EP2418296B1 - Case hardening steel superior in cold workability, machinability and fatigue characteristics after carburized quenching and method of production of same - Google Patents

Case hardening steel superior in cold workability, machinability and fatigue characteristics after carburized quenching and method of production of same Download PDF

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EP2418296B1
EP2418296B1 EP09843061.4A EP09843061A EP2418296B1 EP 2418296 B1 EP2418296 B1 EP 2418296B1 EP 09843061 A EP09843061 A EP 09843061A EP 2418296 B1 EP2418296 B1 EP 2418296B1
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steel
case
precipitates
hardening steel
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French (fr)
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EP2418296A1 (en
EP2418296A4 (en
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Masayuki Hashimura
Kei Miyanishi
Shuji Kozawa
Manabu Kubota
Tatsuro Ochi
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Nippon Steel Corp
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Nippon Steel Corp
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D1/00—General methods or devices for heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering
    • C21D1/06—Surface hardening
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D8/00—Modifying the physical properties by deformation combined with, or followed by, heat treatment
    • C21D8/02—Modifying the physical properties by deformation combined with, or followed by, heat treatment during manufacturing of plates or strips
    • C21D8/0221—Modifying the physical properties by deformation combined with, or followed by, heat treatment during manufacturing of plates or strips characterised by the working steps
    • C21D8/0226—Hot rolling
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C1/00—Making non-ferrous alloys
    • C22C1/02—Making non-ferrous alloys by melting
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C1/00—Making non-ferrous alloys
    • C22C1/11—Making amorphous alloys
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/001—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing N
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/002—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing In, Mg, or other elements not provided for in one single group C22C38/001 - C22C38/60
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/02—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing silicon
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/04—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing manganese
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/06—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing aluminium
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/18—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium
    • C22C38/22—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium with molybdenum or tungsten
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/18—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium
    • C22C38/24—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium with vanadium
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/18—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium
    • C22C38/26—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium with niobium or tantalum
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/18—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium
    • C22C38/28—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium with titanium or zirconium
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/18—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium
    • C22C38/32—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium with boron
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/18—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium
    • C22C38/38—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium with more than 1.5% by weight of manganese
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/18—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium
    • C22C38/40—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium with nickel
    • C22C38/46—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium with nickel with vanadium
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22C—ALLOYS
    • C22C38/00—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys
    • C22C38/18—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium
    • C22C38/40—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium with nickel
    • C22C38/48—Ferrous alloys, e.g. steel alloys containing chromium with nickel with niobium or tantalum
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C8/00—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals
    • C23C8/06—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals using gases
    • C23C8/28—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals using gases more than one element being applied in one step
    • C23C8/30—Carbo-nitriding
    • C23C8/32—Carbo-nitriding of ferrous surfaces
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
    • C23C8/00—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals
    • C23C8/80—After-treatment

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to case-hardening steel produced by hot rolling, hot forging, or other hot working, then cold forging, rolling, or otherwise cold working, cutting, etc., then treating by carburized quenching and a method of production of the same.
  • Gears, bearings, and other rolling parts and constant velocity joints, shafts, and other rotation transmission parts require surface hardness, so are treated by carburized quenching.
  • These carburized parts are, for example, produced by the process of using medium carbon alloy steel for machine structures prescribed by JIS G 4052, JIS G 4104, JIS G 4105, JIS G 4106, etc. and hot forging, warm forging, cold forging, rolling, or otherwise plastic working it or cutting it to obtain a predetermined shape, then treating it by carburized quenching.
  • the heat treatment strain arising due to the carburized quenching sometimes causes the shape precision of the parts to degrade.
  • the heat treatment strain becomes a cause of noise or vibration. Furthermore, it sometimes causes a deterioration of fatigue characteristics at the contact surfaces.
  • gears, bearings, and other rolling parts are subjected to high surface pressures, so are treated by deep carburization.
  • deep carburization to shorten the carburization time, usually the 930°C or so carburization temperature is raised to a 990 to 1090°C temperature region. For this reason, with deep carburization, coarse grains easily form.
  • the quality of the case-hardening steel that is, the material before plastic working, is important.
  • Patent Literature 6 relates to a specific steel having a composition containing, by mass, 0.1 to 0.4% C, 0.01 to 1.2% Si, 0.2 to 0.65% Mn, 0.005 to 0.15% S, 0.5 to 1.6% Cr, 0.0005 to 0.006% B and 0.015 to 0.1% Al, further containing specified quantity of one or more kinds selected from Te, Ca, Zr, Mg, Y and rare earth elements and moreover containing specified quantity of Ti, Nb or the like, in which the structural fractional ratio of bainite is limited to ⁇ 15%, and the ferrite grain sizes is ⁇ 8.
