Linz-Donawitz process

metallurgy

Also known as: LD process

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June 30, 2026

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The Linz-Donawitz (LD) process, also known as the basic oxygen process (BOP), is a steelmaking method that uses pure oxygen to refine molten iron and scrap into steel. Developed in Austria in the late 1940s and early 1950s, this process significantly increased production rates and reduced labor compared to older methods.12

In the BOP, oxygen is blown at high speeds onto a charge of molten iron and scrap metal in a converter vessel. This oxygen initiates exothermic reactions that oxidize impurities like carbon, silicon, phosphorus, and manganese, releasing heat. Scrap metal is added to absorb excess heat, preventing the molten steel from becoming too hot for casting. The process is efficient, producing large heats of steel in about 20 minutes. The LD process, along with other oxygen steelmaking methods, largely replaced older techniques like the open-hearth and Bessemer processes.132

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Austria
Manufacturing
…the basic oxygen process, or LD process, originally named for the cities of Linz and Donawitz (the latter now part of Leoben); it is used under license by steelworks throughout the world. A considerable portion of Austria’s iron and steel industry is involved with construction abroad. Iron and steel firms…
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…the basic oxygen process, or LD process, originally named for the cities of Linz and Donawitz (the latter now part of Leoben); it is used under license by steelworks throughout the world. A considerable portion of Austria’s iron and steel industry is involved with construction abroad. Iron and steel firms…
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basic oxygen process
…known as the LD (Linz-Donawitz) process. Within 40 years, virtually all of the steel in Japan and more than half of the steel worldwide was produced by the BOP.
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…known as the LD (Linz-Donawitz) process. Within 40 years, virtually all of the steel in Japan and more than half of the steel worldwide was produced by the BOP.
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