High Temperature Behavior of Oxidized Mild Steel in Dry and Wet Atmospheres

During the hot rolling process, steels develop an oxide scale on their surface. This scale can affect the mechanical properties of the rolled steel and its surface aspect. The main problem comes from the mechanical integrity of the oxide scales which could delaminate or crack, leading eventually to later oxide incrustation within the steel. The objective of the present work is to qualify the mechanical integrity of the iron oxide scales during the hot rolling process. The laboratory experiments use a four point bending test to simulate the mechanical solicitation which takes place during the rolling sequence of the steel slabs. The oxide scales grow on a mild steel at $900^{\circ}C$ under wet or dry atmosphere and the oxidized steel is then mecahnically tested at $900^{\circ}C$ or $700^{\circ}C$. The high temperature four point bending tests are completed with microstructural observations and with the record of acoustic emission to follow in-situ the mechanical damages of the oxide scales. The results show the role of water vapor which promotes the scale adherence, and the role of the temperature as the oxide are more damaged at $700^{\circ}C$ than at $900^{\circ}C$.