SEDL / STP / STP1259-EB / STP16612S

Hydrogen and Flaking after 40 Years of Vacuum Degassing

Steiner, JE
Consultant, Heavy Forgings, Engineering, Materials & Processes, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Murphy, EL
Consultant, Heavy Forgings, Engineering, Materials & Processes, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Williams, RD
Consultant, Heavy Forgings, Engineering, Materials & Processes, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pages: 9    Published: Jan 1997

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Abstract

Background on the early urgent push for hydrogen control, primarily in heavy rotor forgings, as a result of the rotor failures of the mid 50's, is presented in a brief retrospective. Recent experience with the several degassing processes, their efficiency and costs in terms of safety treatment, delayed deliveries and claim losses is covered. Industry concern with hydrogen analysis of vacuum degassed steel solid product is discussed with regard to end customer need, justification and reliability of analysis, with the increasingly wide-spread use of the ladle refining furnace, some producers are reporting hydrogen problems with low sulfur vacuum degassed steels. Interaction among several factors possibly related to this phenomenon is discussed.