Steel Products and Applications

MODULE LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the module you will be able to:

i. Select and explain the different process routes used to produce the different product forms, such as plate, strip, rod/wire and rail, and be able to demonstrate how changes in process routes and steel chemistry influence basic mechanical properties such as strength, toughness, ductility etc.

ii. Appraise the basic principles of structural integrity and to select the fitness for purpose property requirements for products in a wide range of applications.

iii. Critically discuss post production processes such as fabrication (welding/joining) and select the key metallurgical parameters that influence the steels' fitness for purpose.

iv. Be able to critically discuss how the principles of physical metallurgy can be used to design chemistries and process routes to produce steels of the designed form and properties for given applications.

INDICATIVE MODULE CONTENTS

The module topics will include:

• Refresher lectures on:
  
  • The metallurgy, deformation and processing of a wide range of steel products.
  • The joining and fabrication of steels.
  • The basics of structural integrity and in-service performance criteria.
• Critical evaluation of the uses and metallurgical and property requirements of a wide range of steel products, such as plates, strip, rail and rod/wire. Typical application examples will be discussed such as pipelines, bridges, ships, offshore structures.
• Demonstrations of the use of computer models that aid optimum design of steel chemistry and processing using metallurgical and rolling theory for specific applications, e.g. IMPress for plate rolling and RODEO for rod rolling.
• Examples of poor steel selection and use and its consequences.

Dates

• The module is studied typically over an 8 week period.
• Start time: 8.30 am each day.
• Finish: 6.30 pm each day.

MODULE AIMS:

• To describe and explain how the extensive range of steel types available are utilised by design engineers in a wide variety of applications, including identification of how the steel chemistry and processing are controlled to achieve the desired properties.
• To demonstrate how the different mechanical property requirements associated with the example applications can be predicted using metallurgical modelling.
• To provide information about the concepts of structural integrity and post processing operations such as welding and fabrication, and to demonstrate how these are essential considerations in selecting the steels used for specific applications.
• To verify that the student can make an informed decision about the steel chemistry and processing required to achieve the design criteria for specific steel product applications.