Corrosion-Resistant Rebar Composition for Weldable 400 MPa Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing steel bars used in reinforced concrete structures face challenges in achieving balanced corrosion resistance, mechanical performance, welding performance, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in harsh environments like coastal areas, leading to premature failure and high maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A 400 MPa corrosion-resistant steel bar with a specific chemical composition and microstructure of ferrite and bainite, optimized through controlled rolling and cooling processes, ensuring excellent corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, and weldability while reducing alloy element costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If alloy elements such as Cr, Ni and Mo are added to improve corrosion-resistant performance, then corrosion resistance is greatly improved, but welding performance deteriorates and production cost increases exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion-resistant performanceVSAvoidwelding performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the content ranges of alloy elements (Cr: 1.00-2.00%, Ni: 0.50-1.50%, Mo: 0.10-0.50%) rather than using high concentrations. This optimized parameter combination achieves adequate corrosion resistance while avoiding the welding performance deterioration and cost explosion associated with stainless steel's high alloy content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If alloy elements such as Cr, Ni and Mo are added to improve corrosion-resistant performance, then corrosion resistance is greatly improved, but production cost increases exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion-resistant performanceVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes to optimize alloy content within specific ranges (Cr: 1.00-2.00%, Ni: 0.50-1.50%, Mo: 0.10-0.50%), achieving a cost-effective balance. This moderate alloying strategy provides sufficient corrosion resistance for coastal environments without incurring the exponential cost increase associated with stainless steel production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining multiple alloy elements (Cr, Ni, Mo, Mn, Ti, Nb, V) in optimized proportions. This composite approach synergistically enhances corrosion resistance through various mechanisms (passivation film formation, pitting resistance, microstructure control) while keeping individual element contents moderate, thereby controlling production costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If alloy elements such as Cr, Ni and Mo are added to improve corrosion-resistant performance, then corrosion resistance is greatly improved, but both material cost and production cost increase exponentially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion-resistant performanceVSAvoidraw material cost and production cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by defining specific content ranges for each alloy element (Cr: 1.00-2.00%, Ni: 0.50-1.50%, Mo: 0.10-0.50%) that optimize the balance between corrosion resistance and cost. This controlled parameter approach avoids the excessive material costs and production complexity associated with high-alloy stainless steels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent develops a composite steel material with a balanced composition of multiple alloy elements in moderate amounts. This composite structure achieves comprehensive performance (corrosion resistance, mechanical strength, welding performance) without requiring the high material costs and complex production processes needed for stainless steel with high Cr, Ni, and Mo content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If stainless-steel bars are used to achieve good corrosion-resistant performance, then corrosion resistance is excellent, but welding construction cost increases and there is risk of instability due to poor welding performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrosion-resistant performanceVSAvoidwelding construction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes to control alloy element contents within ranges that ensure both corrosion resistance and weldability. Specifically, Cr (1.00-2.00%), Ni (0.50-1.50%), and Mo (0.10-0.50%) are kept at levels sufficient for corrosion protection but below the thresholds that cause severe welding difficulties and high construction costs associated with stainless steel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The steel bar exhibits improved corrosion resistance by 45 times over HRB400, maintains mechanical strength with yield and tensile strengths of 420 MPa and 540 MPa, and ensures easy welding without cracking, all while reducing production costs, making it suitable for ocean engineering.

Implementation Method 1

In this alkaline environment, the surfaces of steel bars will be passivated to form a layer of stable metal oxide passivation film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPassivation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

optimized through controlled rolling and cooling processes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transformation: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP4279626B1400 mpa-grade corrosion-resistant steel bar and production method therefor
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 INST OF RES OF IRON & STEEL JIANGSU PROVINCE

AI summary

The present invention discloses a 400 MPa corrosion-resistant steel bar and a production method thereof. The steel bar includes the following chemical ingredients: 9.5-10.4% of Cr, 1.0-1.2% of Mo, 0.3-0.6% of Mn, 0.01-1% of Ni, 0.01-0.5% of Cu, at most 0.014% of C, at most 0.004% of N, 0.01-0.05% of Nb, 0.2-0.6% of Si, and the balance of Fe, where Cr+Mo+0.5Mn+0.35Ni+0.25Cu is 11.1-12.2%, and C+N+0.3Si+Mn+1.8Nb is 0.4-0.8%.