Most steel grades undergo a ductility trough in the temperature range 700 to 1100 °C that may bring about surface cracks in the CC strands.
Micro-mechanical modelling of the as solidified austenite-ferrite microstructure, supported by experimental evaluations of the fracture surfaces, affords a comprehensive description of the crack formation mechanism. This opens the way for a quantitative evaluation of the sensitivity of CC strands to transverse cracks.

The coefficient of friction is one of the tribological factors that characterize the process of multi pass hot rolling. Friction is strongly dependent on inter-pass and in-pass rolling and cooling processing parameters. It can be improved by application of hot lubrication under specific conditions. This paper builds upon previous studies on the application of a Coulomb-Norton friction mathematical model, to study the influence of hot lubrication for a range of rolling conditions, with a view to define conditions where lubrication is most effective.

As a substitute for the chromate conversion anticorrosive system CRM has developed a new conversion coating based on silica nanoparticles. This new process will be implemented on galvanizing lines just after the zinc bath where the metal strip is still hot. The strip is dipped into a batch containing a suspension of these nanoparticles. Thanks to the strip heat, the solution is locally destabilized and the nanoparticles precipitate onto the metal. The result is an ultra-thin coating (50-200 nm), very compact, that can provide excellent paint adhesion and anticorrosion properties.

The FSBA (Flexible Shaft Backing Assemblies) has been developed for a 20-high Sendzimir mill. This new shape control actuator was supported by a shape analysis model based on the distribution of geometrical moment of inertia in the roll axial direction. The shape control range was doubly extended by the introduction of FSBA. It was confirmed on an industrial mill that quarter buckles are suppressed under a wide range of rolling conditions by shape control with FSBA and concave rolls.

Dynamic modeling, as an effective decision support tool, is illustrated by the coupling of two continuous lines. The method stands out as general and easily transferable. Modeling makes it possible to assess the impact of various managerial decisions within a global industrial environment. Modeling is a preferred tool to extract knowledge from data bases, to formulate and to test new ideas.

We propose a model for predicting the kinetics of cementite dissolution and austenite growth during heating and soaking. This model is applicable to multi component systems and a good agreement between the calculations and experimental data were obtained. This model is coupled with a mechanical module which allows taking into account the various effects of cold deformation on the kinetics of austenite formation during heating and soaking. A discussion is made from a 3D microstructural investigation.

Use of stainless steel rebar for concrete reinforcement is increasing worldwide. The enhanced properties of stainless steel prove to be a viable solution when life cycle costs of the structures are taken into account. Austenitic and duplex stainless steels are used as rebar because they present an excellent combination of corrosion resistance in concrete, high strength and good ductility.
The resistance to pitting corrosion of various stainless steels has been evaluated by electrochemical tests. Thus, it is possible to select the appropriate grade according to the environment the concrete structure is submitted to during its life. A classification of the selected austenitic and duplex grades is introduced.

The features of dynamic transformation for grain refinement of low carbon steels are presented and representative results of trial hot strip productions are reported. Laboratory experiments have established that dynamic transformation occurs in under-cooled austenite under suitable deformation conditions. Trial production results showed that utilizing the dynamic transformation concept, grain refinement of ferrite is feasible in commercial hot strip mills: a ferrite grain size of 2~3 μm can be obtained, along with various controlled second phases.

LABEIN and ACB have developed a model to predict the mechanical properties of the hot rolled products, considering as a first step the hot rolling of thin slabs on the 7 stands hot strip mill (thin slab direct rolling) of the Sestao steelworks.
The thermomechanical model includes a thermal module and a deformation module. It is supplemented with a microstructural module and a mechanical properties module. The model has been validated versus industrial results. It also includes an optimizing module that makes it possible to define the most appropriate process evolutions to meet new product requirements.

Critical parameters that affect both the ferrite grain size and the precipitation kinetics during hot rolling Nb-bearing steel were studied. Accelerated cooling was applied after the last pass of finishing rolling. In all cases the Nb(C,N) precipitation was strongly retarded, increasing the precipitation hardening by the formation of fine precipitates. Moreover a non-negligible amount of Nb remained in solution. Nb(C,N) precipitation occurred during annealing cold rolled steel, causing secondary hardening.

