Theme I: Session of young researchers leading iron- and steelmaking process
Chairpersons: T. Murakami (Tohoku Univ.), T. Narumi (Kyoto Univ.)

The development of new high-temperature processes that are conscious of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as carbon neutrality, active use of natural energy, and resource recycling in the iron- and steelmaking field is expected. For such development, it is necessary to innovate in various fields related to high-temperature processes, and new ideas that are not bound by existing frameworks are required. Therefore, we are planning to invite young researchers who are expected to play an active role in this field in the future to discuss their research and prospects.

Theme II: Advances in evaluation of thermophysical properties for oxide melts and glasses
Chairpersons: S. Sukenaga (Tohoku Univ.), R. Endo (Shibaura Inst. Tech.)

Thermophysical properties of slag and mold fluxes are essential for high accuracy and energy saving in steel production. However, many issues remain to be solved to achieve high accuracy in measuring physical properties. The latest knowledge on thermophysical property measurement of oxide melts, and glasses will be shared and discussed in this discussion session.

Theme III: Progress of the latest researches aiming at elucidating the evolution mechanism of inclusions during steel solidification process
Chairpersons: H. Matsuura (The Univ. of Tokyo), T. Yoshikawa (Osaka Univ.)

Non-metallic inclusions in steel greatly affect various physical properties of steel, such as mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The research group targeting on the elucidation and the proactive control of the evolution mechanism of inclusions during steel solidification process working from 2020 to 2023 has conducted the state-of-art researches from fundamental to applied fields focusing on a wide range of phenomena such as the formation, growth, and change of inclusions during the solidification process. This discussion session is for sharing the research results of the research group as its final report and a wide range of scientific theories and technologies will be discussed.

Theme IV: Systemic Optimization of Systems under Uncertain Environments and Its Methodologies
Chairpersons: H. Suwa (Setsunan Univ.), Y. Yoshinari (JFE)

Energy demand and supply problems have dynamic, interactive, and interoperable properties; therefore, a "systemic" problem-solving approach will be vital to realizing a stable steel-making process. This session focuses on building the concept of "systemic optimization" in managing energy chains in steel plants from the insights achieved through our previous work on system resiliency and the viewpoints of the need for stability of energy supply in steel plants. It also investigates advanced system technologies applicable to the systemic optimization of the energy chains.

Theme V: To Solve Problems of Hot Rolling Rolls and Visualization of Roll Interface Phenomena
Chairpersons: A. Yanagida (TDU), N. Ueshima (Tohoku Univ.)

Visualization of interface phenomena as well as mechanisms of wear and surface damage of hot rolling rolls is necessary to understand roll/workpiece phenomena in roll bytes.
In the “Research on Visualization of Rolling Roll Interface Phenomena,” research is being conducted not only by direct measurement, but also by physical simulation using numerical analysis and model experiments. In this forum, as an interim report of this research group, we will discuss the results obtained so far and future issues.

Theme VI: Current status and future prospects of DX technology in rolling processing
Chairpersons: A. Segawa (Kanazawa Inst. of Technology), K. Hara (Kobe Steel)

In recent years, the trend towards digital transformation (DX) in the manufacturing industry has been growing and has become a major trend. Improvements in computer processing power have accelerated this trend, and the rapid expansion of AI technology is expected to become indispensable for future manufacturing. In this session, examples of the application of digital transformation, IoT, and intelligent technology to the rolling processing field will be introduced, and future prospects will be discussed.

Theme VII: Efforts of young researchers in tube forming and manufacturing
Chairpersons: M. Miyazaki (NIT, Nagano College), T. Hakoyama (Gifu Univ.)

The demands from industries regarding steel tubes are significant. To realize the advancement of tube technology, the activity by young researcher is essential. In this session, the lectures will be delivered by young researchers and engineers engaged in manufacturing, forming, and related studies of tube to discuss future trend of this research field.

Theme VIII: Local plasticity and associated deformation/fracture resistance in martensitic steels
Chairpersons: M. Koyama (Tohoku Univ.), T. Hojo (Tohoku Gakuin Univ.)

While the demand for martensitic steels, which represent high-strength steels, is increasing, there are many unknowns regarding microscopic plastic deformation and damage evolution behavior. To more effectively use martensitic steels, it is necessary to analyse the complex microscopic deformations that result from their hierarchical microstructure, and to evaluate the resulting fracture phenomena in more detail. The aim of this debate is to discuss the latest results of microdeformation analysis and the deformation/fracture strength evaluations, including hydrogen embrittlement, for martensitic steels.

Theme IX: Fusion of state-of-the-art technologies and solution chemistry to develop novel steel analyses
Chairpersons: N. Uehara (Utsunomiya Univ.), A. Inagawa (Utsunomiya Univ.)

Encounter of novel technologies and solution chemistry can develop new analytical approaches in steel analyses. Such demonstrations will be presented and discussed in this session.