Development of Ladle Arc Refining Process

Abstract

In order to meet the recent demands for higher quality steels and rationalization in manufacturing processes, the ladle refining technology has advanced remarkably.
Kakogawa works installed the ladle refining furnace (LF) in January 1986 for the stable production of high-grade steel and to decrease the thermal burden in the LD converter. This equipment is capable of arc heating, strong top agitation, and slag skimming. Furthermore, combining this equipment with the existing hot metal pretreatment and RH degassing equipment has made possible the production of low phosphorous and sulfur content steel.
Also, the production technology of clean steels such as steel tire-cord has been established by making the shape control of non-metallic inclusions through the ladle slag refining.