JFE Steel to Realize Sheet, Plate Making Process Innovation at Keihin

JFE Steel’s East Japan works started commercial operation of new facility at Keihin area to improve the ability to provide high grade products. The area started operation of accelerated cooling system, S-ROT at hot strip mill and new advanced controlled plate rolling mill, Super CR at plate mill while the large diameter welding pipe plant launched new welded pipe for line pipe, Mighty Seam.

The area started commercial production through S-ROT in July after the 500 million yen investment in March 2009. The system can cool sheet steel more even than before and can improve the variability of strength by 55% from traditional cooling system. With the new system, the works tries to provide ultra high tensile steel for automotive application.

The area developed Super CR process for 1.5 billion yen. The process has cooling system just after finishing mill to reduce time loss from traditional shower facility. The new process can improve rolling efficiency by around 20% and rate of on-target temperature by 30% compared with traditional process while the process reduces strength variability by 20%. The works tries to develop new products by utilizing the new process and existing Super-OLAC. JFE Steel eyes potential introduction of the new process to plate mill in Kurashiki area of West Japan works.