Challenge to control mould heat transfer during thin slab casting

Abstract

At the thin slab caster of Tata Steel, IJmuiden, mild cooling mould powders were introduced with the aim to control the mould heat transfer during casting. These mild cooling mould powders are characterised by specific values of basicity, solidification point and chemical composition. Application of these mould powders resulted in a redistribution of mould heat transfer during casting, i.e. a reduced and more stable mould heat transfer in the critical upper part of the mould and an increased mould heat transfer in the lower part of the mould. The average mould heat transfer and hence the shell thickness at mould exit are comparable to the standard powder. The application of mild cooling mould powders also resulted in improved solidification behaviour of the steel shell. A thinner chill zone with smaller thickness variations was observed. Furthermore, it was found that the mould taper required optimisation to match the changes in shrinkage behaviour to ensure uniform solidification. The use of mild cooling powders was observed to give an increase in mould friction. Mould thermal monitoring indicated that the solid slag films fractured (sheeting) in the upper part of the mould. However, no operational problems were reported, which indicate that the first 200 mm under the steel meniscus is essential for initial solidification and for the formation of a homogeneous steel shell. All these findings can be understood by considering the crystallisation properties of the mould slag, which include the cooling rate. Mild cooling has been shown to provide uniform heat transfer and adequate lubrication for high speed thin slab casting.     

Improved cold-finger measurement of heat flux through solidified mould flux

A new, more accurate approach to estimate thermal properties of mould fluxes is presented, based on the cold-finger technique. This new approach aims to circumvent the dominant effect of convection on steady-state heat flux. Instead, the thickness of the solidified mould flux layer recovered after the tests is correlated with the heat transfer rate during measurements. The cold-finger probe was redesigned to allow reliable measurement of solid film thickness.     

浇铸主要工艺参数及保护渣性能对模铸钢锭实物质量的影响

对贵钢一炼钢厂2010年1～6月份模铸钢锭裂纹缺陷及冒口部位收缩突出,严重影响钢锭质量的问题,利用钢液结晶凝固的普遍原理优化模铸生产工艺参数,并在改进固体保护渣成分、性能的基础上得以完全解决。     

Effect of solidus temperature and crystalline phase of mould flux on heat transfer in continuous casting mould

Abstract

Pieces of mould flux film obtained from a commercial continuous casting machine and measurements of the mould temperature have been used in an investigation to explain the mechanism of heat transfer in the mould. Comparison with the results of numerical calculations, indicates that the main factor responsible for the reduction of heat transfer with a high basicity flux is the contact resistance at the interface of the mould wall and solid flux film. The results show that a relatively high contact resistance is introduced when using a crystalline, high solidus mould flux because of the stability of the contact resistance.     

Effect of substituting SiO2 with TiO2 on viscosity and crystallisation of mould flux for casting titanium stabilised stainless steel

Abstract

During casting of titanium stabilised stainless steel, a gradual increase in TiO₂ content in the molten mould slag from absorption of TiO₂ inclusions causes changes in properties of the mould flux, such as viscosity, solidification temperature and crystallisation behaviour. To simulate this effect mould fluxes were prepared with SiO₂ being substituted with 5 and 10%TiO₂ and viscosity and crystallisation behaviour studied. Experimental results indicate that the substitution of SiO₂ with TiO₂ leads to suppression of crystallisation of cuspidine and formation of perovskite in glass quenched from mould fluxes. The crystallisation tendency is reduced by the introduction of TiO₂. The high temperature viscosity of mould fluxes shows a decrease with increasing TiO₂. At lower temperature, the viscosity of mould fluxes with 10%TiO₂ is greater than that of TiO₂ free slag, which could be attributed to precipitation of solid particles.     

