Experience of using accelerated cooling in production of steel X70 plate for the Central Asia – China gas pipeline

At the Azovstal Metallurgical Combine together with the Bardin Central Research Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy production of thick plate (3266 × 19.1 mm) is being developed for a large diameter gas pipeline of strength category X70. Plates are manufactured using controlled rolling technology with accelerated cooling (CR + AC) instead of previous controlled rolling technology with air cooling. Introduction of CR + AC promotes an increase in average values of energy for failure KV with impact tests on finished metal plate, and also a marked improvement in 3600 rolling mill productivity.