A 3D Mathematical Modeling on Meniscus Solidification and Heat Transfer in Continuous Casting Chamfered Mold of Slab

Herein, a 3D mathematical model is established to elucidate the meniscus solidification and heat transfer in the chamfered mold. The fluid flow, heat transfer, the solidification of steel, the oscillation of the mold, and the steel–slag interfacial tension are considered, and the meniscus behavior on different longitudinal sections and cross sections is discussed. Under the influence of the upper roll flow, the height of the steel level increases from submerged entry nozzle to narrow face, which affects the distribution of the oscillation mark on the surface of the shell. With the mold chamfer and two new corners, the thickness of the slag film at the corner 1 with angle of 123.7° is the largest, and the shell thickness is the smallest, which is related to the 3D profile of the meniscus near the corner. The largest heat flux is located at 10–14 mm below the initial level of liquid steel and is below 3.0 MW m⁻². The heat flux at the corner 1 with small obtuse angle is the smallest on the same cross section, indicating that small obtuse angle near the corner resulted in the low heat transfer.     

Stress and Friction Distribution around Slab Corner in Continuous Casting Mold with Different Corner Structures

The non-uniform friction and thermal stress in the mold are important as causes of the transverse cracks around strand corner. To analyze the stress distribution features around strand corner, a three-dimensional thermo-elastoplastic finite-element mold model with different corner structures (right-angle, big-chamfer, multi-chamfer, and fillet) was established. The temperature field in the mold was indirectly coupled through a three-dimensional fluid flow and heat transfer model. In addition, the non-uniform mold friction stress loaded on the strand surface was calculated through a friction model. The results show that the stress distribution on the shell is similar to the temperature distribution. The stress concentration appears in the strand corner and the lower part of wide face. The friction stress enhances the corner stress around the edge of the air-gap. For chamfered molds, the stress around the corner between the wide face and chamfer face is larger than that between the narrow face and chamfer face. Around the corner region, both the stress peak and the area of the large stress zone of the right-angle strand are the largest, while those of big-chamfered, multi-chamfered, and fillet strands decrease in that order. The stress peak position of the chamfered strands is closer to the mold exit than that of the right-angle strand. Compared with the use of the right-angle mold, the application of chamfered molds is able to reduce the stress concentration around the strand corner.     

Mold Simulator Study of Heat Transfer Phenomenon During the Initial Solidification in Continuous Casting Mold

In this paper, mold simulator trials were firstly carried out to study the phenomena of the initial shell solidification of molten steel and the heat transfer across the initial shell to the infiltrated mold/shell slag film and mold. Second, a one-dimensional inverse heat transfer problem for solidification (1DITPS) was built to determine the temperature distribution and the heat transfer behavior through the solidifying shell from the measured shell thickness. Third, the mold wall temperature field was recovered by a 2DIHCP mathematical model from the measured in-mold wall temperatures. Finally, coupled with the measured slag film thickness and the calculations of 1DITPS and 2DIHCP, the thermal resistance and the thickness of liquid slag film in the vicinity of the meniscus were evaluated. The experiment results show that: the total mold/shell thermal resistance, the mold/slag interfacial thermal resistance, the liquid film thermal resistance, and the solid film thermal resistance is 8.0 to 14.9 × 10^?4, 2.7 to 4.8 × 10^?4, 1.5 to 4.6 × 10^?4, and 3.9 to 6.8 × 10^?4 m² K/W, respectively. The percentage of mold/slag interfacial thermal resistance, liquid film thermal resistance, and solid film thermal resistance over the total mold/shell thermal resistance is 27.5 to 34.4, 17.2 to 34.0, and 38.5 to 48.8 pct, respectively. The ratio of radiation heat flux is around 14.1 to 51.9 pct in the liquid slag film.     

利用倒角结晶器消除连铸板坯的角横裂纹缺陷

 提出一种用以解决连铸板坯角横裂纹缺陷的倒角结晶器技术。倒角结晶器的数值仿真和工业化试验表明：倒角铸坯在连铸矫直区角部温度可以提高70℃以上,能够避开钢的高温低塑性区;同时,倒角的特殊的结构形式可以降低铸坯角部的Z向应力,有助于控制角横裂纹缺陷。     

