Process technology for the continuous hot band annealing of 17%Cr ferritic stainless steel

As an alternative to time- and energy-consuming batch annealing, process technology for the continuous hot band annealing of 17%Cr ferritic stainless steel has been established. Process parameters (i.e., temperature and time) for the hot band annealing were optimized in the laboratory and, subsequently, plant trials were conducted. The impact toughness value of the annealed hot band was found to be the most crucial parameter to assess the cold rollability in the commercial run. When the hot bands were continuously annealed at 900 °C, the improved impact toughness values resulted in successful cold rolling to the desired thickness. The impact toughness value and subsequent cold rollability were found to be related to the formation of martensite volume%. Annealing the hot band in the lower temperature range of the two-phase (α+r) region (i.e., 900 °C) yielded the best result. Improvement in roping index has been reported as a result of the weakening of the texture of the continuous-annealed hot band.