  • Patent Literature 7 relates to a specific grain coarsening-resistant case hardening steel excellent in machinability having a composition containing, by weight, 0.1 to 0.3% C, 0.01 to 0.5% Si, 0.6 to 2.0% Mn, ⁇ 0.025% P, 0.002 to 0.2% S, 0.02 to 0.08% Nb, 0.04 to 1.0% Ti, 0.001 to 0.01% B, ⁇ 0.008% N, 0 to 2.0% Cr, 0 to 1.0% Mo, 0 to 2.0% Ni, 0 to 0.10% Al, 3S-Ti+4N ⁇ 0%, and the balance Fe with impurities, in which the maximum diameter of Ti carbosulfides in the steel is regulated to ⁇ 10 ⁇ m, and the content thereof is regulated to ⁇ 0.05% by cleanliness.
  • Pb is a substance having an environmental load. Due to the importance of environmentally friendly technology, addition of Pb to steel materials is being limited.
  • the present invention in view of this situation, prevents the formation of coarse grains in case-hardening steel which is forged, rolled, or otherwise cold worked, cut, and treated by carburized quenching such as in carburized parts in which fatigue characteristics are demanded, in particular bearing parts, rolling parts, etc. in which rolling contact fatigue characteristics are demanded, and provides case-hardening steel superior in cold workability, machinability, and fatigue characteristics after carburized quenching and a method of production of the same.
  • the case-hardening steel of the present invention is superior in forgeability, machineability, and other workability. Even when producing parts by the cold forging process, coarsening of the crystal grains due to heating at the time of carburized quenching is suppressed. Deterioration of the dimensional precision due to quenching strain is much smaller than the past.
  • the problem of the deterioration of machinability due to the prevention of formation of coarse grains in the past is solved. Further, higher precision of part shapes is achieved. Furthermore, the tool life also becomes longer.
  • parts made of the case-hardening steel of the present invention are kept from forming coarse grains even in high temperature carburization, sufficient strength characteristics such as rolling contact fatigue characteristics can be obtained, etc. The contribution to industry is extremely remarkable.
  • Coarsening of crystal grains due to carburized quenching is prevented by using precipitates as pinning particles to suppress grain growth.
  • making Ti precipitates mainly comprised of TiC and TiCS precipitate finely at the time of cooling after hot working is extremely effective for preventing the formation of coarse grains.
  • NbC and other Nb precipitates finely precipitate in the case-hardening steel it is preferable to make NbC and other Nb precipitates finely precipitate in the case-hardening steel.
  • the coarse TiN formed at the time of casting will not be solubilized by the heating of the hot rolling or hot forging and will sometimes remain in large amounts. If coarse TiN remains, at the time of carburized quenching, the TiN will act as precipitation nuclei resulting in TiC, TiCS, and furthermore NbC precipitating and fine dispersion of the precipitates being inhibited. Therefore, to enable fine Ti precipitates and Nb precipitates to prevent formation of coarse grains at the time of carburized quenching, it is important to reduce the amount of N and solubilize the Ti precipitates and Nb precipitates at the time of heating in hot working.
  • the temperature at which AlN forms a solid solution is lower than that of TiN, so compared with TiN, it is easier to solubilize' at the time of heating in hot rolling. Furthermore, during the hot working and at the time of cooling after that, AlN precipitates and grows slower than Ti precipitates and Nb precipitates. Therefore, by preventing AlN from remaining at the time of heating in hot working, it is possible to limit the amount of precipitation of the AlN contained in the case-hardening steel.
  • the teeth are formed by forging and gear cutting before carburized quenching.
  • MnS and other sulfides cause the cold forgeability to drop, but are extremely effective for gear cutting. That is, sulfides exhibit the effect of suppressing changes in tool shape due to wear of the cutting tools and extending so-called tool life.
  • control the shape of sulfides by control of the AlN required for suppressing coarse grains, addition of Ti, control of the amount of S, and, furthermore, addition of Zr, Mg, and Ca.
  • the coarse MnS lowers the limit compression rate and other aspects of cold forgeability.
  • anisotropy of the material characteristics will occur due to the shape of the MnS.
  • case-hardening steel of the present invention it is preferable to make the sulfides mainly comprised of MnS finer and make their shapes substantially spherical. Further, it is more preferable that the change in shape be small even after forging and other cold working.
  • Addition of Zr, Mg, and Ca is effective for causing dispersion of fine sulfides. Furthermore, if Zr, Mg, Ca, etc. solute in the MnS, the resistance to deformation becomes higher and the sulfides no longer easily deform. Therefore, the addition of Zr, Mg, and Ca is extremely effective for suppression of elongating.
  • FIG. 1 compares the relationship of machineability and cold workability for case-hardening steel with a good coarse grain characteristic suppressed in formation of coarse grains at the time of carburized quenching.
  • it is possible to maintain a good coarse grain characteristic (coarse grain formation temperature > 970°C) while achieving both cold workability (limit compression rate) and machineability (drillability VL1000).
  • limit compression rate limit compression rate
  • machineability VL1000 machineability
  • the further to the top right the better the balance of machineability and cold workability of the material.
  • C is an element raising the strength of steel.
  • 0.1% or more of C is added.
  • An amount of C of 0.15% or more is preferable.
  • the amount of C is preferably made 0.4% or less.
  • An amount of C of 0.3% or less is more preferable.
