Soaking pits — purpose in steelmaking Soaking pits are primarily used for heating which steel product prior to hot working?

Introduction / Context:
Soaking pits are deep refractory-lined furnaces designed to heat steel uniformly to a high temperature before hot working. Understanding their purpose distinguishes them from reheat furnaces used downstream for other semi-finished products.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Traditional integrated steelworks flow: casting into ingots → soaking → primary rolling (blooming/slabbing).
• Uniform temperature is critical to avoid cracking and uneven deformation.

Concept / Approach:
Ingots solidify with non-uniform temperature distribution. Soaking pits equalize and raise the ingot temperature to the rolling range by holding (soaking) them, ensuring sound plastic deformation in primary mills. Coils, sheets, and slabs are typically reheated in different furnace types (e.g., walking-beam or pusher furnaces) after the primary breakdown of ingots.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify where temperature equalization is most needed: cast ingots.Relate pit design (vertical chambers, heavy lids, high soak times) to ingot geometry and mass.Select ingots as the correct charge for soaking pits.

Verification / Alternative check:
Classic steel plant schematics place soaking pits between casting and primary rolling; slabs and coils enter reheating furnaces later in the route.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Coils/sheets/slabs: reheated in different furnaces tailored to their geometry and throughput; soaking pits target the ingot stage.

Common Pitfalls:

• Confusing soaking pits with general reheating furnaces used for slab or billet rolling lines.

Final Answer:
Ingots