Hazelett copper bar casters produce one-third of the world's copper rod, which is coiled for drawing into wire.

Hazelett technology is essential to produce a multitude of copper wire and cable products.  Our machine casts a rectangular copper bar.  Then, fed through a series of rolling mills, the bar is shaped into a round continuous rod and coiled for drawing into wire.

The Hazelett twin-belt copper bar casting machine is the unique processing equipment that distinguishes Contirod® plants from other continuous copper rod plants. The straight-through mold of the Hazelett caster produces a bar that needs no straightening upon exiting the machine. The semi-horizontal orientation of the long, narrow mold, and the ability to taper the mold to accommodate shrinkage of the bar as it cools, ensure the highest quality bar for in-line rolling.

The Hazelett process allows a bar to be cast at a very high speed while maintaining the liquid sump of the bar under positive pressure. The straight mold also ensures that the bar is not bent while it is in a crack-prone, "hot short" condition.

general specifications

The CONTIROD® PROCESS

The CONTIROD® process was developed 45 years ago around the Hazelett® twin-belt casting machine by Hazelett and the predecessors of SMS Meer (now SMS group) and Aurubis. Today, over 30% of the world's copper wire is drawn from copper rod produced on Hazelett copper bar (Contirod) casting machines. The Contirod process represents the most technologically advanced continuous copper rod production process in the world today, producing the highest quality copper rod. (Continuous copper bar plants are plants in which casting and rolling are carried out in one stage; i.e., the molten metal is cast and then immediately rolled in the same heat.)

Contirod® is a registered trademark of Aurubis Belgium S.A./N.V.

COPPER BAR CASTING PLANTS

Complete continuous copper bar plants employing the CONTIROD® process and the Hazelett® twin-belt caster for the production of copper rod from cathode (electrolytic copper) and copper scrap (which is recycled by fire refining) are available. Rod can be produced in diameters from 8 mm to 22 mm (5/16" - 7/8"). Narrow strips up to 120 mm (5") wide can also be produced. The main process equipment includes:

• Continuous shaft melting furnace
• Holding furnace for copper flow regulation
• Hazelett twin-belt caster
• Rolling mill
• Coiler

CONTIROD® continuously cast and rolled copper wire bar plants are available from 8 - 60 MT (8.8 - 66 tons) per hour.

Fully engineered continuous copper rod plants employing the CONTIROD® process and the Hazelett twin-belt caster are available from SMS group GmbH, world renowned supplier of production plants and technology for ferrous and nonferrous metals.  www.sms-group.com 

Contirod® is a registered trademark of Aurubis Belgium S.A./N.V.