  • Si is an element effective for deoxidation of steel. In the present invention, 0.01% or more is added. Further, Si is an element strengthening steel and improving the quenchability. Addition of 0.02% or more is preferable. Furthermore, Si is an element effective for increasing the grain boundary strength. Furthermore, in bearing parts and rolling parts, it is an element effective for extending lifetime by suppressing structural changes and deterioration of quality in the process of rolling contact fatigue. For this reason, when aiming at increasing the strength, addition of 0.1% or more is more preferable. In particular, to raise the rolling contact fatigue strength, addition of 0.2% or more of Si is preferable.
  • the amount of Si exceeds 1.5%, the hardening causes the cold forging and other cold workability to deteriorate, so the upper limit is made 1.5%. Further, to raise the cold workability, it is preferable to make the amount of Si 0.5% or less. In particular, when stressing cold forgeability, the amount of Si is preferably 0.25% or less.
  • Mn is effective for deoxidation of steel. Furthermore, it is an element improving the strength and quenchability of steel. In the present invention, 0.3% or more is added. On the other hand, if the amount of Mn exceeds 1.8%, the rise in hardness causes the cold forgeability to be degraded, so 1.8% is made the upper limit.
  • the preferable range of the amount of Mn is 0.5 to 1.2%. Note that, when stressing the cold forgeability, it is preferable to make the upper limit of the amount of Mn 0.75%.
  • S is an element forming MnS in steel and improving the machine ability.
  • the content of S is made 0.001% or more.
  • the preferable lower limit of the amount of S is 0.1%.
  • the amount of S is preferably 0.05% or less.
  • the amount of S is preferably made 0.03% or less.
  • the inventors etc. discovered that for improvement of the machinability, the content of S has a large effect, while for improvement of the cold workability, the shape of the sulfides has a large effect.
  • one or more of Mg, Zr, and Ca are added to control the shape of the sulfides, so it is possible to make the amount of S 0.01% or more.
  • the amount of S is preferably made 0.02% or more.
  • Cr is an element effective for improving the strength and quenchability of steel. In the present invention, 0.4% or more is added. Furthermore, in bearing parts and rolling parts, it is effective for increasing the residual amount of ⁇ of the surface layer after carburization and increasing lifetime by suppressing changes in structure and degradation of quality in the process of rolling contact fatigue, so addition of 0,7% or more is preferable.
  • the more preferable amount of Cr is 1.0% or more. On the other hand, if adding Cr over 2.0%, the rise in hardness causes the cold workability to be degraded, so the upper limit is made 2.0%. To improve the cold forgeability, the amount of Cr is preferably made 1.5% or less.
  • Ti is an element forming carbides, carbosulfides, nitrides, and other precipitates in the steel.
  • 0.05% or more of Ti is added to utilize the fine TiC and TiCS to prevent the formation of coarse grains at the time of carburized quenching.
  • the preferable lower limit of the amount of Ti is 0.1%.
  • the upper limit of the amount of Ti is made 0.2%.
  • Al is a deoxidizing agent. Addition of 0.005% or more is preferable, but the invention is not limited to this.
  • the amount of Al exceeds 0.04%, the AlN will remain without being solubilized by the heating of the hot working. For this reason, the coarse AlN will form precipitation nuclei for precipitates of Ti and Nb and formation of fine precipitates will be inhibited. Therefore, to prevent coarsening of the crystal grains at the time of carburized quenching, the amount of Al has to be made 0.04% or less.
  • N is an element forming nitrides.
  • the upper limit of the amount of N is made 0.0050%. This is because coarse TiN and AlN form precipitation nuclei for Ti precipitates mainly comprised of TiC and TiCS and Nb carbonitrides mainly comprised of NbC etc. and inhibit the dispersion of fine precipitates.
  • P is an impurity. It is an element which raises the resistance to deformation at the time of cold working and degrades the toughness. If excessively included, the cold forgeability is degraded, so the content of P has to be limited to 0.025% or less. Further, to suppress embrittlement of the crystal grain boundaries and improve the fatigue strength, the content of P is preferably made 0.015% or less.
  • O is an impurity. It forms oxide inclusions in the steel and impairs the workability, so the content is limited to 0.0025% or less. Further, the case-hardening - steel of the present invention includes Ti, so oxide inclusions including Ti are formed and act as precipitation nuclei causing TiC to precipitate. If the oxide inclusions increase, the formation of fine TiC is sometimes suppressed at the time of hot working.
  • the upper limit of the amount of O is preferably made 0.0020%.
  • the oxide inclusions sometimes serve as origin of rolling contact fatigue fracture.
  • the O content is preferably limited to 0.0012% or less.
  • Mg, Zr, and Ca form roughly spherical sulfides and further raise the deformation ability of MnS to suppress elongating due to hot working.
  • Mg and Zr exhibit remarkable effects even when included in very small amounts, so care is preferably exercised in secondary materials etc.
  • Mg is an element forming oxides and sulfides. Due to the inclusion of Mg, composite sulfides (Mn,Mg)S with MgS or MnS etc. are formed, so it is possible to suppress elongating of MnS. A very small amount of Mg is effective for control of the form of the MnS. To improve the workability, addition of 0.0002% or more of Mg is performed.
  • oxides of Mg finely disperse and form the nuclei for formation of MnS and other sulfides.
  • addition of 0.0003% or more of Mg is preferable.
