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Tertiary Metallurgy

Metallurgy
Special melting and remelting processes for unique steel properties

It's the job of tertiary metallurgical plants to create unique technological properties in ultra-pure steels, super alloys, cast alloys, and non-ferrous metals. These peak-performance, heavy-duty materials are used in demanding, high-tech industries such as aviation, aerospace, power generation, and automotive. There is no alternative technology in this high-end field.

Our promise to meet your individual requirements through innovative solutions, process know-how and the selection of the best possible production route is represented by X-eed®. This brand name stands for our continuous efforts to improve technologies for the benefit of our customers.

Induction melting facility vim

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Process

No oxidation

The oxygen-free atmosphere avoids oxidizing elements with an affinity to oxygen.

Precise analysis

Very narrow analysis tolerances (PPM range)

No tramp elements

Removes unwanted tramp elements with high steam pressure.

Effective degassing

Removes dissolved gases (O, N, H) from raw materials and the final melt.

Narrow temperature range

Precisely sets the melting temperature and the homogeneity of the heat

Electrodes for remelting

Casts homogeneous electrodes for remelting process and semifinished products for further processing

Sophisticated vacuum system

For precise control of the vacuum down to the lowest level

Technology

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VACUUM INDUCTION MELTING - VIM PROCESS

VIM is a powerful process applied to melt down selected scrap and refine the resulting liquid steel. The process involves casting ingots under vacuum, which further improves final-product quality.

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VACUUM CHAMBERS

VIM works with dedicated vacuum chambers for melting and casting. They are connected by launder and tundish units.
The crucible comes with a vacuum-tight electricity supply and can be exchanged easily using the advanced lifting system.

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Mechanical pump systems

It's a special advantage that the mechanical pump
system generates extra-strong vacuums.
There is also a charger that ensures clean material feeding under vacuum.

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Deslagging machine

Finally, an integrated deslagging machine removes the slag from the crucible.

Vacuum pumps

High-performance vacuum pumps from SMS group are the heart of the secondary metallurgical vacuum process. Regardless of whether they are used for recirculation or tank degassing processes, we always adapt our technologies to the specific conditions of our customers and to the individual requirements of their plants and production lines.

Our vacuum pump systems control the speed and course of the pressure reduction from ambient pressure to the level at which further control down to deep vacuum is no longer necessary. The vacuum pressure is monitored throughout the entire process in order to meet the requirements of the individual process steps at all times.

In order to achieve metallurgical objectives, we optimize our vacuum pumps for a sufficiently high suction capacity, low energy or steam consumption and high reliability.

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Metallurgical functions

  • “Clean” inductive heat transfer
  • Vacuum conditions of < 0.05 mbar
  • Massive degassing of steel
  • No influence of ambient air (O2)
  • Evaporation of tramp elements
  • Narrow chemical steel analysis (in ppm range)
  • Precise setting of temperature and excellent homogeneity of melt
  • Vacuum casting of electrodes for remelting and semis for forging/rolling

X-EED®

X-eed® as a brand name expresses our continuous endeavours in development of enhanced technologies for the benefit of our worldwide customers. X-eed® represents our pledge to meet your individual needs by means of innovative solutions, process know-how and selection of the most appropriate production routes.

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Common feature of remelting processes are the melt-down of a metal electrode, the metallurgical treatment of the liquid phase and the subsequent uniquely fast solidification an ingot. The ingots produced feature superior material properties as:
 

  • Highest cleanliness (purity)
  • No macro segregation
  • Extremely homogenous structure of produced ingot for excellent material properties
  • No hydrogen flakes
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Electro Slag Remelting

Features

  • Melt-down in liquid slag created by resistance heating
  • Inert atmosphere
  • Lowest sulfur content and excellent cleanliness
  • High yield
  • Ingot diameter from 300 to 1,600 mm
  • Ingot weight from 2 to 160 t

 

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Vacuum Arc Remelting

Features

  • Melt-down by electric arc under vacuum of 0.004 mbar
  • Evaporation of tramp elements
  • Utmost degassing
  • Excellent cleanliness
  • No risk of freckle formation
  • Extra-high accuracy of final chemistry
  • Ingot diameter from 300 to 1000 mm
  • Ingot weight from 1 to 30 t

 

Selected References

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Liberty Speciality Steels, UK

More Information

Contact

SMSgroup Luven, Michael

Michael Luven

SMS group GmbH
Head of Technical Sales and Project Planning - Secondary & Tertiary Metallurgy, Metallurgical Plants and Environmental Technology
Eduard-Schloemann-Straße 4
40237 Düsseldorf
Germany

Phone : +49 211 881-8164

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SMSgroup Demirci, Cihangir

Cihangir Demirci

SMS group GmbH
Deputy General Manager Tertiary Metallurgy, Metallurgical Plants and Environmental Technology
Eduard-Schloemann-Straße 4
40237 Düsseldorf
Germany

Phone : +49 211 881-8181

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