Tata Steel (Ijmuiden, Netherlands):

R. Schimmel

SMS Group (Düsseldorf, Germany):
M. Kirschner, e-mail: michael.kirchner@sms-group.com

The single-strand vertical continuous caster of DSP type has been operated at Tata Steel works in Ijmuiden (former Hoogovens/Corus) for a long time, and it was decided to execute its modernization in order to stabilize casting process, to decrease cardinally number of rupturing and cracking caused by metal conicity, as well to improve substantially geometry of a narrow plane of cast slabs. SMS group was awarded with the contract. Putting into practice has proved successful realization of this project. Thermal flow is stabilized (individual correction is required very rarely), and the mechanism of narrow wall adjusting provides exact control of conicity. Metal ruptures, transversal and longitudinal cracks of metal chamfers are practically avoided now. Average casting speed increased by 10% (from 4.8 to 5.3 m/min).