Reducing the width of continuous-cast slabs sent to broad-strip hot-rolling mills

Systems for reducing the width of continuous-cast slab supplied to broad-strip hot-rolling mills are reviewed. It is found that the use of vertical scale removers with smooth rollers, without smoothing in horizontal rollers, is laborious and ineffective. The use of smooth vertical rollers and a series of horizontal rollers, which is a configuration often used outside Ukraine, permits reduction in slab width by no more than 150–200 mm. Systems with vertical grooved rollers and horizontal smoothing rollers prove the best. Optimal conditions for reducing slab width are proposed, and parameter values of the corresponding equipment are recommended for the 2000 mill.