Modeling of Dendritic Evolution of Continuously Cast Steel Billet with Cellular Automaton

In order to predict the dendritic evolution during the continuous steel casting process, a simple mechanism to connect the heat transfer at the macroscopic scale and the dendritic growth at the microscopic scale was proposed in the present work. As the core of the across-scale simulation, a two-dimensional cell automaton (CA) model with a decentered square algorithm was developed and parallelized. Apart from nucleation undercooling and probability, a temperature gradient was introduced to deal with the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET) by considering its variation during continuous casting. Based on the thermal history, the dendritic evolution in a 4 mm × 40 mm region near the centerline of a SWRH82B steel billet was predicted. The influences of the secondary cooling intensity, superheat, and casting speed on the dendritic structure of the billet were investigated in detail. The results show that the predicted equiaxed dendritic solidification of Fe-5.3Si alloy and columnar dendritic solidification of Fe-0.45C alloy are consistent with in situ experimental results [Yasuda et al. Int J Cast Metals Res 22:15–21 (2009); Yasuda et al. ISIJ Int 51:402–408 (2011)]. Moreover, the predicted dendritic arm spacing and CET location agree well with the actual results in the billet. The primary dendrite arm spacing of columnar dendrites decreases with increasing secondary cooling intensity, or decreasing superheat and casting speed. Meanwhile, the CET is promoted as the secondary cooling intensity and superheat decrease. However, the CET is not influenced by the casting speed, owing to the adjusting of the flow rate of secondary spray water. Compared with the superheat and casting speed, the secondary cooling intensity can influence the cooling rate and temperature gradient in deeper locations, and accordingly exerts a more significant influence on the equiaxed dendritic structure.     

Numerical simulation of solidification structure of high carbon SWRH77B billet based on the CAFE method

Abstract

Based on the coupled method of cellular automaton (CA) and finite element (FE), the solidification structure of 160×160 mm cast billet of high carbon SWRH77B steel was simulated. The nucleation density, kinetics of the dendrite tip growth, crystallographic orientation and coupling of CA and FE methods are discussed. In the current study, the influence of superheat on the solidification structure of the billet is researched in detail. The results show that for an increase in superheat extent from 20 to 30°C, the density of grain in billet decreased from 4·662×10⁶ to 3·087×10⁶ m^?2, and the grain mean radius increased from 295·1 to 346·3 μm. The three-dimensional microstructure of high carbon SWRH77B steel was simulated by the CAFE method, and there was good agreement with the results from industrial billet.     

SWRH82B铸坯凝固质量控制

针对安钢SWRH82B钢生产的工艺现状,研究了拉速、过热度、二冷配水等工艺参数对于铸坯中心缩孔、疏松和偏析等内部质量的影响。在实验室进行了铸坯凝固组织的研究,测量了二次枝晶间距,进一步了解连铸工艺参数对铸坯凝固组织的影响。     

过热度对高碳钢小方坯宏观偏析影响研究

摘要：基于国内某厂高碳钢小方坯连铸生产过程,首先利用ProCAST软件进行过热度对连铸坯宏观偏析影响的模拟研究,然后对过热度分别为44、39和28℃的连铸坯横断面和纵截面进行宏观偏析和疏松缩孔的研究。模拟结果表明:连铸坯横断面中心碳偏析随着过热度的增加不断增大,过热度超过25℃时,连铸坯横断面中心碳偏析度更加严重;试验结果表明,过热度分别为44、39和28℃ 的连铸坯横断面中心碳最大偏析度分别为1.39、1.32和1.06。结合模拟结果能够有效指导实际生产过程中连铸参数的调整,过热度越高,连铸坯中心碳偏析、条带状疏松缩孔越严重,为了降低连铸坯宏观偏析,建议将过热度控制在25~30℃。     

Effect of M-EMS on the solidification structure of a steel billet

Effects of mold electromagnetic stirring (M-EMS) on the solidification structure of 45# steel billet were investigated by examination of interdendritic corrosion The results show that the primary and secondary dendrite arm spacings increase from the edge of the billet to the center and decrease obviously with increasing electromagnetic torque, which will be beneficial to refine the solidification structure and enlarge the equiaxed crystal zone. The ratio of equiaxed crystal increases by 15.9% with the electromagnetic torque increasing from 230 to to the central area, where the cooling rates are similar at different torques. The closer to the central area, the less the influence of M-EMS on the cooling rate is. The ratio of the primary to secondary dendrite arm spacing is approximately 2.0, namely, λ1 ≈2λ2, and is constant irrespective of the stirring intensity and position of the billet. Original position analysis (OPA) results indicate that the center segregation of the billet is greatly improved, and the more uniform and compact solidification structure will be obtained with the increase of stirring intensity.     

