Yukun Iron and Steel Achieves Unprecedented Slab Thickness at Danieli QSP-DUE Plant
Yukun Iron and Steel Group, based in Yunnan province, China, has reached a significant technological milestone with the production of 145-mm-thick slabs at its Danieli QSP-DUE plant in Yuxi, confirming the plant’s ability to achieve the highest performance in direct casting and rolling.
This remarkable feat was made possible by the use of a 152-mm funnel mould, setting a new benchmark in slab casting technology with Danieli’s DySen caster. The DySen caster, a Danieli-patented innovation, has proven to be an ideal solution for achieving thicker slabs and is now recognized as the standard in the industry.
How the 145-mm Thick Slab Changes the Game
Producing 145-mm-thick slabs represents a leap forward in the manufacturing of hot-rolled coils, enabling a higher reduction ratio in the mill, which directly enhances the overall strip quality. This development opens up new applications for the QSP-DUE process, particularly in producing quality hot-rolled coils that meet high standards for a variety of industries.
The increase in slab thickness brings several benefits, including the ability to produce products in greater gauges, while maintaining consistent quality throughout the process. The improvement in product quality was made possible by the combination of advanced equipment from Danieli, such as the DySen caster, and the skillful workforce at Yukun Iron and Steel.
The Danieli QSP-DUE Plant: A Technological Marvel
The QSP-DUE plant at Yukun is designed to offer both versatility and high performance in steel production. It can produce low- and medium-carbon grades, as well as HSLA (High-Strength Low-Alloy) steels, and medium-carbon high-alloyed grades. The plant’s endless mode allows it to roll ultra-thin gauges as low as 0.8 mm, while in coil-to-coil mode, it can handle thicker gauges up to 25.4 mm.
Boasting two casting strands, the plant features endless casting-rolling on one strand, giving it a production capacity exceeding 4.5 million metric tons per year (Mtpy) of hot-rolled strip. This makes the Yukun QSP-DUE plant the highest-performing direct casting-rolling facility in the world, underscoring Danieli’s leadership in steel production technology.
Key Benefits and Future Potential
The production of 145-mm-thick slabs at the Yukun plant signifies more than just a technological milestone. It demonstrates improved operational efficiency, flexibility, and capacity to meet market demands for a wide range of steel grades. The integration of advanced automation and Danieli equipment at the plant ensures precision and consistency in production.
As the plant continues to refine its processes and increase production capacity, the Yukun Iron and Steel facility is well-positioned to serve global demand for high-quality hot-rolled coils and continue advancing the possibilities for direct casting-rolling technology.
This achievement not only elevates the technological capabilities of Yukun Iron and Steel but also sets a new benchmark in the industry, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in steel production and reinforcing Danieli’s reputation as an innovator in the sector.
