Papers by Author: C. Bilgen

Abstract: The use of CSP^® thin slab casting followed by direct thermomechanical rolling is well placed for the production of low-carbon Nb microalloyed steels. In this process thin slabs of between 48 and 90 mm thickness are cast and directly hot rolled to hot strip typically between 1 and 12 mm thick. To obtain optimum strength and toughness property combinations in a direct rolling process, hot rolling has to compact the dendritic as-cast microstructure and to achieve a fine-grained microstructure. This affords a two-stage rolling strategy with start rolling above the recrystallization stop temperature and finish rolling in the non-recrystallization temperature range. Temperature and deformation in the first stand should be as high as possible in order to delete the initial as-cast microstructure by complete recrystallization. Based on these considerations, SMS Siemag further developed the CSP^® concept including features allowing isothermal rolling in the first stands of the finishing mill. The present contribution gives the results of a laboratory study of this innovative approach. The report concludes with resulting new plant configurations for improved high strength and API linepipe grade production.

Abstract: Industrial thin slab casting and direct rolling processing started in 1989 with the world’s first CSP® plant at Crawfordsville (USA). Since this time CSP® and competing thin slab casting and direct rolling concepts have been developed to a standard process for hot strip production. Typical features of the CSP® process are the homogeneous structural and mechanical properties all along the strip. Direct hot rolling of thin slabs may be followed by a well defined cooling pattern to produce fine-grained HSLA steel or multiphase hot strip on the runout table. The product range covers low carbon as well as medium and high carbon steel grades comprising IF-, HSLA-, API-, electrical- and multiphase steel grades. CSP® processed thin hot strip is used for non-exposed parts and may substitute cold rolled strip. Hot strip from thin slab can be easily further processed to cold rolled and/or surface treated strip. Today process and material developments e.g. go for energy saving, rise in productivity, advanced surface requirements, HSLA and multiphase steel grades combining higher strength and ductility as well as multiphase steel grades for hot dip galvanizing.