Introduction

Molten steel from BOF/EAF is tapped into a teeming ladle. Deoxidizers, decarburizes and alloying elements if required, are added for the final finishing with respect to oxygen content and other elements in steel. The steel may be degassed either before or during casting. In the modern steel plants, steel is cast continuously. In several small scale plants, particularly those based on induction melting furnaces  ingot casting is practiced.

Ingot casting is done in cast iron moulds having square, round or polygon cross section. Ingots with square cross section are used for rolling into billets, rails and other structural sections. Whereas, ingots with rectangular cross section (also known as slab), are used for rolling into flat products. Round ingots are used for tube making. Polygon ingots are used to produce tyres, wheels, etc. Typically an ingot weighing 5-20 tons for rolling, whereas few hundred to 300 tons for forging.