Steel Ingot
A steel ingot is a solid block of steel or iron that is used to create parts or products. Steel ingots are produced in an ingot casting machine and are used in the manufacturing of steel products and parts. Ingots are generally more economical than purchasing finished parts from a steel distributor due to the cost of materials, labor, and machining expenses.
Steel ingots are typically labeled with a serial number for tracking and typically range in mass from 20 to 18,000 pounds. They are also easily identified by their elongated shapes. Steel ingots are produced using two distinct processes; the direct chill casting process and the continuous casting process. The direct chill casting process is a two-stage casting process where molten steel is poured from the ladle into a water-cooled mold and is allowed to cool to a solid block. This process is often used for low-volume production or when specialty shapes or sizes are required. The continuous casting process is often used when larger volumes are being produced. This process pours an uninterrupted stream of molten material into a water-cooled mold. It is allowed to solidify, and then is cut off as a continuous steel bar. The result is a flatter product, but with fewer options for size variations.
Once the steel ingot has been formed, they are then cut into pieces, heated and re-hammered into a cube, allowing it to be fed into rolling and forging equipment. The steel ingot then progresses through the production cycle, where it is altered and shaped for use in vehicles, ships, railways, and a range of other products.
Steel ingots are used as raw material for the manufacture of many different parts, from engine blocks to small screws, and from military tanks to kitchen sinks. These parts are used in a variety of industries including automotive, agricultural, military, aerospace, and many more. Steel ingots are also used to produce a variety of steel products, such as sheets, plates, rods, and tubes.
Steel ingots must meet certain performance and safety requirements in order to be accepted for use in products or parts. Ingots must pass a number of tests to make sure they are suitable for use as a part. These tests typically include chemical or physical tests such as hardness, ductility, tensile, and impact testing.
Steel is a versatile and malleable material that is used to create a variety of products and parts. Steel ingots are an important part of the steel-making process, as they are used as the raw material for these products. Steel ingots are produced using both direct chill casting and continuous casting and must meet certain performance requirements in order to be accepted for use.