Puhong Cheng, Christian Bernhard, Michael Bernhard, Daniel Kavić, Jianghua Qi
{"title":"A Thermodynamic-Kinetic Model for Basic Oxygen Furnace Tapping: Improved Prediction of Phosphorus and Steel-Slag Evolution","authors":"Puhong Cheng, Christian Bernhard, Michael Bernhard, Daniel Kavić, Jianghua Qi","doi":"10.1002/srin.202501048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202501048","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Coupling advanced computational thermodynamics with kinetic modeling is a leading approach in studying the chemical composition of steel and slag in the steelmaking process. In this study, the effective equilibrium reaction zone method is employed to establish a tapping model by implementing the continuous reactions in the last stage of the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) process. Plant trials are performed during the tapping process by measuring the steel and slag composition before and after tapping, alongside recording relevant operational data. The initial steel and slag compositions before tapping are found to be near equilibrium (NE) and far from equilibrium (FFE). When FFE initial conditions are considered, the accuracy of phosphorus (P) content predictions improved compared to the model previously reported in the literature, while both models showed accurate predictions under the NE initial conditions. Further analysis confirmed that the dephosphorization reaction in the BOF continued throughout the tapping process, which should be considered in developing the tapping process model.</p>","PeriodicalId":21929,"journal":{"name":"steel research international","volume":"97 7","pages":"3474-3484"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/srin.202501048","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Tailoring Sulfide Morphology in 36MnVS4 Nonquenched and Tempered Steel with Trace Te–Ce Treatment","authors":"Jie Liu, Lu Zhang, Wen Wang, Tao Li, Jianxun Fu","doi":"10.1002/srin.202501170","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202501170","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Achieving superior sulfide morphology control is essential for advancing nonquenched and tempered steel into high-end markets. Although tellurium (Te) addition offers exceptional modification efficacy, its high cost presents a major economic barrier. The rare-earth element cerium (Ce) is relatively low-cost and also demonstrates a moderate efficacy in sulfide modification. This study, therefore, investigates the effects of trace Te and Ce additions on sulfide modification in 36MnVS4 nonquenched and tempered steel. Systematic characterization reveals that Te + Ce composite modification transforms the inclusions, replacing MnS–Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> with MnS–CeAlO<sub>3</sub>, and forming Ce<sub>2</sub>(S, Te)<sub>3</sub>–MnS, MnTe–MnS, and Ti<sub>4</sub>C<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>. It also effectively alters MnS morphology from clustered to chain-like and sphere-like, improving its distribution without significantly changing its size or area fraction. The added Ce promotes microstructural homogenization by forming fine AlCeO<sub>3</sub> inclusions that acted as nucleation sites for intragranular ferrite. Furthermore, Te increases sulfide hardness, enhancing their deformation resistance during hot compression, as confirmed by stress–strain curves where Te is identified as the primary element improving hot ductility. Consequently, the optimal trace addition of 17 ppm Te and 9 ppm Ce successfully reduces the average inclusion aspect ratio at 1050 °C from 3.3 to 3.0, demonstrating an effective strategy for sulfide control.</p>","PeriodicalId":21929,"journal":{"name":"steel research international","volume":"97 7","pages":"3630-3641"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jia-qi Chen, Xiao-chen Wang, You-zhao Sun, Jing-dong Li, Jin-bo Zhou, Dan Chen, Quan Yang, Ya-min Sun
{"title":"Interpretable Prediction of Mechanical Properties for Hot-Rolled Seamless Steel Pipes: Combining Machine Learning with Shapley Additive Explanation","authors":"Jia-qi Chen, Xiao-chen Wang, You-zhao Sun, Jing-dong Li, Jin-bo Zhou, Dan Chen, Quan Yang, Ya-min Sun","doi":"10.1002/srin.202500948","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202500948","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In order to improve the efficiency of mechanical performance testing of seamless steel pipes, enhance product quality, and reduce the cost of new product development, a machine learning-based prediction model for the mechanical properties of hot continuous rolling seamless steel pipes is proposed. Specifically, a Bayesian optimization optimized categorical boosting (CatBoost) algorithm is employed to train on production data of 723 seamless steel pipes from a 460 mm steel plant. Its predictive performance is compared with other machine learning models, including support vector regression, random forest, and extreme gradient boosting. Furthermore, the Shapley additive explanations method is used for post hoc interpretability analysis of the prediction model. Results demonstrate that the BO-CatBoost model achieves superior performance, offering higher prediction accuracy. Interpretability analysis further reveals that elongation is primarily influenced by diameter and the contents of C, V; yield strength is mainly affected by rolling temperature and the contents of MN, V; while rolling temperature, sizing temperature, and thickness are the key factors affecting tensile strength. Finally, a prediction system based on the proposed method is developed and is applied in industrial production.