Data sheet: S4.

Forged Blooms, As Cast Ingots, Billets & Blooms

Profiles, dimensions & tolerances
Introduction
ArcelorMittal South Africa, Vereeniging Works supplies a wide variety of forged blooms and as cast
ingots, billets and blooms. The various products are given below
The purpose of this data sheet is to list the sizes, tolerances and technical properties applicable to these
products. Sizes not included may, however, be available subject to enquiry.
End use application
All of the products mentioned above can only be used for Re-forging practice.
Agreement regarding the end use of all material on enquiry must be reached prior to the placing of
orders, so as to establish the most suitable steel manufacturing process route. Billets and blooms are
regarded as semi-finished products; therefore no guarantee can be given as to the mechanical
properties of the final product.
Internal soundness
No internal soundness is guaranteed on the products in the as supplied and semi conditions.
Micro-cleanliness
None of the products are certified but will be guaranteed to ASTM E45 Method A 3 maximum on all
levels (A, B, C, & D). In case of any disputes, the specific component/s will be subjected to evaluation
with regard to cleanliness.
Ultrasonic inspection / testing
No internal ultrasonic inspection will be done or guaranteed. Only a visual surface inspection will be
done.
Straightness
No straightness is guaranteed. If straightness is a pre-requisite, then it must be ordered as such and
additional costs will be incurred. We will attempt to keep as straight as possible.
Hardenability (Jominy) tests
No Jominy tests will be done or guaranteed.

For further information, contact:

ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited, Vereeniging Works, PO Box 48, Vereeniging 1930. Tel (016) 440 3691 Fax (016) 440 3743
e-mail address: enquiries.vereeniging@arcelormittal.com
Care has been taken to ensure that the information in this data sheet is accurate. ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited does not, however,
assume responsibility for any inaccuracies or misinterpretations of this data. We are continuously engaged in product development and
revised data sheets will be issued from time to time. Please ensure that you have the most recent issue. Effective date: January 2006

Page 1 of 8

File reference: S4.2

Grain size
All material is manufactured as Fine Grained and will be guaranteed to be suitable for ASTM E112 : 5
and finer.
Reduction in cross sectional area
When forging of parallel forgings from the input material, the cross sectional reduction must be a
minimum of 4: 1. If any internal looseness is detected and the reduction ratio is less than the
recommended 4: 1, THEN NO CUSTOMER COMPLAINT WILL BE ACCEPTED OR ENTERTAINED.
When upset forging of the ingot, bloom, or billet, that is forging in the transverse direction, then the
centre of the bloom must be punched out to remove all the looseness. This is normally done either
before or after the upset forging takes place. If no centre hole punching is applied before or after upset
forging, then NO INTERNAL DEFECT CUSTOMER COMPLAINT WILL BE ACCEPTED OR
ENTERTAINED. The size of the hole punched out must be a minimum of a quarter of the outer
diameter at the time of the punching. This is applicable for all ingots, semis, blooms and billets
Cutting of ingots, semis, blooms, and billets
It is advisable to cut all ingots, semis, blooms and billets with flame cutting equipment. This is required
to seal up all of the looseness within the ingot, semi, bloom, and billet.
Saw cutting of these input materials will expose the looseness to oxidation during the reheating process
and could thus cause internal defects due to this oxidation. NO CUSTOMER COMPLAINT WILL BE
ACCEPTED OR ENTERTAINED IF IT IS THAT THE INTERNAL DEFECT IS CAUSED BY THE
OXIDATION OF THE LOOSENESS DURING THE REHEATING PROCESS. ONLY INTERNAL
DEFECTS DUE TO THE CASTING PROCESS WILL BE INVESTIGATED.
Diffusion annealing
The following method is used to determine the hydrogen diffusion cycle.
A T value is calculated for all qualities. This T value is dependent on the chemical analysis of the
specification and is calculated as follows:
T = (0.1319*A + 0.02779 - 0.115*B + 0.075581*C + 0.00762*D + 0.46646186*SIN(0.157*E) +
0.14102963*F) * 1.2
Where A = maximum value of C in %.
B = maximum value of Si in %.
C = maximum value of Mn in %.
D = maximum value of Cr in %.
E = maximum value of Ni in %.
F = maximum value of Mo in %.
Where there is no official specification for Cr, Ni, or Mo, then the following values are used in the
calculation above.
Cr and Ni: 0.20%
Mo
: 0.06%
You must also remember that the SIN function must be calculated in degrees and not radians.
The 1.2 at the end of the formula is for the provision of a 20 % safety factor. When the S level in the
steel is >= 0.02 % this safety factor is then removed.
The T value is then rounded up to the second decimal point and falls within the following set of values:
0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, 0.12, 0.14, etc.

