Production of Jumbo Blooms by Semi-Continuous Casting: Challenges, Feasibility and Future Potential

In recent years a continuously increasing demand for the application of continuous casting in the production of medium and high-alloyed steel grades in large formats (called jumbo blooms) has been noticed. Whereas in the past the production of these grades was mainly the domain of ingot casting and remelting processes, continuous casting of such formats was considered rather a niche market and has only very recently been introduced on a larger scale. The present contribution should highlight the different challenges attributed to the production of large rounds. Furthermore, the production feasibility by means of semi-continuous casting process will be explained.