An automatic detection system for edge cracks and holes has been successfully installed at the exit of the tin plate mill of the API Basse- Indre plant. This new system is able to detect, analyze and record images of any defect that may be dangerous for the CAL. Since the system has been implemented, Basse-Indre has recorded no breakage neither in the furnace along year 2005, nor at entry, at exit or in the furnace since early 2006.

Thickness defects on thin strips are caused by the cold rolling process itself or by mechanical trouble at the tandem mill. Dedicated experimental measurements of the related phenomena are reported and a global analysis of their effect on the final product thickness is put forward. Innovative advanced solutions are presented to achieve high thickness performance.

The current strong demand for vehicle lightening from the automobile sector requires flat carbon steel manufacturers to develop new advanced grades capable of fulfilling the increasingly stringent technical requirements of this market. Arcelor Research has recently developed an ultra high strength Fe-Mn-C austenitic steel with excellent formability for automotive applications. The X-IPTM1000 steel composition is optimised to provide the best compromise in ultimate tensile strength (>1000 MPa) and total elongation (>50%) at room temperature. These properties are achieved through the optimisation of the TWIP (TWinning Induced Plasticity) effect by careful control of the stacking fault energy (SFE) and the final microstructure.

Stainless steel forming processes require simple laboratory simulation tools to save production costs. Although reliable numerical tools are available, there is still a need for appropriate constitutive laws. Stainless steel is characterized at high strain rates with an instrumented impact test machine. This allows determining the rheological parameters of different grades to be fitted in a simple constitutive law. Accurate results are thus obtained that afford an effective simulation of the stainless steel forming process with FE-analysis (Forge3).
This is illustrated with the development of a new austenitic stainless steel grade for cold heading applications.

Civil engineering structures may suffer accelerated damage from the corrosion of their carbon steel reinforcement bars. This corrosion originates from the carbonatation of concrete that lowers the pH and from the diffusion of chlorides through the concrete. It generates heavy maintenance and repair costs and it significantly reduces the service life of the structures. These consequences can be avoided with the general or partial use of stainless steel reinforcement bars. This solution affords many advantages:
Significant reduction of the maintenance costs. Increased sustainability. Reduced service costs. Improved safety. Optimized concrete thickness. 
The limited extra cost of stainless steel rebars over carbon steel rebars is quickly overcompensated for by the savings that they allow on maintenance costs.

As a result of the demand for increasing the operating life of aeronautic parts, it is sought in this work to optimize the mechanical characteristics of a bearing submitted to marine environment. Phase transformations during high speed austenizing have been studied together with the influence of thermal stresses due to induction heating. It is observed that there are two ways to obtain the best mechanical properties among which the shortest cycle could be used to reduce heat treatment time of highly alloyed cold work steels.

In 2000, ACB decided to double the capacity of the thin slab caster and of the hot strip mill with a view to substitute ultra thin hot strip for conventional cold strip on the market. To cope with the extra tonnage, a new pickling line had to be installed. The main features of the new pickling lines that makes it possible to process thin gauges at reduced total costs, are presented.

A mortality study was carried out among workers employed in the Arcelor and GTS Industries plants in Dunkerque. It was aimed at assessing the possible association between iron oxide exposures and lung cancer risk. The cohort comprised 16,742 males and 959 females. Among males, the observed mortality was lower than expected for all causes. No significant lung cancer excess was observed for exposure to iron oxides and no dose-response relationship with intensity and duration of exposure.

In order to improve the safety and reduce plant shut down time for scheduled maintenance works, Aceralia is developing and testing on its HSM at Aviles an application that ensures that the selected equipment is correctly and safely powered down. This application also serves updated information regarding the current status of maintenance works and equipment. Finally, it performs automatic analysis of the events happened during the shut down, deviations with respect to the scheduling and other statistical analyses.

China Steel Corporation has operated a new reversing cold rolling mill for non grain-oriented silicon steels since the beginning of 2003. The mill stand features hydraulic roll gap setting, intermediate roll axial shifting with CVC technology, work roll and intermediate roll bending systems and multizone cooling equipments. The industrial results are reported in terms of thickness tolerances and flatness.