Diminution of scaling by the application of a protective coating

Abstract Together with research and optimization of the atmosphere in industrial walking-beam reheating furnaces in Slovenian steel works, a protective coating for the reduction of scale growth was tested. The effect of the protective coating is based on the high temperature formation of a protective film consisting of amorphous SiO2, α-modified Al2O3 and FeO·Al2O3. Optimization of the atmosphere in the walking-beam furnace and the application of the protective coating on the billets reduced the loss of iron by scaling by up to 60%, compared to uncovered steel, and reduced the decarburization of carbon steels. The protective coating was most effective in the temperature range between 1000 and 1200°C. The application of the coating proved to be as effective on different steel grades in laboratory tests as well as in rolling mills during normal production.