A rectangular-sectioned length of metal is referred to as a slab. Direct continuous casting produces the slab, while indirect continuous rolling on a slabbing machine produces the slab. Slabs are typically processed further using pipe rolling, flat rolling, and skelping.

What Are Metal Slabs

Metal slab is a semi-finished steel product that is the end product of rolling ingots in a rolling mill; occasionally, ingots are processed using a continuous casting method. Metal slabs, which have rectangular cross sections, are used as starter metals in the manufacture of flat goods like hot rolled coils or steel plates. Slabs come in flat, rectangular shapes with thicknesses starting at 160 mm and higher.

Heavy machinery and the manufacture of plates or coils are the two businesses that buy metal slabs most frequently. Metal slabs are shaped for further processing, much like steel billets, but they always have that recognizable rectangular shape. They are often flat-rolled after that and most frequently made into sheet metal, checkered plates, pipes, and tubes.

Although stainless steel is an option, carbon steel is more frequently used. The chemical makeup will vary, but the most common elements are silicon, iron, chromium, copper, manganese, and nickel. Standard coding, which is commonly affixed to or imprinted into the end of the slab, must also be used to identify them.

Usage of Metal Slabs

Metal slab is primarily utilized in the fabrication of steel plates and coils and heavy machinery. Meal slabs are manufactured for further processing just like steel billets, but they always maintain their distinctive rectangular shape. They are often flat-rolled and mostly transformed into checkered plates, sheet metal, pipes, and tubes.

Standards, Types, and Properties

Metal slabs are also available in stainless steel, however, carbon steel is the most popular. The key elements are silicon, iron, copper, chromium, molybdenum, manganese, nickel, and chromium, albeit their chemical characteristics range. The specifications must be identified using standard coding, and often they are connected to or imprinted on the end of the slab, which always includes:

There must not be any longitudinal and transverse cracks, jointing, scab, scum, cavities, shrinkage, or other surface or internal defects in metal slabs that could compromise the quality of the finished product. Each standard of metal slabs will outline the chemical requirements required for the production of the intended product.