  • the sulfides become somewhat hard and become harder to elongate due to hot working.
  • the upper limit of the content of Mg is 0.003%. Further, if excessively adding Mg, large amounts of oxides are formed in the molten steel and deposition on the refractories, clogging of nozzles, and other trouble in steelmaking are sometimes caused. Therefore, the amount of addition of Mg is more preferably made 0.001% or less.
  • Zr is an element forming oxides, sulfides, and nitrides. If adding a very small amount of Zr, it combines with the Ti in the molten steel to form fine oxides, sulfides, and nitrides. Therefore, in the present invention, the addition of Zr is extremely effective for the control of inclusions and precipitates. To control the form of the inclusions and improve the workability, addition of 0.0002% or more of Zr is performed.
  • Oxides, sulfides, and nitrides including Zr and Ti form precipitation nuclei for MnS at the time of solidification.
  • the Zr and Ti dissolve into the MnS precipitated around these oxides, sulfides, and nitrides including Zr and Ti resulting in a deterioration of the deformation ability. Therefore, to suppress the deformation of MnS and prevent elongating due to hot working, addition of 0.0003% or more of Zr is preferable.
  • Zr is an expensive element, so from the viewpoint of the production costs, the upper limit of the amount of Zr is 0.01%.
  • the preferable amount of Zr is 0.005% or less, more preferably 0.003% or less.
  • Ca is an element forming oxides and sulfides. To control the form of the inclusions and improve the workability, 0.0002% or more of Ca is added.
  • the CaS and (Mn,Ca)S and the composite sulfides with Ti formed by the addition of Ca act as precipitation nuclei for MnS at the time of solidification.
  • the Ca and Ti dissolve in the MnS precipitated around the oxides and sulfides containing Ca and Ti resulting in a deterioration of the deformation ability. Therefore, to suppress deformation of MnS and prevent elongating due to hot working, addition of 0.0003% or more of Ca is preferable.
  • the amount of Ca is 0.005% or less.
  • addition of two or more of Mg, Zr, and Ca is more preferable. It is possible to make roughly spherical sulfides finely disperse. When adding two or more of Mg, Zr, and Ca, it is preferable to make the total content 0.0005% or more. Further, to prevent deposition on the refractories etc. even when adding two or more of Mg, Zr, and Ca, it is preferable to make the total content 0.006% or less, more preferable to make it 0.003% or less.
  • Nb in the same way as Ti, is an element bonding with C and N in the steel to form carbonitrides. Due to the addition of Nb, the effect of suppression of formation of coarse grains due to the Ti precipitates becomes more remarkable. Even if the amount of Nb added is very small, compared with the case of not adding Nb, the addition is extremely effective for prevention of coarse grains.
  • Nb forms a solid solution in the Ti precipitates and suppresses coarsening of the Ti precipitates.
  • addition of 0.01% or more of Nb is preferable, but the invention is not limited to this.
  • the amount of addition of Nb is made less than 0.04%.
  • the preferable upper limit of the amount of Nb is less than 0.03%. Further, when stressing the carburization ability in addition to the workability, the preferable upper limit of the amount of Nb is less than 0.02%.
  • the preferable range of Ti+Nb is 0.07% to less than 0.17%.
  • the preferable range of Ti+Nb is over 0.09% to less than 0.17%.
  • one or more of Mo, Ni, V, B, and Nb may be added.
  • Mo is an element improving the strength and quenchability of steel. In the present invention, it is effective for increasing the amount of residual ⁇ at the surface layer of carburized parts and further to increase the lifetime by suppression of structural changes and quality changes in the process of rolling contact fatigue. However, if adding over 1.5% of Mo, the rise in hardness causes the machinability and cold forgeability to be degraded in some cases.
  • the content of Mo is made 1.5% or less.
  • Mo is an expensive element. From the viewpoint of the production costs, making the amount 0.5% or less is more preferable.
  • Ni in the same way as Mo, is an element effective for improving the strength and quenchability of the steel. However, if adding Ni over 3.5%, the rise in the hardness causes the cuttability and cold forgeability to deteriorate in some cases, so making the content of Ni is made 3.5% or less. Ni is also an expensive element. From the viewpoint of the production costs, the preferable upper limit is 2.0%. The further preferable upper limit of the amount of Ni is 1.0%.
  • V is an element improving the strength and quenchability if forming a solid solution in the steel. If the amount of V is over 0.5%, the rise in the hardness causes the machinability and cold forgeability to deteriorate in some cases, so the upper limit of content is made 0.5%. The preferable upper limit of the amount of V is 0.2%.
  • B is an element effective for raising the quenchability of steel with addition in a very fine amount. Further, B forms boron-iron carbides in the cooling process after hot rolling, increases the growth rate of ferrite, and promotes softening. Furthermore, it is also effective for improving the grain boundary strength of carburized parts and for improving the fatigue strength and impact strength. However, if adding B in over 0.005%, the effect becomes saturated and the impact strength is degraded, so the upper limit of the content is 0.005%. The preferable upper limit of the amount of B is 0.003%.
