Continuous Steel Strip Rolling With In-Line Microstructure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods require multiple processing steps to produce steel strips with austenitic and/or ferritic microstructure and thicknesses less than 1.0 mm, lacking efficiency and precision in achieving targeted microstructures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for continuous casting and flat rolling that includes a casting device, hot rolling stands, and rolling modules with cooling and heating devices to directly produce steel strips with austenitic and/or ferritic microstructures, reducing processing steps and enabling targeted microstructure control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cold-rolling hot strips in separate cold rolling mills is used to produce steel strips with austenitic and/or ferritic microstructure and thickness less than 1.0 mm, then the targeted microstructure can be achieved, but at least two or three processing steps are necessary which reduces productivity and increases delivery time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the casting device with hot rolling stands and rolling modules in an integrated system, allowing continuous casting followed by immediate hot rolling and controlled cooling to achieve austenitic and/or ferritic microstructures in a single continuous process, eliminating the need for separate cold rolling mills and multiple processing steps
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary hot rolling immediately after casting while the steel strip is still in the austenitic microstructure range, and uses controlled cooling to transform the microstructure before further rolling, thereby achieving the desired microstructure and thickness in sequence without requiring subsequent cold rolling operations
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple processing steps are used to manufacture thin steel strips with austenitic and/or ferritic microstructure, then the microstructure can be controlled, but investment costs and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous operation from casting through hot rolling and controlled cooling without interruption or intermediate storage, keeping the steel strip in motion and at appropriate temperatures throughout the process, thereby reducing energy losses associated with heating, cooling, and reheating that would occur in discontinuous multi-step processes
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple processing steps are used to manufacture thin steel strips with austenitic and/or ferritic microstructure, then the microstructure can be controlled, but delivery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary hot rolling and microstructure transformation immediately after casting, creating the desired austenitic and/or ferritic microstructure before the steel strip leaves the system, thereby eliminating the need for subsequent cold rolling operations and reducing delivery time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges casting, hot rolling, and controlled cooling operations into a single integrated production line, allowing the steel strip to be processed continuously from molten state to finished product with controlled microstructure, significantly reducing the total production cycle time compared to separate processing steps
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly reduces delivery times, investment costs, and energy consumption while allowing precise control over microstructure, enabling the efficient production of ultra-thin steel strips with austenitic and/or ferritic microstructures.
Implementation Method 1
a casting device with which a raw steel strip with a thickness in the range of 1.50 to 4.0 mm can be continuously cast
Implementation Method 2
at least one hot rolling stand which is coupled to the casting device and with which the raw steel strip can be roughed immediately after the casting process
Implementation Method 3
a cooling device, with which the roughed steel strip in the austenitic and/or in the ferritic microstructure range can be cooled
Implementation Method 4
a heating device, with which the roughed steel strip in the austenitic and/or in the ferritic microstructure range can be heated
Data Source
AI summary
A system for the continuous casting and subsequent flat rolling of a steel strip with an austenitic and/or ferritic microstructure and a thickness of less than 1.0 mm comprises a casting device with which a raw steel strip with a thickness in the range of 1.50 to 4.0 mm can be continuously cast. At least one hot rolling stand is coupled to the casting device, with which the raw steel strip can be roughed into the steel strip immediately after the casting process while still in the austenitic and/or ferritic microstructure range. At least one rolling module is arranged immediately after the hot rolling stand coupled to the casting device. The rolling module includes, in this order, a cooling device, a heating device and a hot rolling stand with which the roughed steel strip can be hot-rolled in the austenitic and/or ferritic microstructure range to specifications into the steel strip.