Continuous Casting of Billets
Continuous casting is a process of producing slabs or billets from molten steel by continuously pouring the molten steel into a water-cooled mold in which the cross-section of the steel is maintained constant. Most of the steel cast by continuous casting is used for rolling, extrusion, forging or as rolled plates. Steel billets are used as a foundation of product shape and structure. This is also known as shape casting and it is one of the most important technological development in the production of seamless steel tubes in the past few decades.
Continuous Casting of billets involves the continuous casting of larger diameter billets. The process is carried out on a vertical or horizontal casting bed, on which the molten steel is poured into a cooled mold. The bottom of the mold is cooled by cold water, and the sides of the mold are cooled with metal fluid jacket.
As the hot molten steel enters the mold, heat energy transfer occurs from the surface of the steel to the outer wall and the inner wall of the metal fluid jacket. This energy transfer allows the solidification process to start and ensures a uniform temperature distribution in the cross-section of the billet. The solidification rate is regulated by controlling the flow rates of coolants passing through the metal fluid jacket.
Once the billet has been cast it is then cut into the required length. The cooled billet is then subjected to multiple stages of heating and rolling in order to achieve the required shape and size. This rolling process is known as hot rolling and involves heating the billet to a temperature range of 1100 to 1200 degrees Celsius. The purpose of heating is to reduce the temperature gradient within the billet while maintaining the mechanical properties of the billet.
The process of Continuous Casting of billets is highly efficient and economical. It allows large quantities of steel to be produced in a continuous manner, resulting in consistent quality product every time. Furthermore, the process has also resulted in significant savings of time and energy.
In conclusion, Continuous Casting of billets is an important process which has revolutionized the steel production industry. The process has resulted in improved product quality, increased production efficiency and cost savings. It is also a safe process and utilizes less energy than the traditional method of steel production.
