Laboratory Controlled Rolling of Microalloyed Steel for Production of Seamless Tubes

Using the laboratory rolling mill with smooth rolls, piercing, as well as rolling in a pilger mill of the seamless tubes with diameter 273 mm from the HSLA steel microalloyed with vanadium steel was simulated. Influence of the wall thickness (6.3 – 40 mm) and finish rolling temperature on the final structural and mechanical properties was investigated. Necessary temperatures of the phase transformations in the course of cooling were determined by dilatometric tests. Based on the dilatometry results, finish rolling temperatures were reduced. Lower rolling temperatures yielded in a relative grain refinement. Effect of the finish rolling temperature did not have any marked impact on the tensile tests results. Strength properties decreased only slightly with the increasing wall thickness and the plastic properties were not influenced significantly by this parameter. The positive effect of the reduced finishing temperature appeared markedly in the results of impact tests performed at room temperature only. Notch toughness was increased by approx. 25 % in the case of the wall thickness of not less than 20 mm.