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concernant l'ouverture au public des archives historiques de la Communauté économique 
européenne et de la Communauté européenne de l'énergie atomique (JO L 43 du 15.2.1983, 
p. 1), tel que modifié par le règlement (CE, Euratom) n° 1700/2003 du 22 septembre 2003 
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classifiés présents dans ce dossier ont été déclassifiés conformément à l'article 5 dudit 
règlem ent. 
In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983 
concerning the openi ng to the public of the historical archives of the European Econom ic 
Community and the European Atomic Energy Communit y (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as 
amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1700/2003 of 22 September 2003 (OJ L 243, 
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file have been declassified in conformity with Article 5 of the aforementioned regulation.  
In Übereinstimmung mit der Verordnung (EWG, Euratom) Nr. 354/83 des Rates vom  1. 
Februar 198 3 über die Freigabe der historischen Archive der Europäischen  
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft und der Europäischen Atomgem einschaft (ABI. L 43 vom  15.2.1983,  
S. 1), geändert durch die Verordnung (EG, Euratom) Nr. 1700/2003 vom 22. Septem ber 2003  
(ABI. L 243 vom 27 .9.2003, S. 1), ist diese Datei der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich. Soweit  
erforderlich, wurden die Verschlusssachen in dieser Datei in Übereinstimmung mit Artikel 5  
der genannten Verordnung freigegeben.  
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
C O M ( 85) 1 3 1  tinal
Brussels, 2 5  M a r c h  1985
MEMORANDUM
o n  the implementation of a n  iron a n d  steel research program m e,  
with a  view obtaining financial aid under article 5 5 (2) c  of
E C S C  Treaty
C O M (85) 1 3 1  tinal

MEMORANDUM
on the implementation of an iron and steel research programme,  
with a view to obtaining financial aid under article 55(2)c of
the ECSC Treaty
I. INTRODUCTION
The ECSC programme of research on iron and steel for 1985 pre­
sented in this memorandum consists of projects that have been 
selected from a total of 155 proposals that were submitted to 
the Commission on the European Communities requesting aid 
under Article 55, 2(c) of the ECSC Treaty. All requests have 
been examined in detail by the services of the Commission in 
collaboration with the Iron and Steel Technical Research 
Committee and 73 proposals have been selected for inclusion 
in the programme.
In the continuing effort to concentrate ECSC resources on 
those projects that correspond most closely to the criteria 
outlined in the medium-term orientation for steel research 
(1981-85) (*), priority has been given to proposals aimed at
improving the industry's international competitiveness through 
reducing costs and improving productivity in iron and steel­
making and through promoting the utilisation and application 
of steel in product-related studies.
The technical scope of the proposed programme covers various 
aspects of process-oriented and product-oriented research and 
the level of funding for the different fields is as follows :
- ironmaking 5.17 %
- steelmaking 26.82 %
- rolling mills and mechanical working 19.20 %
- measurement and analysis 7.56 %
- properties and service performance 40.17 %
- miscellaneous 1.08 %
In the field of ironmaking, the research proposed is aimed at 
optimising blast furnace performance through further studies 
of the cohesive zoije and burden behaviour while in sinter pro­
duction the main objectives are the development of on-line 
monitoring and of simulation tests in order to improve the 
uniformity of sinter quality.
With the continuing growth in the quantity of steel produced 
by continuous casting which has now reached some 70 million 
tonnes/year in the Community, improving the associated techno­
logy remains a priority objective; the eight projects included
(*) OJ. C.99 - 2.5.1981.

-  2 -
in this programme deal with three main aspects :  improved 
product quality, enhanced plant performance and extending 
the range of steels that may be cast continuously.
One of the interesting developments tn ironmaking is the 
increasing attention, being given to ..retreatment methods as 
a means of modifying the composition of liquid metal. With 
the objective of obtaining a European assessment of the cur­
rent situation, a study is proposed to make a technical and 
economic investigation of various pretreatment processes.
Also, in ultra-high-power electric arc steelmaking, two re­
lated projects will be concerned with the development and 
introduction of bath stirring and agitation techniques aimed 
at improving the economics of the process while the research 
proposed on refractories is related to the continuous casting 
process and to ladle metallurgy.
In rolling mill technology, laboratory and plant studies are 
proposed covering improvements in the quality of flat-mill 
products as well as the influence of hot deformation, precipi­
tation and cooling on the mechanical properties of strip. In 
the area of long products, two of the major objectives are 
the improved dimensional tolerences of bar and the improving 
strength and toughness properties by means of thermomechani­
cal treatment.
The research dealing With service properties and utilisation 
has the important overall objective of developing and adapting 
steels to meet increasingly stringent customer requirements in 
traditional as well as in new markets. This sector of the 
programme has assumed increasing importance in recent years 
and now covers a range of subjects form weldability and forma- 
bility to alloy and special steels. The main effort in this 
year's programme is directed at studies of corrosion and sur­
face protection where the emphasis is on protective coatings 
and fundamental studies of corrosion, of constructional steels 
and of brittle fracture. In the latter area further work is 
proposed on the fracture behaviour of linepipe steels to in­
clude the problem of hydrogen induced cracking and the tough­
ness and safety of welded joints.
The financial aid for the 73 research proposals amounts to a 
total of 17.564.500 ECU to which is added 341.900 ECU for an­
cillary costs and dissemination of information giving a total 
financial commitment of 17.906.400 ECU. It should be noted 
that proposals P.1746, P.1660, P.1729 and P.1693 in the memo­
randum, for which a total aid of 806.400 ECU is requested, 
will be held in reserve only to be undertaken should additio­
nal funds become available during 1985.
The memorandum also contains one demonstration project con­
cerning a neutral pickling process for sheet steel for which 
an aid of 1.015.000 ECU is requested.

- 3 -
II. RESEARCH PROJECTS  
II. 1. Ore reduction 
II.1.1. Sintering
In the field of iron ore sintering, two projects are pro­
posed for promotion. In project P.1746 it is proposed 
to design and try out an automatic monitoring system ca­
pable of controlling the uniformity of the sintering 
process across the grate. The system is intended to 
provide the necessary information to enable the operator 
to intervene in the sintering process if required. The 
aim of project P.1774 is to define the sintering condi­
tions that result in optimum sinter quality, will due 
regard to disintegration, reducibility and energy con­
sumption.
P.1746 System to provide sintering conditions across
the grate
1 .  In the first stage the basic components of the moni­
toring system are to be defined and specified.
2. In the second stage the system is to be installed and 
tried out in an industrial sintering plant of Nuova 
Italsider, Taranto.
Applicants :  CSM, Rome
Nuova Italsider, Taranto
Budget :  400.500 ECU
Probable duration :  31/2 years
p.1774 Improvement of sinter quality
The studies are to be carried out in a simulator in which 
the temperature/time conditions in the furnace can be si­
mulated. .
Experimental sinter mixtures with different MgO and A12C>3 
contents are to be investigated. Moreover, the gas com­
position and the temperature/time conditions will be 
varied so as to simulate the conditions at the centre 
and edge of the furnace. Lastly, there are to be mine- 
ralogical studies to identify undesirable phases.
Applicant i Hoogovens> Ijmuiden
Budget :  279.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years

- 4 -
II.1.2. Blast_furnaces
In the blast-furnace sector, too, there are two projects 
proposed for promotion. The aim of project P.1673 is to 
define possible ways of influencing the shape and posi­
tion of the cohesive zone. In project P.1682 the rate 
of descent and layer depth of the burden are to be traced 
by measuring the electrical conductivity.
p.1673 Monitoring the position of the cohesive zone
The research programme is in two stages :
In the first phase, experiments are to be carried out on 
a simulation model.
In the second phase, industrial-scale blast-furnace expe­
riments will be performed.
The input values for monitoring will be direct measure­
ments of the cohesive zone.
Applicants :  CRM, Liège
Cockerill Sambre, Seraing 
Sidmar, Gent
Budget :  369.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
P.1682 Determination of the burden material in the
blast-furnace stack (II)
This is a continuation of the research done in ECSC pro­
ject 7210.AA/115 of the same title. In the second part 
of the project, the measuring technique is to be extended 
to the lower section of the furnace. Suitable electrodes 
are to be developed and tested for that purpose. The 
process is to be developed to the stage of industrial 
maturity.
Applicant :  Thyssen Stahl AG, Duisburg
Budget :  464.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
II.2. gteel-making
II.2.1. Castin 2_and_solidification
All the seven projects on casting and solidification re­
late to continuous casting, though in some cases the ob­
jectives differ greatly. In project P.1683 an attempt 
will be made to extend the range of continuously castable 
steels. Projects P.1668 and P.1718 are designed to in-

