The X-Roll® Direct Compact Cooling (DCC) is the latest development with regard to strip cooling. This feature is installed directly behind the last finishing stand and provides immediate compact cooling after the last rolling pass. The development of the DCC is a response to the increasing market demand for high strength steel grades and the strong competition on that market. The cost-intensive production of high-strength steels can mainly be attributed to the increased use of alloying elements.
The DCC is a powerful technology to improve strength and toughness, resulting in the reduction of alloying elements on the one hand. Applying the DCC leads to a refinement of the grain structure and a restriction of grain growth. Mechanical properties are improved. The lighter chemistry is in addition beneficial for the rolling process, resulting in less rolling work and less energy consumption for the thickness reduction.
Benefits of the X-Roll® Convection Roll Cooling in numbers:
- Reduction of grain size by more than 20% compared to laminar cooling
- Savings potential of > 6 €/t, resulting in up to 10 million €/year for reduced need of alloying elements due to grain refinement
- Savings of up to 1.5 kWh/t in rolling energy due to lighter chemistry
