Influence of deformation parameters on quality of billets and grinding balls during their production from rejects of rail steels

The conducted studies have determined the regularities of influence of rolling parameters of billets and grinding balls in their production from the rejects of K76F rail steel on probability of defects formation during deformation. Modeling of the rolling process of high-grade billets from the rejects of continuously cast ingots of rail steel of the specified grade in DEFORM-2D software package allowed us to establish a significant effect of such parameters as: partial coefficients of drawing along the transfer bar, frequency of rolling edges, and rolling temperature, on the probability of defect formation, characterized by the maximum value of the Cockcroft-Latham criterion in cross section of the rolls. It is shown that an increase in the coefficients of drawing (compression) along the transfer bar, due to intensification of the rolling mode and an increase in frequency of edging, reduces the likelihood of defects forming during rolling by reducing the temperature inhomogeneity along the rolls section. The established effect of temperature increase on reducing the probability of defects formation is due to an increase in plasticity of the considered rail steel. Based on the data obtained, general recommendations are formulated on the directions of improving the rolling modes of billets from the rejects of rail steels and restrictions on their application in practice. Based on the results of modeling the rolling of grinding balls from the rejects of rail steel on a helical rolling mill, a significant effect of an increase in the deformation temperature on reduction of cracking in the balls axial zone, due to an increase in the steel ductility, was established. Therefore, a new mode of rolling grinding balls from the rejects of K76F rail steel was developed, which provides an increase in impact resistance of grinding balls while maintaining high surface hardness. Effectiveness of this mode is confirmed by the results of its pilot testing in conditions of the ball rolling mill at JSC “Guryevskii Metallurgical Plant”.