Modeling superheat removal during continuous casting of steel slabs

To investigate superheat dissipation in a continuous slab casting machine, mathematical models have been developed to compute fluid flow velocities, temperature distribution within the liquid pool, heat transfer to the inside of the solidifying shell, and its effect on growth of the shell. Three-dimensional (3-D) velocity and heat-transfer predictions compare reasonably with pre-vious experimental measurements and two-dimensional (2-D) calculations. The results indicate that the maximum heat input to the shell occurs near the impingement point on the narrow face and confirm that most of the superheat is dissipated in or just below the mold. Superheat tem-perature and casting speed have the most important and direct influence on heat flux. The effects of other variables, including mold width, nozzle jet angle, and submergence depth, are also investigated. Calculated heat flux profiles are then input to a one-dimensional (1-D) solidifi-cation model to calculate growth of the shell. Shell thickness profiles down the wide and narrow faces are compared with the predictions of conventional heat conduction models and available measurements.     

节铬型铁素体不锈钢连铸板坯凝固过程热模拟

连铸板坯凝固传热主要在厚度方向进行,这造成了连铸坯大部分区域由侧面向中心凝固,因此可以近似地用非稳态定向凝固进行热模拟。利用自主研发的水平式连铸坯枝晶生长热模拟装置研究了新型节铬铁素体不锈钢连铸坯凝固组织,以期在工业生产前预测连铸工艺对其凝固组织的影响。热模拟试样热端温度采用连铸坯心部冷却曲线进行控制,并通过调节冷却水流量控制热模拟试样冷端的冷却强度,从而实现由冷端向热端的非稳态定向凝固。实验发现过热度和冷却强度对热模拟试样的等轴晶率及其平均晶粒尺寸影响不显著,但大的冷却强度会导致柱状晶长度增加。     

高拉速下凝固进程的试验测量与模型预测

 根据京唐高拉速试验特点,结合板坯连铸机设备和洁净钢连铸工艺特点和要求,建立连铸板坯凝固传热模型并结合射钉法测量综合预测了1.9～2.4 m/min高拉速条件下铸坯的凝固坯壳厚度和凝固终点位置。综合研究表明,结合射钉试验和数值模拟能更精确跟踪铸坯的凝固进程,为高拉速试验提供准确的凝固信息,并能为评价连铸机综合冷却能力、优化二冷制度和轻压下工艺提供合理的参考信息。     

低碳钢连铸板坯表层凝固钩的特征

对不同浇铸条件下的低碳钢连铸板坯进行了凝固钩（Hook）的特征研究,根据凝固钩的形貌概括了凝固钩的不同类型,统计了凝固钩周围气泡和夹杂物的分布,讨论了不同浇铸参数对铸坯凝固钩深度的影响,并通过Bikerman方程和弯月面凝固理论对凝固钩的不同特征进行了解释.结果表明：按形貌可将凝固钩分为完整叶状、双凝固钩、弯曲截断型和二次凝固型四种类型,其中二次凝固型的凝固钩出现的概率最高为46.8%,而完整叶状、弯曲截断型和二次凝固型的凝固钩出现概率分别为25.3%、7.6%和6.3%;研究发现,凝固钩周围的夹杂物数量明显多于其他区域的夹杂物数量,说明凝固钩能够捕获结晶器内上浮的夹杂物;对比不同浇铸参数发现,采用结晶器电磁制动装置（FC-Mold）、减小结晶器水口浸入深度、增大浇铸拉速均能够减小凝固钩的深度;Bikerman方程的计算结果和弯月面凝固理论能在机理上解释凝固钩的形貌特征.     