倒角连铸坯角部纵向裂纹形成机制及控制

 倒角结晶器是控制板坯角部横向裂纹的有效方法之一,但角部纵向裂纹是倒角连铸坯易发的缺陷,这成为了倒角结晶器大规模应用的最大障碍。通过研究倒角结晶器生产工艺参数、设备精度以及喷嘴堵塞等因素对倒角连铸坯角部纵向裂纹的影响,确定了角部纵向裂纹发生的机制。研究表明,倒角结晶器窄面锥度不合理、0段和1段连接偏差以及喷嘴堵塞等是角部纵向裂纹产生的主要原因。通过采取有效措施,可以将倒角连铸坯角部纵向裂纹发生率降低到0.6%以下,使得倒角结晶器实现大规模的工业应用。     

Infiltration of Slag Film into the Grooves on a Continuous Casting Mold

An analytical model is developed to clarify the slag film infiltration into grooves on a copper mold during the continuous casting of steel slabs. A grooved-type casting mold was applied to investigate the infiltration of slag film into the grooves of a pitch of 0.8 mm, width of 0.7 mm, and depth of 0.6 mm at the vicinity of a meniscus. The plant trial tests were carried out at a casting speed of 5.5 m min^?1. The slag film captured at a commercial thin slab casting plant showed that both the overall and the liquid film thickness were decreased exponentially as the distance from the meniscus increases. In contrast, the infiltration of slag film into the grooves had been increased with increasing distance from the meniscus. A theoretic model has been derived based on the measured profile of slag film thickness to calculate the infiltration of slag film into the grooves. It successfully reproduces the empirical observation that infiltration ratio increased sharply along casting direction, about 80 pct at 50 mm and 95 pct at 150 mm below the meniscus. In the model calculation, the infiltration of slag film increases with increasing groove width and/or surface tension of the slag. The effect of groove depth is negligible when the width to depth ratio of the groove is larger than unity. It is expected that the developed model for slag film infiltration in this study will be widely utilized to optimize the design of groove dimensions in continuous casting molds.     

大方坯结晶器圆角半径大小对铸坯角部热-机械状态影响

通过采用Marc软件建立包括结晶器与大方坯凝固坯壳之间动态热交换的热-力耦合模型,分析了结晶器圆角大小对铸坯和结晶器热-力学状态温度、应力和应变分布的影响。结果表明,对于280 mm×380 mm断面铸坯,结晶器圆角半径应选17.5～20 mm为宜,结晶器圆角半径过小,铸坯偏离角部10～20 mm区域表面温度波动较大,不利于坯壳均匀生长;结晶器角部半径过大,结晶器与坯壳之间在角部摩擦严重,易导致坯壳龟裂。     

气体流量及水口底部形状对板坯结晶器内流场影响的水模型试验

采用1:1水模型研究了气体流量（010 L/min）和水口底部形状（凹底和尖底）对结晶器内流场的影响。在结晶器断面为230mm×1 200 mm,浇铸速度为1.6 m/min的模拟工况条件下,凹底水口其流体形态优于尖底水口;在结晶器液面波动稳定性方面凹底水口亦优于尖底水口;气体流量在08 L/min,使用尖底水口的流体其表面流速明显高于使用凹底水口的流体;对凹底水口而言,气体流量超过8 L/min,其流体表面流速低于0.2 m/s;120炉IF钢生产结果表明,使用优化的凹底水口和吹氩流量7 L/min,浇铸过程结晶器液面波动在±3 mm以内,铸坯夹杂物比优化前降低24%。     

Computational Modeling of Temperature, Flow, and Crystallization of Mold Slag During Double Hot Thermocouple Technique Experiments

A three-dimensional finite-difference model has been developed to study heat transfer, fluid flow, and isothermal crystallization of mold slag during double hot thermocouple technique (DHTT) experiments. During the preheating stage, temperature in the middle of the mold slag sample was found to be significantly [~350 K (~77 °C)] lower than near the two thermocouples. During the quenching stage, the mold slag temperature decreases with the cooled thermocouple. The temperature across the mold slag achieves a steady, nonlinear temperature profile during the holding stage; the insulating effect of the crystallizing layer in the middle of the slag sample causes the high temperature region to become hotter, while the lower temperature mold slag becomes cooler. Fluid flow is driven by Marangoni forces along the mold slag surface from the hotter region to the cooler region, and then recirculates back through the interior. Slag velocities reach 7 mm/s. Crystallization is predicted to start in the middle of the slag sample first and then grows toward both thermocouples, which matches well with observations of the DHTT experiment.     