模具钢电渣重熔铸坯凝固组织形貌的分形特征

为了更为精细化地表达及控制铸坯质量,以H13模具钢电渣重熔铸坯凝固组织为研究对象,引入分形维数对其主体形貌特征进行定量描述。结果表明,基于数盒子法计算得到的分形维数可定量表征凝固组织形貌的自相似复杂程度,其值从柱状晶向中心等轴晶先减小后增大;凝固组织分形维数可作为衡量铸坯偏析程度（偏析率大小）的指标,且分形维数越大,对应区域偏析率越小,偏析越轻;通过凝固组织分形维数、偏析率和偏析点平均面积与二次枝晶间距关系的研究发现,使用二次枝晶间距表征铸坯凝固组织形貌差异并由此反映偏析程度的方法存在局限性。     

Solidification Structure of Continuous Casting Large Round Billets under Mold Electromagnetic Stirring

The solidification structure of a continuous casting large round billet was analyzed by a cellular-automaton-finite-element coupling model using the ProCAST software.The actual and simulated solidification structures were compared under mold electromagnetic stirring (MEMS)conditions (current of 300 A and frequency of 3 Hz).There-after,the solidification structures of the large round billet were investigated under different superheats,casting speeds,and secondary cooling intensities.Finally,the effect of the MEMS current on the solidification structures was obtained under fixed superheat,casting speed,secondary cooling intensity,and MEMS frequency.The model accurately simulated the actual solidification structures of any steel,regardless of its size and the parameters used in the continuous casting process.The ratio of the central equiaxed grain zone was found to increase with decreasing su-perheat,increasing casting speed,decreasing secondary cooling intensity,and increasing MEMS current.The grain size obviously decreased with decreasing superheat and increasing MEMS current but was less sensitive to the casting speed and secondary cooling intensity.     

凝固组织对GCr15轴承钢220 mm×260 mm连铸坯中心偏析的影响

铸坯高中心等轴晶率及小的二次枝晶臂间距有利于降低高碳钢M+E-EMS连铸坯中心偏析。通过建立GCr15钢220 mm×260 mm连铸坯耦合有限元-元胞自动机模型(CAFE)及二次枝晶臂间距(SDAS)模型,研究结晶器电磁搅拌、过热度和拉速对中心等轴晶率及二次枝晶臂间距的影响。结果表明,相比于拉速,过热度和结晶器电磁搅拌对其影响明显。随着过热度降低及结晶器电磁搅拌强度增加,铸坯中心等轴晶率增加而二次枝晶臂间距减小,而拉速对凝固终点和中心固相率影响大。工业试验结果表明,采用结晶器与凝固末端电磁搅拌,相比于过热度35℃和拉速0.75 m/min,控制过热度小于25℃且拉速调整为0.8 m/min时,轴承钢GCr15铸坯中心等轴晶率由原27%增加至38%且二次枝晶臂间距细化,中心碳偏析指数由原1.06～1.39降至0.93～1.13。     

Microstructure and precipitation in as cast low carbon Nb–V–Ti microalloyed medium thin slab

Abstract

The solidification structure, austenite and precipitates in a quenched compact strip processing (CSP) medium thin slab (170 mm thick) of Nb–V–Ti microalloyed steel have been studied. It was found that secondary dendrite arm spacing and austenite grain size are slightly larger than that of similar steel produced by CSP thin slab. This is partially attributed to the slower cooling rate caused by the increased slab thickness. On the other hand, the formation of carbonitride during solidification reduces the width of secondary dendrite arm spacing, while TiN particles and alloying elements in solution may inhibit the growth of austenite grain during solidification and subsequent cooling. In addition to the semidendritic, larger cubic and fine cubic precipitates, which can be observed in CSP thin slab, dendritic precipitates were also found in CSP medium thin slab.     

