Calibration and Validation of X-Ray Fluorescence Technique for Mapping Centreline Segregation on Steel Slabs

摘要

Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) slabs produced from casters worldwide have high alloy contents - manganese up to 5%, silicon up to 2% and aluminum up to 2% - for achieving desired mechanical properties for automotive customers. Continuously cast AHSS slabs with high alloy content are susceptible to centerline segregation defect. Etching techniques are routinely utilized for visual assessment of segregation. Quality ratings are assigned to slabs depending on the extent of segregation generated at different processing conditions. Unfortunately, etching-based qualitative procedures pose two technical challenges for casting engineers: i. The method is subjective and hence, it is difficult to establish a unified detection procedure so that interests of all customers can be protected. This is challenging, even in a global company, with multiple production sites. ii. The method does not allow quantitative or statistical analysis and hence, it is more difficult to identify cost-effective and quick-to-implement solution strategies that are required at the casters to minimize segregation defect in these slabs.