</p>","PeriodicalId":21929,"journal":{"name":"steel research international","volume":"97 7","pages":"3536-3548"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qin Jiang, Zhenning Lei, Shengping He, Xubin Zhang, Qiangqiang Wang
{"title":"Viscosity, Crystallization, and Heat Transfer of Mold Slags for Casting of Cold-Work Die Steel Under Varying Basicity and MnO/Na2O Ratio","authors":"Qin Jiang, Zhenning Lei, Shengping He, Xubin Zhang, Qiangqiang Wang","doi":"10.1002/srin.202501112","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202501112","url":null,"abstract":"<p>In the current study, the effect of varying basicity and MnO/Na<sub>2</sub>O ratios on the viscosity, crystallization behavior, and heat transfer of mold slags for the continuous casting of Cr12MoV cold-work die steel is investigated to obtain the slag with excellent lubrication and low-heat transfer. With the increase of basicity from 0.95 to 1.15, the melting temperature, break temperature, initial crystallization temperature, and the crystallization ratio increase from 996 to 1017 °C, from 1003 to 1044 °C, from 895 to 977 °C, and from 0% to 93.4%, respectively, while the steady-state heat flux decreases from 1.20 to 0.79 MW m<sup>−2</sup>. The main crystallization phases exist as Ca<sub>3</sub>MgSi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>8</sub> and Ca<sub>4</sub>Si<sub>2</sub>F<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub>. With the increase of MnO/Na<sub>2</sub>O ratio from 0 to 0.5, melting temperature, and initial crystallization temperature increase from 896 to 976 °C, and from 1003 to 1044 °C, respectively, while break temperature, the crystallization ratio, and the steady-state heat flux decrease from 986 to 952 °C, from 90.5% to 0%, and from 1.13 to 0.98 MW m<sup>−2</sup>, respectively. Hence, the increase in basicity and MnO/Na<sub>2</sub>O ratios weakens the heat transfer of mold slag to avoid the surface crack of cold-work die steel slab.</p>","PeriodicalId":21929,"journal":{"name":"steel research international","volume":"97 7","pages":"3663-3673"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hongkang Li, Zhaohui Zhang, Baomin Song, Chao Feng, Hongyi Yang, Ming Lv, Ming Fang
{"title":"Transport Behavior of Molten Steel in the Mold at Increased Casting Speed for Φ150 mm Round Billet","authors":"Hongkang Li, Zhaohui Zhang, Baomin Song, Chao Feng, Hongyi Yang, Ming Lv, Ming Fang","doi":"10.1002/srin.202501118","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202501118","url":null,"abstract":"<p>To increase the casting speed of φ150 mm round billets, a 3D mathematical model is established to investigate the effects of casting speed, mold parameters, and electromagnetic stirring (M-EMS) on molten steel flow and heat transfer. The results indicate that higher casting speeds deepen the impingement zone and enlarge the high-temperature region, leading to thinner shells and higher surface temperatures. When casting speed rises from 2.2 to 2.6 m min<sup>−1</sup>, mold level fluctuation amplitude increases from 0.652 to 2.013 mm, and surface flow velocity rises from 0.0247 to 0.0293 m s<sup>−1</sup>. Using a submerged entry nozzle (SEN) with a 25 mm diameter shifts the high-temperature zone upward, accelerates superheat dissipation, and enhances heat transfer to the mold wall. The velocity distribution of molten steel near the solidification front correlates positively with shell growth in the M-EMS zone. Both shell uniformity and remelting index decrease with increasing current intensity of M-EMS. Industrial trials on 20# steel show that center porosity and segregation are controlled at grade 0.5 or below. When the superheat exceeds 25 °C, the proportion of billets with center shrinkage cavities below grade 0.5 decreases from 84.62% to 65%, while the occurrence of core defects increases significantly.</p>","PeriodicalId":21929,"journal":{"name":"steel research international","volume":"97 7","pages":"3602-3614"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386422","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jie Wu, Cheng-yi Ding, Xin-yu Ma, Xiao-qing Xu, Peng Yuan, De-huai Xiong, Rui-rui Wei, Hong-ming Long, Chang-you Yu, Qian-kun Li