Three-dimensional analysis and design of petal-like mould for continuous casting of steels

Abstract

Understanding the shrinkage behaviour of a steel billet is very important for designing the continuous casting mould, and conversely, a well designed mould is beneficial when matching the shrinkage behaviour of the billet. The shrinkage behaviour of a billet is hard to measure in situ during continuous casting but can be calculated by numerical simulation. A three-dimensional finite element model has been built to simulate the thermal and stress fields of the billet in the mould. The dynamic thermal boundary condition, the effect of ferrostatic pressure and the temperature dependent thermophysical parameters have been considered in the model. The shrinkage of billet when considering ferrostatic pressure is on average 0·08 mm smaller than when not considering ferrostatic pressure. The temperature and stress distributions are analysed in the present paper, and based on this analysis, a novel petal-like mould was designed and its taper determined. The designed mould has been tested in industrial practice showing better lifetime and billet quality.     

Analysis of thermomechanical behaviour in billet casting with different mould corner radii

Abstract

A finite element thermal stress model to compute the thermomechanical state of the solidifying shell during continuous casting of steel in a square billet casting mould has been applied to investigate longitudinal cracks. A two-dimensional thermoelastoviscoplastic analysis was carried out within a horizontal slice of the solidifying strand which moves vertically within and just below the mould. The model calculates the temperature distributions, the stresses, the strains in the solidifying shell, and the intermittent air gap between the casting mould and the solidifying strand. Model predictions were verified with both an analytical solution and a plant trial. The model was then applied to study the effect of mould corner radius on longitudinal crack formation for casting in a typical 0·75%/m tapered mould with both oil and mould powder lubrication. With this inadequate linear taper, a gap forms between the shell and the mould in the corner region. As the corner radius of the billet increases from 4 to 15 mm, this gap spreads further around the corner towards the centre of the strand and becomes larger. This leads to more temperature non-uniformity around the billet perimeter as solidification proceeds. Longitudinal corner surface cracks are predicted to form only in the large corner radius billet, owing to tension in the hotter and thinner shell along the corner during solidification in the mould. Off corner internal cracks form more readily in the small corner radius billet. They are caused by bulging below the mould, which bends the thin, weak shell around the corner, creating tensile strain on the solidification front where these longitudinal cracks are ultimately observed.     

连铸板坯凝固传热过程的计算机模拟

建立了板坯连铸的凝固传热数学模型,充分考虑了弧形铸坯的几何特点,采用有限单元法求解控制方程。通过变参数φ来考虑铸坯内钢水和两相糊状区的导热系数,计算了参数φ、结晶热通量、拉速和二冷强度对铸坯表面温度和坯壳厚度的影响。结果表明,模型的准确性得到提高,拉速对固液界面有明显影响,二冷强度对铸坯表面温度影响非常大。     

Influence of La2O3 on crystallization behavior of free-fluoride mould flux and heat transfer of slag films

In order to research the influence of La2O3 on crystallization behavior of free-fluoride mould flux and the heat transfer of slag film,free-fluoride mould flux with various La2O3 content were investigated by using self-made mould simulator,comprehensive thermal analyzer and SEM-EDS.With the increase of La2O3 content from 0% to 20%,the crystallization ratios of mould flux films were improved from 2% to 90% and the thicknesses of films were also enhanced over two times.Moreover,crystallization temperature was greatly raised and its increasing extent reached 100 oC.It could also decrease the melting temperature of casting powder about 50 oC.However,the undissolved La2O3 particles appeared in slag film if the ratio of La2O3 in free-fluoride mould flux was much too high.     

High speed continuous casting of steel billets: Part 2: Mould heat transfer and mould design

Abstract

A high speed instrumented mould trial was conducted under industrial conditions to study the heat transfer at the midfaces and corners of the mould and to clarify mould taper requirements in high speed continuous casting. The predicted peak heat transfer in this high speed system was found to be up to 2·5 times that reported for conventional speeds, and up to 1·5 times that for other reported high speed systems. The average heat transfer was found to be up to 45% greater than in conventional systems, and comparable with other high speed systems. The effect of casting speed was analysed in detail and was found to be dependent on carbon content. Increased casting speed was also found to increase the metal level standard deviation but to have less of an impact on the heat transfer than similar changes at conventional speeds. A mathematical billet thermal and solidification model was applied to these heat transfer results to determine the response of the current mould to high speed casting conditions. Using this assessment of the mould distortion and billet dimensions, new mould tapers were designed on the basis of minimising any mould-strand interaction and/or binding. New mould taper designs for high and low carbon grades were recommended for casting speeds of 3·0, 3·5, 4·0, and 4·5 m min ^-1. The design sensitivity to changes in casting speed is discussed.     

