A steel ingot is the first tradable solid form of steel after the melting process and serves as the foundational feedstock for producing various rolled and semi-finished steel products. Ingots are produced by casting molten steel into large molds, resulting in a dense structure with relatively stable chemistry and high initial strength. A high-quality ingot must be free from surface cracks, internal voids, segregation, and structural discontinuities to ensure uniform behavior during rolling and forging. The consistency and integrity of the ingot directly influence downstream product quality, mechanical performance, and process efficiency.