A Novel Process for Production of High-Mn, Low-C Steel

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The technology to be investigated in the proposed research work relates to a process to produce high-manganese steels for automotive components. The technology discloses a cost-effective process to produce high-manganese and advanced high strength steels (AHSS) such as Twining Induced Plasticity (TWIP) steels. The automotive industry is in constant pressure to reduce car weight due to fuel consumption, emissions and safety reasons. One of obvious solutions is using high specific strength (strength/weight) metallic component. High manganese AHSS is one of the most promising candidate for such application. However, the production of such high Mn alloyed steel is complicate. In the current steelmaking plant, alloying of Mn is typically performed by the dissolution of solid ferro-Mn alloys (75% Mn) with liquid low carbon steel. Such process requires great amount of energy and long processing time which results in the high cost of the AHSS. As a leading engineering company in pyrometallurgical sector, Hatch is looking for the alternative economical processing technology for high Mn AHSS. Recently, Hatch proposed new patent about the production of high Mn steel through the reduction of Mn oxide ore in the electrical furnace containing liquid Fe. The testing of the feasibility of this conceptual process requires a pilot scale process trial. The industrial trials of high cost can be shortened by a proper process simulation of complicate chemical reaction involved in the process. The PI's McGill research team has performed various steelmaking process simulations for many steel companies by combining thermodynamic databases and kinetics of chemical reactions. Such process simulation tools are successfully being used for industrial process analysis and optimization. The purpose of this engage project is to build a simplified process simulation tool for high Mn steel production through the reduction of Mn ore in liquid Fe. This simulation tool will provide reasonable processing window for such operation.