{"title":"Strengthening Low-Basicity Sintering Process Based on Granulation and Composition Optimization","authors":"Jie Wu, Cheng-yi Ding, Xin-yu Ma, Xiao-qing Xu, Peng Yuan, De-huai Xiong, Rui-rui Wei, Hong-ming Long, Chang-you Yu, Qian-kun Li","doi":"10.1002/srin.202501165","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202501165","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Low-basicity sintering serves as a reserve process route designed for inferior iron ore feedstocks and complex operational conditions, yet it faces challenges, including deteriorated sintering production-quality indexes and fluctuating sinter performance. This study proposes an integrated enhancement approach for low-basicity sintering through granulation and composition optimization. At the granulation level, the developed composite agglomeration technology, which enhances the physical bonding between high-silica ore (demonstrating the strongest calcium ferrite formation capability) and lime, results in significant process improvements: the yield increases from 63.24% (baseline) to 65.33%, the tumbler index improves from 57.8% to 58.34%, the solid fuel consumption decreases from 57.82 kg t<sup>−1</sup> to 55.72 kg t<sup>−1</sup>, the productivity improves from 1.12 t·(m<sup>2</sup>·h)<sup>−1</sup> to 1.21 t·(m<sup>2</sup>·h)<sup>−1</sup>, while the sintering end-point temperature is reduced from 496 °C to 463 °C. At the composition optimization level, with the simultaneous increase of SiO<sub>2</sub> and CaO contents (resulting in decreased basicity), the yield, tumbler index, and productivity exhibit a characteristic “U-shaped” trend, initially decreasing before subsequently increasing. Specifically, optimal sintering performance is achieved at SiO<sub>2</sub> contents of 5.2–5.3% and 5.7–5.9%. Through the above two optimizations, the synchronous enhancement of both production-quality indexes and energy efficiency in low-basicity sinter production can be ultimately achieved.</p>","PeriodicalId":21929,"journal":{"name":"steel research international","volume":"97 7","pages":"3549-3560"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shun Hu Zhang, Yan Li, Wei Jian Chen, Zi Yao Wei, Jia Yi Huang, Xian Long Luo
{"title":"A Mechanics-Informed Modeling and Optimization Framework for Hot Rolling of Thick Plate Using Convolutional Neural Networks and Multiobjective Particle Swarm Optimization Algorithm","authors":"Shun Hu Zhang, Yan Li, Wei Jian Chen, Zi Yao Wei, Jia Yi Huang, Xian Long Luo","doi":"10.1002/srin.202501138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202501138","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The optimization of the hot rolling process for thick plates critically depends on establishing an appropriate rolling schedule. This study presents a multiobjective optimization framework targeting energy consumption and power difference within the rolling schedule. Initially, industrial big data across various steel grades are balanced to enhance model generalizability. Subsequently, convolutional neural network (CNN) models of varying depths and a backpropagation (BP) network model are developed to predict rolling power, with the influence of convolutional layer width on CNN performance also investigated. The rolling power model is then optimized using the multiobjective particle swarm optimization algorithm, yielding a Pareto front. Comparative analyses demonstrate that models trained on the balanced dataset achieve superior predictive performance over those using the original data. Furthermore, the CNN models exhibit greater accuracy and stability than the BP model, while a single-layer CNN with an optimized width outperforms a three-layer LeNet-5 architecture. The solutions on the Pareto front can be selectively implemented based on specific production requirements, offering flexible guidance for optimizing the thick plate hot rolling process.</p>","PeriodicalId":21929,"journal":{"name":"steel research international","volume":"97 7","pages":"3511-3520"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Feng Wei, Yuchi Meng, Yanjun Zhao, Yang Zeng, Yan Zhao, Nengwen Li, Deyang Lu
{"title":"Effect of Temperature on Interface Healing of Diffusion-Bonded Dissimilar Duplex Stainless Steels","authors":"Feng Wei, Yuchi Meng, Yanjun Zhao, Yang Zeng, Yan Zhao, Nengwen Li, Deyang Lu","doi":"10.1002/srin.202501064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202501064","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Interfacial healing mechanisms during vacuum diffusion bonding of dissimilar duplex stainless steels (DSS) S32304 and S32750 are systematically investigated over a temperature range of 800–1100 °C. The results reveal a strong temperature dependence of atomic diffusion and microstructural evolution. The diffusion coefficient of key alloying elements (Cr, Mo, Ni) increased by 11.3 times (from 1.02 × 10<sup>−15</sup> m<sup>2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> at 800 °C to 1.15 × 10<sup>−14</sup> m<sup>2</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> at 1100 °C), which significantly enhanced grain boundary migration and promoted the shrinkage and eventual closure of interfacial voids. Consequently, the interfacial bonding ratio dramatically improved from 25.4% to 91.0%, leading to a progressive enhancement in mechanical properties, with the joint shear strength reaching 813 MPa and microhardness reaching 254 HV. Crucially, at 1100 °C, dynamic recrystallization (DRX) is identified as the dominant healing mechanism, with a recrystallized fraction of 78% at the interface. This process facilitated complete microstructural integration and the formation of a high-integrity metallurgical bond. This article provides direct evidence establishing DRX as the central mechanism for interfacial healing in diffusion-bonded dissimilar DSS. At 1100 °C, a high-strength, defect-free joint is obtained, providing significant insights for selecting temperatures in solid-state joining processes.