Introduction
Essar Steel Algoma produces three basic types of welded shapes; a regular catalogue range of Welded Wide Flange (WWF) with depths from 350 mm (14") to 2,000 mm (79"), a regular catalogue range of Welded Reduced Flange (WRF) with depths from 1,000 mm (39") to 1,800 mm (71"), and a range of Welded Special Sections (WSS) up to 2,440 mm (96") deep.
WSS Sections can be produced to special profiles with varying degrees of symmetry and camber, hybrid flange and web steel grades and special testing requirements, in accordance with customer specifications. Typical applications include crane and bridge girders.
Manufacturing
Algoma Welded Shapes are made from high quality steel plate rolled on Algoma's 166" Plate Mill. As the plate enters the Welded Beam plant, it passes through a blast cleaning machine which scours mill scale from all surfaces. This is a prerequisite for the high-speed flame cutting and welding used in the manufacturing process.
The plates are then cut by the oxypropane process into strips which will become the webs and flanges of various sections. Two plates, up to 3,050mm (10') wide and 24,400mm (80') long can be handled simultaneously.
Quality Control
In the inspection area, each section is quality checked dimensionally to verify conformance with the specified tolerances, and all welds are examined for correct profile and evidence of defects. If repairs are necessary, consumables are used to duplicate the penetration and mechanical properties of the submerged arc welds. The Canadian Welding Bureau was consulted at all phases of development and has certified the plant as meeting the requirements of C.S.A. Standard W47 Welding Qualification Code and the American Welding Society Code (AWS).
