Status and Recent Developments of Thin Slab Casting and Rolling Technology in a Challenging Market

摘要

Thin Slab Casting and Rolling Technology and, in particular, CSP technology (Compact Strip Production) is well established for hot coil production. From its introduction in 1989, CSP technology has been continuously further developed. Today, on a CSP plant, the full range of high-quality steel grades can be produced with tightest geometrical and metallurgical tolerances under optimal economic conditions. With the introduction of semi-endless rolling and, as a further step, the endless rolling process, the product range for thin and ultra-thin products has been further enlarged, allowing for the production of hot rolled coils with a thickness of 0.8 mm for low carbon steel grades. Also high-strength steel grades may be produced with gauges below the minimum product thickness that can be achieved in a conventional-type hot rolling mill. The CEM process (Compact Endless Cast & Rolling Mill) is being provided as a joint technology of German SMS group and the Korean steel maker POSCO, combining SMS engineering and process experience with the production and operation excellence of POSCO. By further reducing the as-cast thickness, for example with the BCT technology developed by SMS group, plant concepts for small production amounts (<700,000 t/a) become feasible.