- 5
vestigate the crack formation mechanisms in slabs. The 
aim of project P.1690 is the warmand hot charging of 
continuously cast slabs into the reheating furnaces up­
stream of wide-strip mills. Hence the heat content of 
continuously cast slabs . 1  s to be determined more accura­
tely. In project P.1715 the influence of phosphorus on 
the hot-toughness of austenitically solidifying, steels 
will be studied. P.1719 provides for the development 
of an automatic system for the metred feeding of casting 
powder,  which will record the overall and local powder 
consumption and relate it to product quality. P.1747 is 
concerned with the design of a mathematical flow model :  
the "preferred paths" for inclusions are to be determined.
P.1683 Continuous castability
The object of this research is to determine contractions, 
expansions, stresses and rheological high-temperature 
characteristics during the continuous casting of alloy 
steels susceptible to cracking. It is a Community pro­
gramme that provides for laboratory and industrial expe­
riments.
Applicants :  VDEh, Düsseldorf
Hoesch Stahl AG, Dortmund
Krupp Stahl AG, Bochum
Thyssen Edelstahlwerke AG, Krefeld
Thyssen Stahl AG, Duisburg
Krupp Forschungsinstitut, Essen
Institut für Allgemeine Metallurgie,
Clausthal
Budget :  1.370.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 1/2 years
p.1668 Mechanisms of formation of surface defects
in continuous cast blooms and slabs
The studies are to be directed to the areas mould, steel 
and covering powder. Industrial experiments will be 
carried out in various plants, and the programme includes 
mathematical models, physical models and experiments on 
a simulator.
Applicant ;  IRSID, St. Germain—en—Laye
Budget :  501.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
P. 1718 Effect of mould and top zone corner cooling
on transverse and longitudinal corner cracking 
in slabs and blooms
Moulds with different corner roundings are to be tried  
out in industrial-scale experiments. Heat-transfer

-  6 -
measurements will be performed in parallel, In addition, 
various cooling devices will be tested for the zone im­
mediately below the mould.
Applicant :  BSC, London
Budget :  320.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
p.1690 Cooling of continueusly cast slabs
The intention is to develop a process whereby the heat 
content of continuously cast slabs can be accurately de­
termined by experimental means. A programmable measure­
ment and storage device, which has so far been tried out 
at temperatures up to 1250° C, is to be modified for use 
in a continuous casting machine for this purpose.
Applicant :  Krupp Stahl AG, Bochum
Budget :  294.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.1715 The benefits of low phosphorus in the conti­
nuous casting of austenitically solidifying 
steels
Laboratory studies are to be carried out on 50 kg of 
vacuum melts. The cooling conditions during continuous 
casting will be simulated with these melts. The studies 
will relate to spring steels and stainless steels of 
Type 310. The phosphorus content is to be varied bet­
ween 0.005 and 0.04 %.
Applicant :  BSC, London
Budget :  117.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
P .  1719 Development of an intelligent system for
automatic powder additions to the continuous 
casting mould
The first step will be to develop in the laboratory a 
detector for scanning the surface temperature of the cas­
ting powder. A number of casting practices will then 
be tried out in industrial scale experiments. An attempt 
will be made to correlate powder thickness and powder 
consumption with the quality of the product.
Applicant :  BSC, London
Budget :  202.000 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years

7
P.1747 Casting fluodynamics in continuous casting
This project is concerned primarily with theoretical 
work in the field of fluodynamics. A mathematical model 
for the numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations 
is to be developed. It will be checked and corrected in 
experiments on a physical model.
Applicant :  CSM, Rome
Budget :  300.000 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
II.2.2. Steelworks_and_metallur2Y
One of the topics at the forefront of steel production 
is the manufacture of maximum-purity steels. The trend 
is towards dividing the various metallurgical reactions 
such as phosphorus, silicon, sulphur and carbon removal 
into discrete process phases. All of the four projects 
fall within this range of topics. Under project P.1670 
the potential of torpedo ladles in the pretreatment of 
pigiron is to be examined. P.1721 is intended to exa­
mine the multi-slagging process within the converter, 
thus avoiding downstream processing in the ladle. The 
aim of project P.1751 is to produce structural and stain­
less steel having an extremely low phosphorus content 
(less than 20 ppm), while project P.1679 would introduce 
a technical and economical comparison of the various 
methods of procedure so far put forward and tested.
P.1670 "Study of metallurgical reactions in torpedo
ladles"
The effects of size and blower equipment and - flowrate 
on bath homogeneity would be examined in large torpedo 
ladles. The following individual studies are planned :
- hydronynamic model studies
- preparation of a mathematical model
- operating tests at Usinor and SoLmer
Applicant :  IRSID, St. Germain-en-Laye
Budget :  477.500 ECU
Probable duration :  18 months
P.1721 Flux additions, refining and deslagging pro­
cedures for the products of very low phospho­
rus and sulphur steel in oxygen converters 
when processing low silicon iron
In multi-slag processes the slag composition should be 
selected in such a way that further processing is super­
fluous. The research would be carried out at both labo-

-  8 -
ratory and pilot scale. Alternative slag forming cons­
tituents such as Al^CU, soda ash, metal chlorides and 
fluorides and also comoinations of these would first of 
all be studied in the laboratory and later in a 3 t LD 
converter.
Applicant :  BSC, London
Budget :  309.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
P.1751 Induced dephosphorization of steel
Laboratory, pilot and industrial-scale studies are plan­
ned. Phophorus removal processes under both oxidizing 
and reducing conditions for the purpose of producing 
high-grade steels would be examined and developed right 
up to the technical application stage.
Applicants :  CSM, Rome
Nuova Sias SpA, Aosta 
Dalmine, Bergamo
Budget :  677.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 1/2 years
P.1679 Metallurgical and economic study of the pre­
treatment processes for haematite pig iron
This project would pinpoint the technical and economic 
advantages and drawbacks of the various ways of pretrea­
ting pig iron. The following individual aspects would 
be compared :
- pretreatment of pig in separate stages (removal of si­
licon, phosphorus, carbon),
-pig treatment in torpedo ladles, with simultaneous re­
moval of silicon and phosphorus,
- treatment with several slag types in the converter.
Applicants :  CRM, Liège
Cockerill-Sambre, Seraing
Budget :  456.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
II.2.3. §teelworks_technology
Two of the following projects (P.1691 and P.1692) con­
cern bottom blowing into UHP electric-arc furnaces. In 
the first case stress is placed on the problems specific 
to high-grade steel production and in the second on mass

- 9 -
steel production. Projects P.1717 and P.1750 would deal 
with improvements to the control of the steel temperature 
in the distributor vessel, thus making casting conditions 
more even.
P.1691 Bottom blowing into UHP electric-arc furnaces
Projects P.1691 and P.1692 have been matched to each 
other. Both would involve operating tests. Attempts 
would be made to improve the homogeneity of the liquid 
steel bath and increase the yield of the alloying ele­
ments (Cr and Ni).
The development of a stirring-gas control unit, including 
accessories and testing, is planned. This would be fol­
lowed by metallurgical studies of the effects of the 
stirring. The ultimate aim is optimization of the pro­
cess .
Applicant :  Krupp Stahl AG, Bochum
Budget :  228.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 1/2 years
p.1692 Bath agitation in the UHP electric-arc fur­
naces
The following investigations are planned :
- installation and testing of the technical equipment for 
introducing inert gas via bottom nozzles,
- optimization of the number and configuration of the 
nozzles used in the process,
- metallurgical studies depending upon the type of gas 
used,
- matter and energy balances.
Applicant :  Thyssen Niederrhein AG, Oberhaussen
Budget :  358.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
P.1717 Electrical heating of steel in a continuous-
caster tundish
Various methods of electrically heating molten steel are 
to be tested and compared with each other in the tundish 
in a pilot plant having a capacity of 500 kg of steel. 
Resistance and inductive heating are planned.
Applicant
Budget
Probable durationBSC, London 
196.000 ECU 
2 years

