Manufacturing and fabrication of thermomechanically rolled heavy plates

The development of heavy plates for constructional steelwork, shipbuilding and line pipes is characterized by a reduction of the carbon equivalent values. At the same time the strength and toughness properties are improved. Significant progress has been made by application of modern TM-rolling processes including accelerated cooling. Process control has been optimized to produce a homogeneity comparable to normalized plates. Strength and hardness profiles demonstrate the actual homogeneity. The properties after cold forming and strain aging have been evaluated. The weldability, in particular welding without preheating, is shown as a function of the H 2 -content of the weld metal. Flame straightening of TM-rolled plates is possible and is demonstrated for different types of flame straightening procedures