Scientific and Technological Bases for Developing Cold-Resistant Steel with a Guaranteed Yield Strength of 315–750 MPa for Arctic Conditions: Part 2. Manufacturing Technology, Structure, Properties, and Serviceability of Sheet Products

Abstract

Abstract—The paper presents results of the industrial implementation of hot plastic deformation and thermal treatment schemes for the production of rolled sheet products based on cold-resistant steel with yield strength not lower that 315–750 MPa for the Arctic. On the basis of the studies performed, a set of scientific and technological techniques has been developed for various technological processes (thermomechanical treatment followed by accelerated cooling, quenching from the rolling heating, and separate furnace heating with high-temperature tempering). The developed complex method provides the formation of a structure having an acceptable heterogeneity and anisotropy level corresponding to different morphological and crystallographic parameters throughout the entire thickness of rolled products up to 100 mm based on low-alloy steels with a yield strength not lower than 315–460 MPa and up to 60 mm based on economically alloyed steels with a yield strength not lower than 500–750 MPa. The structure of sheet products is presented that provides guaranteed characteristics of strength, cold resistance (impact energy KV at a testing temperature ranging from –60 to –80°C, critical ductile-to-brittle transition temperature T_kb, and nil ductility temperature NDT), and crack resistance according to a CTOD criterion in a low-temperature range to meet the requirements of the RMRS “Rules for the Classification and Construction of Ships” for steel with the Arc40 index.