-  1 0  -
P.1750 Temperature control of continuous casting by
means of plasma burners
It would be examined to what extent a plasma-arc furnace 
would be suitable for controlling the temperature of the 
molten steel in the tundish in an industrial facility. 
Additional metallurgical treatments in the tundish are 
also planned. The construction and commissioning of a 
plasma unit with a power of 10 000 A are planned for this 
purpose. Its thermal efficiency would be determined 
under various operating conditions and various alloying 
elements would then be passed through the fusion zone of 
the plasma arc.
Applicants :  CSM, Rome
Nuova Sias, Aosta
Budget :  947.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
II.2.5. Refractories
The intention of project 1669 is to examine which of the 
various causes of refractory-product wear can be attri­
buted to thermal stressing of the material. Project 
P.1748 concerns the special problems affecting the in 
gots in continuous-casting facilities.
p.1669 Steel ladle refractories
The theoretical inter-relationships leading to cracking  
and chipping especially in ladles - would be examined  
more closely. Initially the fracture mechanics would  
be examined on laboratory and operating testpieces.
Running parallel to this a non-destructive test method  
would be developed which used changes in the resonance  
frequency and enabled the operating behaviour of any  
refractory material to be recorded.
Finally, operating tests on ladles - and also on other  
refractory equipment - are planned.
Applicants :  IRSID, St. Germain—en—Laye
Laboratoire de Réfractaires et Mine­
rais
Université de Nancy 
Budget :  332.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years

-  1 1
P.1748 Nozzles containing CaO for Aluminium killed
steel casting
It is first of all intended to produce and test sample 
ingots containing CaO in the laboratory. Industrial 
production of such ingots is planned by SANAC after op­
timization of their composition. Operating tests would 
be conducted at the Piombino steelworks.
Applicants :  CSM, Rome
Piombino steelworks, Livorno
Budget !  423.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
II.2.6. Theoretical_metallur 2Y
p.1693 Plasma ladle furnace metallurgy
The aim of this project is to examine the metallurgical 
problems arising in a 45 t 3-phase plasma-ladle furnace 
and to compare the results with those obtained from a 
40 t 3-phase arc-ladle furnace. First of all the metal­
lurgical conditions would be examined, such as carbon, 
nitrogen and sulphur behaviour and also the combustion 
of alloying elements.
In addition operating parameters such as temperature 
control, energy consumption, scavaging gas parameters, 
bath homogeneity and refractory material wear would be 
examined.
Applicant :  Kruppstahl AG, Bochum
Budget :  337.000 ECU
Probable duration :  2 1/2 years
IX.3. Transformation
II.3.1. Rollin 2_mills_=_flat_products
The four projects referred to below all relate to the 
production of hot-rolled wide strip. The parameters 
leading to the induced segregation of micro-alloyed 
steels would be examined more closely under project 
P.1676. The aim of project P.1680 is to improve the 
butt-ends in continuous mills and to establish the 
measuring points for the loop lifter. Project 1695 
would assess the causes of edge sharpening on hot- 
rolled strip both qualitatively and quantitatively.-  
Finally, project P.1698 would examine the effects on 
the conversion behaviour of perlitic steels used for 
cold working of the hot working and cooling conditions 
for hot-rolled strip.

-  12  -
P.1676 Hot working in finishing mills
The parameters affecting enduced segregation would be 
examined within the temperature range 800-1050° C. As 
part of this the rolling speeds would be varied between 
1  and 20 m/sec and the reduction levels between 10 and 
50 %. The investigations would be carried out on various 
thicknesses of micro-alloyed steel sheet on a hydraulic 
simulation rig in the laboratory.
Applicant :  CRM, Liège
Budget :  367.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.1680 Improved bending edges for strip
1. The reasons for distorted butt-ends would be identi­
fied and remedies found. Computing algorithms for 
reverse roller bending would also be plotted.
2. A mathematical model would be developed for loop- 
lifter regulation purposes.
Both sub-projects would be pursued in parallel.
Applicants :  CRM, Liège
Forges de Clabecq 
Cockerill-Sambre,  Seraing
Budget :  446.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
p.1695 Causes and influences of edge thinning in
hot strip
Initially the causes of edge sharpening would be re­
searched and then operational cures tested. The follo­
wing parameters would also be taken into account :  
strip tension, rolling forces, strip temperature, lead- 
in strip profile, free broadside rolling, roller wear, 
roller temperature and type of rolling. Finally, compu­
terized model studies are planned.
Applicant :  Hoesch Stahl, Dortmund
Budget :  1.159.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
p.1698 Hot-rolled carbon steel strips
■ ■ \\
The following programme of studies is planned :  A
A':
•  \

- 13 -
- examination of the parameters final rolling temperature, 
rolling speed, cooling speed and coiler temperature and 
the effects on structural development,
- plotting of defined strength categories for hot-rolled 
strip,
- identification of cold rollability,
- identification of cold workability at high and low de­
grees of rolling.
These tests are planned to take place on a simulation rig 
in the laboratory.
Applicant :  MPI, Düsseldorf
Budget :  406.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
II. 3.2. Rollin2_n}ills-long_groducts
In addition to achieving direct savings in materials and 
energy consumption inherent in hot rolling, the projects 
listed below are intended to raise product quality either 
by improving processes and dimension measurements or by 
improving plants and converting systems to automatic ope­
ration. Also dealt with is determination of the best way 
of manufacturing wire with a high elastic limit by compa­
ring continuous-casting and - rolling methods under con- 
trolled-cooling conditions.
p.1792 Dynamic monitoring of the behaviour of rolls
during the hot calibrated rolling of long 
products
This research project is one of those intended to improve 
the dimensional qualities and increase the output of the 
long-product rolling operation (sheet piling, beams, 
angles, etc.). The objective which ARBED proposes to 
pursue is threefold, namely :
- development and construction of a system for the measu­
rement of the vertical and horizontal displacements of 
the rolls during the rolling of long products;
- a study of the size and shape of products at the exit 
from the pass;
- a study on the integration of the newly developed sys­
tem into an on-line infrastructure for the monitoring 
of roll separation.
The on-site work will be conducted on ARBED mill II at 
Esch-Belval.

- 14 -
Applicant
Budget
Probable durationARBED-recherches,  Esch-sur-Alzette
363.500 ECU
3 years
P.1783 Temperature control over the cross-section  
of a rolled product
The use of thermomechanical processes in hot rolling is 
often hindered by objections relating to mill configura­
tion and by the geometrical complexity of long products. 
The objective of this research project is to achieve 
the combined application of spray or mist cooling and 
inductive reheating in these processes on bar and section 
mills in order to obtain, during and after rolling, an 
optimum temperature distribution in the product cross- 
section.
The work will be divided into two distinct parts :
1. Thermal analysis,
2. Experiments.
The test results will be directly transposable to indus­
trial sites.
Applicant :  IRSID, Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Budget :  585.000 ECU
Probable duration :  4 years
p .  1753 Mathematical models for rolled wire rod
The objective which CSM proposes to pursue in this re­
search project is to improve the quality of rolled raw 
carbon-steel wire rods by developing and using a model­
ling system capable ob simulating microstructure changes 
during the thermomechanical process of rolling and con­
trolled cooling. The studies will be conducted on three
grades of steel :
1. High-carbon steels for prestressed reinforced concrete 
and high-strength cables.
2. Average- to low-carbon steels for the screw-cutting 
industry.
3. Low-carbon steels for welding wire.
This work will be carried out in close cooperation with  
the Piombino steelworks in Italy.

- 15 -
Applicant :  CSM, Rome
Budget :  564.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.1752 Effect of working on the properties of con­
tinuously cast structural steel bars
Continuous casting is being used increasingly for struc­
tural steels (both carbon and alloyed steels) in the form 
of rolled bars for various applications in the automotive 
and general engineering sectors. The quality require­
ments as regards both surface and internal structure are 
becoming increasingly stringent. The problem is there­
fore to determine the most economical manufacturing cy­
cles for ensuring compliance with the quality require­
ments, with due regard to the special applications for 
which the products are intended. The objective of this 
research project is to correlate the variables which de­
termine quality, so as to be able to determine the de­
gree of reduction in the case of as - cast steels, with 
due regard to their intended use. The study will be 
conducted on structural steels (both carbon and alloyed) 
for quenching, annealing and cementation, obtained by 
continuous casting, for comparison with ingot steels.
Applicant :  CSM, Rome
Budget :  700.000 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
P.1725 Extending the product size range from con­
tinuously cast sections
The range of product size that can be produced from a 
particular continuously cast section is limited because 
a minimum overall area reduction is required for special 
applications. The objective of this research project 
will be to develop a means of predicting the effects of 
various operating parameters on the consolidation of the 
centre of the products in order to ensure that certain 
characteristics are obtained.
When the work is completed, the optimum geometrical and 
thermal conditions will be specified and will enable pro­
totype equipment to be designed.
Applicant :  BSC, London 
Budget :  281.500 ECU 
Probable duration :  3 years

