Extruders around the world ask for "AirSlip® billets." It is known that Wagstaff AirSlip® Billet Casting Technology produces the highest-quality billet available. AirSlip has been the industry's premier billet casting technology for over 25 years.
More than 150 billet producers around the world employ AirSlip Billet Casting Technology. These producers have consistently experienced high product quality and premium profits from billets cast with AirSlip.
How Does AirSlip Work?
The direct chill (DC) billet casting process solidifies molten aluminum by heat extraction through the mold wall as the molten metal contacts it and through direct contact with water exiting the mold. AirSlip technology performs most of the cooling through direct water quench, resulting in a shallow sump and a very thin-shelled, uniform-grained billet with excellent surface smoothness.
AirSlip technology uses a patented process using oil and gas delivered through a graphite ring, resulting in a protective buffer between the mold wall and the metal. The mold also utilizes DualJetTM Enhanced Cooling Technology. DualJet improves the cooling process by utilizing two rows of water jets aimed at angles that lengthen cooling over a longer distance, allowing warmer temperatures and lower water volume in the casting operation. Together with an optimized mold design, these features produce billet with superior surfaces and metallurgical properties only achievable with AirSlip Billet Casting Technology.