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Proceedingsof InternationalSeminaronProductionandApplicationof HIghStrengthSeismicGradeRebarContainingVanadium
BeijingChina
Development of High Strength Construction Rebars Yang Caifu (Central Iron & Steel Research Institute, Beijing 100081) Abstract: The research, production and application of high strength rebars in China are reviewed.
Microalloying, afterheat treatment and fine-grain strengthening are the most effective methods in developing high strength rebars. V-N microalloyed rebars have noticeable advantages over those microalloyed with other elements. Enhanced nitrogen in vanadium-containing rebars promotes the precipitation of V(C,N) particles which markedly improves the precipitation strengthening effects of vanadium, 50% of which can be saved. The goal of saving costly FeV and reducing costs are realized. Based on carbon steel and 20MnSi steel, grade 3 and grade 4 rebars with yield strength of 400MPa and 500MPa respectively can be produced by afterheat treating, or ultra-fine grain technologies; the alloy consumption is reduced and resources are saved at the same time. In recent years, remarkable progress has been achieved in production and application of high strength rebars. Key words: high strength rebar, V-N microalloying, precipitation strengthing, afterheat
treatment, ultra-fine grain steel, seismic resistant rebar
0
Currently, the domestic building market is
Introduction
dominated by grade 2 rebars with yield
As the biggest consumer among steel
strength of 335MPa. After years of efforts,
products in China, rebars account for
some achievements have been made in
one-fifth of total steel production and play
application of 400MPa rebars but the share
an important role in national economic
of high strength rebar is still st ill lower. Grade 2
development. In recent years, the output
rebars account for 60% of all products and
and consumption of hot rolled rebars
the application of 500MPa rebars is almost
haveboth increased significantly to meet
blank, and not filed in the architectural
the requirements of fast growth of building
design
industry.
production
However, in the developed countries,
growth of rebar in the past decade. It is
rebars for construction have been upgraded
visible from the fig that annual output of
to 400MPa and above. For example, grade
rebar had exceeded 100 million tons by
4 rebars with yield strength of 500MPa
2007, nearly five times that in 1997.
have been widely used in Germany [2].In
Although the production of rebar has
terms of applications of building rebars,
substantially increased in the last years, the
our country lags far behind the world
product mix has been relatively backward.
advanced level. Rebar consumption can be
Fig.1
shows
the
specification
in
our
country.
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Proceedings of International Seminar on Production andApplication of HIgh Strength Seismic Grade Rebar ContainingVanadium
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saved by 14% if the strength is upgraded
the expense of lower ductility and poor
from grade 2 of 335MPa to grade 3 of
bonding with concrete. Hot rolling with
400MPa. Similarly, 10% of steel can be
pre-springing method was once commonly
saved if the strength is upgraded from
used in Europe to produce high strength
grade 3 of 400MPa to grade 4 of 500MPa.
rebar, namely“hot rolled torsion rebar ”, the
Therefore, there will be huge economic
yield strength of which was from 360MPa
efficiency and social benefits from rebar
to 400MPa, and 500MPa grade in a few
upgrading. This paper mainly introduces
cases. For consideration of cost, the torsion
the research, development and applications
rebar was gradually replaced by other hot
of high strength rebars for construction in
rolled rebars with same grades. In 1970's,
China.
welding rebar was developed rapidly, which
1998-2009 Production of Rebars in China 140
promoted
evoluation
of
rebar
production technologies. A great step
120
forward
s n o T100 n o i l l i 80 M , n o 60 i t c u d 40 o r P
achieved
when
micro-alloyed rebar was developed
the [4-9]
.
Micro-alloying elements such as titanium, niobium and vanadium were used to produce high strength rebars based on low
20
carbon steel with improved toughness,
0 1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
ductility Fig.1
Rebars production in china
[1]
and
welding
performances.