- 16 - 1
P.1724 Process control systems for bar mills
The objective of this BSC-BFI project is to develop sys­
tems for automatic tension and gange control on bar mills 
(modernization of present bar mills) in order to produce 
bars with improved dimensional tolerances. The work 
programmes of the two parties concerned are quite dis­
tinct :  BSC will make use of the results of previous 
work which led to the creation of a data base; BFI will 
make use of the simulation model previously developed 
by its own research department in order to determine the 
optimum conditions to be adopted.
Applicant :  BSC, London
Budget :  748.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
II.4. Measurements and analysis
The quality of iron and steel products is directly linked 
with competitiveness. It is absolutely vital to conti­
nue the work already started in the measurement, analysis 
and control sector. In this context, the projects des­
cribed below will make an obvious contribution, each in 
its own way, namely :
- by creating new means of measuring the transverse 
cross-section of strip (P.1671);
- by improving means of detecting and observing surface 
defects with the aid of a laser technique (P.1700);
- by developing a system for the in-situ chemical ana­
lysis of liquid steel by means of laser sampling and 
direct analysis of the light waves by fibre optics 
(P. 1726) ;
- by developing a method of examining the structure of 
steels at high temperatures by electromagnetic-acoustic 
sampling without contact.
P.1671 Measurement of the transverse cross-section
of strip
Precision of measurement still presents a problem in 
this field. The proposer wishes to make use of a new 
system (Thomson) recently developed. The system compri­
ses a linear 48-element X-ray detector to provide X-ray 
images. The objective is thus to demonstrate the feasi­
bility of this technique by creating a prototype in the 
laboratory, under cold conditions, in order to pinpoint 
all the problems associated with the source and the de­
finition (resolution).  Subsequently, a prototype im­
proved in the light of the results obtained will be de­
veloped and installed on-site to measure the edge waste

- 17 -
on strip mills; the useful width will be 200 to 300 mm
0.2 %.
Applicant ;  IRSID, St. Germain-en-Laye
Budget :  595.500 ECU
Probable duration ;  3 years
P.1700 Surface defects
In this project, BFI wishes to develop a means of sur­
face examination with a lasar beam. The method will 
consist in analysing the radiation reflected and scat­
tered in two longitudinal and transverse directions from 
the stip at a very high rate of about 40 million points/ 
sec. (5 bits), and then in processing this information 
in order to obtain optical configurations similar to 
those produced by standard defects. This project follows 
on from the work initially undertaken as part of the 
earlier research project No 7210.GB/101. If it proves 
possible to determine and process in real time additio­
nal characteristics such as the light dispersion across 
the strip, the width, length and frequency, multiple de­
fects and the juxtaposition of different elementary de­
fect types, a major step will have been taken. Consi­
derable improvement of control reliability and opportu­
nities for the application of apparatus for measuring 
surface conditions could meet requirements in this field.
Applicant ;  BFI, Düsseldorf
Budget ;  418.000 ECU
Probable duration ;  3 years
P.1776 The optimization of algorithms for tensile
tests
Study and research aimed at developing valid selection 
criteria for the acquisition or construction of data re­
cording and processing equipment. This research will be 
so conducted as to lead to a standard formulation of de­
finitions for the characterization of materials used in 
with data-processing equipment. The following criteria 
or properties will be considered for this purpose :
- strength
- elastic limit
- tensile strength
- work-hardening index- elongation at the point of 
rupture
- uniform elongation
- elongation at break
- lankford index
Provision is made for cooperation with equipment manu­
facturers and users.

- 18 -
Applicant :  Hoogovens, Ijmuiden
Budget :  426.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.1674 Chemical analysis of rolling emulsions
It is essential to perform chemical analyses of rolling 
oils and emulsions, on the one hand to ensure that the 
quality of the oils supplied is constant and, on the 
other hand, to monitor the state of pollution and dete­
rioration of used emulsions and then to be able to make 
the necessary corrections in good time.
CRM will initially analyse emulsions used for rolling 
sheet for coachwork, these emulsions having been recy­
cled over a considerable period. Comparisons between 
fresh and used oils will be made. The analyses will be 
conducted by making systematic use of six different 
methods.
Applicant :  CRM, Liège
Budget :  252.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.1726 Liquid steel analysis
In a previous research project, No 7210.GD/801, BSC laid 
the foundations required for in-situ chemical analysis 
of liquid steel. The present project involves conti­
nuing this work up to the industrial stage, but with a 
modified approach; the metal will no longer be extracted 
in the form of powder. The proposed programme consists 
in studying the use of a laser source. A laser will be
concentrated on the surface of the molten metal in order
to produce an aerosol which will be passed to an induc­
tively coupled plasma torch for excitation and will then 
undergo spectrometric analysis. The light emitted during 
the "ablation" process will be studied directly by means 
of a light-wave guide (fibre optics).  The objective is 
to develop equipment for the rapid sampling and analysis 
of the constituent elements.
Applicant :  BSC, Teesside
Budget :  277.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
P.1681 Hot electromagnetic-acoustic sampling
This research project follows on from the work underta­
ken under Agreement No 7210.GA/211. The principal ob­
jective of the research is to develop prototype industrial-

- 19 -
scale equipment for the sampling of slabs at the exit 
of a continuous-casting machine. The new feature is 
the electromagnetic-acoustic (EMA) transmission of ultra­
sonic waves by means of an longitudinal-wave emitter- 
receiver of original design which functions without con­
tact with the surface of the slab. The objectives of 
this research are the same, namely :  the automatic de­
tector of internal defects in steels at the exit of 
continuous-casting machines.
The industrial-scale trials will be conducted at the 
exit of the continuous-casting line at Forges de Clabecq.
Applicant :  CRM, Liège
Budget :  243.000 ECU
Probable duration :  1  year
II.5. Properties and service performance
A special effort is being made to meet user requirements 
in this sector not only by ensuring that the most appro­
priate steel grades for their products are available but 
also, and in particular, by drawing up and developing 
- frequently with their assistance - techniques and cal­
culation and evaluation methods which will make possible 
the optimum utilization of the steels produced.
II.5.1. Weldability
P.1688 Procedures for determining the resistance
spot weldability of steel sheet materials
Resistance spot welding is one of the most widespread 
means of assembling thin sheet metal in industry. There 
are nevertheless very few codes for evaluating the qua­
lity of such welds and measuring welding parameters.
This lack of standardization became all the more pro­
nounced on the introduction and use of steels with a 
high elasticity limit.
The aim of the programme put forward is to provide data 
enabling recommendations regarding the measurement of 
the current and the diameter of the weld to be made, 
together with specifications for the welding equipment. 
This would enable reproducible results to be obtained.
Applicants :  Welding Institute, Cambridge
Hoogovens, Ijmuiden 
BSC, London
Budget :  171.500 ECU
Probable duration' :  2 years

-  20  -
P.  1  765 Fatigue resistance of spot-welded joints
Motor-vehicle manufacture and the préfabrication of 
light-metal structural components are currently areas 
where the spot welding assembly technique is in use.
The work proposed - which takes account of previous 
work - is intended experimentally to determine residual 
stress levels, to model these and to incorporate them 
into the calculation of the stress intensity factors in­
volved in plotting service life. The industries con­
cerned could thus be supplied with information on the 
preferred arrangement of spot welds in order to provide 
greater fatigue and static strength.
Applicant :  Institut de Soudure (French Welding
Institute),  Paris
Budget :  117.000 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
II.5.2. Corrosion_and_surface_protection
P.1703 The containment of rust by means of mono-
layers
The aim of the research project is to find a way of es­
tablishing a surface state during the production of steel 
sheet which is least susceptible to rusting.
Very pure iron surfaces are not as sensitive to attack 
by air and humidity and surfaces covered with a mono- 
layer of segregated or adsorbed nitrogen are also very 
resistant to rusting. Surface layers of different ele­
ments or compounds will be established by segregation 
from the bulk or by adsorption, gas-metal reaction or 
chemical vapour deposition from the gaseous phase.
Methods will be selected and proposed which can be in­
troduced into the production process for steel sheet, 
e.g. during batch annealing or continuous annealing.
Applicant :  Max Planck Institut, Düsseldorf
Budget :  327.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.  1704 Corrosion and hydrogen-uptake of steel
The hydrogen-uptake of steels in acid solutions can 
lead to various forms of hydrogen-related damage of 
materials and structures. The purpose of the proposed 
experiments is to determine whether or not the addition 
of the alloying elements, Ti, Nb, V, Mo or A1 can retard