Thermo-mechanical behaviour of the solidified shell in a “funnel-shaped” mold for continuous casting of thin slabs

Starting from a structural analysis of a solidified shell in a continuous casting conventional mold, the author developed a model that has now been adapted to simulate the solidification process also in the case of a funnel-shaped mold proposed for continuous casting of thin slabs. A rating of possible critical conditions in the stress level, suitable for producing cracks in longitudinal or transverse directions, is given by means of two separate cracking indices: L.C.I. (longitudinal cracking index) and T.C.I. (transverse cracking index). An analysis of the effect of a few variables on the basis of a total of 9 simulation runnings in different conditions, gave for the funnel-shaped mold the following summarized results: In comparison with a prismatic mold, casting at the same casting rate (2 m/min) and for the same product dimensions (50 mm × 1 000 mm), the funnel-shaped mold behaves similarly in the corner area but less well in the center of the broad face where longitudinal cracking susceptibility is concerned. However, no significant differences result concerning transversal cracking susceptibility. Cracking risk, both transversal and longitudinal, diminishes tremendously with increasing casting rate. Cracking susceptibility when employing the funnel-shaped mold is very sensitive to small variations in the “shape” of the curved mold walls, particularly for longitudinal cracking. The effect of changing taper is not large as the gap on the short side of the mold is preserved. When the gap, on the short side, as a consequence of an excessive taper, almost disappears, in some part of the mold a great pressure concentration on the same side in the corner region is produced. The drawing action, arising on the shell because of friction, results in high shear stresses and possible cracks at the corner. Limits and reliability of the model, which depend on knowledge of high temperature steel properties, are discussed.     

Evaluating the Superplastic Flow of a Magnesium AZ31 Alloy Processed by Equal-Channel Angular Pressing

Experiments show that the magnesium AZ31 (Mg-3 pct Al-1 pct Zn) alloy exhibits excellent superplastic properties at 623 K (350 °C) after processing by equal-channel angular pressing using a die with a channel angle of 135 deg and a range of decreasing processing temperatures from 473 K to 413 K (200 °C to 140 °C). A maximum elongation to failure of ~1200 pct was achieved in this alloy at a tensile strain rate of 1.0 × 10^?4 s^?1. Microstructural inspection showed evidence for cavity formation and grain growth during tensile testing with the grain growth leading to significant strain hardening. An examination of the experimental data shows that grain boundary sliding is dominant during superplastic flow. Furthermore, a comprehensive review of the present results and extensive published data for the AZ31 alloy shows the exponent of the inverse grain size is given by p ≈ 2 which is consistent with grain boundary sliding as the rate-controlling flow mechanism.     

Controlling Radiative Heat Transfer Across the Mold Flux Layer by the Scattering Effect of the Borosilicate Mold Flux System with Metallic Iron

The present study proposes a countermeasure for regulating total heat flux through the mold flux layer by designed mold flux with additive metallic iron particles. The heat flux through the B₂O₃-CaO-SiO₂-Na₂O-CaF₂-Fe system was investigated using the infrared emitter technique to evaluate total flux density across the mold flux film. Both scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis were employed in order to identify the morphological and compositional changes of the crystalline phase, according to increasing iron contents in the mold flux. It was confirmed that the crystalline layer of studied mold fluxes does not have a meaningful effect on the total heat flux density due to the similar structure and fraction of the crystalline phase. The extinction coefficient was measured for glassy mold fluxes using an ultraviolet/visible and a Fourier transformation-infrared ray spectrometer in the range of 0.5 to 5 μm. For analyzing the scattering behavior of iron particles on the extinction coefficient, the number density and diameter of particles were observed by an automated SEM (auto-SEM). With these data, Mie scattering theory is adopted to define the scattering behavior of dispersed iron droplets in glassy matrix. It was found that the theoretical scattering coefficient demonstrated about 1623 to 3295 m^?1, which is in accordance with the experimental results. In doing so, this study successfully achieves the strong scattering behavior that would contribute greatly to the optimization of overall heat flux through the mold flux film during the casting process.     

碳含量及连铸工艺参数对宽厚板坯结晶器热流的影响

对钢厂0.07%~0.18%C钢220~320 mm×1 800~2700 mm宽厚板的连铸过程进行了一年的在线检测与统计,研究了不同碳含量的钢种的拉速(0.65~1.2 m/min),钢水过热度(13~35℃),结晶器进水温度(27~35℃)和结晶器液位(775~810 mm)等工艺参数对结晶器铜板热流的影响。结果表明,浇铸220 mm板坯的结晶器热流随拉速增加而上升,但拉速>1.05 m/min时热流不再增大;对具有包晶反应的钢种,宽面与窄面热流随钢液过热度的增加而增大,但进水温度升高,热流降低;受包晶相变收缩的影响,浇铸0.13%C钢时结晶器热流最低。     