微观组织参数及工艺条件对430不锈钢凝固显微结构的影响

在多元合金CAFE模型的基础上,分析了微观组织参数（形核密度、高斯分解参数、Gibbs-Thomson系数等）与430不锈钢凝固过程中晶粒形貌的复杂关系,以及过热度与冷却强度等工艺参数对凝固组织的影响.研究发现,晶粒尺寸和柱状晶向等轴晶转变不仅与体最大形核过冷度有关,也受体形核密度的影响.高斯分解参数和Gibbs-Thomson系数增大时,一次枝晶间距减小,等轴晶范围增大;但当它们增加至一定范围后,其对显微结构的影响逐渐变得不明显.过热度或冷却强度增大时,等轴晶范围减小,但一次枝晶间距的变化不明显.      

控制高碳钢中心碳偏析的工艺实践

针对方坯连铸过程中产生的连铸坯中心偏析问题,日钢第一炼钢厂采取了一系列控制措施,如减少钢液成分波动、降低中间包内钢液过热度、制定合适的拉速和温度匹配制度并保持恒拉速、优化结晶器电磁搅拌参数、控制合适的二冷强度、使用凝固末端电磁搅拌等,使高碳钢铸坯中心偏析明显改善,w[C]≥0.60%的高碳钢中心碳偏析(≤1.5级)合格率100%。     

高碳绞线钢SWRH82B中心碳偏析控制实践

针对高碳钢SWRH82B钢绞线拉丝材笔尖断裂及网碳超标缺陷,研究了180 mm×180 mm断面高碳钢SWRH82B方坯中心碳偏析产生机理,分析了钢水过热度、拉速、末端电磁搅拌、二冷强度等因素对SWRH82B钢碳偏析的影响。结果表明,180 mm×180 mm断面SWRH82B钢中心碳偏析与过热度存在拟合关系为y=1.0929-0.0088x+3.1069×10^-4x²_过热度,为控制碳偏析最佳工艺参数为过热度20～30℃;拉速1.4 m/min;末端电磁搅拌电流400 A频率10 Hz;二冷采用弱冷比水量0.4 L/kg。     

连铸参数对高碳钢小方坯二次枝晶间距的影响

通过研究高碳钢小方坯连铸参数对铸坯二次枝晶臂间距的影响发现:采用结晶器电磁搅拌、加大二冷比水量,二次枝晶臂间距减小;过热度升高、拉速增大,二次枝晶臂间距增大.无M-EMS的铸坯接近中心的区域,仍然是枝晶臂发达的柱状晶组织;采用结晶器电磁搅拌,促使铸坯中心区域形成粒状等轴晶组织;随搅拌电流增大,二次枝晶间距明显减小.随二次枝晶臂间距增大,渗透率增加,造成铸坯中心碳偏析加重.     

连铸工艺参数对20CrMnTi齿轮钢150 mm x 150 mm铸坯凝固组织影响数值模拟和生产应用

为改善20CrMnTi钢小方坯凝固组织,基于ProCAST软件中的CAFE模型,对其凝固组织进行数值模拟,研究了不同钢水过热度、铸坯拉速、二冷比水量对凝固组织的影响。模拟结果表明,降低钢水过热度、提高铸坯拉速、降低二冷比水量均可达到增大铸坯等轴晶率和细化晶粒的目的,其中过热度对其影响最大。过热度每降低10℃,等轴晶率平均增加3.7%;拉速每增加0.1 m/min,铸坯等轴晶率平均增加1.8%;比水量每降低0.1 L/kg,铸坯等轴晶率平均增加1.65%。生产应用表明,钢水过热度30℃时,当拉速由原2.2 m/min降低至2.1 m/min,二冷比水量由0.6 L/kg提高至0.7 L/kg,铸坯中心疏松明显减少。     

Investigations of the solidification structure of continuously cast slabs

A study of solidification phenomena performed under industrial conditions is presented. The solidification structure of high carbon, medium carbon and microalloyed steel grades was observed and correlated to casting parameters such as superheat and secondary cooling. Experimental data of dendrite morphology are related to calculated solidification variables. The calculation is based on the solution of the enthalpy balance equation. An expression for the dependence of secondary dendrite arm spacing on solidification variables is proposed for columnar growth. The results are compared to the findings of other authors. The effect of chemical composition on secondary dendrite arm spacing was observed. Therefore the developed relationships are extended to carbon content on the basis of the presented experimental data.     