Another new technology was rebar heat
1 Research and development of high strength rebars 1.1
was
treatment, known as “ Tempcore ” and “ Thermex ”
[10-11]
, successful applied in
Europe firstly. This was called“afterheat
History
treated rebar ”and“quenching rebar ”. High
High strengthening is an important
temperature after rolling was used for
development trend of construction rebar. In
quenching and residual heat in the central
the beginning, by increasing carbon and
part was utilized for self- tempering. This
manganese contents, the earliest high
method
strength rebar was produced with carbon
production process for producing high
content
manganese
strength rebars in Europe. Micro alloying
ranging from 0.90% to 1.45% depending
and afterheat treatment are the main
the size of product and yield strength from
processes for producing high strength
350MPa to 400MPa. In the meanwhile,
rebars in foreign countries. They are
another method for producing high strength
widely used for producing 400MPa (grade
rebars
3), 500MPa (grade 4) and 600MPa(grade5)
of
was
about
0.35%,
evolved
based
on
cold
deformation[3]. The strength of rebars was improved by drawing low-carbon steel at
is
currently
the
prevailing
high strength rebars. Functional
properties
like
seismic
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Proceedingsof InternationalSeminaronProductionandApplicationof HIgh StrengthSeismic GradeRebarContainingVanadium
Beijing China
resistance, flameproof, corrosion resistance
Mn-Si-Nb, with almost 20 brands, some of
are generally required by construction
which have been brought into the national
rebars, which represent another important
rebar standard. In the 1980’s,
development direction. In order to improve
on
the seismic and safety performances of
performances and profiles of the low
structures, series of high strength seismic
alloyed rebars were conducted based on the
rebars have been developed by countries all
resources in China and internationally
over the world. Japan takes the lead in the
advanced
field of seismic rebar applications by
microalloyed grade 4 rebar products based
developing series of high strength rebars
on 20MnSi (grade 2) were developed by
with strength ranging from 590MPa to
adding proper elements like vanadium,
1275MPa[12].
placed
niobium or titanium, namely 20MnSiV,
high
20MnSiNb, 20MnTi. In addition K20MnSi
Europe
performance
has
requirements
like
manufacturing
processes,
technologies.
produced. In late 1990’s, for the sake of
the
higher
further cost reduction and resources saving,
requirement for construction rebars are put
HRB 400 and HRB 500 high strength low
forward, especially when the building is
cost
under marine environment. One effective
microalloying[15-18]. In the meanwhile, high
method for improving rebar corrosion
strength carbon rebars with
resistance is surface treatment, such as
grain has been developed with the support
epoxy coating and galvanizing treatment.
of
Adding chromium, nickel and copper are
successful developments of these products
effective ways for improving inherent
have effectively promoted the application
corrosion resistance. In order to obtain
of grade 3 rebar in our country. However,
longer service life, non-corrosive rebars
in the field of seismic resistant, flameproof
have been developed and used by some
and corrosion resistant rebars, our research
European and American countries in the
work is still at the initial stage.
recent years[13-14].
1.2
The research and development on rebars in China started in the mid of 1960's. Before
this,
the
rebar
standard
rebars
were
rebars
of
and fatigue property. In order to improve buildings,
3
series
afterheat
of
grade
A
brands,
tensile/yield strength ratio, good ductility durability
treated
researches
developed
by
Production
technology
V-N
ultra-fine
“ 973 ” project
national
was
[19]
of
.
The
high
strength rebars Rebar performance mainly depends on
was
chemical composition and manufacturing
developed with referrence to the standard
parameters .As welding techniques are
for the similar products of Soviet Union,
widely used in modern architectures, the
mainly carbon rebar. Since 1960s, our
way of adding carbon or equivalent content
country has successfully developed series
to improve strength is infeasible. In order
of low alloyed rebar products including
to make up for the loss of strength due to
Mn-Si,Si-V,Si-Ti,
decreased
Si-Nb,Mn-Si-V
and
carbon
content,
alternative
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Proceedingsof InternationalSeminaronProductionandApplicationof HIgh StrengthSeismicGradeRebarContainingVanadium
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process routes are available which include
increase significantly as a result of cold
cold
deformation. Therefore, the manufacturing
deformation,
afterheat
treatment,
microalloying, grain refining and etc.
practice of cold deformation to improve
1.2.1
strength of rebar has become a history.