-  2 1  -
the corrosion and hydrogen-uptake of steels in strongly 
acid solutions. Surface enrichment of these elements 
occurs during general corrosion, probably in the form 
of oxides, hydrated oxides or hydroxides. These surfa­
ce layers could strongly inhibit the uptake of hydrogen.
Applicant :  Max Planck Institut, Düsseldorf
Budget :  36.500 ECU
Probable duration :  1 year
P.1706 Zn crack formation
Hot dip galvanized steel sheet as a material with excel­
lent corrosion resistance has proved to contribute to a 
longer lifetime of various automative and other compo­
nents. The corrosion resistance can be further improved 
by adding 5 % Al to the Zn-bath. Owing to the extended 
application of this product, increasing requirements con­
cerning formability and especially surface quality have 
to be met. The proposed research project is aimed at 
finding out the cause of surface cracking and to study 
how to reduce or avoid the formation of cracks.
Applicant :  Thyssen Stahl AG, Duisburg
Budget :  281.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.1728 Constitution of oxide films and corrosion be­
haviour of stainless steels
Stainless steels resist corrosion through the formation 
of thin, passive surfaces films. Whereas it is known 
that passive films are composed principally of oxides 
of chromium, more complete information is required on 
their constitution and structure in order to formulate 
more effective grades in terms of either improved per­
formance or lower cost.
The main object of the proposal is to derive quantitati­
ve data on the pitting resistance of stainless steels 
and to characterize the nature of the passive films.
As a result of this work, it should be possible to de­
velop improved corrosion resistance or compositions that 
are cheaper or less dependent on strategic alloying ele­
ments .
Applicant :  BSC, Rotherham
Budget :  168.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years

-  22  -
P.1744 Surface condition of pickled sheet steel
The purpose of the research proposed is to study the 
surface characteristics of pickled steel sheet as a 
function of its history (analysis of the steel, rolling 
conditions, pickling process) and to examine the impor­
tance of these characteristics for the use of the pro­
duct. The various aspects studied will be, for example :  
surface chemistry, roughness and microgeometry,  micro­
defects, colour and brilliance, suitability for oil 
tempering.
By providing a better knowledge of the surface condition 
of pickled sheet, the research would provide a better in­
sight into the major fabrication variables and enable 
the process conditions to be adapted to the final result 
desired for the direct use of pickled hot-rolled sheet.
Applicant :  Solmer, Fos sur Mer
Budget :  464.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.1757 Steel/enamel adhesion mechanisms
The technological development of enameling processes 
and the rationalization and automation requirements in 
pretreatments prior to enameling impose specific require­
ments on the surface quality of cold rolled sheet steels, 
more strictly than in the past. These new requirements 
of the enameling industry are related to the general 
trend in the steel industry away from the traditional 
ingot steels and towards the continuous cast steels.
The specific object of the research is to define the fac­
tors governing the enameling process with a view to pre­
determining them, by modifying, where necessary, the pre­
sent metallurgical processing.
Applicants :  CSM, Roma
Nuova Italsider, Genova
Budget :  704.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
II.5.3. Cold_forming
P.1678 Characterization of induced surface roughness
by laser beam
The mapping of the surface roughness of rolling-mill rol­
lers by means of a laser beam is arousing increasing in­
terest on the part of users. As the conventional para­
meters used to describe surface roughness are inadequate

- 23 -
for characterizing the surface morphology of the sheet 
rolled with cylinders of this type - and contacts should 
be made easier between manufacturers and users - it is 
proposed that the most appropriate parameters be studied 
in order to describe this new surface roughness, and that 
the pressing characteristics (seizing and fretting),  to­
gether with the aspect after painting be determined as a 
function of these parameters.
Applicant :  CRM, Liège
Budget :  348.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
p.1729 Influence of the degree and mode of forming
strain on the cyclic stress-strain and strain- 
life behaviour on high strength sheet-gauge 
formable steels
With the introduction of thinner and stronger high 
strength steels for car body weight reduction, designers 
are paying increased attention to the fatigue and cyclic 
stress-strain properties of such materials. Fatigue 
life production models of vehicle structures are beco­
ming increasingly sophisticated.
It is the aim of this research to subject a range of 
high strength steels, i.e. rephosphorized, high-strength, 
low-alloy, dual phase and bake-hardenable grades to dif­
ferent modes of forming strain, such as biaxial tension, 
plane strain and pure shear (flange drawing) and then to 
determine the resulting cyclic properties and fatigue 
performance for comparison with material not subjected 
to prior strain.
Applicant :  BSC, Port Talbot
Budget :  168.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
p.  1730 Influence of surface properties on formabi-
lity and galling resistance of sheet steel
The relative importance of sheet roughness (Ra) and wave­
length of peaks (A ) has been studied but such investiga­
tions have frequently been limited by the inability in­
dependently to control the levels of these two parame­
ters on the forming response and galling resistance of 
sheet steel.
The objectives of the research are to produce a wide 
range of independently controlled Ra and A values, to 
subject the resulting textured strip to formability 
tests (drawing and stretching),  and to assess strain

- 24 -
distribution performance and galling-resistance tests
using different lubricants.
Applicant :  BSC, Pori' Talbot
Budget :  112.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
p.1731 Weight reduction oi vehicle sub-assemblies
using thin-walled . adhesively-bonded steel'  
composite structures
This research project seeks to explore the possibility 
of enhanced weight reduction b; reducing significantly 
the thickness of, for example, body panels (down to
O. 3 mm) and compensating for this significant thickness 
reduction by inducing deliberate geometric changes in 
the plane of the sheet to enhance the structural modulus 
of sub-assemblies. These composite/quilted materials 
will be used in conjunction with adhesive and weld bon­
ding techniques further to enhance the stiffness charac­
teristics. Recent developments in new adhesives and pro­
duction methods will be exploited in the proposed work.
Applicant :  BSC, Port Talbot
Budget :  289.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P. 1786 In-service behaviour of hot-rolled dual­
phase steel components
The industrial production of hot-rolled sheet on double­
phase strip mills is on the increase.
Although the main use of such sheet, which is 2-4 mm 
thick, is in the manufacture of wheels, the vehicle ma­
nufacturers would like to use more in structural compo­
nents .
The purpose of this programme is to study the feasibili­
ty of structural components for motor cars made of double­
phase hot-rolled sheet. Preliminary tests have revealed 
a number of crack initiation and propagation problems 
after forming. It is thus essential to study the para­
meters governing the sensitivity of such steels to the 
notch effect after forming.
Applicants :  IRSID (Renault, Peugeot, Sollac,
Usinor) St. Germain-en-Laye
Budget :  737.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years

- 25 -
11,5.4. Structural_steels
P.1709 Boron in steel
The effect produced by Ti,  Al,  Zr and N in quenched and 
tempered, weldable structural steels will be examined 
by means of laboratory and industrial heats of a clear­
ly defined chemical composition. With a view to deve­
loping an optimum alloying combination, the interrela­
tions will be ascertained between chemical composition, 
transformation behaviour and structure, as well as the 
resultant mechanical properties.
Applicant :  Thyssen Stahl AG, Duisburg
Budget :  641.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.1732 Control of heat-affected-zone toughness in
structural steels
The control of austenite grain size at the high tempe­
ratures (> 1000° C) prevailing in the weld heat affected 
zone (HAZ) is becoming of increasing interest to fabri­
cators of large scale structures, e.g. pipelines and oil 
rigs, because of a trend towards the specification of 
increasingly stringent HAZ toughness requirements.
The objective of the research proposal is to develop a 
greater understanding of the processing parameters, 
such as post solidification cooling rates, slag soaking 
temperature and rolling schedules, which will lead to 
the formation of particle distribution with characteris­
tics suitable for the control of HAZ austenite grain 
size in a range of niobium or vanadium treated steels.
Applicant :  BSC, Rotherham
Budget :  282.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.1710 Phosphorus and services properties of steel
Steel with an extremely low phosphorus contents resul­
ting in improved properties, are being used to a steadi­
ly increasing extent.
The effect of extremely low phosphorus contents on the 
corrosion and toughness behaviour of major steel grades 
has revealed the great importance attached to the adjust­
ment of phosphorus contents to less than 0,010 %. In­
vestigation on the effects of extremely low phosphorus 
contents on the service properties of the steels are

- 26 -
therefore required, particularly in order to determine 
the lower limits of phosphorus content which are both 
technically appropriate and economically reasonable.
The products to be subject to the tests will be made of 
steel from industrial continuously cast melts.
Applicant :  VDEh,. Düsseldorf
Budget :  1.116.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.1793 Manufacture of high-strength bolts from
wire rod
The proposed research is concerned with a comparison of 
the processing and service properties of high-strength 
bolts obtained, on the one hand, by 1  the traditional 
method, i.e. quenching and tempering and, on the other, 
from a wire rod subjected to quenching and self-tempering 
using rolling heat and from a wire rod tempered and 
quenched in coils using reheating. These bolts are wi­
dely used in steel structures and machine construction 
and in the motor vehicles industry. The research pro­
gramme relates to two different wire-rod diameters in 
the 8-14 mm range is either C-Mn steel treated in the 
rolling heat or C 0.20 boron steel subjected to tempering 
and quenching in coils.
Arbed, Luxembourg  
Arbed, Saarstahl  
351 .000 ECU
3 yearsApplicants
Budget
Probable duration
P.1797 Influence of stress relieving by vibration
as compared to postweld heat treatment on 
the fatigue behaviour of repaired welds
The high strength low alloy steels are increasingly 
used in constructional steelwork, offshore industry in 
the engineering industry. These steels can have good 
weldability characteristics if the right precautions 
are taken into account. As a precaution safe-guarding 
against brittle fracture weldments in these steels are 
often stress relieved. The most common method for re­
lieving the residual stresses is post weld heat treat­
ment (PWHT).  However, a need exists for a good alter­
native because PWHT has some significant disadvantages :  
high costs, metallurgical consequences (HAZ, weldmetal 
properties) and PWHT is not always applicable. The ob­
jective of the proposed research is to study an alter­
native method of vibration stress relief (VSR).

