BILLETS / BLOOMS

A Billet is a semi-finished steel form that is used for "long" products: bars, channels or other structural shapes. A billet is different from a slab because of its outer dimensions; billets are normally two to seven inches square, while slabs are 30-80 inches wide and 2-10 inches thick. Both shapes are generally continually cast, but they may differ greatly in their chemistry.

Usually, a billet (column) of material is sold in unit lengths of 1 to 2 meters (or more). These billets typically carry the material identification written on the end of the billet as seen in the photos on the right. As the billet is usually cut to provide the work piece, take care to cut from the end opposite the markings so as to leave the markings for subsequent identification.

Common Shapes
Material is usually supplied as common shapes and these are (a) billets (columns), (b) flat bar (boards), (c) angle (L-shaped), (d) "C" channel (C-shaped) and (e) pipe. The correct selection of material assists in simplifying a project.

Common Machining Sizes of Billets / Blooms
Common billet sizes manufactured by us are: 100 sq.mm, 120 sq.mm, 140 sq.mm & 150 sq.mm (However many other sizes can be ordered). As the surface finish of many billets is not satisfactory for a finished project, they often have to be machined to suit the project. Should you want a finished diameter of the above mentioned sizes, then it is necessary to commence with the next larger size in the range and machine this down to the desired diameter. The exception to this can be stainless steel with diameters of 10mm or less as the surface finish of these is quite high and sometimes suitable for the job in hand.

Production Capacity of Billets / Blooms at Rathi Steel
- 150,000 TPA