Metal strips are primarily made from primary steel through a multi-step manufacturing process involving casting, heating, rolling, and slitting.
The Manufacturing Process
The production of metal strips, particularly those used for purposes like strapping, follows a specific sequence to achieve the desired dimensions and properties. This process leverages the properties of steel to create thin, strong material.
1. Steel Casting
The journey begins with primary steel, which is first cast into a slab. This initial casting forms the raw material into a manageable shape suitable for further processing.
2. Heating the Slab
Next, the steel slab is heated to a high temperature. Heating makes the steel more malleable, preparing it for the rolling process that follows.
3. Rolling for Thickness
Once heated, the slab is rolled through a series of powerful rollers. This rolling process gradually reduces the thickness of the steel until it reaches the desired thickness for the final strip product.
4. Slitting to Width
After rolling, the wide steel material is then slit to the desired width. Slitting involves cutting the material lengthwise using sharp blades to create multiple strips from the wider rolled sheet.
Impact of Slitting
It's important to note that the slitting process can introduce microcracks along the edge of the strapping or strip. These microcracks have the effect of reducing the tensile strength of the material along the edges.
In summary, metal strips are produced by taking primary steel, shaping it into a slab, heating it, rolling it down to the required thickness, and finally cutting it into strips of the necessary width.