降低SWRH82B铸坯中心偏析的探索与实践

通过大量的现场取样,结合实验室研究手段,系统的研究钢水过热度、拉速、二次冷却强度等工艺参数对高碳连铸坯中心偏析的影响,从而得出最佳的生产参数控制范围,改善swRH82B高碳钢连铸坯的中心偏析,提高铸坯质量和加工性能。     

Study on Solidification Structure of Wheel Steel Round Billet Using FE‐CA Coupling Model

Solidification structure of wheel steel round billet during the continuous casting process was simulated using FE (Finite Element)–CA (Cellular Automaton) coupling model. Variation of thermo‐physical parameters during solidification was considered based on a thermodynamic database. Meanwhile effect of electromagnetic stirring (EMS) was reflected by increasing both the thermal conductivity and crystal formation rate in liquid phase. It was found that the cooling curves and solidification structure calculated by this model agreed well with that in experiments. Optimum casting temperature range was discussed based on the simulation results and actual conditions in plant. An optimized casting superheat will be no more than 25 °C in order to obtain at least 50% equiaxed crystal ratio, while the degree of segregation in the billet is less than 1.05 correspondingly.     

Simple model of microsegregation during solidification of steels

A simple analytical model of microsegregation for the solidification of multicomponent steel alloys is presented. This model is based on the Clyne-Kurz model and is extended to take into account the effects of multiple components, a columnar dendrite microstructure, coarsening, and the δ/γ transformation. A new empirical equation to predict secondary dendrite arm spacing as a function of cooling rate and carbon content is presented, based on experimental data measured by several different researchers. The simple microsegregation model is applied to predict phase fractions during solidification, microsegregation of solute elements, and the solidus temperature. The predictions agree well with a range of measured data and the results of a complete finite-difference model. The solidus temperature decreases with either increasing cooling rate or increasing secondary dendrite arm spacing. However, the secondary dendrite arm spacing during solidification decreases with increasing cooling rate. These two opposite effects partly cancel each other, so the solidus temperature does not change much during solidification of a real casting.     

82B中心网状渗碳体产生原因及改善方法

研究了网状渗碳体级别与盘条及连铸坯中心碳偏析之间的定量关系,同时分析了影响铸坯中心偏析的关键连铸参数。结果表明:盘条中偏析比超过1.20就会有网状渗碳体形成;连铸坯中碳偏析指数大于1.16,盘条中就会出现超标的网状渗碳体。降低过热度,降低拉速,增大二冷水比水量,可以有效地降低铸坯中心偏析。通过工艺调整,铸坯中心平均碳偏析指数由1.13降低为1.08,网状渗碳体判次比例由2.0%降低为0.8%。     

Control of Macrosegregation Behavior by Applying Final Electromagnetic Stirring for Continuously Cast High Carbon Steel Billet

Solidification behavior of continuously cast high carbon steel billets was investigated with an objective of producing high quality billets by determining the optimum final electromagnetic stirring (F-EMS) parameters. Characteristics of centerline segregation were analyzed for lots of billet samples collected from the plant through obtaining the carbon concentrations of drill chips, which were correlated with the operating parameters of the caster and stirrers, but a problem occurred that segregation control results of trial billets with the same casting and stirring parameters often have drastic fluctuations. An attempt was made to find out the induced reasons of this problem by measuring the electromagnetic torque, analyzing the secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) and the corresponding cooling rate of the typical specimens, and observing the longitudinal profile of etched billet samples. Then a simple dynamic secondary cooling model was developed based on the solidified shell thickness control mode, by which the maximum carbon segregation index was reduced effectively, and thus the segregation fluctuation problem was basically solved. Finally, the most favourable stirring parameters were determined as the casting speed of 1.65 m/min, the liquid core thickness of 40 mm, stirring current of 360 A and frequency of 12 Hz.