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Description
Scrap-based steel production is continuously increasing, replacing part of the ore-based steelmaking that is currently the dominant production method for low-alloyed steel grades. Driven by the green transition, scrap-based production using the electric arc furnace (EAF) can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions compared to carbon-based reduction of metal ore. Most emissions in the EAF route originate from electricity consumption, making it particularly suitable for regions with predominantly fossil-free electricity generation.
Scrap-based steelmaking introduces impurities such as copper, tin, and other elements, which can influence steel properties. These effects can often be mitigated through process optimization or alloying adjustments. To increase the acceptance of such trace elements in steel production, and to improve circularity by reducing the need for dilution with high-purity iron sources, it is important to clarify the relationship between impurities and steel properties.
In this study, martensitic low-alloyed steel is investigated with systematic additions of copper and tin. The influence of these impurities on mechanical properties is evaluated. Processing behavior is studied by monitoring the in-situ structure and properties of the austenite phase during thermomechanical processing, using laser ultrasonics coupled with a Gleeble simulator. Complementary hardenability analysis using dilatometry and EBSD characterization is also performed.