Product Overview – What is a Large Slag Pot?
A large slag pot (often called a heavy-duty slag ladle, super-capacity slag bucket, or BOF slag converter pot) is a massive metallurgical vessel designed to collect, transport, and discharge molten slag from high-throughput steelmaking furnaces. Unlike standard pots used in medium mills, large slag pots serve integrated steel plants where converters produce 200–350 tons of steel per heat, generating equally large slag volumes weighing 60 to over 100 tons per pot.
These pots operate at 1,600°C – 1,700°C and endure severe thermal shock (from red-hot slag to ambient air during dumping), mechanical impact from crane handling, and chemical corrosion from basic slag components. Their design must also accommodate dynamic loads during tilting and long-term creep resistance under repeated heavy-duty cycles.
Womic Steel’s large slag pots are exclusively produced using single-piece integral casting, eliminating any weld that could become a crack initiation site. Every unit is engineered with finite element analysis (FEA) to balance strength, weight, and thermal fatigue resistance.
Why Choose Womic Steel for Your Large Slag Pot Needs?
| Advantage | Detailed Benefit |
| Integral Casting for Extra-large Sizes | Capable of one-casting up to 300 tons, our process eliminates weld seams even at 100+ ton capacities – critical for preventing catastrophic failure in big mills. |
| Ultra-High Purity Steel | EAF melting + LF refining + VD degassing reduces S to ≤0.015%, P to ≤0.018%, hydrogen to ≤2 ppm, ensuring superior ductility and resistance to hydrogen-induced cracking. |
| Tailored Thermal Fatigue Design | Thicker wall sections with optimized radius transitions, specially designed stress-relief grooves, and controlled solidification to minimize internal stress concentrations. |
| Advanced NDT Regime | Full volumetric UT (including trunnion root radius scanning), Phased Array UT for complex geometries, and ACFM for surface crack detection – exceed international standards. |
| Longest Service Life | Field data from integrated mills show Womic large pots regularly exceed 8,000 cycles before first major repair, vs. 5,000 cycles for conventional welded or multi-part pots. |
| Heavy-Lift Logistics Support | Tailored transport solutions: flat racks, modular trailers, lift-on/lift-off vessels, and on-site crane coordination. We deliver to any major port worldwide with full insurance coverage. |
| Third-Party Approvals | We work with DNV, ABS, LR, TÜV for design appraisal and manufacturing surveillance; EN 10204 Type 3.2 certificates available. |
Womic Steel collaborates with your engineering team from the concept stage, using FEA and thermal-structural simulation to verify wall thickness, stiffener layout, and trunnion design before we start casting.
Technical Specifications – Large Slag Pot (60–100+ Tons)
Capacity & Dimensional Range
| Nominal Capacity (tons) | Typical Weight (tons) | Volume (m³) | Bottom Diameter (mm) | Top Diameter (mm) | Height (mm) |
| 60 | 45–55 | 28–35 | 1,600 | 2,400 | 2,100 |
| 70 | 55–65 | 32–40 | 1,700 | 2,550 | 2,250 |
| 80 | 60–72 | 36–45 | 1,800 | 2,700 | 2,400 |
| 90 | 68–80 | 40–50 | 1,850 | 2,800 | 2,500 |
| 100 | 75–90 | 45–58 | 1,950 | 2,950 | 2,650 |
| >100 (custom) | up to 120+ | up to 70+ | to be engineered | to be engineered | to be engineered |
All dimensions are indicative; final dimensions optimized per your crane clearances and furnace tapping spout height.
