The hot mill plant is a critical component in metalworking, transforming slabs/billets into coils/sheets through heating, rolling, and cooling. Key stages include reheating furnaces, roughing mills, finishing mills, and coiling systems.
1. Reheating Furnace: Preheats slabs to 1200–1250°C for plasticity.
2. Roughing Mill: Reduces thickness by 50–70% via high-pressure rolls (e.g., 10,000 kN force).
3. Finishing Mill: Achieves final thickness (0.8–25 mm) with 5–7 tandem stands (roll speed: 20 m/s).
4. Laminar Cooling System: Rapidly cools steel to 500–600°C for microstructure control.
| Equipment | Key Parameters |
|---|---|
| Reheating Furnace | Capacity: 300 t/h; Fuel: Natural gas |
| Roughing Mill | Roll force: 10,000 kN; Motor power: 5 MW |
| Finishing Mill | Speed: 20 m/s; Tolerance: ±0.05 mm |
Q1: How to minimize roll wear?
A: Use carbide rolls and optimize cooling lubrication.
Q2: What causes surface defects?
A: Improper temperature control or roll misalignment.
Project: Upgrading a hot mill line in Germany (2023).
Solution: Installed AI-based temperature control, boosting yield by 12% and reducing energy use by 8%.
This concise guide covers essentials—equipment specs, troubleshooting, and real-world applications—for efficient hot mill operations.
