Vacuum sizing/cooling

As with pipe, siding manufacturing is highly optimized for efficient production at high rates and minimal costs. Siding uses powder compounds, twin-screw extmders, and vacuum sizing/cooling. 

The block size is about 1 x 1.2 m with a length of 4 to 8 m. The block mold is mostly nonadjustable. There are systems with one or two adjustable side walls to adjust the size to the end product to be produced. It is common to position the block molds vertically. This saves installation space, and the foamed blocks are mostly transported in standing position and stored in standing position at the temporary storage. After filling the mold, the foam particles are fused with water steam and are then stabilized with a vacuum. However, cooling with water is not done. 

HBI is an effective trim coolant for molten steel in ladle metallurgy faciUties, ladle refiners, ladle furnaces, and vacuum degassers. It provides cold iron units in an ideal size and density for penetrating the ladle slag and cooling the metal. 

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