To prepare steel billets for rolling, they undergo a process known as billet heating or billet reheating. This involves subjecting the billets to high temperatures, making them more malleable and easier to shape during rolling.
Various methods can be used to heat steel billets for rolling. One commonly employed technique involves the utilization of a walking beam furnace. Here, the billets are positioned on a conveyor that moves them through a furnace. The furnace is heated to a specific temperature, typically ranging from 1100 to 1250 degrees Celsius, and the billets are exposed to this heat for a predetermined duration. Continuously moving the billets through the furnace ensures uniform heating.
Another method for billet heating involves the use of a rotary hearth furnace. In this approach, the billets are placed on a rotating hearth, which is heated by burners located beneath it. As the billets rotate on the hearth, they gradually absorb the heat emitted by the burners, gradually reaching the desired temperature.
Induction heating is also a popular option for billet heating. This method employs an induction coil to generate an alternating magnetic field. The billets are placed within the coil, and the magnetic field induces electrical currents within them, resulting in the billets heating up. Induction heating is renowned for its efficiency and precise temperature control.
Once the steel billets attain the desired temperature, they are ready for the rolling process. The heated billets are then transferred to a rolling mill, where they undergo further processing and shaping into various forms, such as bars, rods, or sheets. The heating process is crucial, as it enhances the ductility of the steel billets, minimizing the risk of cracking or failure during rolling.
Steel billets are heated for rolling using a process called billet heating or billet reheating. This process involves subjecting the steel billets to high temperatures to make them more malleable and easier to shape during the rolling process.
There are several methods used to heat steel billets for rolling. One common method is the use of a walking beam furnace. In this method, the steel billets are placed on a walking beam conveyor, which moves them through a furnace. The furnace is heated to a specific temperature, usually between 1100 to 1250 degrees Celsius, and the billets are exposed to this heat for a predetermined amount of time. The walking beam conveyor continuously moves the billets through the furnace, ensuring uniform heating.
Another method used for billet heating is the use of a rotary hearth furnace. In this method, the steel billets are placed on a rotating hearth, which is heated by burners located underneath. As the billets rotate on the hearth, they are exposed to the heat emitted by the burners, gradually heating them up to the desired temperature.
Induction heating is also a popular method for billet heating. In this method, an induction coil is used to generate an alternating magnetic field. The steel billets are placed inside the coil, and the magnetic field induces electrical currents within the billets, causing them to heat up. Induction heating is known for its efficiency and precise temperature control.
Once the steel billets reach the desired temperature, they are ready for the rolling process. The heated billets are then transferred to a rolling mill, where they are further processed and shaped into various forms such as bars, rods, or sheets. The heating process is crucial as it allows the steel billets to become more ductile, reducing the risk of cracking or failure during the rolling process.
Steel billets are heated for rolling using a process called induction heating, where an electric current is passed through the billets to generate heat. This method allows for precise and efficient heating, ensuring uniform temperature distribution throughout the billets.