Material Grade Recommendations for Large Pots
| Grade | Standard | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Yield Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) | Best Suited For |
| ZG310-570 | GB/T 11352 | ≥570 | ≥310 | ≥15 | Cost-effective high-strength, general large BOF/EAF |
| ZG340-640 | GB/T 11352 | ≥640 | ≥340 | ≥12 | Higher toughness & creep resistance |
| GS-20Mn5 | DIN 17182 | 500-650 | ≥300 | ≥22 | European projects, improved weldability for repair |
| ASTM A27 65-35 | ASTM | ≥448 | ≥241 | ≥24 | North American standards, proven track record |
| 1.6220 (16MnCr5) | EN 10293 | 600-800 | ≥400 | ≥14 | Special high-abrasion applications |
Trunnion Heavy-Duty Design
| Parameter | Requirement for 60–100t Slag Pots |
| Material | 40CrNiMo or 34CrNiMo6 (higher fatigue resistance) |
| Casting Method | Integral cast with internal chillers to ensure soundness |
| Heat Treatment | Quenched + Tempered to achieve 32-38 HRC |
| NDT Standard | ASME Section V, UT on entire trunnion length + radius zone |
| Safety Factor | 4:1 per FEM/ISO 8686 for lifting devices |
| Proof Load Test | Optional but can be performed with witness |
| Stage | Temperature | Duration | Cooling |
| Austenitizing | 880–920°C | 1.5hr/25mm section | Air or forced air for normalizing |
| Tempering | 560–620°C | 2hr/25mm section | Air |
| (Optional) Stress Relief | 520–550°C | 4-8 hours | Furnace cool |
Heat Treatment Protocol for Large Castings
Surface Protection for Large Slag Pots
| Zone | Specification | Purpose |
| Inner bowl | Precision machined, slope ≥ 8° towards center | Quick slag release, avoid freeze-on |
| Upper rim | Reinforced with chamfered edge | Impact resistance during slag dumping |
| Trunnion seating | Machined to H9 tolerance | Precise fit with crane hooks |
| Outer shell | Blast clean Sa 2.5 + aluminum silicone coating (250μm DFT) | Oxidation resistance up to 800°C |
Quality Control for Large Slag Pots – Beyond Standard
For extra-large slag pots, Womic Steel implements a 12-point inspection plan tailored to large castings:
| Stage | Inspection | Method / Standard | Acceptance |
| 1 | Raw material | Spectrometer + OES | Full ladle analysis |
| 2 | Mold verification | 3D laser scanning | ±2mm profile |
| 3 | In-mold temperature | Thermal camera array | Uniform filling |
| 4 | Post-pour ultrasonic | Automated UT scanner (64 elements) | No echo above 80% DAC |
| 5 | Trunnion zone | Phased Array UT + TOFD | No planar defects > 3mm |
| 6 | Magnetic particle | Yoke method full coverage | Zero linear indications |
| 7 | Dimensional report | Laser tracker + CMM for trunnion bores | Within ≤1mm on critical fits |
| 8 | Hardness mapping | Portable Leeb hardness (20 points) | Uniform ±10HB |
| 9 | Mechanical test | Tensile + Charpy-V (-20°C / -40°C) | Meet grade min. |
| 10 | Hydrostatic proof (optional) | 1.5x working pressure | No leakage or deformation |
| 11 | Load test (optional) | 1.25x rated capacity on trunnions | Permanent deformation <0.1% |
| 12 | Final visual & marking | With high-res photos + video record | Complete traceability |
All records are bundled into a Quality Dossier delivered with the product.
Manufacturing Process – From Molten Steel to Ready-to-Use Large Slag Pot
● Engineering & FEA – Thermal-structural simulation predicts hot spots, stress concentration, and fatigue life.
● 3D Printed Sand Mold (for complex geometry) – Optional rapid prototyping for intricate rib designs.
● Heavy Pattern Construction – CNC-machined wood/metal pattern for repeated accuracy.
● EAF Melting + LF + VD – Produces ultra-clean steel with tight composition control.
● Bottom Pouring (Single Casting) – Entire pot – bowl, trunnions, and reinforcing ribs – poured in one go.
● Simulated Solidification – CAE-guided risers and chills to eliminate shrinkage voids.
● Heat Treatment – Normalizing & tempering in large-capacity car-bottom furnace (up to 12m length).
● Rough Cleaning & Fettling – Robotic grinding for consistent radius.
● Non-Destructive Examination – Full UT + phased array + MT.
● Machining – Horizontal boring mill for trunnion bores and bowl bottom.
● Final Coating & Marking – High-temp paint + stamped serial number.
● Load-out & Shipping – Using heavy-lift trailers and lashing certificates.
Packaging & Shipping of Extra-Large Slag Pots
● Moving 60–100 ton steel castings requires specialized logistics. Womic Steel provides:
● Port of loading: Shanghai, Tianjin, or nearest to our foundry
● Transport method: Flat rack containers (up to 45 tons), open-top containers (up to 35 tons), or break bulk on multi-purpose vessels
● Securing: Custom steel saddles, twist locks, chain lashing with certified lashing certificates
● Marking: Center of gravity, lifting points, weight, and handling instructions in 3 languages
● Documentation: Heavy lift shipping plan, IMO compliance (if no dangerous goods), and insurance up to 110% of invoice value.
We also assist with buyers’ consolidators and provide on-site loading supervision.
Case Studies – Real Heavy-Duty Performance
Customer names are confidential; authenticated records available on request.
