Characteristics of Grade R4 Steel Manufactured by Ingot Casting and Used in the Production of Offshore Mooring Chains

Abstract

The objective of this study is to characterise grade R4 steel manufactured by ingot casting that is used as the raw material for the production of offshore mooring chains. Rolled bars of grade R4 steel have been selected and metallographic analyses and micro hardness, tensile and Charpy V-notch impact tests performed. Tensile and Charpy V-notch impact tests have also been carried out on mooring links manufactured from the same grade R4 steel. Based on the results presented, the influence of the rolling reduction ratio of the bars and the influence of the ingot casting cooling and reheating process have been observed. Both factors have been found to increase product quality, particularly with respect to the central segregation and homogeneity of the rolled bars.