Production of Boron Micro-Alloys Based on Scientific Results at Azar Nahamain.

Introduction

Azar Nahamain Poulad Sharq Company, as one of the pioneers in Iran’s steel industry, is making significant strides toward achieving unparalleled quality and global standards. By leveraging modern knowledge, utilizing advanced analytical technologies, and employing top metallurgical experts and a dedicated research and development team, the company has successfully produced boron micro-alloy steel that meets international standards both structurally and chemically.

Advanced Technologies and Utilization of Scientific Findings.

In line with product development and production process improvement, Azar Nahamain Poulad Sharq Company utilizes a set of scientific and analytical methods.

Boron steels are classified as low-alloy (micro-alloy) steels and are widely used in the automotive industry. The presence of boron in these steels reduces the formation of ferrite compared to cementite during the transformation of austenite to pearlite, significantly increasing hardness. Another key reason for the growing use of this steel is its economic efficiency, as it requires less time for austenitizing compared to other heat-treatable steels.

Boron steels acquire properties during heat treatment that are comparable to more highly alloyed steels. This effect is achieved by adding a very small amount of boron, which combines with carbon and other alloying elements to enhance the hardenability of the steel.

Due to the hardenability mechanism of boron steels, it is possible to achieve high-strength steels. The effect of boron on the steel structure enhances hardenability and strength while maintaining relatively acceptable toughness, ensuring a balance between strength and toughness. The beneficial impact of boron on steel strength results from its precipitation at austenite grain boundaries, which reduces the energy of these boundaries and slows the nucleation of ferrite, pearlite, or bainite phases. Boron increases the hardenability of steel by delaying the heterogeneous nucleation of ferrite at austenite grain boundaries. This effect is caused by the reduction in interfacial energy when boron segregates at the grain boundary.

Surface and Internal Defect Testing :

Ultrasonic Testing of Cast Ingots.

Line Scan Testing :

Linear scanning of steel samples provides precise information on the distribution of elements within the microscopic structure. This technique helps identify small anomalies that may affect the final mechanical properties and ensures uniform composition across the entire product.

These tests play a crucial role in evaluating the mechanical properties of steel, including wear resistance, impact resistance, and surface uniformity assessment. Precise evaluation of physical properties using this method enables quality control and continuous product improvement.

B	Cr	Mn	Si	C	Code
	0.270	0.421	0.223	0.173	B1
0.001	0.270	1.011	0.316	0.291	A2
0.003	0.397	0.995	0.255	0.305	A1
0.004	0.301	0.983	0.336	0.329	B2

Boron is a strong carbide and nitride-forming element that enhances the strength of tempered and quenched low-carbon steels through martensite formation and precipitation strengthening of ferrite. Carbon steels containing boron serve as a cost-effective alternative to high-carbon and low-alloy steels. Low-carbon boron steels exhibit better cold deformability and, through heat treatment, can be transformed into steels with equivalent hardness but higher toughness for a wide range of applications such as tools, machine components, and fasteners.

The figure below shows the hardenability graph of the low-alloy boron-containing steel 30Mnb4 compared to boron-free steel (without boron – boron 0.001 – boron 0.003 – boron 0.004). Adding 0.004% boron to steel containing 0.3% carbon, 1% manganese, and 0.4% chromium increases hardness by approximately 64% at a greater depth compared to a sample with the same composition but without boron. As indicated in the graph, there is no difference in surface hardness between boron-containing steel and boron-free steel. Therefore, the initial hardness is not due to boron but rather stems from the martensitic structure, which depends on carbon content. Thus, the effect of boron on hardness enhancement is only observed beneath the surface.

Distance (mm)	B1 (B=0)	A2 (B=0.001)	A1 (B=0.003)	B2 (B=0.004)
0.5	511	532	514	511
1	484	520	502	487
1.5	480	510	490	484
2	432	495	487	484
2.5	385	487	484	481
3	366	446	481	470
5	275	387	438	459
10	225	293	398	454
15	214	265	323	377
20	206	243	287	340
25	198	218	254	320
30	191	204	248	313

Hardness (HV).

XRF Test :

Precise determination of the chemical composition of products through XRF, particularly in measuring trace alloying elements such as boron, enables accurate control over chemical formulations. These data play a key role in optimizing formulations and ensuring compliance with required standards.

