Reconstruction of vertical continuous lab casters–An optimum solution for astering the production of flat-rolled products for critical applications

Existing vertical continuous casters have outlived their normal service life of 30–35 yrs, and they are physically worn out and technically obsolete. This limits the possibilities for using them to cast metal that goes into products intended for critical applications (thick plates, ship plate, skelp for gas and oil pipelines, etc.). However, there are several technical and technogical innovations that could be used to rebuild these units. One example is the reconstruction of the vertical caster used by Severstal’ to cast slabs in its electric steelmaking shop. Severstal’ itself, the Korad Corporation, and the company Ormeto-YuUMZ were the main organizations involved in the design, rebuilding, and startup of the modernized caster. __________ Translated from Metallurg, No. 5, p. 60–62, May, 2006.