Effect of CaO/Al2O3 ratio on viscosity and crystallisation behaviour of mould flux for high Al non-magnetic steel

In order to facilitate the development of CaO–Al₂O₃ based mould flux for casting high aluminium, non-magnetic steel, the effect of CaO/Al₂O₃ ratios from 0.6 to 3.2 on viscosity and crystallisation characteristics were investigated with the aid of a rotational viscometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, a single hot thermocouple technique and X-ray diffraction analysis. The results showed that, at temperatures above 1543?K (1270°C), the viscosity first decreased and then became stable with increase in the CaO/Al₂O₃ ratio. At temperatures below 1543?K (1270°C), the viscosity again first decreased but then increased, with the CaO/Al₂O₃ ratio. This viscosity behaviour can be attributed to changes in the network structure characteristics and the precipitation of solid particles within the liquid flux. Increase in the CaO/Al₂O₃ ratio also first inhibited and then enhanced crystallisation as demonstrated by the changes in initial crystallisation temperatures and incubation times. The X-ray diffraction results confirmed that, at both low and high CaO/Al₂O₃ ratios, the dominant precipitates were compounds with high melting points. On the other hand, with CaO/Al₂O₃ ratios in the midrange, the dominant precipitates were compounds with relatively low melting temperatures. It is concluded that mould flux with a CaO/Al₂O₃ ratio in the range 1.1–1.6 is the most appropriate for casting high aluminium, non-magnetic steels.     

Three-dimensional FEM study of fluid flow in mould for beam blank continuous casting: influence of straight through conduit type SEN

Abstract

In order to increase the beam blank cleanliness, the aim of this work is to analyse the flow field in the mould of beam blank continuous casting, to find the factors influencing the strand cleanliness and then to optimise the process parameters. A three-dimensional steady finite element model was developed to simulate and analyse the turbulent flow field in the mould. The volume of fluid model was used to track the free surface evolution at the meniscus. The influences of processing parameters, such as casting speed and nozzle parameters, on the molten steel flow in the strand (such as vortex location, liquid steel impact depth, velocity and fluctuation of the liquid steel at free surface) were analysed and the optimum processing parameters determined based on mass calculation. The results of this research project have been applied in actual production, and it has been shown that they are very useful and efficient for improving the steel cleanliness and controlling the surface cracks on the beam blank web.     

钢板热轧过程中轧制力的有限元模拟

轧制力是轧制过程中重要的技术参数之一。本文应用DEFORM-3D软件建立轧制模型,研究了轧制温度、轧辊转速和压下率对钢板轧制力的影响。随后通过比较第一道次模拟轧制力与钢厂实测轧制力,结果表明：在三种钢板材料中,DEFORM-3D软件模拟的轧制力均与钢厂实测轧制力较吻合,误差都在10％以内。该模拟为钢厂轧制工艺参数的制定提供了重要的参考价值。     

Three-dimensional FEM study of fluid flow in mould for beam blank continuous casting: influence of nozzle structure and parameters on fluid flow

Abstract

The aim of this work was to analyse the influence of the nozzle structure and parameters on the molten steel flow in beam blank continuous casting. A three-dimensional steady state finite element model was developed to compute the flow field and the meniscus fluctuation in the mould. The volume of fluid model was used to track the free surface evolution at the meniscus. It can be concluded that compared with a through conduit submerged entry nozzle (SEN), a three lateral hole SEN will reduce the impact depth, change greatly the velocity at the free surface and intensify the fluctuation of the free surface. As a whole, the fluid flow in the mould will be improved, which will help to melt the mould powder and improve the absorption of non-metallic inclusions, thus improving steel cleanness. The most rational rake angle for the three lateral hole SEN is 9°. Meanwhile, the SEN immersion depth should be in the range 200–250 mm if the casting speed is about 0·9–1·1 m min^?1.     

