I. Main Functions

Straighten and trim tapping hole diameter

The tapping holes of BOF and EAF are constantly eroded by molten steel and covered with steel slag buildup, resulting in deformed, narrowed and uneven inner walls. The spiral cutting edges of the bit can cut off agglomerated refractory materials and steel accretions to reshape the hole into a standard round shape, ensuring smooth outflow of molten steel.

Clear blockages and unclog passages

When the tapping hole refractory bricks are worn out or solidified steel slag blocks the hole, the high-hardness cemented carbide cutting tips deliver impact cutting to quickly bore through the blocked channel, eliminating the need for manual jackhammer cleaning.

Ream holes to fit new tapping hole bricks

Before installing new tapping hole sleeve bricks, the bit reams the hole to a unified standard inner diameter for tight fitting of refractory bricks, reducing gaps and lowering the risk of steel leakage.

Discharge slag and dust

The three spiral flutes act as built-in material discharge channels. Crushed refractory debris and steel slag generated during cutting are automatically discharged outward along the flutes, preventing bit jamming and enabling continuous, efficient operation.

Wear-resistant with long service life to reduce replacement frequency

The cemented carbide cutting edges feature high temperature resistance, impact resistance and abrasion resistance. Compared with ordinary bits, they deliver longer service life per unit, meeting the steel mill’s requirement of more than 15 reaming cycles.

II. Application Scenarios

1. Core Scenario: BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace)

   Used for routine tapping hole maintenance and tapping brick replacement on all tonnage basic oxygen furnaces (including 300T large furnaces specified by the customer), matched with tap hole openers; this is the highest-consumption application scenario.

2. EAF (Electric Arc Furnace)

   For cleaning, reaming and trimming the bottom tapping holes of eccentric bottom tapping electric arc furnaces to remove accretions formed by high-temperature molten steel.

3. Auxiliary Maintenance of Ladles & Refining Furnaces

   For cleaning and reaming sliding nozzle holes and purging brick holes at the bottom of steel ladles. Small and medium-size three-flute bits are compatible with small tap hole openers.