交换钢包过程对IF钢连铸板坯表层洁净度的影响

采用ASPEX扫描电镜中的自动特征分析功能研究了交换钢包过程（取样浇次第4、5炉）对IF钢连铸板坯表层的洁净度的影响,且对比研究了交换钢包过程浇铸铸坯（交接坯）与正常浇铸铸坯（正常坯）的表层洁净度.结果表明：正常坯与交接坯中尺寸大于20μm的表层夹杂物可分为三类：（1）簇群状Al₂O₃（包括气泡+簇群状Al₂O₃）;（2）簇群状TiO_x-Al₂O₃夹杂物;（3）保护渣夹杂物.正常坯表层的大型夹杂物主要为簇群状Al₂O₃,没有检测到保护渣夹杂物.换包开浇后铸坯总氧质量分数从14×10^-6增至17×10^-6,交接坯表层检测到较多的第2夹杂物,说明钢包开浇后钢水被轻微氧化.此外,钢包开浇后剧烈的液面波动也导致了保护渣的卷入.在当前工艺下,换包对IF钢铸坯表层洁净度的影响长度约为11m.     

Metallurgical developments in the continuous casting of austenitic stainless steel slabs

Abstract

The design concept of Atlas Steels’ new integrated sheet/strip mill at Tracy, Quebec involved direct conversion of continuously cast austenitic stainless steel slabs to coiled hot bands. In early production, a high incidence of surface defects, commonly called ‘slivers’, necessitated hotband conditioning greatly in excess of the anticipated level. Electron probe microanalysis of nonmetallics found in the slivers revealed that the majority of such defects resulted from subsurface entrapment of pouring stream reoxidation products in the continuously cast slabs. The problem was brought under operational control by improved steelmaking practice and modifications of the casting operation to permit pouring through refractory stream protection tubes.

Résumé

Aux usines d'Atlas Steel situées it Tracy dans le Québec, le procédé de production prévoit la coulée continue suivie de laminage à chaud de tôles et de bandes. Dès la mise en marche des usines, le trop grand nombre d'inclusions de surface imposa un parachévement imprévu des bandes laminées à chaud. Des analyses faites par micro-sonde ont fait voir que la plupart des inclusions provenaient d'oxydation au jet de la coulée continue. Des modifications apportées à l'élaboration de l'acier et l'emploi de tubes réfract aires au jet de coulée surmonterent les difficultés occasionnées par les inclusions de surface.     

The formation of oscillation marks in the continuous casting of steel slabs

The formation of oscillation marks on the surface of continuously cast slabs has been studied by metallographically examining slab samples and by performing a set of mathematical analyses of heat flow, lubrication, and meniscus shape in the meniscus region of the mold. The metallographic study has revealed that, in agreement with previous work, the oscillation marks can be classified principally according to the presence or absence of a small “hook” in the subsurface structure at the base of individual oscillation marks. The depth of the oscillation marks exhibiting subsurface hooks varies with the carbon content, reaching a maximum at about 0.1 pct carbon, while the oscillation marks without hooks show no carbon dependence. The analysis of heat flow at the meniscus, which is based on a measured mold heat-flux distribution, indicates that depending on the level of superheat, the meniscus may partially freeze within the period of a typical mold oscillation cycle. Lubrication theory has shown that, owing to the geometry of the mold flux channel between the solidifying shell at the meniscus and the straight mold wall, significant pressure gradients capable of deforming the meniscus can be generated in the flux by the reciprocating motion of the mold relative to the shell. A force balance on the interface between the steel and the mold flux has been applied to compute the shape of the meniscus as a function of the pressure developed in the lubricating flux at different stages in the mold oscillation cycle. This has demonstrated that the “contact” point between the meniscus and mold moves out of phase with (by π/2), and has a greater amplitude than, the mold displacement so that just at, or near, the end of the negative strip time molten steel can overflow at the meniscus. From these studies a reasonable mechanism of oscillation-mark formation emerges which involves interaction between the oscillating mold and the meniscusvia pressure gradients in the mold flux, meniscus solidification, and overflow. The mechanism is consistent with industrial observations. E. TAKEUCHI, on study leave from Nippon Steel Corporation     

