Refractory products and their correct use and handling form one of the most critical phases of the steel manufacturing process. Molten steel must be transferred safely from one process phase to the next in refractory vessels. In addition, refractory products are one of the last sources of impurities in steel.

At Bet-Ker, we want our customers’ process to run with high quality, which is why we offer technical support on site at the steel plant to monitor the process and help with refractory materials.  

Here is Technical Support Engineer Simo Alatarvas’s usual working day at a customer site.

Installation supervision

The first thing in the morning was tundish casting, where we helped the masons by supervising the installation of the product to ensure that the properties developed for the product are achieved. The aspects we monitor include, for instance, sufficiency of water, mixing time and liquidity. At the same time, we collect information to enable us to monitor the entire lifecycle of the material.

Usage monitoring and development

Next, I monitored the usage of tundishes at the continuous casting machine. In cooperation with the development engineer and the casting machine operators, we monitored the deskulling and re-lining of the tundish.

Occasional problems had been detected in the usage of the product, so the issue was communicated to the development department for fixing.  

At Bet-Ker’s support, we find it important to monitor the usage of our products to optimize the quality of materials so that it matches the characteristics of each process.

Measuring, analyzing and reporting

In the afternoon, it was time to do the 3D modelling of a steel ladle to be disassembled. This makes it possible to analyze the most worn-out areas of the ladle as well as critical lining strengths. In addition to the modelling, samples were collected of the ladle lining and sent to Ylivieska for analysis.  

Bet-Ker’s technical support is also prepared to carry out other kinds of measurements. With compression strength measurements, for instance, we can determine the success of casting piece drying on site, without laboratory measurements. We also arrange other monitoring periods and carry out measurements according to the customer’s wishes.  

We use measurements for materials research and prepare a product test use report for both customers and Bet-Ker Oy’s internal use.

Inventory maintenance

Our tasks also include the monitoring of product inventory levels to optimize inventory volumes, ensuring the best possible functionality. In addition, we cooperate closely with our own production to match materials deliveries with the customer’s materials needs as closely as possible.