  • the effect of the addition of Si and Cr and, furthermore, the addition of Mo in suppressing structural changes and quality changes in bearing parts and rolling parts in the process of rolling contact fatigue is particularly large when the residual austenite (residual ⁇ ) at the surface layer after carburization is 30 to 40%.
  • carbonitridation treatment is effective. Carbonitridation treatment is treatment for carburization, then nitridation in the process of diffusion treatment.
  • the nitrogen concentration of the surface layer becomes 0.2 to 0.6% in range. Note that, in this case, it is preferable to make the carbon potential at the time of carburization 0.9 to 1.3% in range.
  • the Ti(C,N) at the surface layer causes the rolling fatigue life to be improved.
  • the carbon potential at the time of carburization it is preferable to set the carbon potential at the time of carburization to 0.9 to 1.3%. Further, with carburization, then nitridation in the process of diffusion treatment, that is, carbonitridation treatment, it is preferable to set the conditions so that the nitrogen concentration of the surface becomes 0.2 to 0.6% in range.
  • AlN forms the precipitation nuclei for Ti precipitates and Nb precipitates and inhibits the formation of fine precipitates. Therefore, in the present invention, it is necessary to limit the amount of precipitation of AlN included in the case-hardening steel. If the amount of precipitation of AlN is excessive, coarse grains are liable to be formed at the time of carburized quenching, so the amount of precipitation of AlN in the case-hardening steel is limited to 0.01% or less. The preferable upper limit of the amount of precipitation of AlN is 0.005%.
  • the case-hardening steel of the present invention is limited in amount of N, so if heating it to a temperature where AlN is solubilized, the Ti precipitates and Nb precipitates can also be solubilized.
  • the amount of precipitation of AlN is measured by chemical analysis of the extraction residue.
  • the extraction residue is obtained by dissolving the steel by a bromine methanol solution and filtering by a 0.2 ⁇ m filter. Note that, even if using a 0.2 ⁇ m filter, in the process of filtration, the precipitates cause the filter to clog, so extraction of 0.2 ⁇ m or smaller fine precipitates is also possible.
  • MnS is useful for the improvement of the machinability, so it is necessary to secure the density.
  • elongated coarse MnS impairs the cold workability, so the size and form have to be controlled.
  • the inventors etc. studied the relationship between the content of S, the size and shape of MnS inclusions, and the machinability and cold workability.
  • the equivalent circle diameter of an MnS inclusion is the diameter of a circle having an area equal to the area of the MnS inclusion and can be found by image analysis.
  • the aspect ratio is the ratio of the length of the MnS inclusion divided by the thickness of the MnS.
  • the inventors etc. studied the effects of the distribution of sulfides.
  • the MnS inclusions of a hot rolled material of a diameter of 30 mm were observed under a scanning electron microscope and analyzed for the relationship of size, aspect ratio and density, and cold workability and machinability.
  • the MnS inclusions are examined at a part of 1/2 radius from the surface of the cross-section parallel to the rolling direction.
  • Ten fields of 1 mm ⁇ 1 mm area were examined and the equivalent circle diameters, aspect ratios, and numbers of the sulfide inclusions present were found. Note that, the fact that the inclusions are sulfides was confirmed by an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer attached to a scanning electron microscope.
  • [S] indicates the content (mass%) of S. Furthermore, if coarse Ti precipitates are present in the steel, they become origin of contact fatigue fracture and the fatigue characteristics deteriorate in some cases.
  • the contact fatigue strength is a required characteristic of a carburized part and is the rolling contact fatigue characteristic or surface fatigue strength. To raise the contact fatigue strength, making the maximum size of the Ti precipitates less than 40 ⁇ m is preferable.
  • the maximum size of the Ti precipitates is found by statistics of extremes measured in the cross-section of the longitudinal direction of the case-hardened steel using a standard inspection area of 100 mm 2 , inspection of 16 fields, and a prediction area of 30000 mm 2 .
  • the method of measurement of the maximum size of precipitates using statistics of extremes is, for example, as described in Yukitaka Murakami, "Metal Fatigue - Effects of Small Defects and Nonmetallic Inclusions", Yokendo, pp. 233 to 239 (1993 ), a two-dimensional test method of estimating the largest precipitates obtained in a fixed area, that is, a prediction area (30000 mm 2 ).
  • the values are plotted on an extreme probability paper, the primary function of the maximum precipitate size and statistics of extremes standardized variable is found, and the maximum precipitate distribution line is extrapolated to predict the size of the largest precipitate in the prediction area.
  • the structural fraction of bainite in the case-hardened steel is preferably limited to 30% or less. This is because to prevent the formation of coarse grains at the time of carburized quenching, it is preferable to form fine precipitates at the grain boundary. That is, if the structural fraction of bainite formed at the time of cooling after hot working exceeds 30%, it becomes harder for the Ti precipitates and the Nb precipitates to be made to precipitate by interphase boundary precipitation.
  • Suppressing the structural fraction of bainite to 30% or less is also effective for improving the cold workability.
  • the upper limit of the structural fraction of bainite is preferably made 20%, more preferably 10% or less. Furthermore, when cold forging, then performing high temperature carburization etc., the upper limit of the structural fraction of bainite is preferably made 5% or less.
