ABSTRACT
This paper describes the results of the investigations done to adapt the thermal cycles applied to High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) steels to the new furnace configuration of a galvanizing line. During the revamping of a hot dip galvanizing line, new radiant tubes were installed in the soaking furnace with the purpose of increasing the line capacity. This modification eliminated the soaking stage and forced to redesign the thermal cycles of the furnace. As the classical cycles proposed for the HSLAs worrisomely increased the percentage of rejections, it was defined a new control parameter based on the strip thickness, time in the furnace and strip temperature to guarantee the mechanical characteristics of these steels.
Acknowledgements
The authors greatly acknowledge ArcelorMittal for supporting this investigation and Avilés 2 line staff for their collaboration during the development of trials.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.