Pipe metal of Northern application must meet increased requirements of strength properties, low-temperature ductility, cold resistance and weldability. Cracks, skins, flaws, roll-ins and other defect are not allowed on the surface of pipes. The fulfillment of the requirements substantially can be provided by the process of steel smelting by a vacuum remelting method. Study of the effect of 03ХГ grade pipe steel smelting in vacuum and without vacuum on its contamination by nonmetallic inclusions and resistance against hydrogen cracking was accomplished. The smelting of ingots of adjusted chemical composition was carried out in a vacuum induction furnace ZG-0.06L. To imitate the process of hot roughing rolling, hydraulic press П6334 of 250 t force was used. Finishing rolling was carried out at reversible hot rolling mill 500 duo, combined with a controlled cooling facility. It was determined, that the samples, smelted in vacuum, had insignificant number of nonmetallic inclusions and withstand the test of resistance against hydrogen cracking; cracks were not detected on them. After testing on resistance against hydrogen cracking of the samples smelted without vacuum, cracks were discovered, located on both the surface and central layers amounting to 600 mm and 1700 mm length correspondently. It was shown, that steel smelting in vacuum allows to reach a high degree of the steel purity, results in increased crack growth resistance and in decreased number of nonmetallic inclusions in the pipe steel of Northern application.

Mechanical characteristics of an alloy, used for manufacturing parts of heavy-duty machines, operating under conditions of dynamic and cyclic loads, should meet increased requirements. According to the concept of lean alloying, quality of an alloy and highest possible properties of a chemical composition are determined by the modes of heat treatment. Results of a study of quenching temperature effect on microstructure and properties of a new lean alloyed steel MAGSTRONG 450L having the following chemical composition, %, mass: 0.21 С; 0.23 Si; 0.96 Mn; 0.03 Cr; 0.41 Ni; 0.023 Ti; 0.0021 B presented. Smelting of ingots of a given chemical composition was carried out in a vacuum induction furnace ZG-0.06L. Reduction of ingots was carried out on a hydraulic press П6334 and on a single-stand reversing hot rolling mill 500 duo. The samples were heated in a ПКМ 3.6.2/12,5 chamber furnace. Best mode of the hardening heat treatment of sheet rolled product of steel MAGSTRONG H450L was established, ensuring forming of a mixed structure, comprising 80% of lath martensite and about 20% of high temperature lamellar martensite. Such a structure ensures maximum values of impact toughness KCV–40 = 38 J/сm2 at high strength parameters (tensile strength σв = 1514 МPa, offset yield strength σ0,2 = 1243 МPа, hardness 460 HBW) and satisfactory indices of plasticity (percent elongation δ50 = 16 %) which correspondents to requirements ТС 14-101-1034–2015. Based on results obtained, recommendations were elaborated for heat treatment of the sheet steel MAGSTRONG H450L, thickness 8–20 mm as per OJSC “BELAZ” order. Application of the obtained results of the study will enable to create and perfect the technological modes of heat treatment of alloys with similar composition.