MATERIAL PERSPECTIVES FOR DIRECT STRIP CA STING COMBINED WITH IN-LINEHOT-ROLLING

Objective. Direct strip casting combined with in-line hot-rolling is a t an advanced pilot stage. In preparation for a demonstration line, la boratory tests and simulations have already been conducted with a view to reliably achieving hot-and cold-rolling strip material properties and to being able to use steel grades of modified chemical composition . The results are being considered in the design of the demonstration line. Summary. The high productivity specific to the continuous strip casting process, the low investment costs, and the good quality of the rolled strip permit expectations of high cost efficiency. In total, a savings potential of around 70% in respect of production and investme nt costs can be assumed for this process compared with thin slab casti ng. The material perspectives for direct strip casting coupled with in -line hot-rolling are discussed in terms of the present state of knowl edge on direct strip casting (DSC) process technology. The geometry an d the surface of the cast and hot-rolled strip are considered, as are the microstructure and the resulting mechanical-technological properti es. The results of the laboratory tests as well as trials on pilot lin es show that this near-net-shape casting process constitutes a potenti al for the development of hot and cold strip with enhanced properties. (E 29832).