Cold deformation technology
1.2.2
Cold deformation is one of the earliest
Heat treatment after rolling is the
methods for rebar production. Although
primary route for producing high strength
strength is obviously improved by cold
rebar in Europe and this method is to
deformation, the ductility is much damaged
obtain tempered martensite on the surface
accordingly. As shown in fig.2, the strength
of rebar to realize strengthening. The yield
of hot rolled low carbon rebar increases
strength of common rebar can reach
significantly while the ductility index Rm/ Re
drops
dramatically
after
Afterheat treating technology
400MPa and 500MPa to meet performance
5%
requirements of high strength rebar. On the
deformation.
basis of low carbon manganese steel, rebar with
yield
strength
600MPa
produced by afterheat
treated
can
be
process
coupled with microalloying method. Table 1 shows the chemical composition of typical high strength rebar with afterheat treated technology in the foreign country. From the table, it can be seen that through afterheat treatment content of alloying elements in the high strength rebar is lower, (Diameter of rebar: 12mm, stretching strain: 5%)
which shows significant cost advantages.
Fig.2 Effect of cold deformation on
Except
[2]
mechanical ro ert of rebars
one-off
equipment
investment
(water-cooling equipment after rolling),
The strength of cold deformation rebars
there’s little increase in production cost.
increases while ductility drops noticeably,
Therefore, afterheat treating technology is
which can hardly meet the requirements for
an effective way for producing high
construction steel, especially the seismic
strength low cost rebars.
resistant steel. Besides, production costs
Tab.1 Chemical composition of typical high strength rebar produced by afterheat treated process
[2]
V
%
Yield strength level/MPa
C
Si
Mn
400
0.16～0.22
0.20～0.30
0.40 ～0.60
＜0.012
500
0.16～0.22
0.20～0.30
0.60 ～0.80
＜0.012
600
0.16～0.22
0.20～0.35
0.80 ～1.00
0.03～0.04
N
0.010～0.012
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Proceedingsof InternationalSeminaronProductionandApplicationof HIghStrengthSeismicGradeRebar ContainingVanadium
1.2.3
Microalloying technology
research
Microalloying utilizes two advanced technologies
which
strengthening
and
are
fine-grain precipitation
achievements
Beijing China
of
V-N
microalloyed rebars. Titanium microalloying
Titanium is the earliest micro alloyed
strengthening to improve strength. Micro
element
alloying elements are added to rebar such
significant
as titanium, niobium and vanadium with a
strengthening, small quantity of which can
content ranging from 0.02% to 0.15%.
increase strength significantly. However,
Combined with appropriate process control
titanium has strong binding force with
method, the strength can increase doubly.
oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen, forming
Microalloying technology was one of the
oxides,
most significant achievements in physical
formation of TiC. This will give rise to
metallurgy in latter half of 20 century,
difficulty to control titanium content on a
which provides another economic and
reliable basis, resulting in fluctuation in
effective
high
strength of the steel. Oxides and sulfides of
strength steels. The option of microalloying
titanium are formed in molten steel;
elements depends on the their binding
Similarly, TiC is formed in solidification
abilities
carbon,
process and can easily become bulky
nitrogen, etc, as well as the carbide/nitride
inclusions. For the above reasons, titanium
dissolvability at different temperatures and
micro alloyed method is abandoned for
specific conditions of production process.
strength improvement and this method has
Besides technical consideration, economic
been used in the field of Ti-treatment and
viability is also an important factor to
oxide metallurgy. Welding performance is
consider for technological selection. Three
improved by adding small quantity of
kinds
namely
titanium (generally 0.010% to 0.020%) to
Ti-microalloying, Nb-microalloying and
form fine TiO and TiN, A lot of steels
V-microalloying are introduced for rebar
containing titanium such as 20MnTi rebar
production and emphasis is given to the
in the past are discontinued in our country.
method
with
of
for
oxygen,
producing
sulfur,
technologies,
applied
in
steel.
