calculation

Progetti UNSIDER in inchiesta prEN e ISO/DIS – gennaio 2023

prEN – progetti di norma europei prEN ISO19901-5 Petroleum and natural gas industries -

Specific

requirements

for

offshore

structures - Part 3: Topsides structure (ISO/DIS 19901-3:2022) prEN ISO 25457 Petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries - Flare details for general refinery and petrochemical service (ISO/ DIS 25457:2022) prEN ISO 6508-2 Metallic materials - Rockwell hardness test - Part 2: Verification and calibration of testing machines and indenters (ISO/DIS 6508-2:2022) prEN ISO 6508-3 Metallic materials - Rockwell hardness test - Part 3: Calibration of reference blocks (ISO/DIS 6508-3:2022) prEN ISO 6508-1 Metallic materials - Rockwell hardness test - Part 1: Test method (ISO/DIS 65081:2022)

La Metallurgia Italiana - Gennaio 2023

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Atti e notizie - AIM news

prEN ISO 13520 Determination

of

ferrite

content

in

austenitic stainless steel castings (ISO/DIS

ISO/FDIS – gennaio 2023

FprEN – progetti di norma europei

13520:2022)

ISO/DIS

Progetti UNSIDER al voto FprEN e

–

progetti

internazionali

di

norma

FprEN ISO 10113 Metallic materials - Sheet and strip Determination of plastic strain ratio (ISO/

ISO/DIS 25457

FDIS 10113:2019)

Petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas industries — Flare details for general refinery and petrochemical service

ISO/FDIS

–

progetti

internazionali

di

norma

ISO/DIS 13702

ISO/FDIS 13521

Petroleum and natural gas industries

Austenitic manganese steel castings

— Control and mitigation of fires and explosions installations

on —

offshore

production

Requirements

and

ISO/FDIS 13520 Determination

of

ferrite

content

guidelines

austenitic stainless steel castings

ISO/DIS 6819

ISO/DTR 10809-1

Steel wire rod for bridge cable wire

Cast

irons

—

Part

1:

Materials

in

and

properties for design ISO/DIS 6508-1 Metallic materials — Rockwell hardness test — Part 1: Test method ISO/DIS 6508-2 Metallic materials — Rockwell hardness test — Part 2: Verification and calibration of testing machines and indenters ISO/DIS 6508-3 Metallic materials — Rockwell hardness test — Part 3: Calibration of reference blocks ISO/DIS 3845 Oil and gas industries including lower carbon energy — Full ring ovalization test method for the evaluation of the cracking resistance of steel line pipe in sour service

La Metallurgia Italiana - January 2023

pagina 107

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