Current research in Egypt on optimisation of combined mechanical strength and corrosion behaviour of steel rebar

Abstract

The effect of accelerated water cooling on the mechanical and corrosion properties of steel rebars produced from steel with composition of 0·17–0·286%C, 0·62–0·72%Mn, 0·15–0·20%Si has been assessed. The bars were rolled from continuously cast steel billets to 12, 16, 20 and 25 mm diameter. Immediately after the last rolling stand the steel bars entered the quenching box. Cooling conditions were varied by changing the number of cooling nozzles and the water flowrate. Initial bar temperature and equalised temperature were calculated using a mathematical model and recorded by pyrometers at the entry of the quenching box and the entry of the cooling bed. Corrosion resistance was determined potentiodynamically and by immersion tests in NaCl and Ca(OH)2 solution. Equalising temperature decreased with increasing cooling time and water flowrate. Yield strength and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) increased and elongation decreased with decreasing equalising temperature, indicating that different steel grades can be obtained from billet of the same composition using accelerated cooling. Though no direct relationship was observed between mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, the results indicate that cooling conditions and process parameters for thermomechanical treatment should be selected on the basis of corrosion requirements as well as to produce the desired mechanical properties.