BILLET HEATING is an industrial process used to raise the temperature of raw steel or metal blocks (billets) until they become malleable enough for shaping, rolling, extrusion, or forging.
Key Benefits of Proper Heating
Reduces Flow Stress: Lowers the mechanical force needed to deform the metal, protecting downstream machinery.
Improves Ductility: Maximizes the metal’s ability to undergo severe plastic deformation without cracking or tearing.
Optimizes Grain Structure: Controls the internal metallurgical properties to achieve desired structural strength and toughness.
Minimizes Scale Loss: Precise heating environments prevent excessive oxidation, saving material costs and reducing surface defects.
Critical Process Parameters
Target Temperature: Must be strictly maintained within a specific range (e.g., 1100°C to 1250°C for carbon steel) to avoid under-heating or overheating.
Heating Rate: Needs careful calibration to prevent thermal cracking caused by steep temperature differences between the billet core and its surface.
Soaking Time: The duration the billet is held at its peak temperature to ensure the entire cross-section reaches uniformity.
