Clean steel castings at ultralow pouring temperatures for high-performance applications using the innovative Rotoclene process.
The Rotoclene process has been developed to treat molten metal effectively in the ladle. The process brings together Foseco products from across the foundry and steel making industries. The equipment used is a rotary machine, which is a modified version of the proven equipment that Foseco has supplied for many years for use in non-ferrous applications. The rotor is made from Vesuvius’ VISO material and Foseco can supply ladle linings to allow treatment with their desulphurising fluxes and cored wire.
The Process involves a rotary treatment process that stirs the metal in the ladle whilst passing a curtain of fine Argon bubbles through it. Together with flux and wire additions the process leads to effective inclusion removal, homogenised temperature, modification and desulfurisation. The technique allows the steel to be cast at much lower temperatures even semi liquid, resulting in fine cast microstructures and reduced defects
Rotoclene is a new process for producing the highest quality, inclusion-free steel for casting. The process uses rotary action to stir the metal and disperse fine argon bubbles through the melt. These bubbles are highly effective at catching any inclusions and bi-films, floating them to the melt surface, where they are trapped in the slag layer. The rotary action also homogenises melt temperature and eliminates cold spots. This allows the steel to be poured at lower temperatures, reducing shrinkage and promoting finer microstructures. This is all possible in a standard bottom pour ladle.
Having cleaned the steel, it is important to avoid further inclusions developing in the melt during pouring – the job of Foseco’s Hollotex shroud filtration system. Combining the benefits of Stelex filters with shrouding technology, the Hollotex shroud allows pouring of large castings quickly and effectively, without the turbulence that creates these oxide inclusions.
For more information contact Foseco South Africa on TEL: 011 903 9500 or visit www.foseco.com
