Analysis and prevention of cracking during strip casting of AISI 304 stainless steel

In this study, a microstructural investigation was conducted on the cracking phenomenon occurring during strip casting of an AISI 304 stainless steel. Detailed microstructural analyses of the cracked regions showed that most of the cracks were deep, sharp, and parallel to the casting direction. They initiated at the tip of dendrites and propagated along the segregated liquid films between primary dendrites, indicating that they were typical solidification cracks. This cracking phenomenon was closely related to the inhomogeneous solidification of cast strips, represented by depressions, i.e., uneven and somewhat concave areas on the strip surface. The depressions, which were unavoidable in flat rolls due to the presence of a gas gap between the roll and the cast strip, were finely and evenly distributed over the cast strip surface by intentionally providing homogeneous roughness on the roll surface; then, the number and size of cracks were considerably reduced. In addition, the nitrogen gas atmosphere, which retained high solubility in the melt during cooling and good wettability with the roll surface, was successfully used to prevent cracking, because the thickness of the gas gap was minimized.     

双辊薄带连铸技术状况的调查分析

调查了双辊薄带铸轧生产线的运行状况。整理出其工业化应用所需要的基础数据,如用于相关设计和决策的连浇时间、作业率等。给出了生产能力的算例。利用经典的传热凝固理论和经验对双辊连铸的关键参数进行界定,导出了辊缝d(铸带厚度)和辊径D、液位h和最大浇铸速度Vcm的关系。分析了铁辊和铜辊的差异。总结分析了双辊铸带宏观偏析有别于连铸坯的现象和机制。     

高铬铸钢轧辊的组织及其氧化行为

轧辊氧化膜形成及剥落显著影响轧辊的辊耗及钢板的表面质量。为控制轧辊的氧化行为,采用增重法研究离心铸造高铬铸钢轧辊在大气及水蒸气环境中的氧化行为,并采用金相显微镜(OM)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)等方法研究了高铬铸钢组织及氧化膜的结构。结果表明,高铬铸钢组织为回火马氏体基体和共晶Cr7C3碳化物;氧化过程中基体优先被氧化,粗大碳化物表面几乎不被氧化;温度及环境对氧化膜生长及相结构都有一定的影响,高温及水蒸气环境加速氧化,并促进γ Fe2O3向γ Fe3O3转化。因此,控制轧辊的氧化,关键是控制轧辊的使用温度。     

Development of laboratory scale thin strip caster and investigation of direct casting of AISI 304 stainless steel

Abstract

An unequal diameter (1 : 3), two roll thin strip casting machine has been designed and fabricated for investigation of the direct casting of thin strip on a laboratory scale. The system consists of a preheatable shallow tundish with online heating facility, water cooled rotating rolls (chill and auxiliary) for solidification of the liquid metal, and a stripper assembly. The machine has a variable speed. Roll gap setting and roll pressure adjustment are two important features of the machine. It is also possible to vary the placement angle of the auxiliary roll with respect to the chill roll. A heat transfer model was developed, based on experimental casting results. Experiments were conducted using AISI 304 grade stainless steel. Up to 100 kg of steel was cast without interruption into strips of widths 100 and 200 mm and thickness varying between 1 and 2 mm. Some of the process parameters affecting the quality of the strip were identified.     

Analysis and prevention of microcracking phenomenon occurring during strip casting of an AISI 304 stainless steel

This study was concerned with the effects of microstructural parameters on the microcracking phenomenon occurring during strip casting of an AISI 304 stainless steel. Detailed microstructural analyses of the microcracked regions showed that microcracks were formed mainly along tortoise-shell-shaped depressions and that their number and size were considerably reduced when strip casting was done right after a shot-blasting or pickling treatment of the casting roll surface. This microcracking phenomenon was closely related to the formation of a black oxide layer, which was mainly composed of manganese-rich oxides, on the roll surface. The black oxide layer acted as a barrier of thermal transfer between the rolls and melt, led to an increased gas gap and inhomogeneous solidification of cast strips, and, thus, played a role in forming both tortoise-shell—shaped depressions and microcracks on the strip surface. The installation of brush rolls behind the casting rolls was suggested as a method to prevent microcracks, because the brush rolls could continuously scrape off the black oxide layer affixed on the roll surface during strip casting.     