_  27  —
Applicants :  Nederlands Instituut voor Lastechniek
(NL)
Fraunhofer Institut für Betriebsfes- 
tigkeit, Darmstadt
Budget :  340.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
II. 5.5. Fracture_inechanics
P.1658 Full-scale and laboratory tests approach to
H^S induced environmental fracture of pipe­
line steels and weld
The risk of failure of gas pipelines in wet (sour)
environment arises because corrosive reactions take 
place and consequently hydrogen entry into the metal 
is made possible. Two distinct cracking phenomena can 
occur in the material :
- Hydrogen Induced Cracking (HIC)
- Sulphide-Stress Corrosion Cracking (SSCC)
The risk of H?S being present in pipelines will increase 
in the future! Therefore the steels to be used must have 
the lowest possible susceptibility for HIC and SSC. In 
the proposed programme full scale tests will be carried 
out, in order to make a correlation between laboratories 
tests and the pipe in field service.
Applicants :  Vallourec, Paris
Mannesmann, Duisburg
Budget :  650.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
p.1711 Investigation of fracture machanics concepts
For the assessment of the safety of structural steel 
parts, several concepts of fracture mechanics are avai­
lable but their development is not yet complete and their 
application (especially on weldments) requires further 
refinement in connection with the influence of stress 
state, temperature and microstructure. This project will 
focus on the J.R. Curve concept (method of the J. inte­
gral based crack resistance-curves),  its limits of ap­
plicability are to be determined and possible simplifi­
cations for instability predictions will be examined.
Applicant :  Max Planck Institut, Düsseldorf
Budget :  267.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years

- 28 -
P.1712 Effects of toughness on the load-carrying
behaviour of notched specimens
In notched structural components the geometrical size 
effect results in a deformation constraint which leads 
to an increase of the critical load. Attention must be 
paid, however, to the material's toughness, whicy plays 
an important role. Until now this effect was investi­
gated mainly on specimens with impact energy values in 
the upper shelf region. In this research proposal the 
suggestion is made to examine two test materials with 
very different values (200 J and 40 J) of absorbed im­
pact energy in the upper shelf region. Tests will be 
made at different temperatures and will demonstrate the 
meaning of identical absolute values of absorbed impact 
energy when the associated failure mechanisms are dif­
ferent.
The calculation of fracture mechanic parameters and 
constraints by the method of finite elements will serve 
as a useful instrument to make clear how the fracture 
mechanic parameters can be transferred from small to 
large specimens.
Applicant :  VDEh, Düsseldorf
Budget :  403.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
p.1734 Effects of alloy segregation and yield
strength on heat affected zone toughness 
and safety of welded joints
The production process for micro-alloyed lower carbon 
structural steels from continuously cast feedstock re­
sults in some degree of centerline alloy segregation 
which is likely to have a signification influence on 
the subsequent fracture toughness particularly in the 
heat affected zone. It is necessary, therefore, to con­
firm the adequacy of these steels and to provide gui­
dance on welding procedures and HAZ toughness require­
ments to ensure avoidance of fracture. It is proposed 
to study the influence of segregation on the significance 
of defects in welds in low carbon grade 50 type and a 
higher strength structural steel, using COD and wide 
plate tests to extend the use of the Burdekin and Dawes 
approach to the assessment of the safety of welded joints 
in these situations.
Applicant :  BSC, Rotherham
Budget :  314.000 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years

- 2 9 -
P-1760 Ductile fracture propagation in gas pipeline
conditions
The aim of this programme is to study how the characte­
rization of materials under simulated operating condi­
tions in laboratory tests can be extrapolated with re­
ference to actual high-pressure gas-pipeline conditions 
to this end, a detailed theoretical and experimental 
investigation of the following topics will be conducted :
- the connection between the deformation range associa­
ted with crack development and the R curve of the ma­
terial ;
- the possible effect of such parameters as dimensions, 
alloying elements, external factors and external 
stress-range irregularity on the R curve of the mate­
rial.
Applicant :  CSM, Roma
Budget :  317.000 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
P-1787 Toughness of tube steels in ductile tearing
conditions
Gas-pipeline explosion tests have led to the proposal 
of correlations which make it possible to forecast crack 
behaviour in a pressurized tube (cessation or propagation) 
as a function of materials strength. These correlations 
must, however, be adapted with reference to new steel 
grades which exhibit improved characteristivs.  The pro­
posed programme will relate to two tube-steel grades, 
namely a traditional X70 type (ferritic-perlitic struc­
ture) and a high-quality X80 type (bainitic structure),  
the principal objectives being to :
- evaluate the influence of geometric factors,
- define the conditions to be satisfied in order to ob­
serve a stable cracking process.
Applicant :  IRSID, St. Germain-en-Laye
Budget :  298.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
II.  5.6 .  High^teinperature^teels _-__Presusre_vessels
P.
 1  660 Development of high-strength Cr-Mo steel
for pressure vessels operating at high 
temperature under hydrogen
In future pressure vessels, for which a considerable 
potential market continues to exist, and hydrocrackers

- 30 -
or hydrosulphurizers will be required to operate under 
increasingly severe conditions involving greater stresses 
high hydrogen pressures and high temperatures. This 
research project is concerned with the improvement of 
the mechanical properties (Rm up to 780 MPa) of the 
steel grade generally used (2.25 Cr, 1  Mo) by means of 
appropriate additions, bearing in mind the very special 
service conditions to which it is subject.
The main points studied will be :
- the hot properties of castings as a function of the  
additions made,
- service life,
- the development of an industrial casting having what
is found to be the optimum chemical composition
Applicant :  Creusot-Loire, Le Creusot
Budget :  438.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
II.5.7. Marine_technology
P.1758 Behaviour of welded joints in offshore
platforms
The project concerns the study of joint behaviour in  
large offshore structures for use in deep seas and/or  
arctic climates where there is an obvious need for ad­
vanced materials in the form of higher-strength steels  
which exhibit increased weldability and greater brittle-  
fracture resistance in the welded-joint HAZ. The re­
search is intended to make a contribution to the solu­
tion of problems associated with low-temperature static­
load fracture resistance.
Applicant :  CSM, Roma
Budget :  990.000 ECU
Probable duration :  2 1/2 years
II.5.8. Li 2ht_structures
P.1661 Effect of mechanical and structural proper­
ties of steel at elevated temperatures on 
the buckling of steels columns
The ECCS-buckling curves at elevated temperatures may 
be critized on various grounds. The hypotheses behind 
these criticisms are different and are not verified up 
to the present. Some authors assume that the residual 
stresses vary as function of the temperature in a similar

- 31 -
way as the yield stress; others assume the residual 
stresses simply to vanish at elevated temperatures.
Both the behaviour of the residual stresses and the 
stress-strain relationship in compression are of vital 
importance when trying to describe adequately the 
buckling phenomenon of fire exposes steel columns. 
Essentially, the aim of the research is to evaluate 
the validity of these various hypotheses.
Applicants :  CRIF, Liège
IBBC-TNO,  Delft
Budget :  79.500 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
P.1736 Development of computer aided design methods
for steel framed composite floored multi­
storey buildings
The research proposal covers a two phase approach to the 
general problem of providing design aid based on micro­
computers and modular software programmes to promote 
the increased use of steel. This first phase concernes 
a state of the art assessment of existing micro-compu­
ters and software and the demonstration of the techni­
cal feasibility of the proposed procedure to meet the 
acknowledged need and to illustrate the cost effective­
ness of the overall approach. This proposal concentra­
tes solely on this aspect and aims to identify more pre­
cisely how a European Community based approach can be 
developed through co-operation with the various Steel 
Information Centers.
Applicant :  BSC, Rotherham
Budget :  172.500 ECU
Probable duration :  1  year
P.1773 Brochure supporting the fire safety of steel
structures
Architects, decision-makers outside the industry and in­
vestors require simple, easily comprehensible guidelines 
which will enable them to deal with fundamental fire- 
safety questions, particularly in the case of steel 
structures. It is difficult for these groups to gain 
basic understanding and form a rapid overall view of the 
situation from the available literature.
This project will therefore be concerned with the exami­
nation and preparation of the data required for the pu­
blication of a concise brochure which will contain a con­
siderable amount of information - backed up by fundamen­
tal concepts and suitable illustrations - and which will

