The ladle furnace (LF) is primarily used for refining various types of steel, including bearing steel, alloy structural steel, tool steel, spring steel, carbon steel, and others. In combination with the electric arc furnace (EAF) and the continuous casting machine (CCM), the LF forms a high-efficiency, short-process production line with outstanding refining capabilities.
The LF employs electrodes for heating, while the liquid steel is stirred through permeable bricks at its base.
Main Functions of the Ladle Furnace (LF):
- Heating: The electric arc raises the temperature of the molten metal, allowing precise thermal control.
- Argon Stirring: Bottom-blown argon stirring ensures uniform composition and enhances the purity of the molten steel.
- Ingredient Adjustment: Fine tuning of alloy ingredients can achieve the desired chemical composition.
- Wire Feeding: This process introduces iron-coated powders, such as Ca-Si powder, or directly feeds aluminum or carbon wire into the ladle using a wire feeder. This enables desulfurization, calcium treatment, and precise adjustment of carbon and aluminum content.
- Fume System: Equipped with a fume and dust removal system to maintain environmental standards.
- Efficient Process Integration: The LF acts as a buffer between the EAF and CCM, synchronizing with production pace for seamless and continuous operation.
