Nitrogen gas wiping improves steel surface finish

Nitrogen gas wiping process - used to improve strip steel surface finish for automotive body painting - reduced nitrogen consumption by up to 50% when compared with other systems.

At the Tube 2008 International Tube and Pipe Trade Fair in Dusseldorf, Germany, the Gases Division of The Linde Group will show a 'breakthrough' process for steel strip gas wiping using nitrogen.

Linde's process reduces nitrogen consumption by up to 50% compared to other patented methods using nitrogen, said the company.

Linde told manufacturingtalk.com that surface wiping with nitrogen is quickly gaining popularity among automotive body strip producers.

The reason is that the process produces a smooth finish and superior look and feel when painted.

"Our new process significantly improves surface wiping quality in continuous strip annealing and galvanising lines compared to conventional solutions using air," said Akin Malas, project manager at the Heat Treatment, Applications Development, The Linde Group.

He explained: "Linde's improved nitrogen wiping application is most appropriate for medium to large size steel strip manufacturers in the semi-finished segment, as well as in integrated iron and steel works".

Nitrogen wiping provides a smooth surface finish and makes higher line speeds possible.

This quality improvement comes at half the cost of current nitrogen wiping processes, due to a significant reduction in nitrogen consumption.

Linde is currently exploring partnerships with wiping knife manufacturers in order to further develop and commercialise this new technology.

There are currently plans to offer a complete system, including heat treatment services for the furnace atmosphere, such as strip heating and annealing.

* About the Linde Gases Division - the Gases Division of The Linde Group is a leading supplier of industrial and medical gases and related services.

From March 31 to April 4, 2008, Linde Gas at the Tube 2008 International Tube and Pipe Trade Fair in Dusseldorf will be on Stand B17 in Hall 8a.

The Linde Group is a world leading gases and engineering company with around 50,000 employees working in about 100 countries and achieved sales in the 2007 financial year of EUR 12.3 billion.

The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards earnings-based growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services.