  • the ferrite grains of the case-hardened steel of the present invention are excessively fine, coarse grains easily form. This is because at the time of carburized quenching, the austenite grains become excessively fine. In particular, if the grain size number of the ferrite exceeds 11 as defined by JIS G 0551, coarse grains easily are formed. On the other hand, if the grain size number of ferrite of the case-hardening steel becomes less than 8 as defined by JIS G 0551, the ductility falls and the cold workability is impaired in some cases. Therefore, the grain size number of ferrite of the case-hardening steel is preferably 8 to 11 in range as defined by JIS G 0551.
  • Steel is produced by a converter, electric furnace, or other usual method, adjusted in ingredients, and passed through a casting process and, if necessary, a blooming process, to obtain a steel material.
  • the steel material is hot worked, that is, hot rolled or hot forged, to produce steel rails or steel bars.
  • the sulfides of the steel material often precipitate in the molten steel or at the time of solidification.
  • the size of the sulfides is greatly influenced by the cooling rate at the time of solidification. Therefore, to prevent the coarsening of the sulfides, it is important to control the cooling rate at the time of solidification.
  • the cooling rate at the time of solidification is defined as the cooling rate at the part of 1/2 of the distance from the surface to the centerline in the thickness direction on the centerline of the cast bloom width W in the cross-section of the cast bloom shown in FIG. 2 (position from the surface of T/4 from the surface with respect to the cast bloom thickness T).
  • the cooling rate at the time of solidification is made 3°C/min or more. Preferably it is made 5°C/min or more, more preferably 10°C/min or more. Note that, the cooling rate at the time of solidification can be confirmed by the secondary dendrite arm spacing.
  • the cast bloom is reheated as it is and hot worked to produce case-hardening steel or the material obtained by a blooming process is reheated and hot worked to produce case-hardening steel.
  • a cast bloom is bloomed to form a billet, cooled to room temperature, then reheated to produce case-hardening steel.
  • hot forging is sometimes applied. At that time, in blooming, it is preferable to hold the steel at a 1150°C or more high temperature for 10 minutes or more and cause the Ti and Nb precipitates to solute.
  • the steel material is heated. If the heating temperature is less than 1150°C, it is not possible to make the Ti precipitates, Nb precipitates, and AlN solute in the steel, and coarse Ti precipitates, Nb precipitates, and AlN will remain.
  • the heating temperature 1150°C or more.
  • the preferable lower limit of the heating temperature is 1180°C or more.
  • the upper limit of the heating temperature is not prescribed, but if considering the load of the heating furnace, 1300°C or less is preferable.
  • a holding time of 10 minutes or more is preferable.
  • the holding time is preferably 60 minutes or less from the viewpoint of productivity.
  • the finishing temperature of the hot working is less than 840°C, the ferrite crystal grains become fine and coarse grains easily form at the time of carburized quenching. On the other hand, if the finishing temperature exceeds 1000°C, hardening occurs and the cold workability deteriorates. Therefore, the finishing temperature of hot working is made 840 to 1000°C. Note that, the preferable range of the finishing temperature is 900 to 970°C, and the more preferable range is 920 to 950°C.
  • the cooling conditions after the hot working are important for causing the Ti precipitates and Nb precipitates to finely disperse.
  • the temperature range at which precipitation of Ti precipitates and Nb precipitates is promoted is 500 to 800°C. Therefore, the cooling is performed slowly by 1°C/s or less from a 800°C to 500°C temperature range to promote the formation of Ti precipitates and Nb precipitates.
  • the cooling rate exceeds 1°C/s, the time of passage through the region of the precipitation temperature of Ti precipitates and Nb precipitates becomes shorter and the formation of fine precipitates becomes insufficient. Further, if the cooling rate becomes faster, the structural fraction of bainite becomes larger. Further, if the cooling rate is large, the case-hardening steel hardens and the cold workability deteriorates, so the cooling rate is preferably 0.7°C/s or less.
  • the method for reducing the cooling rate the method of setting a heat retaining cover or heat retaining cover with a heat source after the rolling line and thereby slowing the cooling may be mentioned.
  • the case-hardening steel of the present invention can be applied to parts produced by a cold forging process or parts produced by hot forging.
  • the hot forging process for example, may comprise hot forging of steel bar, normalization or other heat treatment if necessary, cutting, carburized quenching, and grinding or polishing if necessary.
  • case-hardening steel of the present invention hot forging it at for example a 1150°C or more heating temperature, then, as necessary, treating it by normalization, it is possible to suppress the formation of coarse grains even if applying high temperature carburization in a 950 to 1090°C temperature region.
  • high temperature carburization in a 950 to 1090°C temperature region.
  • bearing parts or rolling parts even if treating them by high temperature carburization, superior rolling contact fatigue characteristics can be obtained.
  • the carburized quenching is not particularly limited, but when aiming at a high rolling fatigue life in bearing parts and rolling parts, it is preferable to set the carbon potential at 0.9 to 1.3%. Further, carburization, then nitridation in the process of diffusion treatment, that is, carbonitridation treatment, is also effective. Conditions whereby the nitrogen concentration of the surface becomes 0.2 to 0.6% in range are suitable. By selecting these conditions, fine Ti(C,N) precipitates in large amounts at the carburized layer and the rolling life is improved.
