Is Hot Rolled Coil Processing The Unsung Hero Of Green Manufacturing?

There is a growing need for eco-friendly manufacturing approaches. MIT Technology Review discussed the implications of environmentally friendly steel production techniques in a 2013 article.

One eco-friendly manufacturing process to consider is hot rolled coil manufacturing. This approach produces fewer emissions than many other approaches, which is better for the environment.

Hot Rolled Coil Manufacturing is a Leading Eco-friendly Option

Hot rolled coil manufacturing is intended to increase the yield of the metal-roll thickness of 6-14 mm in the production of hot rolled coil. The method includes hot bandwidth to be made to the desired final thickness on a broadband machine. Hot rolling and cooling of the surface needs to be thoroughly observed and fully inspected.

As we strive to minimize the impact of climate change, this is going to be even more popular. Goodwin University hasn’t discussed it in their recent report on green manufacturing, but it should be covered in the future as it gains more attention.

How is it made?

The established mechanical properties and geometrical parameters of the whole coil roll, including its outer service, is ensured by the fact that the coil at the end of the roll is cooled after running through the bandwidth machine, after which the coil is cooled and formed in a single roll, while the outer surface of the coil roll is fully compressed into a roll with the help of the winder while intensively cooled with water for 12-24 seconds und in a cooling rate of 5-7 ° C / s, after which the removal of the coil roll is held out from a roll winder surface.

This manufacturing process is a part of rolling manufacturing and can be used in the process of making broad coil rolls preferably for piping steel companies.

What are the main requirements in the hot roll manufacturing process?

The main requirements for hot-rolled metal grades are high strength characteristics at elevated ductile, especially viscous, properties that ensure manufacturability of installation and their performance characteristics. At the same time, it is important to ensure equality of both the physical mechanical and geometrical parameters of the hot-rolled steel throughout the roll volume. The thickness range is also different. For example, in hot rolled coil Metinvest uses 1.2-25 mm thickness range.

What are the alternatives?

The closest analogue to this process is a method of producing coils of hot-rolled tubular steel, including heating the slab for hot rolling, rolling it individually and in a bundle in the broadband machine, differentiating strip cooling with water coming from the top and bottom in sections with the help of the water-spraying device on the roller table, followed by forming coil into a roll at temperature up to 610 ° С. This approach also uses few emissions, so it is good for helping the environment.

What are the disadvantages?

The main disadvantage of this method consists in the absence of regulation of the temperature-speed cooling mode of the rear end part of the coil strip on the roller table and in the process of forming it into a roll. As a result, the yield of rolled metal is significantly reduced due to the violation of geometrical parameters in the area of ​​the rear end part of the coil strip when it is formed into a roll. In addition, there is an excessive heterogeneity of mechanical properties along the volume of the roll, with the greatest differentiation of properties observed between the outer part of the fully formed strip into a roll and the rest of the inside of the roll. This fact also leads to the need to produce additional trimming of the rear end part of the coil strip, but that is not too common between manufacturers.

Fortunately, the drawbacks of this approach can be offset by the environmental benefits and inevitable cost savings.

Can this be the Ultimate Solution to Helping the Environment?

As concerns about climate change mount, manufacturers are under growing pressure to pursue more environmentally friendly production processes. Hot rolled coil manufacturing could be one of the eco-friendliest options available. More manufacturers should pursue it as the need to reduce emissions grows.