双辊连铸不锈钢薄带凝固组织特点

 通过金相观察分析了同径双辊薄带连铸机上生产的奥氏体不锈钢薄带的凝固组织,结果表明：铸带凝固组织包括2个柱状晶区和1个等轴晶区,其等轴晶呈近球形或蔷薇形。与传统连铸板坯相比,其柱状晶区一次及二次枝晶的间距较小,等轴晶粒内部为非枝晶结构,其尺寸大约是连铸坯等轴晶的1/10,凝固组织更致密。     

Surface Solidification Behaviour of Micro‐Alloyed Steels under Continuous Casting Conditions

Micro‐alloyed steels are important in steel industry with regard to their unique mechanical properties. Their characterisitcs are mainly caused by the refinement of ferrite grain size by controlled precipitation of nitrides during thermomechanical treatment in hot rolling. Uncontrolled precipitations of titanium nitrides in the surface region during casting and solidification can negatively influence the surface quality of continuously cast steel, particularly when casting, thermal soaking and hot rolling are carried out in a combined process chain. Focus of this work are experimental simulations and mathematical investigations of early solidification in a CC mould, primary precipitation of nitrides, and effects of different influences such as mould contact through casting flux or direct mould contact. A laboratory rig to lead solidification on liquid casting flux was developed. The carbon content of the steel melts was varied.     

反向凝固法生产复合奥氏体不锈钢薄带的研究

采用１．２ｍｍ厚的１５Ｆ热轧板为母带,以奥氏体不锈钢１Ｃｒ１８Ｎｉ９作为覆层材料,在实验室条件下研究了反向凝固法生产复合奥氏体不锈钢薄带的可行性。实验表明,随着母带在钢液中浸渍时间的增加,新相层的生长经历“快速生长”、“平衡相持”和“迅速回熔”阶段,新相层厚度着钢液过热度的增加而近似线笥地减少。此外,线带表面状态、母带在钢液中的浸渍时间及过热度对铸带质量有显著影响,控制合适的工艺参数可以获得质量优     

Microstructure of shot-blasting casting roll and effect on strip solidification during strip-casting process

In the strip-casting process,the surface topography of the casting roll has a significant influence on the solidification microstructure and surface quality of the as-cast strip. Shot-blasting treatment is an important way to achieve a suitable surface topography on the casting roll. In this study,a casting roll of beryllium copper alloy was shot blasted using steel pellets in the laboratory,resulting in a randomly distributed discontinuous peak and dent surface topography,in which cold deformation-slip bands and fine-deformation twins were formed. The thickness of the deformed copper alloy was about 100 μm during the shot-blasting process,and the copper hardness value increased significantly within 40 μm of the surface,with a maximum increase of more than 20% compared to the mean substrate hardness value. Within 60-100 μm of the surface,the hardness at the peak position was still higher than the copper substrate mean value,but the hardness at the dents was not,which was mainly due to the copper alloy slip and twinning deformation mechanisms. The surface hardness was similar to that of the substrate after the shot-blasted sample had been subjected to thermal shock. The molten steel first chilled and nucleated at the surface peaks of the casting roll;furthermore,fine dendrites grew and crossed over the middle of the dents. Therefore,the peak intervals of the shot-blasted surface are an important factor in solidification quality control.     

Twin roll strip casting of low carbon steels

Abstract

Strip casting of low carbon steels has been investigated using a laboratory twin roll machine with copper rolls. The following grades have been studied: a deep drawing low carbon (LC) steel, a LC steel with titanium addition, and a high strength low alloy (HSLA) grade. The casting behaviour of these steels has been examined, and the observed surface defects classified. Defects are most pronounced for the LC grade and significantly less for the HSLA steel and the LC steel with titanium addition. The as cast structure has been analysed. It can be modified by post-cast treatment, e.g. by normalisation or in line rolling. The mechanical properties of cold rolled and annealed strip materials and their textures are presented. Satisfactory sheet properties can be achieved both as hot band and as cold rolled sheet when adequate treatment steps are applied. Consequences for strip casting applications and future research are discussed.     

Strip properties and processing in twin roll casting of stainless and low carbon steels

Metallurgical features of the twin‐roll strip casting process are discussed. The as‐cast structure of two austenitic stainless steels is evaluated using EPMA and metallography. Cleanness levels as reached in twin‐roll strip casting are compared with conventional and thin slab casting. In‐line annealing is described as a method for grain refinement. The scale layer on twin‐roll cast strip is characterised for low carbon and stainless steels.     

薄带连铸304不锈钢凝固过程中生成的氧化物夹杂

 采用透射电镜(TEM)对双辊薄带连铸AISI304不锈钢凝固过程中生成的非金属夹杂物进行了研究,发现在薄带的晶界存在许多球型的微细氧化物夹杂,其成分主要是MnO Al2O3 SiO2类复合夹杂物,直径均小于1 μm,并采用数学模型对薄带连铸304不锈钢凝固过程中析出的氧化物夹杂的大小进行了计算,预测值与实验中观察到的结果吻合较好。与传统连铸相比,双辊薄带连铸AISI304不锈钢凝固过程中生成的非金属夹杂物数量增多,尺寸明显减小。     

