Prediction of the chemical non-homogeneity of 30MnVS6 billets with genetic programming

Steel Ltd. is a small and flexible steel plant.The plant also produces the 30MnVS6 steel grade, which is used for crack connection rods in the automotive industry.The chemical elements are not uniformly distributed over the billet cross-sections, consequently influencing the final product properties.The chemical distribution depends mainly on the casting parameters.The article presents an attempt at predicting the chemical non-homogeneity of 30MnVS6 billets.With respect to the chemical-element distribution (% C, % Si, % Mn, % V, % S) over the billet cross-sections and the casting parameters (casting speed, casting temperature, meniscus level), several models for the chemical non-homogeneity prediction were developed by means of the genetic-programming method.The results show that the most influential parameter is the casting speed.The results of modeling can be practically implemented in order to reduce the chemical non-homogeneity of the billets.