Abstract: A method of heat treating a body of corrosion resistant steel which is, preferably, in coil form, having an austenitic to ferrite and carbide transformation temperature lying between 650.degree. C. and 850.degree. C. and a composition which results in a steel preferably having mechanical properties typically as follows:Proof stress 350MPa, ultimate tensile stress 520MPa, elongation 25% and Brinell hardness 165 and from which Martensite microstructures are generally absent at cooling rates lower than 5.degree. C./min and where the method comprises: hot working the steel body at above the transformation temperature; cooling the hot worked steel body to below the transformation temperature at a cooling rate of between 10.degree. C./min and 1.degree. C./min determined to ensure generally the absence of Martensite microstructures throughout the body.

Abstract: A method for sulphur and silicon control in the production of ferrochromium is characterized by controlling the reducing conditions in a melting furnace into which have been fed the highly pre-reduced products of a reduction smelter and by adjusting the CaO content of the final slag.

Abstract: A process for the production of ferrochromium by smelting chromite ore and in which ferrochromium fines may form a part of the feed materials, or for the further treatment of ferrochromium fines alone, in each case in the presence of a limited amount of carbonaceous reductant, is provided. The amount of reductant is generally limited to a maximum of 150% of the stoichiometric amount required for reduction of all the chromium and iron to metal or carbide form and to produce the required level of silicon in the product (normally 2 to 4%). The process is carried out by feeding the preferably premixed feed materials to a liquid slag phase in the bath of the furnace at a rate chosen to maintain the molten state and temperature of such material. Oxygen is substantially excluded from the reaction zone which is heated by a transferred arc thermal plasma.