双辊铸轧薄带钢裂纹形成原因分析

裂纹是影响双辊铸轧薄带钢质量的主要因素之一。分析了铸轧薄带钢裂纹的形成机理，并对形成裂纹的主要影响因素作了探讨与归纳。     

水平连铸机生产20管坯表面质量分析

对石横特殊钢厂水平连铸机生产２０管坯中出现的一些表面质量缺陷的产生原因进行分析,采取了控制钢水中Ｃ含量、锰硫比、钢水过热度、控制中间包液面、拉坯辊压和工艺参数、提高结晶器质量等措施,有效地控制了连铸坯表面缺陷的产生。     

热轧铸造高速钢工作辊表面氧化膜研究

研究了热轧铸造高速钢工作辊的辊面氧化膜形态、主要失效特征,分析了氧化膜失效对辊面粗糙度和磨损状态的影响.通过实物轧辊试样的连续变温氧化试验、恒温持续氧化试验和湿热氧化试验,研究了高速钢材质的氧化生长过程.采用SEM、XRD分析了氧化膜生长机制、分布形态、结合状态等的变化规律,进而提出了改进工作辊冷却效果的措施,为有效控制高速钢工作辊氧化膜状态和带钢断面质量奠定了基础.     

Twin Roll Casting of Steel Strip ‐ Experiments and Model Considerations on Strip Spottiness

Thin strip casting of steel through a twin‐roll caster demands the production of a perfectly homogeneous strip. This requirement is often not fulfilled due to non‐uniform heat contact between the solidifying strip and the rolls in the pool, which leads to temperature inhomogeneities visible at the strip behind the rolls (spottiness). The effect of spottiness is described from experimental observations in terms of contrast between dark and hot spots and of the mean diameter of the hot spots. The contrast is found to depend on roll material, surface roughness and roll velocity. A general dependence on the temperature difference between melt and rolls is observed. Calculations of heat transfer in the liquid and solid pool explain the hot‐dark‐temperature differences. The spottiness visible on the strip after leaving the rolls is initiated in the liquid pool, but it is enlarged by rolling contact differences in the solid pool. A model consideration based on thermally caused bending of the solidified material layers leads to a good coincidence with experimental data of the heat transfer coefficient at hot spots.     

特殊钢的连铸

特殊钢一般含有一定的合金元素,冷却凝固状态不同于普通碳素钢,在连铸坯中更易产生成分 和组织偏析,和表面裂纹等缺陷。所以冶炼特殊钢时应提高钢水的纯洁度,减少夹杂物含量和改善夹杂物形 态,连铸时采用钢液二次氧化和污染,以减少铸坯低过热度(10～15℃)浇注和保护浇铸技术,防止成分和组 织偏析,提高铸坯表面质量和内部致密度。叙述了连铸保护浇铸技术,中间包冶金,电磁搅拌、凝固末端轻压 下特殊钢连铸专用覆盖剂、保护渣和自动化技术。讨论了特殊钢连铸工艺参数,存在的问题和对策。     

A mold simulator for the continuous casting of steel: Part I. The development of a simulator

Surface defects, such as oscillation marks, ripples, and cracks that can be found on the surface of continuously cast steel, originate in the continuous casting mold. Therefore, a detailed knowledge of initial solidification behavior of steel in a continuous casting mold is necessary because it determines the surface quality of continuously cast slabs. In order to develop an understanding of the initial solidification of continuous cast steels, a “mold simulator” was designed and constructed to investigate heat-transfer phenomena during the initial phase of strand solidification. The mold simulator was used to obtain solidified steel shells of different grades of steel under conditions similar to those found in industrial casting operations. The resulting cast surface morphologies were compared with industrial slabs and were found to be in good agreement, indicating that it is possible to simulate the continuous casting process by a laboratory scale simulator.     

A study on inhomogeneous distribution of temper graphite particles in strip-cast Fe-C-Si alloys

This study examined the relationship between solidification structure and graphitization characteristics of white cast iron strips produced by strip casting. Experimental results showed that there was an unusual distribution of temper graphite particles along the through-thickness direction of the graphitized strips in comparison with gravity-cast chill plate. In particular, the graphite-free zones appeared in the vicinity of the strip surface after the completion of graphitization, especially in the strip with low carbon and silicon content. There were abnormally straight interfaces between matrix and eutectic cementite with a strong preferred [001]_c growth direction caused by the effect of directional solidification found in the near-surface regions of the strips. The interfaces did not form a site for the graphite to nucleate and gave rise to the graphite-free zones close to the strip surface. An increase in carbon and silicon content could significantly increase the number of temper graphite particles and shorten the time for the completion of graphitization, but an inhomogeneous distribution feature of graphite particles was still observed in strips with a higher carbon equivalent value (CE). Furthermore, variations in carbon and silicon content resulted in transitions in carbide morphology and composition, which had a tremendous effect on the graphitization characteristics of the cast iron strips.