contributor
sulfide
and
to
TiC
[3]
a
precipitation
nitrides
Fig.3 NbC, TiC and VN dissolvability at different temperature
is
prior
to
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Proceedingsof InternationalSeminaron ProductionandApplicationof HIghStrengthSeismicGradeRebarContainingVanadium
Niobium microalloying
12mm～￠25mm)rebar. Based on 20MnSi,
Niobium microalloying is widely used in
steel
sheet
and
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production.
after rolling, the technical index of the
However, the application is restricted by
rebar containing niobium of 0.02% to
dissolvability
0.03%
of
strip
coupled with accelerated cooling process
Nb(C,N)
in
rebar
production .The pass system of wire and
can
meet
grade
3
rebar
requirements,
rod mill is fixed and efficient rolling with
Vanadium/vanadium-nitrogen
fast speed is adopted. With heating up
microalloying
rolling scheme the temperature of rebar in
The microalloying process is mainly
exit of finishing stand is more than 1100 ℃.
used to develop high strength weldable
Therefore,
meet
rebars around the world. During rebar
technological conditions for Nb-containing
production process, the high rolling speed
steel
low
and high finishing temperature are quite
deformation.
desirable for application of vanadium
it
is
production
temperature
difficult which
and
to
requires
large
Furthermore, the content of carbon in rebar
microalloying
is from 0.20% to 0.25%, which is relatively
standard issued in China also recommends
higher. It can be seen in Fig.3 that under
the use of vanadium microalloying to
typical composition of rebar (0.20%C),
produce grade 3 rebars with yield strength
only0.02% of niobium can be dissolved in
400MPa at least[20].However, vanadium
the steel at the heating temperature of
added in rebars will increase the production
1,200 ℃.
costs. It is known that microalloying
Although
the
effect
of
niobium
technique.
carbides/nitrides.
in
have
production
process,
the
rebar
element takes effects by precipitation of its
fine-grain strengthening is difficult to exert rebar
The
Microalloyed
noticeably
better
nitrides
strengthening
precipitation of Nb(C, N) contributes a
effectiveness than that of carbonides, for
little to strengthening. In order to make use
nitrides particles are more stable. Research
of strengthening effect of niobium, further
results[4-5] indicate that nitrogen is a
research
cost-effective
has
been
done
which
has
alloying
element
in
promoted the application of niobium of
vanadium microalloyed steels, and the
grade 3 rebars. The primary measure is to
strength can increase from 7MPa to 8MPa
decrease
per
precipitation
temperature
and
10ppm
of
nitrogen
successful
Nb(C,N).
is
nitrogen help to improve strengthening
successfully applied in rebar of grade 3 by
effect of steel containing vanadium,and
accelerated
and
achieve the goals of saving alloy and
trace-titanium treatment which can reduce
reducing costs. In order to further reduce
the adverse effects of Nb(C,N), especially
the costs of high strength rebar and explore
for
the
cooling
widely
microalloying after
used
rolling
small
size(
￠
the
potential
of
of
The
obtain fine precipitate phase particles of Niobium
applications
added.
low-cost
microalloying
steel,
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Proceedingsof InternationalSeminaron ProductionandApplicationof HIghStrengthSeismicGradeRebarContainingVanadium
BeijingChina
extensive researches on production of high
steel to which FeV is added, vanadium
strength rebar with V/N microallying have
exists mainly as solid solution which
been conducted home and abroad[15-18].
accounts for 56.3% of total vanadium
(1) Effect of nitrogen
content, while only 35.5% of vanadium
Fig.4 shows the effect of nitrogen on
precipitates in the form of V(C,N).The
strength of rebar containing vanadium.
