Metinvest Group’s KAMETSTAL plant, which was set up at the facilities of Dnipro Metallurgical Plant (DMK, Kamenskoye, Dnipro Oblast), continues to master the casting of continuous billets of improved quality using continuous casting machine (CCM) No. 1.
According to the press release, the new stop-casting technology is characterized by the fact that the steel jet between the ladle and the crystallizer is protected by a dipping glass. This protects the hot metal from secondary oxidation, which adversely affects its macrostructure, and gives the billet the improved quality required by customers for some special orders.
The new technology also makes it possible to partially replace the product mix of CCM No. 2 and thus reduce the cost of additional rolls at the pipe billeting mill.
Last year, at the first stage, KAMETSTAL successfully mastered the production of continuously cast billets with a cross-section of 160×160 mm with increased requirements for chemical composition and macrostructure from St3ps/sp, C72D2, C80D2, 70, Sh2, and S355 steels. These steel grades were chosen as pilot grades in the project due to their special demand from the company’s key customers and the program for the development of new products.
“Currently, the most experienced steelmakers, repairmen, and technical management specialists involved in this large-scale project have focused on mastering the production of 200×200 mm longitudinal bar sections made of C72D2, C80D2, C50, S60, S60, S30 steel grades,” the company says.
The top priorities include improving the skills gained, selecting the best materials and refractories, and increasing production. First of all, practical tests are used to select the best granulated slag mixtures that ensure lubrication of the walls of the crystallizers and avoid secondary metal oxidation. Work is also underway to improve the durability of the submersible glasses.
Successful development of the continuous casting locking technology provides additional prospects for expanding the steel product mix. Last year, the steelmakers produced and shipped 2,218 tons of HLD-160 and 3,042 tons of HLD-200 of improved quality to Ukrainian and foreign customers.
“In 2024, we already have a program to fulfill such orders, which will increase the production of billets using the new technology and at the same time expand its product mix. These are high-margin products, which makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the shop and the enterprise as a whole,” the press release says.
“Kametstal was established on the basis of Dnipro Coke Plant (DKKhZ) and Centralized Steel Mill of Dnipro Metallurgical Plant (DMK).
According to the 2020 report of Metinvest Group’s parent company, Metinvest B.V. (Netherlands) owned 100% of the shares in DCCP.