- 32 -
only touch on theoretical aspects in general terms with 
a view to providing a brief, stimulating and authorita­
tive summary of the subject.
Applicants :  EUROFER (Steel Information Centres)
Budget :  165.000 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
P.1795 Dimensioning of mixed concrete/steel ele­
ments subjected to fire, taking account of 
the interaction between normal stress and 
moment of bending
A comparison of the results provided by a computer pro­
gram and those obtained from furnace tests on full-scale 
components confirmed the value of the program. Never­
theless, a complete understanding of the parameters 
taken into account and their incorporation in practical, 
realistic dimensioning procedure is essential if the 
vast majority of those engaged in building activities 
are to take advantage of the opportunities offered by 
mixed construction. It is therefore proposed to use 
the computer program to draw up practical methods, re­
presented by tables, graphs and formulae, for the di­
mensioning of mixed pillars and columns.
Applicant :  Arbed, Luxembourg
Budget :  271.000 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years
II.5.9. Special_and_alloy_steels
P.1739 Grain size control in components made di­
rectly from concast billet
The cost of converting liquid steel to a finished compo­
nent shape for use in the automotive and general engi­
neering industries is governed by the number of inter­
mediate stages and can be reduced by eliminating indivi­
dual operations. The final mechanical properties are 
controlled to a considerable extent by the grain size 
developed at the end of the hot working operation and 
effective grain refininf agents are required. The aim 
of the proposed research is to study the effectiveness 
of grain refining additions under working conditions by 
preparing simulated, concast strand structures and sub­
jecting them to thermal cycles typical of post-casting 
strand reduction and forging operations.
Applicant :  BSC, Rotherham
Budget :  137.000 ECU
Probable duration :  2 years

- 33 -
P·  1  742 Stainless steels for wear - resisting appli­
cations
Wear problems are responsible for downtime and major 
losses in production in the coal, steel and power gene­
ration industries. The purpose of this investigation 
is to employ the abrasive and erosive wear techniques 
that were developed under a previous ECSC project for 
the evaluation of a range of stainless steels in the 
wrought, cast and weld deposit condition. The correla­
tion of wear behaviour with other material properties 
will be undertaken and studies of the mechanisms of de­
gradation will provide a sound basis for the development 
of improved performance.
Applicant :  BSC, Rotherham
Budget :  170.500 ECU
Probable duration :  3 years
P.1743 Development of a new quality of non-oriented
magnetic sheet
The proposed research concerns the development, with a 
view to pre-industrial-scale application, of a continuous- 
casting, hot-rolling and finishing process for the pro­
duction of a new quality of non-oriented magnetic sheet _  
to be used in the manufacture of magnetic circuits and, 
more particularly, the stators of high-powered rotary 
machines. The development of a material having these 
new qualities would enable electrical engineers to im­
prove the output of such machines as a result of low 
losses, reduced anisotropy and, in particular, a signi­
ficant improvement in permeability.
Applicant :  Société Métallurgique de St. Chély
d1Apcher
Budget '  :  292.500 ECU
Probable duration :  1 year
P.  1764 Effect of segregating elements (Sb, Sn) in
non-oriented-grain magnetic products
It is well known that magnetic induction is highly depen­
dent on mean grain orientation. This fact, which is of 
fundamental importance in the case of non-oriexited-grain 
magnetic steels, was established, mainly with reference 
to Japanese technical and patent literature, by the ad­
dition of such segregating elements as Sn and Sb at the 
grain edge. It is therefore proposed to study Si steels 
containing Sn and Sb, This study will be particularly 
concerned with the effect of heat treatment on hot- 
rolled strip.

- 34 -
Applicants :  CSM, Roma
Terni, Terni
Istituto Gali Leo Ferraris, Torino  
Budget :  185.500 ECUS
Probable duration :  1 year
II.6. Miscellaneous
P.  1659 Technical literature on iron and steel
This is a continuation of previous agreements granting 
ASELT financial assistance for the translation unto ^  
Community languages of papers on iron and steel subjects 
published in "difficult languages"(in particular Russian 
and Japanese).
Applicant :  ASELT, Luxembourg
Budget :  190.000 ECU
Probable duration :  1 year
II.7. Pilot project
PP.044/3 Industrial development of DEN (neutral
electrolytic pickling) for hot-rolled strip 
in carbon and low-alloy steel
This project is an in-plant sequel to the research 
carried out at CSM with the financial assistance of the 
EC SC.
For the purposes of the project, a sulphuric-acid 
pickling line will be shut down and adapted to the DEN 
process.
1. In order to ensure optimum pickling and to take ac­
count of the short distance between strip and elec­
trodes in the DEN cells, a stripper-straightener 
will be installed at the head of the line downstream 
of the machines for unrolling the coils and butt­
welding them.
2. A horizontal looping machine will make it possible 
to regulate strip feed. This machine has been spe­
cially designed to avoid any damage to the strip and 
ensure that tension is exerted on it.
3. A pickling unit comprising four vertical DEN cells.
The machines described at points 1  and 2 above were 
supplied by two non-Italian firms in Europe which deve­
loped them at their own expense on the basis of conven­
tional machines. These two firms will also carry out 
the construction and development work.

- 35 -
This request represents the first phase of the project, 
which comprises the design, assembly and start-up of 
the stripper and the looping machine.
The second phase will mainly comprise the start-up of 
the DEN pickling line :  that phase will be financed 
separately.
The research work will be carried out at the Turin plant 
of LAF.
Applicants :  Laminazione a Freddo, Turin
BWG, Duisburg 
CIM, Seraing
Budget (1st phase) :  2.030.000 ECU
Probable duration :  1 year for the first phase

S U M M A R Y  L I S T
ProjectT IT L E  O F  T H E  R E S E A R C HP R O P O S E D  R E S E A R C H F IN A N C IA L  A I D
nrbyProbably Durabi lity (years)Budget E cu 
(30.11.1984)% E C U  (30.11.1984)
II.I. O R E  R E D U C T I O N
I I .1.1. Sintering
1746 Systems to provide uniform sintering conditions across 
the grateC S M
Italsider3 1/2 400.500 60 240.300
1774 Improvement of sinter quality 
II.1 .2. Blast furnaceHoogovens 3 279.500 60 167.700
1673 Monitoring the position of the cohesive zone C R M 2 369.500 60 221.700
1682 Determination of the burden material in the blast furnace 
stack
I I .2. S T E E L -M A K IN G
I I .2.1. Casting and solidificationThyssen 2 464.500 60 278.700
1683 Continuous castability V D E h 3  1/2 1.370.500 60 822.300
1668 Mechanisms of formation of surface defects in continuous 
cast blooms and slabs IR SID 2 501.500 60 300.900
1718 Effect of mould and top zone corner cooling on traverse 
and longitudinal corner cracking in slabs and blooms B S C 3 320.000 60 192.000
1690 Cooling of rough continuously cast slabs K R U P P 3 294.000 60 176.400
1715 The benefits of lo w  phosphorous in the continuous casting 
of austenitically solidifying steels B S C 2 117.500 60 70.500