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。     

IF钢开浇阶段铸坯洁净度分析

由于IF钢生产过程中对开浇阶段铸坯质量判定不明确,因此在利用时容易导致产品质量问题而增加生产成本。通过对头坯不同位置进行取样,研究IF钢开浇阶段铸坯沿拉坯方向的洁净度变化。实验结果表明,IF钢开浇阶段铸坯中大型夹杂物主要来源于结晶器卷渣和中间包中来不及上浮的脱氧或二次氧化产物;从距离头坯头部2.5m位置开始,由结晶器卷渣所引入的大型夹杂物含量接近正常坯水平;距离头坯头部7.5m位置处开始N含量与正常坯含量基本持平,簇状Al_2O_3夹杂物数量及尺寸接近正常坯水平;距离头坯头部8.5m位置处开始全氧质量分数保持在20×10~(-6)左右。     

Application of high-basicity mould fluxes for continuous casting of large steel slabs

Controlling the formation of longitudinal cracks on hypo-peritectic steel slab surfaces is one of the key challenges in continuous casting worldwide. Based on the production in Chongqing Iron & Steel Co., mould fluxes with high basicity ranging from 1.7 to 1.8 were put forward and the effects of compositions on the basic properties of mould flux were studied in the present paper. After laboratory experiments, a high-basicity mould flux with an increased crystallisation speed to abate the heat-transfer capability in the meniscus area was fully applied in the first steelmaking plant of Chongqing Iron & Steel Co. Using the high-basicity mould flux, for more than 3 million tonnes of slab production, the large longitudinal crack was eliminated and the rate of formation of small longitudinal cracks decreased greatly. During the production process, sticking that impedes the smooth running of continuous casting was infrequent, and the spot check for longitudinal cracks on micro alloy steel surface was simplified in the slab finishing process. Furthermore, since the application effect of mass production is remarkable, the hot charging process is better implemented, and the contract can be accomplished in time. In summary, the problem of longitudinal cracks on hypo-peritectic steel slab surfaces is finally resolved and the high-basicity mould fluxes have become indispensable auxiliary materials during continuous casting of hypo-peritectic steel.     

齿轮钢20CrMnTi方坯凝固过程传热数值模拟

基于薄片移动边界法建立200 mm×200 mm方坯凝固过程传热数学模型,通过商业软件ProCAST对方坯20CrMnTi的温度场进行数值模拟,计算出了热物性参数.将工业现场实测的铸坯表面温度与模拟结果进行比对分析,其误差在工程误差允许范围(5％)内,因此,本数学模型能够较准确地反映现场的实际生产情况.在此模型的基础上讨论了不同过热度、拉速、二冷水量对方坯表面温度、中心温度、中心固相率及液芯长度的影响,对连铸工艺参数的优化提供有效指导.     

管线钢连铸板坯的半宏观偏析和凝固组织

研究了不同凝固组织下管线钢的中心偏析情况.低倍组织腐蚀结果表明,连铸板坯的中心偏析由相对独立的、大小不一的半宏观偏析点组成,且不同凝固组织的半宏观偏析特征有所差别.化学成分分析表明,中心等轴晶时板坯中心为负偏析,且贯穿于整个等轴晶区中,而中心为柱状晶时则表现为正偏析.通过对比化学成分和半宏观偏析面积比发现,板坯的半宏观偏析面积比随C和Mn最大偏析度的增加而增加,由于化学成分分析只能反应局部位置的偏析情况,因此半宏观偏析面积比的方法对生产实践更具有指导意义.对不同过热度下不同凝固组织的半宏观偏析面积比的统计结果显示,在合理使用轻压下技术的前提下,中心为柱状晶更有利于减轻半宏观偏析面积比,进而改善管线钢连铸板坯的中心偏析.     