  • the solidification cooling rate was adjusted in advance based on data analyzing the relationship between the cooling conditions and solidification cooling rate when casting various sizes of cast blooms.
  • the solidification cooling rate of some of the cast blooms was confirmed by secondary dendrite arm spacing to be 10 to 11°C/min in range.
  • Some of the cast blooms were bloomed in accordance with need.
  • the steels were hot worked to produce steel bars of diameters of 24 to 30 mm.
  • the steels were observed under a microscope, the bainite fractions were measured, and the ferrite grain size numbers were determined based on the provisions of JIS G 0551.
  • the Vickers hardnesses were measured based on JIS Z 2244 and used as indicators of cold workability and machineability.
  • the amounts of precipitation of AlN were found by chemical analysis.
  • the statistics of extremes method was used to predict the maximum sizes of the Ti precipitates.
  • Table 4 to 6 show the hot working heating temperatures, finishing temperatures, cooling rates, bainite fractions, ferrite grain size numbers, AlN precipitation, Ti precipitate maximum sizes, and Vickers hardnesses.
  • the cooling rate is the cooling rate in the 500 to 800°C range. This was found from the time required for cooling from 800°C to 500°C.
  • the maximum sizes of the Ti precipitates were found as follows. An optical microscope was used to observe the metal structures and contrast was used to differentiate the precipitates. Note that, the contrast of the precipitates was confirmed using a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer.
  • each test piece 16 fields of regions of standard inspection areas of 100 mm 2 (10 mm ⁇ 10 mm region) were prepared in advance. The largest Ti precipitates in each 100 square mm standard inspection area was detected and photographed by an optical microscope by 1000X.
  • the 16 sets of data of the obtained maximum precipitate sizes were plotted on an extreme probability paper by the method described in Yukitaka Murakami, "Metal Fatigue - Effects of Small Defects and Nonmetallic Inclusions", Yokendo, pp. 233 to 239 (1993 ), the largest precipitate distribution line, that is, the primary function of the maximum precipitate size and statistics of extremes standardized variable, was found, the largest precipitate distribution line was extrapolated, and the diameters of the largest precipitates in the prediction area (30000 mm 2 ) were found.
  • test piece was annealed, then subjected to an upset test.
  • the grooved test piece shown in FIG. 3 was obtained and measured for the limit compression rate until fracture.
  • the compression rate was changed and 10 test pieces were used to find the probability of fracture.
  • the compression rate when the probability became 50% was made the limit compression rate.
  • This test method is a method of evaluation close to cold forging, but has also been considered an indicator showing the effects of sulfides on forgeability in hot forging.
  • the machineability was evaluated by a test finding the lifetime until a drill broke. Note that, the drilling was performed using a high speed steel straight shank drill having a diameter of 3 mm at a feed of 0.25 mm, a hole depth of 9 mm, and a drill projection of 35 mm using a water soluble cutting fluid.
  • the speed of the drill was fixed at 10 to 70 m/min in range and the cumulative hole depth until breakage was measured while drilling.
  • the cumulative hole depth is the product of the depth of one hole and the number of drilled holes.
  • VL1000 The maximum value of the speed of the drill where the cumulative hole depth exceeds 1000 mm was found as VL1000.
  • the coarse grain characteristic was evaluated by taking a test piece from a steel bar after spheroidal annealing, cold upset forging it by a reduction rate of 50%, then heat treating it simulating carburized quenching (referred to as "carburization simulation"), and measuring the old austenite grain size.
  • the carburization simulation comprised heat treatment heating a test piece to 910 to 1010°C, holding it there for 5 hours, then water cooling it.
  • the old austenite grain size was measured in accordance with JIS G 0551.
  • the old austenite grain size was measured and the temperature at which coarse grains formed (coarsening temperature) was found. Note that, the old austenite grain size was measured by observation at 400X for about 10 fields. If even one coarse grain of a grain size number of 5 or less was present, it was judged that coarse grains were formed.
  • the heating temperature of the carburized quenching treatment is usually 930 to 950°C, so a test piece with a coarsening temperature of 950°C or less was judged to be inferior in crystal grain coarsening characteristic.
  • the reduction rate was made 50%
  • the steel was cold forged, and a cylindrical rolling contact fatigue test piece of a diameter of 12.2 mm was obtained and treated by carburized quenching.
  • the carburized quenching was performed by heating the steel in an atmosphere of a carbon potential of 0.8% to 950°C, holding it there fore 5 hours, and quenching it in oil of a temperature of 130°C. Furthermore, the steel was held at 180°C for 2 hours and tempered.
  • These carburized quenched materials were investigated for the ⁇ granularity (carburized layer austenite grain size number) of the carburized layers based on JIS G 0551.
  • a point contact type rolling contact fatigue test rig Hertz maximum contact stress 5884 MPa was used to evaluate the rolling contact fatigue characteristic.
  • the L 10 life defined as "the number of cycles of stress to fatigue fracture at a probability of failure of 10% obtained by plotting the test results on a Weibull probability paper", was used.
  • materials with frequent breakage at a reduction rate of 50% were not subjected to subsequent fatigue tests.