On heat transfer and liquid mixing in the continuous casting of steel

Calculations are presented for the interaction of heat and fluid flow in the continuous casting of steel. In Part 1 it is shown that for typical superheat conditions the solidification process and the profile of the solidus line are relatively insensitive to the flow pattern in the molten phase. In Part 2 expressions are developed for predicting the dispersion of a tracer added to the molten pool, in the solidified slab. This dispersion is markedly affected by the flow pattern, thus tracer techniques may be used for characterizing the conditions in the molten pool. The effect of mixing on the floatability of inclusions is examined in Part 3. It is found that mixing may appreciably modify the relationship between particle size and floatability.     

连铸初始凝固区域传热研究进展

连铸初始凝固阶段的传热决定了初始凝固坯壳的形成,讨论了初始凝固坯壳的两大形成机理,探讨了初始凝固阶段的传热行为,分析了连铸中各种因素对初始凝固阶段传热的影响,进一步解释了电磁连铸技术对初始凝固传热的改善.     

Interfacial phenomena between fluxes for continuous casting and liquid stainless steel

Abstract

Casting powders melt on the surface of the liquid metal forming a liquid slag layer. Samples taken during casting revealed convective flows in the flux layer and mass exchange with the liquid metal. It is demonstrated that concentrations of certain elements are considerably higher at the phase boundary than in the bulk of the metal and slag phase. Disturbances of interfacial tension produced by mass and charge transfer evidently cause strong shearing forces which act in parallel with the phase boundary. These forces induce convective movements in the flow boundary layer. Convective flows next to the interface between two liquids have been studied in laboratory experiments using various liquids. The results show that the movement velocity of volume elements next to the interface (due to disturbances of interfacial tension) are dependent on liquid layer thickness and on liquid properties. A new dimensionless number describing this manner of convective flow and suitable for evaluation of experimental results is introduced. Its contribution to the total mass transfer will be shown. A dimensionless function describing the relation between convective flows in the slag layer and mass transport is theoretically developed. Coefficients of this function for Ti transfer into the flux layer have been determined empirically.     

Simulation and verification of solidification process of stainless steel 316 in the mould during continuous casting

采用三维有限元技术,研究了连铸过程中高温区6铁素体含量对钢水凝固的影响。通过对316不锈钢板坯浇铸过程的模拟,获得了凝固过程中6铁素体含量对坯壳出口温度、角部温度及坯壳厚度变化的影响规律。研究发现铁素体含量能够极大增加坯壳纵向温度,但对横向温度的梯度的变化影响较小。通过分析横向温度的变化,确定在距角部40mm左右处坯壳最薄。同时,也研究了出口坯壳厚度变化规律,随着8铁素体含量的增加,出口处坯壳厚度逐渐减小,厚度差逐渐变大。     

Analysis of variability and non-uniformity of mould heat extraction for round billet continuous casting in plant trials

Abstract

Maintaining a stable and uniform heat transfer from steel shell to mould is important to produce high quality casting billet. In the present paper, a large amount of measured data of heat flux and temperature for round billet continuous casting mould from a plant trial has been analysed to shed light on the variability and non-uniformity of mould heat transfer around the perimeter. The results show that the variability and non-uniformity of heat extraction from the steel through the mould is affected slightly by operational parameters, such as pouring temperature, casting speed, meniscus, electromagnetic stirring current, but strongly by the steel carbon content and mould powder type. The installation of the mould in caster machine determines the magnitude of non-uniformity of heat transfer to a great extent. The relative root mean square (rRMS) of mould heat flux, presenting the variability and non-uniformity of mould heat transfer around the perimeter in transverse section, has wider range of variation and higher mean value compared with that of temperature. When the abnormality of heat transfer happens, such as deposit, the non-uniformity of mould heat transfer is also studied.