results
With almost the same content of vanadium,
microalloying
the strength of V-N microalloyed rebars is
containing steel do not work toward
much
vanadium
precipitation strengthening and it is a waste
microallyed steel. It can be seen that with
of vanadium. On the contrary, in V-N steel,
enhancement of 100ppm of nitrogen, the
70%
yield strength and tensile strength of V-N
precipitates and only 20% dissolves in the
microalloyed rebar increase by 117.5MPa
matrix. Therefore, nitrogen added to steel
and 135MPa, respectively, compared to
alters the vanadium phase distribution and
vanadium containing steel. Experimental
promotes
result
dissolved in the matrix, thus improving the
higher
shows
than
that
that
of
nitrogen
markedly
improves the strengthening effectiveness of
YS
TS
a P M 60 0 , h t 50 0 g n e r 40 0 t s
vanadium
in
forms
precipitation
of
the
vanadium
V(C,N)
vanadium
80% 70%
V V(C,N)
60%
V M3C V sol
50% 40% 30% 20% 10%
30 0
0%
20 0 V -S teel
S t ee l
elements
of
90% o i t % a R , m n u o i i d t a u n b a i V r t f s o i D
70 0
most
100%
a very effective strengthening element for
80 0
of
that
precipitation strengthening of vanadium.
vanadium in steel, which means nitrogen is rebars containing vanadium.
reveal
V Steel
V -N S teel
Fig. 5 Vanadium distribution in V-steel and V-N
0 . 1 1 % V - 8 5 p p m[ N ] 0 . 1 2 % V - 1 8 0 p p m [N ]
YS
4 4 2 .5 MPa
TS
5 8 5 MPa
VN Steel
5 60 MPa 7 20 MPa
[15]
steel
Fig. 4 Effect of N on strength of V rebars
Phase analysis result shows that the
[16]
steel
fraction of fine particles with a size of less than 10nm in vanadium containing rebar is
(2) Vanadium distribution and preci pitation phase in rebars
just 21.1%, whereas, the fraction is up to 32.2% in V-N rebar. The increase of fine
Vanadium distribution is shown in
and dispersed V(C,N) precipitated phase is
Fig.5. It can been seen there is an evident
the primary reason for strength rise of V-N
difference
rebars.
in
phase
distribution
of
vanadium between high-nitrogen steel and low-nitrogen steel. In vanadium containing
σS =85.7+37[Mn]+83[Si]+17.4×D -1/2 +σPR
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Proceedingsof InternationalSeminaron ProductionandApplicationof HIghStrengthSeismicGradeRebarContainingVanadium
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V-Steel： Rel＝ Rel(20MnSi)＋1056×[V%]
23MPa by fine-grain strengthening and
V-N Steel： Rel＝ Rel(20MnSi)＋1994×[V%]
86MPa
(3) Strengthening mechanism of V-N rebars
strength of microalloyed steels can be [21]
expressed as
:
totaling
strengthening,
109MPa.Comparison
of
contributing factors to the precipitation
where 37[Mn]+83[Si] is solid solution strengthening
17.4×D -1/2
factor,
fine-grain strengthening factor and precipitation
strengthening
is
σ PR
is
factor.
According to experimental results of ferrite grain size and yield strength of the sample the
that σPR
in V-N rebar doubles that in
vanadium
containing
steel.
The
incremental strength from precipitation
σS =85.7+37[Mn]+83[Si]+17.4×D -1/2 +σPR
contribution
of
each
strengthening factor to the yield strength can be estimated by the above formula and the result is shown in Fig.6.
accounts for 73.2% of total strength increment of the steel. It can be seen that by addition of nitrogen, vanadium can play a greater role in precipitation strengthening and
fine-grain
strengthening,
which
contribute to significant improvement in yield strength. The result of regression equation shows that the strengthening ability of vanadium in V-N rebars almost doubles that of vanadium-containing rebar. V-Steel：
Rel＝ Rel(20MnSi)＋1056×[V%]
V-N Steel：
Rel＝ Rel(20MnSi)＋1994×[V%]
(4) Effect of accelerated cooling after
600
rolling
a 500 P M
165 65
400
h t g 300 n e r t S 200 d l e i Y100
precipitation
strength between the two steels suggests
On the basis of research results, the
steel,
by
preciptation Grain Size
170
200
220
solid solution base
120
The
produced
85
85
85
process.