For further information, contact:

ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited, Vereeniging Works, PO Box 48, Vereeniging 1930. Tel (016) 440 3691 Fax (016) 440 3743
e-mail address: enquiries.vereeniging@arcelormittal.com
Care has been taken to ensure that the information in this data sheet is accurate. ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited does not, however,
assume responsibility for any inaccuracies or misinterpretations of this data. We are continuously engaged in product development and
revised data sheets will be issued from time to time. Please ensure that you have the most recent issue. Effective date: October 2005

Page 2 of 8

File reference: S4.2

This T value is then used in one of the following two formulae, depending on the Hydrogen content.
If the Hydrogen value is less than 3 p.p.m. the following formula is used to calculate the diffusion time.
(1.2 * Ln Ln H - 3.78 + 2 * Log G)

T / 0.1 * 10

If the Hydrogen value is greater than or equal to 3 p.p.m. the following formula is used to calculate the
diffusion time.
T/ 0.1 * 10

(0.571 * Ln Ln H - 3.74 + 2 * Log G)

Where
T = value as calculated above.
H = Hydrogen value.
G = diameter of forging.
..\Millsap Information\TORR_Customer.XLS
If the answer to the formulae above is smaller than 25, then the following times are chosen.
Smaller than 10 hours: Pit cooling.
10.1 to 15 hours:
15 Hours.
15.1 to 20 hours:
20 Hours.
20.1 to 25 hours:
25 Hours.
Any other answer above 25 hours is the actual hours to be taken for the diffusion annealing.
When the Ni content of the steel is 2.0 % or higher, then the diffusion temperature is 640C. For any
other Ni content, the diffusion temperature is 680 C.
Under no circumstance may a forged component in a particular steel grade that should be diffusion
annealed at 640 C be done at 680 C. However the reverse situation i.e. a steel which should be done
at 680 C, can be diffusion annealed at 640 C. Thus the diffusion temperature may be lower than
required but never higher than required.
Under no circumstances may the diffusion time be shortened. It may however be longer than the
calculated time especially when there are 100 tons of forgings on a furnace. The forging with the longest
calculated diffusion cycle will determine the final diffusion annealing time.
Do not overshoot the required diffusion annealing temperature during the reheating cycle.
In both cases mentioned above, hydrogen diffusion annealing must be applied, if required by the
formula above, to all of the billets, blooms, and ingots after re-forging. If no diffusion is applied,
when it was deemed necessary by the formula, with positive proof; NO INTERNAL CRACKING
DUE TO HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT CUSTOMER COMPLAINT WILL BE ACCEPTED OR
ENTERTAINED.
NB: ALL OF THE ABOVE IS APPLICABLE TO ALL OF THE PRODUCTS SUPPLIED.