-  2 -
'  -- ---
P R
O P O S E D  R E S E A R C H F IN A N C IA L  A I D
Proj ect T IT L E  O F  T H E  R E S E A R C H
nrbyProbably Durabi lity (years)Budget E C U  
(30.11.1984)% E C U  (30.11.1984)
1719 Development of an intelligent system for automatic powder 
additions to the continuous casting mouldB S C 2 202.000 60 121.200
1747 Casting fluodynamics in continuous casting 
I I .2.2. Steelworks - MetallurgyC S M 2 300.000 60 180.000
1670 Study of metallurgical reactions in torpedo Ladles IR SID 1  1/2 477.500 60 286.500
1721 Flux additions, refining and deslagging procedures for the 
production of very low  phosphorus and sulphur steel in 
oxygen converters w hen processing low  silicon ironB S C 2 309.500 60 185.700
1751 Induced dephosphorization of steel C S M 2  1/2 677.500 60 406.500
1679 Metallurgical and economic study of pretreatment processes456.500 60 273.900for hematite pig iron
I I .2.3. Steelworks - TechnologyC R M 3
1691 Bottom blowing in the U H P  electric arc furnace K R U P P 2  1/2 228.500 60 137.100
1692 Bath agitation in the U H P  electric arc furnace Thyssen 2 358.500 60 215.100
1717 Electrical heating of steel in a  continuous caster tundish B S C 2 196.000 60 117.600
1750 Temperature control of continuous casting by means of plas­
m a  burners
I I .2.5. RefractoriesC S M 3 947.500 60 568.500
1669 Steel Ladle refractoriesIR SID 3 332.500 60 199.500
1748 Nozzles containing C a O  for aluminium-killed steel casting 
I I .2.6. Theoretical metallurgyC S M 2 423.500 60 254.100
1693 Plasma Ladle furnace metallurgy
I I .3. T R A N S F O R M A T IO N
I I .3.1. Rolling mills - flat productsK R U P P 2  1/2 337.000 60 202.200
1676 H ot working in finishing mills C R M 3 367.500 60 220.500
1680 Improved leading edges for strip C R M 3 446.500 60 267.900
1695 Causes and influence of edge thinning in hot strip H O E S C H 3 1.159.500 60 695.700

- 3 -
Proj ectT IT L E  O F  T H E  R E S E A R C HP R O P O S E D  R E S E A R C H F IN A N C IA L  A ID
nr
by^ProbablyDurability
(years)Budget E C U  
<30.11.1984)% E C U  (30.11.1984)
1698 Hot-rolled carbon steel strips
I I .3.2. Rolling mills-long productsM P I 3 406.000 60 243.600
1792 D ynam ic monitoring of the bahaviour of rolls during the 
hot calibrated rolling of long products A R B E D 3 363.500 60 218.100
1783 Temperature control over the cross-section of a rolled 
product IR SID 4 585.000 60 351.000
1753 Mathematical models for rolled wire rod C S M 3 564.000 60 338.400
1752 Effect of working on the properties of continuously cast 
structural steel bars C S M 2 700.000 60 420.000
1725 Extending the product size range from continuously cast 
sectionsB S C 3 281.500 60 168.900
1724 Process control systems for bar mills 
I I .4. M E A S U R E M E N T S  A N D  A N A L Y S ISB S C 3 748.000 60 448.800
1671 Measurement of the transverse cross-section of strip IR SID 3 595.500 60 357.300
1700 Surface defects B FI 3 418.000 60 250.800
1776 The optimizing of algorithms for tensile tests H 0 0 G 0 V E N S 3 426.000 60 255.600
1674 Chemical analysis of rolling emulsions C R M 3 252.000 60 151.200
1726 Liquid steel analysis B S C 2 277.500 60 166.500
1681 Soudage electromagneto-acoustique a  chaud
I I .5. P R O P E R T IE S  A N D  S E R V IC E  P E R F O R M A N C E  
I I .5.1. WeldabilityC R M
- Welding•1 243.000 60 145.800
1688 Procedure for determining the resistance spot weldability 
of sheet steel materialsInstitute
- Hoogovens
- B S C '2 171.500 60 102.900
1765 Fatigue resistance of spot welded joints I.S. 2 117.000 60 70.200

- 4  -
Proj ect 
nr T IT L E  O F  T H E  R E S E A R C HP R O P O S E D  R E S E A R C H _ _ _F I
N A N C IA L  A I D
byProbably 
Durabili ty 
(years)Budget E C U  
(30.11.1984)%E C U
(30.11.1984)
I I .5.2. Corrosion and surface protection
1703 The containment of rust by means of monolayers M P I 3 •  327.000 60 196.200
1704 Corrosion and hydrogen uptake of steel M P I 1 86.500 60 51.900
1706 Z n  crack formation T H Y S S E N 3 281.000 60 168.600
1728 Constitution of oxyde films and corrosion behaviour of B S C 3 168.000 60 100.800
stainless steels
1744 Surface condition of pickled sheet steel S 0 L M E R . 3 464.500 60 278.700
1757 Steel/enamel adhesion mechanisms C S M
v . 422.700 N . IT A L S ID E R 3 704.500 60
I I .5.3. Cold forming
1678 Characterization of induced surface roughness by laser209.100beam C R M 2 348.500 60
1729 Influence of the degree and m ode of forming strain on the
cycle stress strain and strain-life behaviour of high60 100.800strength sheet gauge formable steels B S C 3 168.000
1730 Influence of surface properties on formability and galling112.500 60 67.500 "resistance of sheet steel B S C 2
1731 W eight reduction of vehicle sub-assemblies using thin
289.500 60 . 173.700 * . fwalled adhesively bonded steel composite structures B S C 3
L IR SID
1786 In-service behaviour of hot-rolled dual-phase steel I R E N A U L T
60 442.500components I P E U G E O T  
I S 0 L L A C3 737.500
I U S IN 0 R
I I .5.4. Structural steels
1709 Boron in steelT H Y S S E N 3 641.500 60 384.900
1732 Control of heat affected zone toughness in structural steel B S C 3 282.000 60 169.200
1710 Phosphorus and service properties of steel V D E h 3 1.116.000 60 669.600
1793 Manufacture of high strength bolts from wire rod A R B E D 3 351.000 60 . 210.600
Saarstahl '

- 5  -
Project
nrT IT L E  O F  T H E  R E S E A R C HP R O P O S E D  R E S E A R C H F IN A N C IA L  A ID
byProbably Durabi lity 
(years)Budget E C U  
<30.11.1984)/ E C U  (30.11.1984)
1797 Influence of stress.relieving by vibration as compared to 
postweld heat treatment on the fatigue behaviour of repai­
red welds
I I .5.5. Fracture mechanicsN IL
L B F2 340.500 60 204.300
1658 Full-scale and laboratory tests approach to H ^ S  environ­
mental fracture of pipeline steels and weldsV A L L O U R E C
M A N N E S M A N3 650.000 45 292.500
1711 Investigation of fracture mechanics concepts M P I 3 267.000 60 160.200
1712 Effect of toughness on the load-carrying behaviour of 
notched specimens .V D E h 3 403.000 60 241.800
1734 Effects of alloy segregation and yield strength on heat 
affected zone toughness and safety of welded jointsB S C 3 314.000 60 188.400
1760 Ductile fracture propagation in gas pipelines C S M 2 317.000 60 190.200
1787 Toughness of tube steels in ductile tearing conditions 
11.5.6. H igh temperature steels/pressure vesselsIR S ID 2 298.500 60 179.100
1660 Development of high strength C r-M o steel for pressure 
vessels operating at high temperature under hydrogen 
pressure
I I .5.7. Marine technologyC R E U S 0T -L 0IR E 2 438.500 60 263.100
1758 Behaviour of welded joints in offshore platforms 
I I .5.8. Light structuresC S M 2  1/2 990.000 60 599.400
1661 Effect of mechanical and structural properties of steel at 
elevated temperatures on the buckling of steel columnsC R IF
T N O2 79.500 60 47.700
1736 Development of computer-aided design methods for steel­
framed composite floored multistorey buildingsB S C 1 172.500 60 103.500
1773 Brochure supporting the fire safety of steel structures E U R O F E R 2 165.000 80 132.000
1795 Dimensioning of mixed concrete/steel elements subjected
to fire, taking account of the interaction between normal
271.000 60 162.600stress and m om ent of bending A R B E D 2

-  6 -
ProjectT IT L E  O F  T H E  R E S E A R C HP R O P O S E D  R E S E A R C HF IN A N C IA L  A I D
nr
byProbably 
Durability (years)Budget E C U  
(30.11.1984)% E C U  (30.11.1984)
I I .5.9. Alloy and special steels
1739 Grain size control in components m ade directly from 
concast bi l letB S C 2 137.000 60 82.200
1742 Stainless steels for wear-resisting applications B S C 3 170.500 60 102.300
1743 Development of a  n ew  quality of non-oriented magnetic 
sheetS T  C H E L Y
D 'A P C H E R1 292.500 60 175.500
1764 Effect of segregating elements (Sn, Sb) in non-oriented 
grain magnetic products
I I .6. M IS C E L L A N E O U SC S M
T E R N I
G . F E R R A R IS1 185.500 60 111.300
1659 Technical literature on iron and steel 
I I .7. P IL O T  - P R O J E C TA S E L T 1 190.000 100 190.000
PP044/3
■ i  ..In
dustrial development of D E N  (Neutral Electrolytic 
Pickling) for hot-rolled strip in carbon and low-alloy 
steelL A M IN A Z IO N E  A  
F R E D D O  (I)
B W G  (D )
G I M  (B )1  year, 
1st stage 2.030.000 50 1.015.000