High performance abrasion resistant steel plates using microalloying technology for grain refinement

In recent years, many additional material properties, such as weldability, low temperature toughness and resistance to delayed fracture, are required for abrasion resistant steel plates. However, all of these material properties usually show a trade-off relationship with strength and hardness. In response to these requirements, JFE steel has developed a series of high performance abrasion resistant steel plates known as the EVERHARDTM LE series. The improved properties of these steels are discussed within this paper.The effects of prior austenite grain size on the microstructure and properties of abrasion resistant steel plates were investigated and the results are presented and discussed in this paper. Microalloying technology, including the use of Nb, promotes austenite grain refinement during processing which produces a finer martensitic microstructure in the final product. As a consequence the low temperature toughness and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement are improved in the newly developed steel plates. The EVERHARD TM LE series can be supplied with a guaranteed Charpy impact toughness at -40 °C. Crack-free welding of the EVERHARD TM LE steels can be readily achieved by careful control of the consumable and the preheat temperatures. (AU) Copyright © 2018 Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM) All rights reserved