For further information, contact:

ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited, Vereeniging Works, PO Box 48, Vereeniging 1930. Tel (016) 440 3691 Fax (016) 440 3743
e-mail address: enquiries.vereeniging@arcelormittal.com
Care has been taken to ensure that the information in this data sheet is accurate. ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited does not, however,
assume responsibility for any inaccuracies or misinterpretations of this data. We are continuously engaged in product development and
revised data sheets will be issued from time to time. Please ensure that you have the most recent issue. Effective date: October 2005

Page 3 of 8

File reference: S4.2

Product list and their unique characteristics and tolerance

Forged round blooms
Length cutting conditions on blooms supplied
Forged semi
(mm)
220
250
300
350
400
450
500
600

Length (m)

260

2.6 - 3,6

2.0 4.4
2,0 - 3,4
1,0 - 2,4
1,0 - 1,8
1,0 - 1,8
1,0 - 3,4
1,0 - 2,8
1,0 - 2,9

Position to be cut
top and or bottom
Bottom / Top
Bottom /Top
Bottom /Top
Bottom /Top
Both ends
Both ends
Both ends
Both ends

Method of saw cut hot or

cold
Hot / Cold
Hot /Cold
Hot /Cold
Hot /Cold
Cold
Cold
Cold
Cold
None - end cracks less
than 20mm deep are not
cause for rejection.

Diameter
tolerance (mm)
-0+4
-0+4
-0+4
-0+4
-0+8
-0+8
-0+8
-0+8
-0+4

Diameter tolerances:
220, 250, 260, 300, and 350 semis: - 0 + 4 mm
400, 450, 500, and 600 semis: - 0 + 8 mm
AS CAST INGOTS SUPPLIED FROM FORGE DEPARTMENT:
550mm square ingots 2.3t nominal
736mm octagon ingots 5.3t nominal
900mm octagon ingots 8 t nominal
Ingots are sold per mass no complaint will be acceptable for deviations of mass on individual ingots.
A maximum yield of 80% for 2.3t ingots and 70% for 5.3 and 8t ingots is standard practice. If the yield
from the ingot is in excess of this maximum, then NO CUSTOMER COMPLAINT WILL BE ACCEPTED
FOR ANY INTERNAL DEFECTS AS THE HOT TOP AREA IS THEN BEING USED.
Maximum allowable forging sizes from particular input ingot sizes:
2.3 t ingot can be used for a parallel forging up to 275mm forged size.
5.3 t ingot can be used for a parallel forging up to 330mm forged size.
8 t ingot can be used for a parallel forging up to 415mm forged size.
AS CAST INGOTS SUPPLIED FROM VAAL MELTSHOP:
370mm round ingots
600mm round ingots
Hydrogen content
All round ingots to be supplied with a maximum of 2.5p.p.m. Hydrogen content, as measured at the
degasser after degassing with a Hydris.
If a lower hydrogen level is required, then the customer must specify that the material must be vacuum
degassed when they place the orders together with the maximum hydrogen levels required.

For further information, contact:

ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited, Vereeniging Works, PO Box 48, Vereeniging 1930. Tel (016) 440 3691 Fax (016) 440 3743
e-mail address: enquiries.vereeniging@arcelormittal.com
Care has been taken to ensure that the information in this data sheet is accurate. ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited does not, however,
assume responsibility for any inaccuracies or misinterpretations of this data. We are continuously engaged in product development and
revised data sheets will be issued from time to time. Please ensure that you have the most recent issue. Effective date: October 2005

Page 4 of 8

File reference: S4.2

Cast interruption
In the event of casting interruptions the specific interruption contained in the ingot/s shall be marked out
200mm from each side of the affected area (of the interruption). Should the casting interruption be within
300mm from either end (i.e. top or bottom), the casting interruption will be cut out by means of flame
cutting. The flame-cut edges shall be free from debris and / or slag by means of grinding, etc.
For casting interruption more than 300mm from either end the ingots with casting interruptions will be
supplied in order for the customer to generate a maximum yield from an ingot. In such cases the cast
interruption shall be clearly marked (refer above paragraph) with white paint. A complaint can be raised
for the affected section/ s. Material will only be returned where the mass is substantial less -special credit
will be passed.
Refractories
Refractories on the surface of an ingot are not acceptable. Entrapped refractories shall be removed by
means of spot grinding up to a maximum depth of 10mm.
Surface roughness
Surface roughness is allowed to maximum depth of 2.5% (1.25% per side) of the ingot diameter.
Tear drops at hot-top end
Tear drops at the hot-top end is not acceptable. In cases where present it shall be removed by means
of grinding.
Cracks
Ingots shall be free from surface cracks. In cases where the affected portion of the ingot (cracked area)
is removed by means of flame cutting, the flame cut edges shall be free from debris and / or slag and
removed by means of grinding.
When agreed upon between the Customer and ArcelorMittal, Vereeniging Works, ingots with cracks may
be supplied in order for the customer to generate a maximum yield from an ingot. In such cases the
cracks shall be clearly marked with white paint. A complaint can be raised for the affected section/s.
Material will only be returned where the mass is substantial else special credit will be passed.
Casting powder streaks and casting powder
Casting powder streaks are allowable up to a total of 10% of the total ingot surface area. Excess casting
powder streaks shall be removed by means of grinding. Glazed casting power and uncreated casting
powder on the surface of the ingot is allowable up to a maximum depth of 2.5% (1.25% per side) of the
ingot diameter
Piping
Piping (both primary and secondary pipe) up to a maximum of

