BOF versus EAF, plate versus sections 3

[Agricola]

Hi All,

I noticed that in general heavy structural steel plate is produced via the hot metal route, using Basic Oxygen Furnaces. On the other hand, structural steel sections are predominantly produced out of scrap using Electric Arc Furnaces (at least in europe).

What reasons are there for this, either metallurgical or economical?

Cheers and thanks in advance

JMH

 

[metengr]

From what I have seen through various mill audits regarding large and small components in the Power Generation sector, it is mostly economical (schedule, steel tonnage) versus metallurgical.

 

[metengr]

Agricola;
If you can overlook the basics of steel making, you might find this report interesting concerning the two production processes section regarding steel supply and resources required;

http://www.steeldistributors.org/portals/0/NewsAndViews/Q1_2011/Steel_Primer.pdf

 

[salmon2]

BOF use iron ore and EAF uses scrap, primarily. EAF seems more flexible on tonnage.

 

[stanweld]

In the USA, most structural steel manufacturers' mills use EAF. They are often called mini-mills and they do not make plate products. The fully integrated steel mills in the USA are virtually a "thing of the past".

 

[swall]

Stanweld, your prediction of the demise of the fully integrated steel mill in the U.S. is somewhat premature, given that there were 24 active blast furnaces in the U.S. in 2010 (and 6 more in Canada).