  • the rolling fatigue life shows the relative value of the L 1 life of each material indexed to the L 10 life of No. 55 (comparative example) as "1".
  • Table 4 No. Hot working Bainite fraction (%) Ferrite grain size number AlN precipitation (%) Ti precipitate max. size ⁇ m Sulfide density (/mm 2 ) hardness (HV) ing temp. (°C) Carburized layer austenite grain size number Limit comp. rate (%) Machineability IVL1000 (m/min) Fatigue life (rel. value) Remarks Heating temp. (°C) Finishing temp.
  • Hot working Bainite fraction Ferrite grain size number AlN precipitation (%) Ti precipitate max. size ⁇ m Sulfide density (/mm 2 ) Vickers hardness (HV) Coarsening temp. (°C) Carburized layer austenite grain size number Limit compression rate (%) Machine-ability VL1000 (m/min) Fatigue life (rel. value) Remarks Heating temp. (°C) Finishing temp. (°C) Cooling rate (°C/s) 36 1210 940 0.52 0 8.8 0.003 26 53.9 173 >1050 8.9 55 52 3.4 ex.
  • Hot working Bainite fraction (%) Ferrite grain size number AlN precipitation (%) Ti precipitate max. size ⁇ m Sulfide density (/mm 2 ) Vickers hardness (HV) Coarsening temp. (°C) Carburized layer austenite grain size number Limit comp. rate (%) Machineability VL1000 (m/min) Fatigue life (rel. value) Remarks Heating temp. (°C) Finishing temp. (°C) Cooling rate (°C/s) 55 1210 900 0.47 0 10.3 0.003 - 70.5 165 950 3.7 58 40 1.0 Comp. ex.
  • the crystal grain coarsening temperature of the invention examples is 990°C or more, the ⁇ grains of a 950°C carburized material are fine, regular grains, and the rolling contact fatigue characteristic is also superior.
  • the cold forgeability and machineability as well it is clear that they are superior compared with the comparative examples of similar amounts of S.
  • the comparative example of No. 55 corresponds to SCr420 prescribed by the JIS. It does not contain Ti, Mg, Zr, or Ca, so has a low coarsening temperature and coarse ⁇ grains.
  • Nos. 56 to 58 exhibit effects of prevention of coarse grains by Ti, but do not contain Ti, Mg, Zr, or Ca, so have inferior machineability and furthermore insufficient cold forgeability.
  • Nos. 59 and 60 are examples where the S is increased to try to improve the machineability, but do not contain Ti, Mg, Zr, or Ca, so have elongated sulfides and inferior cold forgeabilities.
  • Nos. 84 to 89 are examples where Mo and Nb are added and the quenchability is improved, while No. 87 corresponds to SCM420 prescribed by the JIS. However, No. 87 does not contain Ti, Mg, Zr, or Ca, so has a low coarsening temperature and coarse ⁇ grains. Further, Nos. 84 to 86, 88, and 89 exhibit effects of prevention of coarse grains by Ti, but do not contain Ti, Mg, Zr, or Ca, so have inferior machineability and, furthermore, insufficient cold forgeability.
  • Nos. 71 to 76 have large contents of N, coarse Ti precipitates, and remarkable formation of coarse grains. Further, Nos. 71 to 73 have reduced rolling contact fatigue characteristics of carburized parts, while Nos. 74 to 76 are examples inferior in cold forgeability and not subjected to rolling contact fatigue tests.
  • No. 80 has a large O content, formation of coarse grains, and no good rolling contact fatigue characteristic as well.
  • No. 77 has a small Ti content and a small pinning effect of Ti, so has a reduced coarsening temperature.
  • No. 78 has a large Ti content, coarse Ti precipitates, reduced coarsening temperature, and degraded cold workability due to TiC precipitation hardening. Further, No. 78 has insufficient solubilization of Ti precipitates and reduced rolling contact fatigue characteristic of carburized parts.
  • No. 79 has a large Nb content, degraded cold workability due to precipitation hardening, and inferior prevention of coarse grains.
  • Nos. 61 to 70 have low heating temperatures, insufficient solid solutions of Ti precipitates and Nb precipitates, and inferior effects of prevention of coarse grains.
  • No. 81 has a fast cooling rate after hot rolling, increased bainite structural fraction after hot working, and formation of coarse grains.
  • No. 82 has a high finishing temperature in hot working, coarse ferrite crystal grain size, and degraded prevention of coarse grains.
  • No. 83 has a low finishing temperature in hot working, a fine ferrite crystal grain size, and inferior prevention of coarse grains.

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EP2418296A1 (en) 2012-02-15
AU2009343864B2 (en) 2012-10-18
KR101367350B1 (ko) 2014-02-26
CA2757393C (en) 2015-10-06
BRPI0925071B1 (pt) 2021-05-04
US20120018063A1 (en) 2012-01-26
WO2010116555A1 (ja) 2010-10-14
EP2418296A4 (en) 2017-05-17
KR20110117261A (ko) 2011-10-26
BRPI0925071A2 (pt) 2015-07-21
CN102378822A (zh) 2012-03-14
CN102378822B (zh) 2014-05-14
CA2757393A1 (en) 2010-10-14

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