20MnSi
V-rebar
Fig.6 Strengthening Mechanism of 20MnSi, V rebars and V-N rebar
It can be seen that effect of matrix strengthening
and
solid
three rebars, the strength difference is caused by different effects of precipitation
through Fig.7
accelerated
indicates
and fine-grain strengthening of V-N steel is better than that of V containing steel,
yield
cooling strength
vanadium containing rebar, V-N rebar and V-N rebar produced by accelerated cooling. 600
V-N rebars (Accelerated cooling)
V-N rebars
a 550 P M , h t g n 500 e r t S d l e i Y450
V rebars
rebar diameter: 16-32mm
strengthening and fine-grain strengthening. The effect of precipitation strengthening
the
changing with content of vanadium for
solution
strengthening is basically the same for the
meet
with lower content of vanadium can be
90
V-N rebar
which
requirements of grade 3 and grade 4 rebars
90
0
products
400 0.00
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.10
0.12
0.14
V content, %
Fig.7 Effects of V content and ACC process on the strength of rebars
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Proceedingsof InternationalSeminaronProductionandApplicationof HIghStrengthSeismicGradeRebarContainingVanadium
Beijing China
It can be seen that with the same
the strength of carbon rebars and 20MnSi
strength, V-N rebars save V resources
rebars. Common carbon steel is able to
substantially
satisfy the performance requirements of
containing
compared vanadium
with
only
,
rebars with
V
grade 3 rebar with minimum yield strength
consumption decreasing from 0.06% ～
of 400MPa by refining grains. For 20MnSi
0.08% to 0.03% ～ 0.04% for 400MPa
rebar, the strength obtained is more than
rebars, and from 0.07% ～ 0.12%
500MPa.
to
0.06% ～ 0.08% for 500MPa rebars. By accelerated
cooling
process,
the
Grain refining is an effective method for
raising
strength
while
improving
consumption of vanadium can be reduced
toughness at the expense of reducing
to 0.02% ～0.03% for 400MPa V-N rebars
tensile/yield ratio. It can be seen in Fig.8
and 0.04% ～ 0.05% for 500MPa V-N
that tensile/yield ratio of carbon rebars and
rebars. It follows that FeV consumption
20MnSi
and costs will be saved by adopting
strengthening is reduced to 1.20 and below,
microalloying technique combined with
less than the ratio of 1.25, a minimum
accelerated cooling process.
requirement by the seismic rebar. Another
1.2.4
Technology of fine-grain rebars
problem is weldability of this kind of rebar.
Based on“973”ultra-fine grain steel
The grain of heat affected area will grow
project, the research work of high strength
due to high temperature during the welding
fine-grain rebars have been conducted in
process, and welded joint will intenerate at
China. The ultra-fine grain structures can
the same time. Improving tensile/yield ratio
be obtained through DIFT technique as
and researching connection technology are
well as deformation at Ar3 temperature.
the primary efforts toward promoting
Fig.8 shows the effects of fine grains on
fine-grain rebars in the future.
a P a M P
M h t g 度 n e 强 r t s 伸 e l 拉 i s ， n e 度 t h 强 t g 服 n e 屈 r t s d l e i y ，
550 500
1.3
450
with
fine-grain
850
1.35
σ
rebars
a P M
a P h t M
1.5 σb
1.45
800
1.4
750
，
1.25
400 350
1.2
σ
300
1.15
σb/
250
1.1
200 0.17%C-0.60%Mn-0.29%Si-0.012Ti
150
1.05 3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12
晶粒尺寸 grain size μm µm
g 度 n 强 e r 伸 t s 拉 \ e l i 度 s 强 n e 服 t 屈 h t g n e r t s d l e i y
1.35
d l e i y 比 / e 1.25 屈 l i 强 s 1.2 n e T 1.15
700
1.3 650 600 σb/σs 550
σs
500
1.1
450
1.05
0.22%C-1.46%Mn-0.5%Si
400
1 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
晶粒尺寸 μm grain size µm
Fig.8 Effect of ferrite grain size on the strength of plain C and 20MnSi rebars
2 Production and application of high strength rebars
[19]
Fig.9 shows production of grade 3 rebar in China in recent years. In the year
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Proceedingsof InternationalSeminaron ProductionandApplicationof HIghStrengthSeismicGradeRebarContainingVanadium
of 2000, its output was only 260 thousand
strength
tons, accounting for 1% of the total rebar
adopted to play a role in strengthening
production.
had
precipitation as well as improving strength,
reached 33 million tons, accounting for
saving alloy consumption and reducing
one-third of the total. High strength rebar
production costs. Through optimization of
production and application in China has
chemical composition, the consumption of
developed rapidly. It can be seen in Fig.10
vanadium in V-N microalloying high
that increasing output of grade 3 rebar has
strength rebars can be reduced to the
significantly contributed to the product mix.
content ranging from 0.02% to 0.04%, half
Although the output of grade 3 rebar has
that of V-Fe microalloyed rebar.
