Non-metallic inclusions study and characteristics of KP-T wheel steel under the influence of modification

Abstract

This article dials with railway wheels production for trains on carbon wear-resistant steels. With increasing global demands and fierce competition, there arises a need to explore alternative solutions for enhancing the quality of such wheels beyond traditional methods like alloying and heat treatment. This research focuses on the use of multifunctional modifiers to improve mechanical properties and reduce non-metallic inclusions in wheel steel KP-T. Experimental investigations, including chemical analysis, electron microscopy, and mechanical testing, were conducted. Results demonstrate that the application of multifunctional modifiers led to a reduction in non-metallic inclusions and an enhancement in mechanical properties. Stabilizing the chemical composition and mechanical characteristics is crucial for ensuring the quality and safety of railway wheels for high-stress applications. Similar investigations were conducted for steel KP-T. The action of multifunctional modifiers ensured a decrease in the quantity of non-metallic inclusions and an enhancement in the mechanical characteristics of steel KP-T. In the manufacturing of railway wheels for passenger cars, carbon wear-resistant steels are extensively employed. Growing demands for quality railway wheels made of such materials in the global market, coupled with stiff competition, necessitate the exploration of alternative solutions for enhancing their quality, besides the well-known methods of alloying and heat treatment. Therefore, the task of processing melts with multifunctional modifiers to increase mechanical properties and improve the morphology of non-metallic inclusions is currently highly relevant. The investigation utilized wheel steel KP-T produced in the main 250-ton furnace of the martensitic workshop of INTER-PIPE NTZ PJSC. This experimental-industrial steel was treated with multifunctional modifiers, the compositions of which are protected by patents of Ukraine. The modifiers were added to the KP-T steel melt using a vacuum steel.