Development of universal method for determining specific mass or thickness of scale crust on the surface of wire rod after continuous cooling

The production of various metal products using hot plastic deformation or heat treatment is inevitably linked to the processes of oxidation of steel because of its interaction with the air or atmosphere of the furnace. At the same time, changes occur in the chemical composition of the surface metal layer, the formation of oxides (scale), the transformation of their phase composition during the processing, which, in turn, depends on the temperature, speed and method of cooling the metal.The most widespread type of metal products, for which the scale is standardized not only by the requirements of the relevant standards, but also has a significant impact on the process of subsequent processing, is wire rod. The carbon steel scale, formed at high temperatures, consists of three oxides (FeO, Fe3O4 and Fe2O3), the actual content of which affects the formation of various density, and, consequently, different specific mass of scale with the same thickness of its layer on the rolled surface. In view of the fact that the known methods for determining the specific mass of the scale are rather laborious and require appropriate qualifications of technical personnel, there is a need to develop a universal method for qualitative and quantitative assessment of oxides formed on the surface of carbon steel, depending on changes in the technological parameters of production. Purpose. Development of a method for determining the specific mass or thickness of the scale layer formed on the surface of a wire rod of various diameters, with its actual chemical composition. Results. Based on the known chemical and physical patterns of processes occurring during high-temperature interaction of the surface of carbon steels and atmospheric air, a universal mathematical model has been developed that allows to elaborate one of the standardized quality indicators and it can be recommended as an alternative method for determining the specific mass or thickness of the scale on the surface wire rod in the research laboratories of metallurgical enterprises.