Steel manufacturing leads to the generation of large amounts of heat, dust, and waste gases in BOFs and EAFs. Furnace hoods, roofs, and sidewall systems are water-cooled components that enable the off-gases with temperature more than 1650 ºC to be properly cooled and processed prior to being discharged. These components are also subjected to physical wear and tear caused by slag particulates from the steelmaking process. This aggressive environment erodes conventional carbon steel furnace components.

Use of Aluminum Bronze alloys developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and marketed by Amrifab Inc. extends life of critical components in EAF, BOF and other high temperature processing equipment. Its use has been demonstrated successfully in the basic oxygen furnace in a steel plant, providing multiple benefits. It has also been shown to perform equally well in electric arc furnace applications, even though conditions differ significantly between the two processes. Field tests demonstrated folllowing benefits: 

• Considerable energy savings; 
• Reduced maintenance and life cycle costs;
• No "slag build-up" problem; 
• Minimized equipment shut-downs and subsequent furnace reheating
• Increased life time of equipment. 

When commercialized, this technology is regarded to have a high application potential for China, India and the US.