Cooling the Steel Under Pressure 



Steel, when it cools, contracts to such an extent that a hollow space is always left in the center 

 of the upper part of a large body of metal. The extent of this cavity, or " pipe," is greatly 

 reduced under pressure so that this natural contraction is taken up or prevented and a 

 solid block obtained. The picture represents what is known as a fit-id compression plant 

 or press in which hot steel can be allowed to cool under a constantly increased pressure 



46 