Case 1: 85-Ton BOF Slag Pot for a Brazilian Integrated Mill (CSN)
Challenge: Existing pots cracked after 3,000 cycles, causing unplanned downtime and safety risks.
Solution: One-casting with ZG340-640 steel, FEA-optimized bottom profile, 100mm thick upper rim. UT on trunnion roots with phased array.
Result: First pot reached 10,200 cycles without crack. Purchased 15 more over 3 years.
Case 2: 100-Ton Electric Arc Furnace Slag Pot – Turkish Steel Producer
Challenge: Extreme thermal shock from very high basicity slag (CaO/SiO₂ >3). Traditional pots lasted <1 year.
Solution: High Mo and Ni alloyed grade (similar to GS-20Mn5 modified), forced air quenching after tempering, anti-stick coating on inner surface.
Result: Average life increased to 14 months – 40% longer than any previous supplier. ROI positive within 8 months.
Case 3: 110-Ton Custom Slag Ladle – Canadian Mining & Smelting Complex
Challenge: Trolley clearance limited height to 2.8m while requiring 45 m³ capacity.
Solution: Elliptical shape with reinforced trunnions, designed and cast integrally. Dynamic FEA proved safety.
Result: Delivered in 42 weeks (including engineering), still operational after 6 years.
Applications – Where Large Slag Pots Excel
● Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) shop – 180t to 350t converters
● Ultra-high power Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) – scrap-based steelmaking
● Secondary metallurgy (LF/VD) – slag holding & transfer
● Non-ferrous smelters – copper flash smelting, nickel matte
● Slag fuming plants – high-temperature slag transport
● Steel foundries with large induction furnaces
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – All new content
Q: Why do large slag pots need to be one-casting rather than welded?
A: Welded seams in large pots undergo enormous thermal stress differences (1,600°C inside to ambient outside). Thermal expansion mismatch creates fatigue cracks at weld toes in as few as 2,000 cycles. Integral casting removes all weld lines, distributing stress uniformly through homogeneous metal.
Q: How do you test a 100-ton slag pot for hidden defects?
A: We combine automated ultrasonic testing (AU) with phased array to scan 100% volume, plus thermography during heat treatment, and magnetic particle inspection on all surfaces. Trunnion zones undergo additional time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) for crack detection.
Q: Can we use the same slag pot for both BOF and EAF service?
A: Not recommended. BOF slag is more fluid but more chemically aggressive; EAF slag has higher viscosity and contains metallics. We design pot wall angles and linings specifically for one process. Dual-purpose pots often underperform.
Q: What is the typical delivery time for a 70-ton slag pot?
A: 22–26 weeks from final drawing approval. This includes pattern making (4 weeks), casting and heat treatment (6 weeks), NDT (2 weeks), and machining/coating (2 weeks). Rush orders possible with pre-existing pattern.
Q: How many cycles can I expect before first repair?
A: Based on our data from 38 integrated mills, median cycles before any detectable surface crack is 8,200 cycles. Minor grinding can extend life to 12,000 cycles. Complete recertification recommended every 10 years or 15,000 cycles.
Q: Can you supply slag pots with automatic slag detection or temperature monitoring?
A: Yes. We can integrate thermocouples into pot bottom (with protective pockets) and install a mounting pad for radar slag level sensors. Wiring channels are cast-in to avoid external brackets.
Q: What is the maximum outer diameter you can cast?
A: Our foundry accommodates pot top diameters up to 3.6 meters (142 inches). Larger pots can be produced using sectioned casting and welding, but we strongly recommend integral casting for best performance.
Q: Do you offer extended warranty for large slag pots?
A: We offer 18-month / 5,000-cycle warranty – whichever comes first. This is double the industry standard. Optional performance-based guarantee can be negotiated for repeat orders.
Q: How do you verify trunnion strength after a number of cycles?
A: We recommend in-situ portable UT every 12 months. Womic can provide a field inspection kit and training. If excessive wear is found, trunnions can be overlaid with weld metal and remachined.
Q: Can you design a slag pot to fit our existing crane hooks without modifying the crane?
A: Absolutely. We require crane hook profile drawing (including hook opening width, throat depth, and clearance radius). We match trunnion geometry precisely to your existing lifting equipment.
Ready to upgrade your large slag pot fleet?
Contact Womic Steel for a no-obligation engineering review of your current slag handling system.
Website: www.womicsteel.com
E-mail: sales@womicsteel.com
Tel/WhatsApp/WeChat:
Victor: +86 15575100681
Jack: +86 18390957568
Womic Steel – Forging reliability into every large slag pot, one integral casting at a time.








