Steel Authority of India

About: Steel Authority of India is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Microstructure & Ultimate tensile strength. The organization has 797 authors who have published 661 publications receiving 9958 citations. The organization is also known as: SAIL.

Process technology for the continuous hot band annealing of 17%Cr ferritic stainless steel

Abstract: As an alternative to time- and energy-consuming batch annealing, process technology for the continuous hot band annealing of 17%Cr ferritic stainless steel has been established. Process parameters (i.e., temperature and time) for the hot band annealing were optimized in the laboratory and, subsequently, plant trials were conducted. The impact toughness value of the annealed hot band was found to be the most crucial parameter to assess the cold rollability in the commercial run. When the hot bands were continuously annealed at 900 °C, the improved impact toughness values resulted in successful cold rolling to the desired thickness. The impact toughness value and subsequent cold rollability were found to be related to the formation of martensite volume%. Annealing the hot band in the lower temperature range of the two-phase (α+r) region (i.e., 900 °C) yielded the best result. Improvement in roping index has been reported as a result of the weakening of the texture of the continuous-annealed hot band.

Electron Microscopic Study on the Suction Cast In Situ Ti-Fe-Sn Ultrafine Composites

Abstract: The current investigation reports detailed study on the microstructural evolution in the suction cast hypereutectic Ti71Fe29−x Sn x alloys during Sn addition with x = 0, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.85, 4.5, 6, and 10 at. pct and the solidification of these ternary alloys using SEM and TEM. These alloys have been prepared by melting high-purity elements using vacuum arc melting furnace under high-purity argon atmosphere. This was followed by suction casting these alloys in the water-cooled split Cu molds of diameters, ϕ = 1 and 3 mm, under argon atmosphere. The results indicate the formation of binary eutectic between bcc solid solution β-Ti and B2 FeTi in all alloys. β-Ti undergoes eutectoid transformation, β-Ti → α-Ti + FeTi, during subsequent solid-state cooling, leading to formation of hcp α-Ti and FeTi. For alloys x < 2, the primary FeTi forms from the liquid before the formation of eutectic with minute scale Ti3Sn phase. For alloys with 2 ≥ x ≤ 10, the liquid is found to undergo ternary quasi-peritectic reaction with primary Ti3Sn, L+Ti3Sn → β-Ti+FeTi, leading to formation of another kind of FeTi. In all the other alloy compositions (3.85 ≥ x ≤ 10), Ti3Sn and FeTi dendrites are observed in the suction cast alloys with profuse amount of Ti3Sn being formed for alloys with x ≥ 4.5. The current study conclusively proves that the liquid undergoes ternary quasi-peritectic reaction involving four phases, L + Ti3Sn → β-Ti + FeTi, which lies at the invariant point Ti69.2±0.8Fe27.4±0.7Sn3.4±0.2 (denoted by P). Below P, there is one univariant reaction, i.e., L → β-Ti + FeTi for all alloy compositions, whereas above P, liquid undergoes one of the univariant reactions, i.e., L + β-Ti → Ti3Sn (Sn = 2, 2.5, 3, and 4.5 at. pct) or L + FeTi → Ti3Sn for alloys (Sn = 6, 10 at. pct). For alloy with Sn = 3.85 at. pct, the ternary quasi-peritectic reaction is co-operated by two monovariant eutectic reactions, i.e., L → β-Ti + FeTi below P and L → FeTi + Ti3Sn above P. Detailed microstructural information allows us to construct liquidus projection of the investigated alloys. The results are critically discussed in the light of available literature data.

Critical Success Factors of Sustainable Supply Chain Management and Organizational Performance: An Exploratory Study

Abstract: Indian organisations have started adopting sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices but their effectiveness and maturity depends on various factors such as external pressures and organisational internal environment. The research available, as on date, on the factors affecting the adoption of SSCM practices in Indian context is inadequate. This article presents a holistic view of the critical success factors (CSFs) impacting the SSCM process as well as the performance outcome. A conceptual model has been proposed which has been empirically tested by survey data collected from 145 industry practitioners through online and offline survey. The items for the survey were developed based on the literature and inputs received from industry experts. Using structural equation modelling (SEM) technique, the study finds that organisations’ internal environment is very positively associated with SSCM practices in the Indian steel sector. These findings can help the managers to create an awareness as well as favourable conditions within the organisation which facilitates the effective adoption of SSCM practices.

Influence of inclusion characteristics on the formability and toughness properties of a hot-rolled deep-drawing quality steel

Abstract: In industrial practice, variations in the steelmaking process may cause significant change in inclusion characteristics. During hot rolling of flat steel products, manganese sulfides, which are plastic at elevated temperatures, are elongated in the rolling direction. These elongated inclusions affect the formability properties, such as ductility, strain hardening exponent, average plastic strain ratio, critical strain represented by the forming limit diagram, and Charpy V- notch (CVN) impact energy as well as fracture behavior. The inclusion characteristics and microstructural features of three commercially produced hot- rolled deep- drawing quality steels were evaluated and their effects on formability and impact properties were investigated. All three heats were made in a basic oxygen furnace. Two heats were teemed into ingots while the other heat was argon purged and continuous cast. These heats were then processed into 3.10 mm thick strips with identical processing parameters. Manganese sulfide stringers were found to reduce the transverse ductility, whereas yield and tensile strengths remained virtually the same in all directions. The formability parameters were not significantly affected by small variations in inclusion characteristics. However, CVN impact energy and impact transition temperature data were observed to improve with steel cleanliness. The sulfide stringers were also found to adversely affect the impact energy, transition temperature, and fracture behavior in the transverse direction.

Diet of coastal foraging Eurasian otters ( Lutra lutra L.) in Pembrokeshire south-west Wales

Abstract: The importance of the marine environment to Eurasian otters is currently poorly understood. Wales is one of the few countries where coastal activity has been recorded and an increase in marine otter sightings could indicate remarkable developments within Welsh populations. The trophic niche of coastal otter populations around Pembrokeshire was investigated over a 12-month period. Marine activity was more widespread than previously thought and marine prey formed the largest component of otter diet, although, otters also consumed freshwater and terrestrial prey throughout the year. Otter diet was very diverse compared to other European coastal populations and a spring contraction in trophic niche width coincided with the estimated timing of breeding activity. Seasonal variation in prey composition was predominantly due to differences in the consumption of alternate prey types. In areas where wetlands are fragmented and populations of freshwater fish are declining, the marine environment may become an increasingly important habitat for otters. It is necessary to define the historical importance of coastal populations to otter conservation. Coastal areas are often subject to pressure from human activities, so the impact of disturbance needs to be assessed. Importantly, there is no verified otter survey method for coastal areas, so the use of marine habitat is likely to be underestimated.