Fluxo de Produção do Aço - Usiminas

Summary

Usiminas is a leading steel producer in Latin America, operating with advanced technology across the entire steel production process. From the mining of raw materials like coal and iron ore to the creation of high-quality steel products, Usiminas ensures precision and innovation at every step. Their process includes coke production, pig iron refinement, alloying, and rolling techniques, ultimately producing both hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel. Additionally, they offer galvanization services to protect steel from corrosion. With an efficient supply chain and customer-focused approach, Usiminas plays a key role in industrial development and offers products for various sectors, including automotive and construction.

Takeaways

• 😀 Usiminas is a leading producer of steel in Latin America, with plants in Cubatão and Ipatinga.
• 😀 Steel is an essential material in daily life, acting as a raw material for various products.
• 😀 The steel production process begins with the transformation of coal into coke in a metallurgical furnace.
• 😀 After coke production, the materials move to the blast furnace where iron is extracted from iron ore.
• 😀 The blast furnace utilizes intense heat and chemical reactions to produce molten pig iron.
• 😀 The molten iron undergoes desulfurization to reduce sulfur content, essential for the production of high-quality steel.
• 😀 Oxygen is blown into the molten iron to reduce carbon and phosphorus levels, a key step in converting pig iron into steel.
• 😀 Once steel is produced, it is treated with specific elements to adjust its physical and chemical properties for various applications.
• 😀 Steel passes through a continuous casting machine, where it solidifies into slabs and is then inspected and cut to desired lengths.
• 😀 The steel can then be processed into hot-rolled or cold-rolled products depending on client needs, with uses in industries like automotive, construction, and more.

Q & A

What are the key materials used in the steel production process at Usiminas?

The key materials used in the steel production process at Usiminas are mineral coal and iron ore. These materials are primarily transported by sea and rail to the plants.

What is the purpose of the coking process in steel production?

The coking process transforms mineral coal into metallurgical coke, which is then used in the blast furnace. The coking process also produces coke oven gas, which is cleaned and stored for use as a fuel in other production processes.

What happens in the blast furnace during steel production?

In the blast furnace, a mixture of iron ore, coke, and fluxes undergoes chemical reactions to produce molten pig iron, which is then collected in a crucible at the base of the furnace.

How is sulfur removed from pig iron during steel production?

The pig iron undergoes a desulfurization process, which reduces the sulfur content according to the type of steel to be produced.

What role does the converter play in steel production?

The converter is used to reduce the carbon and phosphorus content of the pig iron. Oxygen is injected into the molten iron, refining it into steel by removing unwanted elements.

How are alloying elements added to the steel during production?

After the steel is refined in the converter, it is transferred to a ladle, where alloying elements are added to give the steel specific physical and chemical properties suited for various applications.

What is the purpose of the continuous casting machine in steel production?

The continuous casting machine solidifies molten steel into slabs, which are then cut to the desired length and inspected before being sent for further processing or sale.

What are the key steps in hot rolling steel?

In hot rolling, steel slabs are reheated and passed through rollers to reduce their thickness. The hot rolled steel can then be used for various products like heavy plates and hot rolled coils.

How does cold rolling differ from hot rolling in steel production?

Cold rolling involves reducing the thickness of steel that has already been hot rolled. The process also involves additional treatments like annealing to improve the mechanical properties and surface quality of the steel.

What is the galvanization process, and why is it important?

Galvanization is the process of coating steel with a layer of zinc to protect it from corrosion. There are two main methods: electrolytic galvanization and hot-dip galvanization, with the latter involving immersion of the steel in molten zinc.