The impact of the quality of continuous casting billets on steel production is reflected in many aspects. The following is a specific introduction:
Impact on subsequent processing technology
Rolling process
If the continuous casting billet has defects such as surface cracks and subcutaneous bubbles, these defects will further expand during the rolling process, resulting in cracks and peeling on the surface of the steel, affecting the surface quality of the steel.
The internal structure of the continuous casting billet is uneven. If there is segregation, the metal deformation will be uneven during rolling, the rolling force will be increased, and even the wear of the roll will be aggravated, affecting the service life of the rolling equipment.
Forging process
If there are shrinkage holes, looseness and other defects inside the continuous casting billet, it may not be completely welded during the forging process, which will reduce the density of the steel and the mechanical properties of the forgings. In severe cases, the forgings may be scrapped.
If the dimensional accuracy and shape deviation of the continuous casting billet are too large, it will bring difficulties to the forging process, increase the forging processing allowance, reduce material utilization, and increase production costs.
Impact on steel properties
Mechanical properties
Inclusions in the continuous casting billet will destroy the continuity of the steel matrix, become a crack source when subjected to stress, and reduce the strength, toughness, fatigue performance, etc. of the steel.
The grain size and uniformity of the continuous casting billet have an important influence on the mechanical properties of the steel. If the grains are coarse and uneven, the strength and toughness of the steel will decrease, and the anisotropy will be obvious.
Corrosion resistance
Oxidation scale, cracks and other defects on the surface of the continuous casting billet will destroy the integrity of the steel surface, making it easier for the steel to contact with external corrosive media during use, accelerating the corrosion process and reducing the corrosion resistance of the steel.
Internal inclusions and segregation and other defects will also increase the electrochemical heterogeneity of the steel in the corrosive medium, thereby reducing the corrosion resistance of the steel.
Processing performance
The uneven hardness of the continuous casting billet will cause uneven force on the tool during cutting, which is prone to problems such as increased tool wear and poor cutting surface quality.
Internal structural defects of the continuous casting billet can cause cracking, deformation and other problems in the steel during cold working, affecting the cold working performance of the steel.
Impact on production efficiency and cost
Production efficiency
The increase in scrap and defective products caused by continuous casting billet quality problems will increase the amount of rework and scrap in the production process and reduce production efficiency.
In order to detect and deal with the quality problems of continuous casting billets, it is necessary to increase inspection processes and equipment, extend the production cycle, and reduce production efficiency.
Production cost
Unqualified quality of continuous casting billets will lead to a decrease in the yield rate of steel, increase raw material consumption and production costs.
Increased equipment failures and repair times due to quality problems will increase equipment maintenance costs and production costs.
In short, the quality of continuous casting billets is a key link in steel production, which is directly related to the quality, performance, production efficiency and cost of steel. Only by ensuring the high quality of continuous casting billets can high-quality steel products be produced and the market competitiveness of steel enterprises be improved.
