Improving the production of pipe steel

Abstract

Melts of pipe steel (strength class K52) obtained at the casting and rolling complex of AO OMK (a branch of AO OMK-Stal’) are analyzed. The initial data correspond to a set of 30 melts. The production system includes batch preparation, steel production in an arc furnace, treatment in a ladle–furnace unit, vacuum treatment (with microalloying and modification), hot rolling, and cutting of the rolled steel into sheet and strip. The basic factors affecting steel quality are identified. The rejection of the steel produced is mainly due to brittle and undeformable nonmetallic silicate inclusions. Changes in the process so as to reduce the content of nonmetallic silicate inclusions are recommended.