Scale Breaker for Pickling Lines to Save Acid and Strip
Placed in front of the pickling tank, the scale breaker deforms hot rolled strip plastically by continuous alternating stretching and bending. The oxide layer cannot follow that deformation, so it fractures, which is what saves acid and improves the strip shape at the same time.
- Installed in front of the pickling tank
- Bending and correcting roll units are the core component
- Saves acid consumption
- Improves hot rolled strip correction
Key Benefits
Why it pays for itself.
Acid Cost Reduced
Fracturing the oxide surface before the tanks saves a lot of acid, which is one of the main consumables in pickling.
Strip Saved From Rejection
Better correction of hot rolled strip means fewer coils rejected for shape after pickling.
Proven Across Line Types
The same tension leveler technology is used in galvanized, acid rolling and colour coating lines, configured per duty.
Where It Is Used
Line positions.
- Pickling lines in front of the acid tanks
- Acid rolling lines
- Galvanized and colour coating line levelling positions
- Hot rolled coil preparation
Who It Is For
- Pickling line operators
- Mills reducing acid consumption
- Plants improving hot rolled coil shape
- Buyers replacing an existing scale breaker
Problems It Solves
- High acid consumption
- Slow descaling through the tanks
- Hot rolled strip shape defects
- Rejections after pickling caused by shape
Technical Features
Working principle and construction.
Plastic Deformation Of The Strip Only
The strip deforms plastically under continuous alternating stretching and bending while the oxide surface does not, which is why it fractures.
Bending And Correcting Roll Units
The core component of the machine is the bending and correcting roll unit set.
Common Technology Base
The same tension leveler technology is applied across galvanizing, acid rolling and colour coating lines.
Specifications
Configuration follows your line width and coil programme.
| Position | In front of the pickling tank |
|---|---|
| Principle | Continuous alternating stretching and bending |
| Core Component | Bending and correcting roll units |
| Primary Benefit | Acid saving plus shape correction |
| Material | Hot rolled strip |
| Related Applications | Galvanized line, acid rolling line, colour coating line |
Materials
- Welded and machined frame
- Alloy steel bending and correcting rolls
- Sealed bearings for acid line service
Manufacturing Process
Line Study
Coil width, thickness, scale condition and line speed are reviewed.
Frame Manufacturing
Housings are welded, stress relieved and machined.
Roll Unit Production
Bending and correcting roll units are manufactured and ground.
Assembly And Verification
Parallelism and drive alignment are checked before shipment.
Quality Control
- Frame machining inspection
- Roll hardness and geometry records
- Bearing sealing verification
- Assembly alignment report
Customization Options
- Line width and roll configuration
- Elongation capability for your scale condition
- Drive and control interface
- Spare roll units and cassettes
Use Guide
- Adjust elongation to the incoming scale condition
- Monitor acid consumption to judge performance
- Check roll gap parallelism after roll changes
- Inspect seals regularly in the acid environment
How It Compares
Against other descaling approaches.
| Longer acid residence | Mechanical scale fracture cuts acid use rather than paying for both time and chemistry. |
|---|---|
| Shot blasting | Stretch and bend descaling corrects shape at the same time and does not embed abrasive in the surface. |
| No pre treatment | An intact oxide layer slows pickling and produces uneven descaling. |
Related Products
Scale Breaker for Push Pull Pickling Line 800-1350 mm
Tension leveler type scale breaker for push pull pickling lines handling 800-1350 mm hot rolled strip.
View Details
1850 Scale Breaker for Aluminum Sheet Lines
Stretch bend leveling and scale removal for aluminum strip up to 1850 mm working width.
View Details
Scale Breaker for 1850 mm Pickling Lines
Pre pickling tank scale breaker for wide hot rolled strip with bending and correcting roll units.
View Details
Scale Breaker in 1850 mm Pickling Lines
Wide line scale breaker for 1850 mm pickling lines, fracturing oxide and correcting hot rolled strip.
View Details
Related Technical Articles
How Scale Breakers Optimise Surface Quality Before Cold Rolling
Dry and wet scale breakers, the elongation window that matters, and why the first processing step decides the last.
Read MoreTension Control In Push Pull Pickling Lines Section By Section
Typical tension ranges for entry, pickling, rinse, dry and exit sections, and what each one is protecting.
Read MoreScale Breaker for Pickling Lines FAQ
How does a scale breaker save acid?
The strip deforms plastically under alternating stretching and bending, while the oxide surface cannot. The oxide fractures, so acid penetrates instead of dissolving an intact layer.
Does it also correct the strip?
Yes. Hot rolled strip gets better shape correction in the same pass.
Where is it installed?
In front of the pickling tank, at the entry of the acid section.
Is it the same as a tension leveler?
It uses the same technology. When a tension leveler is installed in the acid line for this purpose, it is called a scale breaker.
Can you supply spares for it?
Yes, bending and correcting roll units, rolls and cassettes are produced in the same shop.
What do you need to quote?
Line width, strip thickness range, scale condition, line speed and existing layout.
Save Acid On Your Pickling Line
Send your line data and coil programme and we come back with a scale breaker configuration.