Steel Making

The steel making process, where molten iron becomes solid steel, involves several stages of thermal and chemical treatment requiring a variety of refractory linings that are compatible with many application conditions. These linings must have excellent resistance to steel and basic slag corrosion, as well as high thermal shock and oxidation resistance. Saint-Gobain services this market with innovative refractories solutions that present high performances and contribute to enhanced steel quality.

Reducing the steel ladle energy consumption (Article)

Solution by Equipment Type

Discover our solutions for Steel Making

Iron Ladle

The iron ladle is a critical molten metal transporting vessel since it is usually carried on the top of steel making shops by overhead cranes, and consequently its failure can cause serious problems. The Saint-Gobain refractories aim for maximum safety as well as optimized performance.

Iron ladle products and benefits
Products	Characteristics	Application	Benefit
Brick	Al₂O₃-SiC-C	Linning	High mechanical resistance High thermal resistance High chemical resistance
Castable	Al2O3	Ladle Border	High mechanical resistance

Basic Oxygen Furnace

Considered to be the heart of a steel shop, the Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) is a very complex equipment in terms of operation conditions, making it crucial for refractory suppliers to understand all the aspects related to it. Our BOF specialists are capable of delivering the solution that maximize your benefits by enhancing metallic efficiency and reducing refractory specific consumption.

Basic oxygen furnace products and benefits
Products	Characteristics	Applications	Benefits
Brick	MgO-C	Linning	High mechanical resistance High thermal resistance High corrosion resistance
Tap Hole Sleeve	Isostatic pressed	Tap Hole	Erosion resistance
Multi Hole Plug	Monoblock type	Bottom blowing	High efficiency blowing High durability High spalling resistance
Gunning mixes	MgO (silicate bonded) MgO (phosphate bonded)	Cold and hot repair	High performance High Adhesion Low rebound
Self-flowing hot repair mix	Carbon-bonded mix	Repair	Campaign Increase Low emission Good flowability

Electric Arc Furnace

The electric arc furnace is essential for the re-processing of steel scrap, and this very aggressive process requires a large quantity of high quality refractories. Bricks and monolithics are made with carefully selected raw materials and controlled processes, to ensure the resistance and safety of its solutions.

Electric arc furnace products and benefits
Products	Characteristics	Applications	Benefits
Brick	MgO-C	Wall	High corrosion Thermal shock resistance
Ramming mix	MgO	Bottom and slope area	High durability Quick repair
Gunning mix	MgO (silicate bonded) MgO (phosphate bonded)	Cold and hot repair	High performance High Adhesion Low rebound
EBT	MgO-C	Tapping Hole	High erosion resistance

Steel ladle

The most versatile vessel in a steel shop, the steel ladle has an increasing importance due to the modern requirements of secondary refining processes. Also known to be the equipment that consumes the biggest amount of refractories in a steel shop, its optimized design is essential for cost reduction, energy management and steel quality. In association with the newest Japanese technologies, our solutions not only withstand the most aggressive conditions but also are tailor made to reach the specific needs of each customer.

Steel ladle products and benefits
Products	Characteristics	Applications	Benefits
CarbonFree (Bricks/castable)	Al₂O₃-MgO	Metal Line	Extremely lower energy loss Lower carbon pick up High corrosion resistance
Low Carbon Magnesia-carbon	MgO-C	Slag Line	Extremely lower energy loss Lower carbon pick up High corrosion resistance
Gunning mixes	MgO (silicate bonded) MgO (phosphate bonded)	Cold and hot repair	High performance High Adhesion Low rebound
Resin Free	MgO-C / Al2O3-MgO-C	Slag Line / Metal Line	Lower energy loss Lower toxic emissions
Resin Bonded	MgO-C / Al₂O₃-MgO-C	Slag Line / Metal Line	High resistance to: Corrosion Erosion Oxidation Spalling

RH Degasser

The RH degassing system is essential for steel shops to meet the modern specifications of steel quality. This equipment process requires a special kind of refractory, the ultra-high temperature MgO-Chrome fired bricks, that have excellent corrosion resistance and thus achieve longer operation life. The recent developments of Saint-Gobain in partnership with a Japanese refractory supplier have also made possible to reach high resistance to thermal cycling in its projects.

RH degasser products and benefits
Products	Characteristics	Applications	Benefits
Direct bonded Type	MgO-Chrome	Vessel walls, Bottom	High thermal shock resistance
Semi-Rebonded and Rebonded Type	MgO-Chrome	Impact area, Throat, Snorkel	High corrosion Thermal shock resistance
Pre shaped castable	High Al₂O₃	Snorkel	Corrosion Thermal shock Mechanical resistance
Unburned Bricks	MgO-C	Vessel walls	High thermal shock resistance
Gunning mixes	MgO (silicate bonded) MgO (phosphate bonded)	Cold and hot repair	High performance High Adhesion Low rebound

Flow Control

The final process in which the steel is liquid, the continuous casting requires a series of special refractories that have an enormous influence on the final steel quality. They are responsible for controlling the flow rate, protecting from oxidation, facilitating the inclusion flotation and allowing a good flow pattern inside the mold. The Saint-Gobain refractories division works together with a very strong Japanese partner in order to deliver high quality and high performance products for this segment.

Continuous casting products and benefits
Products	Characteristics	Applications	Benefits
Alumina-Carbon	Erosion resistance	Steel ladle and Tundish Slide Gate plates	Reliable and durable performance
Silica free	Re-usable	Ladle Shroud	Double life campaign
Spinel head	Erosion resistance	Stopper rod	Promotes stable flow and excellent closing
Carbonfree lining, Annular Step	Anti clogging, even steel flow	S.E.N.	Improve steel quality, minimize down grade ratio due to inclusions

Industries We Serve

Solutions customized based on your need

Steel making Industry, Basic Oxygen Furnace Steel Shops | Saint-Gobain

BOF Steel Shops

Steel Making Solution, Basic Oxygen Furnace Steel Shops | Saint-Gobain

Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) Steel Shops

Customized innovative and high performance solution for refractories used at BOF steel shops.

Steel making Industry, Electric Arc Furnace Steel Shops | Saint-Gobain

EAF Steel Shops

Steel Making Solution, Electric Arc Furnace Steel Shops | Saint-Gobain

Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Steel Shops

We supply all the refractories needed for steel shops with EAF’s, combining the best design, full controlled process and the purest raw materials.