</p>","PeriodicalId":21929,"journal":{"name":"steel research international","volume":"97 7","pages":"3588-3601"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zirui Yan, Wan Zheng, Yichi Zhu, Daoyao Liu, Guangqiang Li, Jing Liu
{"title":"Thermal Deformation Control of Multiphase Composite Inclusions in Bearing Steel Treated by Ce-Mg Combined Treatment","authors":"Zirui Yan, Wan Zheng, Yichi Zhu, Daoyao Liu, Guangqiang Li, Jing Liu","doi":"10.1002/srin.202501125","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202501125","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This study comparatively investigated the thermal deformation behavior of composite inclusions in Ce-Mg combined treated GCr15 bearing steels with different Ce/Mg content ratios (1.8, 2.8). The results indicate that the typical inclusions in experimental steels are spherical, multiphase, core-shell composite inclusions, their shells consist mainly of Ce<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> inclusions, whereas their cores exhibit significant differences in size, shape, and phase distribution. The inclusion cores in low Ce/Mg steel are composed of several Mg-containing inclusions (MgS, MgO) with varying sizes and diverse morphologies, while these in high Ce/Mg steel consist of multiple fine Mg-containing inclusions interconnected with the Ce<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> inclusions in an alternating pattern. The deformation index of the inclusions in hot-compressed specimens decreased as the Ce/Mg content ratio increased, owing to the alternating hard (Mg-containing inclusions) and soft (Ce<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub>) phases that form a rigid internal framework and restrict inclusion deformation. Moreover, the Ce<sub>2</sub>S<sub>3</sub> shells exhibit favorable cooperative deformability with steel matrix, mitigating the residual stress accumulation around the multiphase composite inclusions after thermal deformation. Consequently, precise control of Ce/Mg ratio tailors the component proportions and spatial distribution in core-shell inclusions, regulating deformability of inclusions to make them deform in coordination with steel matrix and mitigating the detrimental effects of residual inclusions on steel performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":21929,"journal":{"name":"steel research international","volume":"97 7","pages":"3615-3629"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386429","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Optimization of Microstructure and Mechanical Properties in Medium-Manganese Martensitic Wear-Resistant Steel Through Pretempering Process","authors":"Bangren Xu, Gengwei Yang, Ruyang Han, Zhenyang Zhao, Yaowen Xu, Deming Xu","doi":"10.1002/srin.202501065","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202501065","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Medium-manganese martensitic wear-resistant steel exhibits broad application prospects in mining machinery due to its excellent strength and wear resistance. However, increasingly severe service conditions demand improved toughness. Addressing issues in traditional V(C, N) precipitation control research such as low vanadium utilization efficiency and insufficient precision in microstructure regulation, this study proposes an innovative pre-tempering (PT) process—implementing tempering treatment on hot-rolled steel before austenitizing. This process advances the tempering step, achieving pre-precipitation of V(C, N) in the ferrite matrix and significantly improving vanadium precipitation efficiency. Research results show that specimens subjected to 550°C PT demonstrate optimal comprehensive mechanical properties: tensile strength 1894 MPa, yield strength 1120 MPa, −40°C impact energy 29 J, and Brinell hardness 539 HB. Fractographic analysis indicates that the impact fracture surfaces consist of a high density of dimples. This morphology suggests enhanced energy absorption capacity. The high-angle grain boundaries promote frequent crack deflection, thereby enhancing energy absorption during impact. Crystallographic analysis further confirms that the increased frequency of V1/V15, V1/V18, V1/V22, and V1/V23 variant pairs plays a critical role in toughness enhancement.</p>","PeriodicalId":21929,"journal":{"name":"steel research international","volume":"97 7","pages":"3561-3575"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386667","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}