Theme I: Advances in lubrication technology of rolling
Chairpersons: H. Utsunomiya (Osaka Univ.), M. Ueno (JFE Steel)
lubrication technology has a great influence on improvement of productivity, reduction of energy consumption and improvement of surface quality, and its importance is increasing with the increase of hard materials such as high-tensile steel. In recent years, in-situ observation methods for lubricating oils and various additives at the rolling interface have been developed, and the mechanism is being understood. In this debate, we will discuss rolling lubrication technology and explore future technological trends.

Theme II: Heterogeneous deformation and fracture in high strength steels
Chairperson: T.Tsuchiyama (Kyushu Univ.)
It is known that multi-phased high strength steels such as DP steel and TRIP steel exhibit heterogeneous stress/strain concentration due to the second-phases; martensite, bainite, retained austenite, precipitates, etc. and they influence the work hardening and fracture behaviors of the material. In addition, even martensitic steel, which consists of a single-phase, has been revealed to show heterogeneous deformation owing to the hierarchical substructure, and it attracts interest in terms of the macroscopic properties. In this discussion, the relationship between the heterogeneous deformation microstructure and work hardening behavior in the early stage as well as the correlation between local deformation and fracture in the late stage of tensile and fatigue tests will be focused in order to obtain a structure control guideline for further improving the mechanical properties of high strength steels. Then we review current research results on the deformation microstructure and mechanical properties examined by experimental analysis methods, as well as the prediction and mechanism elucidation of heterogeneous deformation and fracture by computational engineering methods.

Theme III: On-line analysis for iron and steel making processes
Chairperson: Y. Deguchi (Tokushima Univ.)
Advances on on-line analyses for iron and steel making processes are discussed to achieve the practical use of these analytical methods.