The steelmaking laboratory of the A.A. Ugarov Stary Oskol Technological Institute, a branch of the National University of Science and Technology MISiS (NUST MISiS), launched at OEMK (a part of Metalloinvest), has begun developing new steel grades.
The laboratory is conducting experimental smelting in a new vacuum induction-melting furnace with a maximum capacity of 60 kg. The laboratory enables its operators to efficiently conduct experimental smelting in small volumes, which is impossible in OEMK’s 150-ton industrial furnaces. The steel smelting laboratory allows the production of special steel grades and complex alloys. Vacuum treating of the steel enables specialists to remove impurities consisting of hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen, as well as micro-impurities of non-ferrous metals, to produce high-purity steel meeting the requirements of special metallurgy.
The first experimental smelting has been conducted in the laboratory, and the next stage of operations is now beginning. This is research into identifying the mechanical characteristics of the steel produced. Examples of the experimental grades are sent to OEMK’s mechanical repair unit and the technical management facility.
Nikolai Repnikov, Deputy Science and Innovation Director of the Stary Oskol Technological Institute, commented: “A vacuum induction melting furnace provides limitless possibilities. We can smelt absolutely any alloys and make developments in ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, but our main task is the execution of orders for Metalloinvest, particularly OEMK. In a vacuum induction melting furnace it is possible to smelt metal in a vacuum with non-reactive substances and conduct experiments on alloying steel.”
Metalloinvest and NUST MISiS have invested more than 60 million rubles in the construction of a scientific and technical steel-smelting laboratory. The project began in 2015, and in December 2017 the first trial smelting was carried out at the laboratory. The steel-smelting laboratory, equipped with a vacuum induction melting furnace, gives OEMK unique opportunities to develop new steel grades that are in demand on the global market for high-quality rolled steel (SBQ). (MetalInfo/Ukrainian metal)