Abstract: A method and a device for improving the outer surface quality by an in-line outer surface treatment of slabs, which are produced in a continuous process from strand casting to hot rolling, with a heating furnace arranged between a CSP-casting machine and a hot rolling train. A defined surface of the slab with a layer thickness per slab side of up to 4 mm is oxidized in a targeted manner by an oxidation device. An oxidation treatment of the slab surface is combined with the following processing in-line method steps: prior to the oxidation treatment the outer surface of the slab is freed of naturally occurring scale by a scale washer, after the oxidation treatment a created oxidation layer as well as the newly formed scale is cooled, mechanically broken up in a roll pair and removed from the surface of the slab by a scale washer.

Abstract: A transport device for slabs, which device is arranged between at least two casting machines and at least one rolling mill. The transport device has at least two linear and stationary conveyor sections on which a slab can be conveyed in a conveying direction. The transport device further has at least two linear conveyor sections which are arranged to be pivotable in order to convey a slab at an angle to the conveying direction. In order to improve guidance of the slabs and provide a flexible transport of the slabs from the casting machines to the rolling mill, the at least two linear, pivotable conveyor sections are arranged to be pivotable independently of one another.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve the surface quality of slabs (5) having a thickness of up to 400 mm, that are produced in a continuous process from continuous casting to hot-rolling, for example according to the CSP method, by means of an in-line surface treatment. To this end, a defined surface layer of the slab (5) with a layer thickness per slab side of up to 4 mm is oxidised in a targeted manner by an oxidising flame or an oxidising gas mixture applied to the upper and lower sides of the slab (5) by means of an oxidation device containing nozzles or a similar device, said layer being removed later on during the process. The oxidation product on the slab surface can be solid or liquid.