Elt	Line	Int	Error	K	Kr	W%	A%	ZAF	Formula	Ox%	Pk/Bg	Class	LConf	HConf	Cat#
B	Ka	3.4	1.1518	0.0338	0.0253	13.62	35.87	0.1860		0.00	4.78	A	9.04	18.19	0.00
C	Ka	17.0	1.1518	0.0279	0.0209	10.73	25.45	0.1948		0.00	5.55	A	9.11	12.36	0.00
Si	Ka	5.6	0.3787	0.0017	0.0012	0.18	0.18	0.6876		0.00	2.18	B	0.13	0.23	0.00
Cr	Ka	3.4	0.4996	0.0033	0.0025	0.21	0.11	1.1878		0.00	2.17	B	0.14	0.28	0.00
Mn	Ka	5.1	0.4996	0.0060	0.0045	0.47	0.24	0.9572		0.00	2.31	B	0.34	0.60	0.00
Fe	Ka	655.4	0.4996	0.9274	0.6960	74.79	38.14	0.9306		0.00	45.15	A	72.97	76.61	0.00
				1.0000	0.7505	100.00	100.00			0.00					0.00

Crystal structure analysis of steel using XRD provides valuable insights into phase distribution and crystalline composition. This method significantly aids in accurately identifying structural changes and ensuring structural stability throughout the production process.

Leveraging Scientific Expertise and the Research and Development Team.

One of the key factors in the success of Azar Nahamain Poulad Sharq Company is its reliance on specialized teams in the fields of metallurgy and research and development. These teams, by utilizing the latest scientific achievements and cutting-edge technologies, conduct precise analyses of test results and play a fundamental role in improving production processes. The continuous interaction between research, development, and production units ensures that any potential defects are quickly identified and corrected, ultimately delivering a final product that meets the technical and quality demands of international markets.

Achievements in the Production of Boron Micro-Alloy Steel.

Using advanced technologies and the accumulated expertise of specialists, Azar Nahamain Poulad Sharq Company has successfully enhanced the production process of boron micro-alloy steel to a level that enables global market competitiveness. This type of steel, with its optimized composition and outstanding mechanical properties, is widely used in industries such as construction, automotive manufacturing, and heavy machinery production. Precise standardization, continuous quality control, and the application of advanced scientific testing are key factors ensuring the credibility and international acceptance of this product.

Azar Nahamain Poulad Sharq Company’s continuous efforts to align with scientific advancements and modern technologies have facilitated access to steel products that meet the highest global standards. Utilizing Jominy tests, XRD, XRF, and Line Scan, combined with close collaboration among specialized teams, has not only ensured product quality but also positioned the company on the path of sustainable development and strengthened competitiveness in the international market. These achievements exemplify the synergy between science and industry in driving innovation and continuous improvement in steel production processes.

This innovative and scientific approach has not only strengthened the company’s position in the domestic market but has also opened new horizons in the steel industry at both the regional and global levels for Azar Nahamain Poulad Sharq. In the future, with the expansion of scientific collaborations and modern technologies, further achievements in the improvement and development of steel products are expected, reinforcing the company’s role as a successful model of integrating science and industry.

Introduction

Advanced Technologies and Utilization of Scientific Findings.

In line with product development and production process improvement, Azar Nahamain Poulad Sharq Company utilizes a set of scientific and analytical methods.

Boron steels acquire properties during heat treatment that are comparable to more highly alloyed steels. This effect is achieved by adding a very small amount of boron, which combines with carbon and other alloying elements to enhance the hardenability of the steel.

Line Scan Testing :

Linear scanning of steel samples provides precise information on the distribution of elements within the microscopic structure. This technique helps identify small anomalies that may affect the final mechanical properties and ensures uniform composition across the entire product.

These tests play a crucial role in evaluating the mechanical properties of steel, including wear resistance, impact resistance, and surface uniformity assessment. Precise evaluation of physical properties using this method enables quality control and continuous product improvement.

B

Cr

Mn

Si

C

Code

0.270

0.421

0.223

0.173

B1

0.001

0.270

1.011

0.316

0.291

A2

0.003

0.397

0.995

0.255

0.305

A1

0.004

0.301

0.983

0.336

0.329

B2

Distance (mm)

B1 (B=0)

A2 (B=0.001)

A1 (B=0.003)

B2 (B=0.004)

0.5

511

532

514

511

1

484

520

502

487

1.5

480

510

490

484

2

432

495

487

484

2.5

385

487

484

481

3

366

446

481

470

5

275

387

438

459

10

225

293

398