EPS 'Downstream' Advantages
EPS' clean, uniform, oil-free surface offers a better base for downstream processes.
Processes like galvanizing, coil coating and cold rolling perform better with EPS-processed steel. First, EPS can mitigate surface defects like silicon streaks, minor roll marks and pitting. Second, certain cleaning steps can be eliminated by virtue of the clean, oil-free EPS surface. For example, batch galvanizers who switch to EPS will no longer need an acid bath to remove HRPO's oil.
"What attracted us to EPS was its dry surface. We bell anneal EPS and it leaves no oil in the bell or vent lines. Its clean, uniform surface masks the silicon streaks that acid pickling highlights. We've been very happy cold reducing EPS."
Processors can also use EPS to replace conventional cold roll without cold rolling the material. How? EPS processing of Castrip® produces a tension leveled strip with an excellent DRY surface and the thickness control you typically need cold reduction to achieve.
Castrip® is a registered
trademark of Castrip LLC.
EPS As A Base for Cold Rolling
EPS is the ideal base material for cold rolling:
– No oil to foul the annealing or bell lines when bell annealing.
– EPS mitigates unsightly silicon streaks that acid pickling highlights.
– The more consistent surface peaks of EPS result in less draft.