By
2008,the
output
level.
V-N
-67-
microalloying
is
substantially increased, its share is still
Production experiences indicate that
lower. 20MnSi rebar of grade 2 has the
the mechanical properties of V-N micro
biggest share in the construction rebar
alloyed rebars are quite stable and the
market, namely 60%.The application of
strength is controlled with a variation of
building rebars indicate that our country still
75MPa, which can satisfy class- one
lags far behind the world advanced level.
seismic requirements. According to the
V/V-N
microalloying
is
the
statistical
data
of
strength rebars for construction. Based on
affected by dimension specification is
20MnSi, appropriate vanadium or V-N is
identified. As shown in Fig.11, statistical
added
performance
results indicate that the average variation of
requirements of 400MPa and 500MPa high
yield strength is 17MPa while the tensile
strength rebars. Table 2 lists the typical
strength is 19MPa by using billets with the
chemical composition of 400MPa and
same chemical composition to produce
500MPa rebars produced by converter
rebars of different specifications.
process.
micro
It
to
can
meet
be
seen
that
the
alloyed
that
rebar
production,
steel
way
V-N
predominant process for producing high
to
the
mass
rebars
strength
of
is
V-N
different
consumption of vanadium needed in V-N
specifications exhibit similar properties
steel is much less than that in the steel
suggesting that the effects of specification
containing vanadium only with the same
are not evident.
1995-2009 China Rebars Steels Output Total Production
, s r a b e s R n f o o t t n u o i p t l l u i O m l a t o T
130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
Production of Grade 3 Rebars
122 103 102
60 50
88 80 71 58 44
15
15
17
21
25
26
29
12.96 5.89 1.94 0.26 1.07
32.43
32.72
22.74 13.07
40 30 20 10 0
5 9 6 9 7 9 8 9 9 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 0 8 0 9 9 9 9 1 9 1 9 1 9 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 1
Fig.9
Production of Grade 3 Rebars in China
, s r a b e r 3 s e n d o a r T G n f o o i l l n i o M i t c u d o r P
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Proceedingsof InternationalSeminaronProductionandApplicationof HIghStrengthSeismicGradeRebar ContainingVanadium
Beijing China
2007 China Rebars Mix
2006 China Rebars Mix
Grade V, 0.04%
Grade IV, 0.28%
Grade I, 8.29%
Grade I, 4.60%
Grade IV, 0.16%
Grade III, 23.37% Grade III, 31.55%
Grade II, 63.65%
Grade II, 68.05%
Fig.10
Rebar product mix in China
Tab.2 Chemical composition of 400MPa and 500MPa rebars produced by converter process Grade
Alloy
400MPa
V-N
C
Si
Mn
P，S
0.20-0.24
0.45-0.60
1.25-1.45
<0.035
%
V
Specificatio
N
n/mm Φ16-Φ40
0.03-0.04 0.008-0.012
Φ6-Φ16
0.02-0.03
Φ16-Φ40
0.07-0.09 V-Fe
0.20-0.24
0.45-0.60
1.25-1.45
<0.035
0.003-0.006 Φ10-Φ16
0.05-0.07 500MPa
V-N 0.20-0.24 V-Fe
0.20-0.24
0.45-0.60
1.40-1.55
0.45-0.60
1.40-1.55
0.05~0.07
0.010-0.015
Φ16-Φ32
0.07-0.09
0.012-0.018
Φ32-Φ40
0.07~0.12
0.003-0.006
Φ16-Φ32
<0.035 <0.035
650
σs(MPa) σb(MPa)
750
600
700
a550 P M500 ， 450 度 400 强
650 ) a P 600 M (
度550 强500
屈服强度
350
450
抗拉强度
300
400
φ12
8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42
钢筋规格,mm
φ16
φ20
A significant advantage of V-N rebars the
excellent
φ32
φ40
钢筋规格(mm)
Fig.11 Effect of the size of rebars on mechanical properties
is
φ25
anti-strain
in
20MnSi
rebar
[22]
after
strain
aging
aging
treatment, which results in significant
performance. Table 3 shows the results of
strength increase. However, V-N rebar
the strain aging evaluation of V-N rebars
eliminates the adverse effects of strain
and 20MnSi rebars. The results show that
aging on properties of steel and non-strain
strain aging phenomenon occurs obviously
aging steel is obtained.
