Development of solid state steelmaking process

The totally new steelmaking process which is called ‘Solid State Steelmaking (or S3 process) has been investigated. The new process aims to eliminate BOF process, or liquid state oxidation process. The overview of the new process is as follows: High carbon liquid iron (about 3 - 5 mass%C) is directly solidified by the strip casting process to produce high carbon thin steel sheet of 1~2 mm thickness. The solid high carbon iron sheet is decarburized by introducing oxidizing gas of H2O or CO2 in the continuous reactive annealing line to produce low carbon steel sheet.