Producing A615 / A615M High Strength Construction Re-Bars Without Use of Microalloys: Part 2

The metallurgy of ASTM A615/A615M Gr. 60 steels made from three different chemistries was studied to suggest an economically advantageous route to produce a steel grade that saves the extra cost of alloying elements. Metallographic examinations, along with microhardness and XRD studies, were performed to rate the steel chemistries based on their superheats. This study of the steel grades revealed that producing steel for requisite standards like ASTM 615/A615M Grade 60 may not be dependent on starting superheat but on the chemistry and rolling process. Study of the three chemistries A, B and C indicated that the standards were met in all 3 chemistries; however, sample A had the lowest cost chemistry and therefore is a suggested route for this product.