It is illustrated how computational modelling techniques are used at Corus RD&T as a means to investigate and improve fume emission, air quality and heat control throughout the steel processing route. Some of the recent areas that have benefited from such models are: the redesign of a coater line room, a storage and production facility and fume capture during iron desulphurisation and casting. The modelling techniques, the challenges of using such models and the results are summarised.

The Business Intelligence (BI) aims at providing the operational, tactic and strategic levels with information in order to support managers and specialists through the practice of analysis and decision making. The results of the project pertaining to the steel making plant are reported.

At the present time roll shops are characterized by increasing automation and faster production cycles. Automatic quality inspection of technical processes as a part of quality management becomes ever more important. The integration of an inspection system within the automatic program cycle of a roll grinder and the fast feedback of the inspection results lead to decreased scrap rates and advanced product qualities. On this account WALDRICH SIEGEN has developed the new Roll Surface Inspection System RSIS.

Oil layer and surface roughness of steel strip are measured on-line with equipment that has been adapted to withstand the severe environment of a cold rolling mill. The system ensures the effective lubrication of the strip and it displays roughness data all along the coil. This makes it possible to optimize the rolling process on-line and it affords comprehensive information on the strip properties.

Dross growing on immersed rolls is responsible for defects on the galvanised strip. It is essential to identify the mechanism of this accumulation on immersed hardware. An industrial approach has been followed: stainless steel samples (316L) were set up at several locations on the moving rolls and on the static members through a galvanising campaign. The samples were then analysed by means of optical and electron microscopy. The results from this first approach pointed out significant effects of some factors referred to as “location” and “moving”. Further investigations, including a deeper analysis of several parameters, are requested to validate the proposed mechanisms.

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

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