RECYCLING OF STRAP IN STEELMAKING IN VIEW OF THE TRAMP ELEMENT PROBLEM

In 1996 a total of 147 million tons of crude steel were produced in th e European Union (EU). Germany alone accounted for 40 million tons. Th e world production of crude steel in 1996 was 743 million tons [1]. Th ese great numbers remind us once again that steel remains with a vast competitive edge the most used metallic material, both in Europe and w orld-wide. A turn-around in this centuries-old development is not expe cted in the near future. But not only the quantity of steel which is p roduced every year is impressive. The continuously increasing customer demands on the quality of steel are another characteristic of the mat erials world of the modern times. In this review article, the complex interrelations existing between quantity and quality of steel and stee l scrap are discussed. One of the main problems of scrap recycling, th e so-called ''tramp elements problem'', is explained. The contaminatio n of scrap with tramp elements are considered.