Development of Manufacturing Technology for a Continuously-Cast Wheel Billet with a Controlled Aluminum Content

Abstract

The quality of railway wheels significantly affects the economy and security of railway transportation. In order to improve the properties of railway wheels steel is used currently with a controlled aluminum content. A feature of this steel is the increased risk of forming large alumina non-metallic inclusions. Nonmetallic inclusions in the defective and defect-free zones of a rejected wheel are studied. The causes of defect formation and a new comprehensive technology of smelting are determined, and ladle treatment and continuous casting of steel are developed, which provide avoidance of forming these defects.The main essence of the technology is the diffusion deoxidation of metal with slag of optimum composition, control of aluminum content during ladle treatment, and use of aluminum exclusively for steel alloying.