In continuous annealing of steel strip or coil, which protective (inerting) gas composition is typically employed to prevent oxidation and decarburization during the heat soak and cool-down?

Introduction / Context:
Annealing of steel coils requires an atmosphere that suppresses oxidation and supports surface quality. Protective atmospheres are chosen to be non-reactive (or mildly reducing) while being safe and economical. “Forming gas” mixtures are common in industry.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Continuous or batch annealing furnace for low-carbon steel strip/coil.
• Need to minimize oxide formation and decarburization.
• Atmosphere must be easy to handle with standard safety controls.

Concept / Approach:
A typical protective gas is about 95% nitrogen and 5% hydrogen. Nitrogen is inert and inexpensive; a small hydrogen fraction provides mild reducing capability to scavenge oxygen and maintain a clean surface. Pure hydrogen (100% H2) is more reducing but costlier and poses higher safety risks. Carbon monoxide atmospheres are hazardous and less common for this duty. “5% H2 + 9% N2” is not a realistic composition (totals only 14%).

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify typical forming gas: N2 carrier with ~5% H2.Assess alternatives: pure H2 increases risk; CO is toxic and not standard for coil annealing.Choose 95% N2 + 5% H2 as the practical protective mixture.

Verification / Alternative check:
Furnace suppliers and steel processing manuals frequently specify 95/5 N2-H2 for bright annealing of low-carbon steel under controlled dew point conditions.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
5% H2 + 9% N2: Composition does not sum to 100%.100% CO: Highly toxic and not standard for this application.100% H2: Technically possible but riskier and not necessary for most coil annealing lines.

Common Pitfalls:

• Believing more hydrogen is always better; safety and cost limit typical H2 content to small percentages.
• Ignoring dew point control, which is essential even with a nominally reducing gas.

Final Answer:
95% N2 + 5% H2