20mm for 370/390mm RND ingots, and

50mm for 600/620mm RND ingots

In equivalent cross-sectional diameter is allowable. The cross-sectional diameter will be the average of
the maximum and minimum pipe diameter measured.
Final application
Items such as tyres, rings, flanges, etc. where the center portion (center looseness) is removed by a
punching operation.
For further information, contact:
ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited, Vereeniging Works, PO Box 48, Vereeniging 1930. Tel (016) 440 3691 Fax (016) 440 3743
e-mail address: enquiries.vereeniging@arcelormittal.com
Care has been taken to ensure that the information in this data sheet is accurate. ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited does not, however,
assume responsibility for any inaccuracies or misinterpretations of this data. We are continuously engaged in product development and
revised data sheets will be issued from time to time. Please ensure that you have the most recent issue. Effective date: October 2005

Page 5 of 8

File reference: S4.2

Identification
Will be performed by means of hard stamping near the hot-top end. The following information to be
included:
Cast number
Steel Grade / Specification
Colour coding
Ingots to be colour coded according to colour code chart supplied by Customer
Hot top ends
Hot-top ends with excessive pipe (exceeding 100mm in diameter) shall be removed by flame cutting.
As negotiated and agreed between Customers and ArcelorMittal, Vereeniging Works hot-top ends
containing pipe abnormality up to a maximum length of 200mm may not be returned under complaint.
The measurement is taken on the main body of the ingot. The hot top is not included.
As cast billets & blooms
140mm square continuous cast billets
Section dimensions (i.e. rhomboidity):
Measurements must be taken approximately 30 cm from the front end of the billet. A second
measurement should be taken a further 15 cm from the first to ensure that the reported reading is
correct.
Rhomboidity on 140 mm squares:
% R = 2 (D d ) x 100%
D+d
Where D = larger diagonal (mm) and
d = lesser diagonal (mm)
Maximum % rhomboidity tolerated = 3.5%
Concavity on any face is unacceptable. Sides must be flat or slightly convex to a maximum of 1.5 mm.
Length tolerances: although the material length is given as 7m, the length can be between 6.85 m and
7.1m.
Surface Defects:
Porosity
Flame scarfing must be done as far as possible while the billets are hot. The severity of the pinholes will
be less than 10 small blowholes per 700 mm scarfed. If the blowholes are fairly large (> 1.0 mm) then 5
blowholes per 700 mm will be the maximum.
Identification / stacking:
Each billet must be clearly marked with a cast number.
Labels can also be used to mark the billets

For further information, contact:

ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited, Vereeniging Works, PO Box 48, Vereeniging 1930. Tel (016) 440 3691 Fax (016) 440 3743
e-mail address: enquiries.vereeniging@arcelormittal.com
Care has been taken to ensure that the information in this data sheet is accurate. ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited does not, however,
assume responsibility for any inaccuracies or misinterpretations of this data. We are continuously engaged in product development and
revised data sheets will be issued from time to time. Please ensure that you have the most recent issue. Effective date: October 2005