Transient fluid flow and superheat transport in continuous casting of steel slabs

The turbulent flow of molten steel and the superheat transport in the mold region of a continuous caster of thin steel slabs are investigated with transient large-eddy simulations and plant experiments. The predicted fluid velocities matched measurements taken from dye-injection experiments on full-scale water models of the process. The corresponding predicted temperatures matched measurements by thermocouples lowered into the molten steel during continuous casting. The classic double-roll flow pattern is confirmed for this 132×984 mm slab caster at a 1.52 m/min casting speed, with about 85 pct of the single-phase flow leaving the two side ports of the three-port nozzle. The temperature in the top portion of the molten pool dropped to about 30 pct of the superheat-temperature difference entering the mold of 58 °C. About 12 pct of the superheat is extracted at the narrow face, where the peak heat flux averages almost 750 kW/m² and the instantaneous peaks exceed 1500 kW/m². Two-thirds of the superheat is removed in the mold. The jets exiting the nozzle ports exhibit chaotic variations, producing temperature fluctuations in the upper liquid pool of ±4 °C and peak heat-flux variations of±350 kW/m². Employing a static-k subgrid-scale (SGS) model into the three-dimensional (3-D) finite-volume code had little effect on the solution.     

板坯连铸结晶器内非金属夹杂物伴随流动的运动踪迹研究

以实际连铸生产的奥氏体和铁素体两大类不锈钢种为对象,采用数值模拟方法研究了板坯连铸机结晶器内伴随钢液流动的非金属夹杂物运动轨迹。根据夹杂踪迹模拟结果,首先了解了夹杂颗粒在结晶器聚集的主要分布区域。其次,夹杂物在结晶器的上浮几率与夹杂物的自身粒径、铸机拉速以及结晶器宽度等有关,其中粒径是决定性因素。     

A thermomechanical model for simulation of carbon steel solidification in mould in continuous casting

Abstract

The 17th Annual Conference of the Sheffield Metallurgical and Engineering Association (SMEA), held on 17–18 June 2008 at the Endcliffe Conference Centre, University of Sheffield, attracted 120 delegates. The aim of the conference was to explore the effect of hot rolling and forging processes on the quality and performance of steels and high duty alloys. Five technical sessions and 20 presentations explored process developments and their influence on product quality, how the hot working process can be optimised to influence microstructure and properties, and the influence of new technologies.     

Cooling systems in the continuous casting of slabs

The production of rolled bar and complex profiles from continuous-cast slab is considered. The proposed method includes water-based cooling systems and the introduction of consumable macrocooling units in the melt. This approach significantly reduces the axial segregation of chemical elements and the structural inhomogeneity of the blank, improves the plastic properties and improved strength of the rolled bar, and reduces the metal consumption.     

Heat flow,gap formation and break-outs in the continuous casting of steel slabs

A theoretical investigation of heat flow and gap formation in the mold of a continuous slab caster has been undertaken using a mathematical model, with the ultimate purpose of predicting the casting conditions which can lead to break-outs. The mathematical model that has been developed for this study is capable of treating the heat flow and air gap as coupled phenomena, and can accept operating variables such as slab size, casting speed, mold taper, and thermal conductivity of the mold powder, as input. Four different cases of slab casting have been investigated; and it has been found that hot spots can form on the surface of the slab within a few centimeters of the corners. Depending on their temperature, it is suggested that these hot spots may give rise to the formation of break-outs off the corners of the slab. From an examination of the behavior of the hot spots, the susceptibility of the cases studied to break-outs has been evaluated. The usefulness of the present analysis in qualitatively ascertaining the location and extent of mold wear under different casting conditions has also been examined. A. Grill was formerly affiliated.     

Advantageof anticlogging nozzles over conventional aluminographite nozzles in continuous casting of steel slabs

Abstract

The goal of this work was to establish the advantages of the application of anticlogging nozzles compared with conventional aluminographite nozzles in the continuous casting of steel slabs. Anticlogging nozzles are used in many steelmaking plants to inhibit scab formation at the internal side of the nozzle wall. The formation of aluminate-corundum scab decreases internal nozzle diameter, leading to the reduction of steel flow and eventual blocking of the nozzle. The results of monitoring the behaviour of a large number of conventional aluminographite and anticlogging nozzles in a campaign lasting two months are presented. The data reveal lower average values of internal erosion caused by the steel and reduced thicknesses of scab formed at the internal side of the anticlogging nozzle wall relative to conventional nozzles. At the same time, the average values of external erosion, caused by the action of ungranulated casting powders, were considerably increased relative to external erosion resulting from the action of granulated casting powder.