Reheating Furnaces

A "reheating furnace" or "soaking pit" is a specialized type of industrial furnace used to reheat metal slabs or billets before they are passed through a rolling mill. The reheating furnace plays a crucial role in the hot rolling process of steel, aluminum, and other metals, enabling the material to be shaped into desired products like sheets, plates, and structural sections.

Usage of Reheating Furnace in Hot Rolling:

• Preheating for Hot Rolling: The primary purpose of the reheating furnace is to raise the temperature of the metal slabs or billets to the required rolling temperature.
• Plasticity Enhancement: Heating the metal above its recrystallization temperature increases its plasticity, making it easier to deform and shape during hot rolling.
• Temperature Uniformity: Reheating furnaces ensure uniform and controlled heating of the metal to achieve consistent hot rolling results.

How it Works:

• Loading: The metal slabs or billets, which have been cast or previously processed, are loaded into the reheating furnace.
• Heating: The reheating furnace uses a heat source, such as burners or electrical heating elements, to raise the temperature of the metal to the desired rolling temperature.
• Soaking Time: The metal remains in the furnace for a specific duration to ensure that it reaches a uniform temperature throughout. This is known as the "soaking" time.
• Discharge: Once the metal reaches the required rolling temperature, it is discharged from the reheating furnace and transferred to the hot rolling mill.
• Hot Rolling: The heated metal is then passed through a series of rolling stands, where it undergoes plastic deformation to reduce its thickness and achieve the desired shape.
• Cooling: After hot rolling, the processed metal may go through controlled cooling processes to adjust its properties or achieve specific mechanical characteristics.