Page 6 of 8

File reference: S4.2

260 mm square continuous cast billets

This material is sold with an average of 532 kg per meter but it is only sold on a mass basis.
The maximum diameter that can be forged out of this billet is 160 mm.
Manufacture
The steel is made via the basic oxygen route followed by continuous casting into blooms prior to rolling.
Secondary treatment of steel may be applied, depending on end application. Treatment may include
ladle furnace refining and / or vacuum degassing. Ladle furnace treatment may include calcium
treatment, sulphur wire injection, inclusion control and slag manipulation. High carbon and low alloy
steels are electro-magnetically stirred during casting. Cast blooms are reheated and hot rolled into
billets and blooms followed by air-cooling.
Surface quality
Billets and blooms are supplied to a maximum surface defect depth of 2%.
Larger surface defects may be removed, providing the nominal thickness is not reduced by more than
7%.
Sizes and tolerances for billets:
Tolerances:
Property
Across flats
Max difference between diagonals
Corner radius
Length

Dimension in mm
-3+3
3
- 8 +16
- 100 + 100

Random short lengths

Customers must be prepared to accept up to 5% of any item in random short lengths from 1.5 meter
shorter up to the length ordered.
Marking
Cast numbers
Cast numbers are machine stamped or stickers on one end of the billet or bloom.
Only full lengths, as available on the floor, will be sold to customer
185mm round continuous cast billets
Ovality
% O = D d x 100 %
D
Where D = measurement perpendicular to pinch roll marks
And d = measurement at pinch roll marks
Minimum :
Maximum

180 mm
185 mm

For the 185 mm round billets, the % O must be less than 2.2% with the minimum and maximum
measurements not exceeding those indicated above.

For further information, contact:

ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited, Vereeniging Works, PO Box 48, Vereeniging 1930. Tel (016) 440 3691 Fax (016) 440 3743
e-mail address: enquiries.vereeniging@arcelormittal.com
Care has been taken to ensure that the information in this data sheet is accurate. ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited does not, however,
assume responsibility for any inaccuracies or misinterpretations of this data. We are continuously engaged in product development and
revised data sheets will be issued from time to time. Please ensure that you have the most recent issue. Effective date: October 2005

Page 7 of 8

File reference: S4.2

Length extras are charged if the customer does not accept one of the following conditions as part of the
order.
ACCEPTANCE OF COMPLAINTS:
Quality complaints will only be accepted in cases where material supplied does not conform to
mechanical property and/or chemical specification requirements and/or the specifications
established in this document. Complaints will only be entertained on submission of a sample for
metallurgical investigation.
Under no circumstances are Customers allowed to withhold payment on the full invoice value or
a portion thereof due to a compliant /dispute. (See ArcelorMittal, Vereeniging Works General
Conditions of Sale 5 (b))
THE SIZE OF THE DEFECT MUST BE GREATER THAN 3MM EFBH (EFFECTIVE FLAT BOTTOM
HOLE) IN THE FINAL FORGED PRODUCT FOR A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT TO BE CONSIDERED
OR ENTERTAINED.
NO SURFACE DEFECTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AS A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT, IF AFTER
REFORGING, THERE HAS NOT BEEN 6% SURFACE REMOVAL DONE TO REMOVE INHERENT
SURFACE ABNORMALITIES. IE SURFACE DEFECTS LESS THAN 3% OF THE DIAMETER WILL
NOT CONSIDERED AS A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT.

Accreditation
SANS ISO 9001: 2000 accreditation was achieved in December 2002 and re-certified in November 2009.

For further information, contact:

ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited, Vereeniging Works, PO Box 48, Vereeniging 1930. Tel (016) 440 3691 Fax (016) 440 3743
e-mail address: enquiries.vereeniging@arcelormittal.com
Care has been taken to ensure that the information in this data sheet is accurate. ArcelorMittal South Africa Limited does not, however,
assume responsibility for any inaccuracies or misinterpretations of this data. We are continuously engaged in product development and
revised data sheets will be issued from time to time. Please ensure that you have the most recent issue. Effective date: October 2005

Page 8 of 8

File reference: S4.2