The load dependence of the micro-hardness of the blast furnace slag

Deposits of old blast-furnace slag are an environmental problem. The slag’s hardness is an important for calculation of the energy cost for crushing and grinding process. Due to its porosity, measurement of the (macro) hardness is. To adapt the dimensions of the indentations to the character of the slag, it is necessary to apply loads in the range of micro-hardness. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the influence of load on the micro-hardness - the Indentation Size Effect (ISE) using Meyer’s, Hays-Kendall and PSR methods. ISE for all samples is "normal", the slag’s basicity affects micro-hardness and ISE

Application of Six Sigma Using DMAIC Methodology in the Process of Product Quality Control in Metallurgical Operation

The Six Sigma DMAIC can be considered a guide for problem solving and product or process improvement. The majority of companies start to implement Six Sigma using the DMAIC methodology. The paper deals with application of Six Sigma using the DMAIC methodology in the process of product quality control. The case study is oriented on the field of metallurgical operations. The goal of the Six Sigma project was to ensure the required metallurgic product quality and to avoid an increase in internal costs associated with poor product quality. In this case study, a variety of tools and techniques like flow chart, histogram, Pareto diagram, analysis of FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis) data, cause and effect diagram, logical analysis was used. The Sigma level has improved by approximately 13%. The achieved improvements have helped to reduce the quantity of defective products and the processing costs (technology for re-adjusting). Benefits resulting from the DMAIC implementation can be divided into three levels: the qualitative, economic and safety level