The manufacturing process of HIGH-STRENGTH CHAIN STEEL

The manufacturing process of HIGH-STRENGTH CHAIN STEEL, which ensures the final product possesses excellent mechanical properties and durability, typically involves multiple steps. Here is a general overview of the process:
I. Raw Material Preparation
The first step in producing high-strength chain steel is selecting appropriate raw materials. These materials typically include high-quality carbon steel, alloy steel, or stainless steel, with specific compositions determined by the required strength and corrosion resistance of the chain steel. The raw materials undergo rigorous inspection to ensure their chemical composition, mechanical properties, and surface quality meet standards.
II. Smelting and Casting
Smelting: The selected raw materials are placed into a steel-making furnace for smelting. By adjusting furnace temperature, blowing oxygen, and adding materials, the chemical composition and temperature of the molten steel are precisely controlled. Impurities in the molten steel are removed during the smelting process to increase its purity.
Casting: The refined molten steel is poured into pre-prepared molds and allowed to cool and solidify into steel billets. The pouring speed and temperature are controlled during the casting process to ensure the internal structure of the billets is uniform and free of defects.
III. Hot Rolling and Cold Rolling
Hot Rolling: The steel billets are heated to a certain temperature and then rolled through a hot rolling mill. During hot rolling, the billets undergo plastic deformation, refining their internal structure and removing some internal defects. The dimensions and shape of the rolled steel are closer to the final product requirements.
Cold Rolling: Further cold rolling processing is performed on the hot-rolled steel. Cold rolling improves the dimensional accuracy and surface finish of the steel and strengthens its mechanical properties through cold deformation.
IV. Heat Treatment
Heat treatment is a critical step in the manufacturing process of high-strength chain steel, mainly including quenching and tempering.
Quenching: The steel is heated to the austenitic range and then rapidly cooled to room temperature. During quenching, a martensitic transformation occurs within the steel, forming a high-hardness martensitic structure. Quenching increases the hardness and strength of the steel but also increases brittleness.
Tempering: To reduce the brittleness of the quenched steel and improve its toughness, tempering is required. The quenched steel is heated to a certain temperature, held for a period, and then cooled to room temperature. During tempering, martensite decomposes and carbides precipitate, reducing the hardness and strength of the steel but significantly improving its toughness.
V. Surface Treatment
Surface treatment of high-strength chain steel mainly includes shot blasting, shot peening, electroplating, and hot-dip galvanizing. These treatments enhance the steel's surface finish, corrosion resistance, and fatigue strength.
Shot Blasting and Shot Peening: High-speed shot particles are used to impact the steel surface, removing impurities such as oxide scales, rust, and oil contamination. This also increases the surface roughness of the steel, improving the adhesion between the coating and the substrate.
Electroplating: A layer of metal or alloy is plated onto the steel surface to improve its corrosion resistance. Common electroplating layers include zinc, chromium, and nickel.
Hot-Dip Galvanizing: The steel is immersed in molten metal to form a metal coating on its surface. Hot-dip galvanized coatings have a thick layer and excellent corrosion resistance.
VI. Inspection and Testing
Throughout the manufacturing process of high-strength chain steel, multiple inspections and tests are conducted to ensure product quality meets standards. These inspections and tests include chemical composition analysis, mechanical property testing (such as tensile tests and impact tests), and metallographic examination.
In summary, the manufacturing process of high-strength chain steel involves multiple stages and steps, each requiring strict control of process parameters and quality requirements to ensure the final product possesses excellent mechanical properties and durability.