Tab.3
Strain Aging Behavior of V-N and 20MnSi Rebars Non-aging
After aging
Steel σs/MPa
σ b/MPa
δ5/%
σs/MPa
σ b/MPa
δ5/%
V-N
460
640
27
470
655
25
20MnSi
380
575
30
425
615
24.5
2010
Proceedingsof InternationalSeminaron ProductionandApplicationof HIghStrengthSeismicGradeRebarContainingVanadium
-69-
The successful application of V-N
performance advantages such as reliable
microalloying technology in high strength
performance, little strength variation, low
rebars provides a new effective and
strain
economic method for producing high
wdldability which can meet seismic design
strength rebar. Nitrogen is added into
requirements.
aging
sensibility,
excellent
vanadium containing steel to play a role in
(3)Grain refinement is an effective
precipitation strengthening, as well as
method for producing low cost high
improving strength, saving costly FeV and
strength rebars. Based on common carbon
reducing
V-N
steel and 20MnSi steel, grade 3 and grade 4
microalloyed rebars of grade 3 are widely
rebars with yield strength of 400MPa and
produced ，obtaining great economic and
500MPa respectively can be produced by
social benefits.
ultra-fine
3
production
cost.
grain
technology,
the
alloy
consumption is reduced and resources are
Conclusions
saved. The applications of afterheat treated
(1) Remarkable progress has been
rebars are restricted in many aspects. More
made in production and application of high
efforts
strength rebars in China and the output of
associated application technologies such as
400MPa rebars has reached 33 million tons,
welding process, connecting technology as
accounting for one-third of the total rebar
well as development of standards and
production. However, 500MPa rebar has
specifications, etc.
been virtually not used in China, lagging far behind the world advanced level. It will be a lasting and arduous task to promote upgrading
of
products
and
be
made
to
develop
References [1]
enlarge
proportion of grade 3 and grade 4 rebars
should
“Annual report on China Iron & Steel Statistics”, China Iron & Steel Association, (2006-2009).
[2]
for construction.
D.Russwurm and P.Wille. "High Strength Weldable Reinforcing Bars". Microalloying’95, Pittsburgh, PA,
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ISS, 1995. [3]
H.G. Trotter, High Strength Steel Reinforcement, The
rebars. Nitrogen added into V-containing
Metallurgist and Materials Technologist, February
rebars can play a role in promoting V
1977, p.73-76.
precipitation,
thus
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[4]
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A.M. Sage, Effect of V, N, Al on the mechanical properties
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Vanadium
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Metals
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I. Lindberg, Weldable high strength reinforcing bars
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V-N
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rebars
exhibit
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Yongquan,
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Shuping,
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S.Zajac, T.Siwechi, etal . ’strengthening mechanism in
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[15] Yang
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S.Zajac, R.Lagneborg, T.Siwechi. "The Role of
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[17] Yang
[10] M. Economopoulos, Y. Respen, G. Lessel, G. Steffes, Application
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Fabrication of High Yield Concrete-reinforcing Bars, C.R.M., No.45, December 1975. [11] P. Simon, M. Economopoulos, P. Nilles, Tempcore: A new process for the production of high-quality reinforcing bars, Iron and Steel Engineer, March 1984, p.53-57. [12] N.KURODA, M.YOSHIKAWA, High Production
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