Heat Transfer and Deformation Behavior of Shell Solidification in Wide and Thick Slab Continuous Casting Mold

With the considerations of the behaviors of shell deformation, mold flux film and air gap dynamic distribution in shell/mold gap, a two dimensional slice-travel transient thermo-mechanical coupled model of simulation shell solidification in wide and thick slab continuous casting mold was developed by using the commercial program ANSYS. The evolutions of strand-mold system thermal behaviors, including the air gap formation and the mold flux film dynamical distribution in shell/mold gap and shell temperature field, and the evolutions of shell deformation and stress distribution of peritectic steel solidified in a 2120 mm wide and 266 mm thick slab continuous casting mold were analyzed. The results show that the air gap formation and the thick mold flux film distribution mainly concentrate in the regions 0–21 mm and 0–7 mm, 0–120 mm and 0–100 mm off the shell wide and narrow faces corners, and thus the hot spots are given rise to form in the regions 15–55 mm and 15–50 mm off the shell wide and narrow face corners. The shell server deformation occurs in the off-corners in the middle and lower parts of the mold. The stress evolution in shell surface is tensile stress, while that in shell solidification front is compressive stress.     

Numerical Analysis of the Influences of Operational Parameters on the Braking Effect of EMBr in a CSP Funnel-Type Mold

A three-dimensional mathematical model of the magnetic field, flow field, and temperature field in a 1500 mm × 90 mm CSP funnel-type mold is used to numerically study the effect of an electromagnetic brake (EMBr) on flow and heat transfer behavior of molten steel. A number of effects of EMBr on the flow pattern and temperature distribution of molten steel are simulated. The jet flow discharge from the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) is significantly suppressed. In addition, heat transfer in the upper part of the mold increases under the influence of EMBr, which can improve the mobility of liquid steel at the meniscus and achieve low superheat casting. The relations between casting speed and magnetic flux density, and between SEN submergence depth and the installation position of the EMBr device, are taken into account to study the effects of braking on molten steel. The results show that the braking effect is weakened with an increase in either the casting speed or the SEN submergence depth. In order to insure the efficient and stable operation of a continuous casting production, the magnetic flux density should be increased by approximately 0.1 T when the casting speed increases by 1 m/min. In addition, an optimal braking effect for molten steel can be obtained when the distance between the bottom of the nozzle and the upper surface of the EMBr device is 100 mm.     

Study on the Formation and Characterization of the Intermetallics in Friction Stir Welding of Aluminum Alloy to Coated Steel Sheet Lap Joint

Multimaterial fabrication such as joining of steel and aluminum is currently prominent in a variety of industries. Friction stir welding is a novel solid-state welding process that causes good joint strength between steel and aluminum. However, the phenomenon contributing significant strength at the interface is not yet clear. In the present study, the interface of the friction stir lap-welded aluminum and coated steel sheet having joint strength maximum (71.4 pct of steel base metal) and minimum, respectively, under two parameter combinations, i.e., 1000 rpm 50 mm min^?1 and 500 rpm 100 mm min^?1, was exclusively characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), concentration profile, and elemental mapping by electron-probe microanalysis. A TEM-assisted EDS study identifies the morphologies of large size Al₁₃Fe₄ and small size Fe₃Al-type intermetallic compounds at the interface. The diffusion-induced intermetallic growth (thickness) measured from a backscattered image and concentration profile agreed well with the numerically calculated one. The growth of these two phases at 1000 rpm 50 mm min^?1 is attributed to the slower cooling rate (~3.5 K/s) with higher diffusion time (44 seconds) along the interface in comparison to the same for 500 rpm 100 mm min^?1 with faster cooling rate (~10 K/s) and less diffusion time (13.6 seconds). The formation of thermodynamically stable and hard intermetallic phase Al₁₃Fe₄ at 1000 rpm and travel speed 50 mm min^?1 in amounts higher than 500 rpm and a travel speed of 100 mm min^?1 results in better joint strength, i.e., 71.4 pct, of the steel base metal.     

Nonisothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Glassy Mold Fluxes

Crystallization of the solid glassy mold flux film occurring in the gap between the initial shell and mold wall is important, as it determines the in-mold heat transfer and mold lubrication during the process of continuous casting. In order to study the nonisothermal crystallization behavior of the glassy mold flux film in the continuous casting mold, the continuous heating transformation diagram, crystallization mechanism, and precipitate phases were investigated using the single hot thermocouple technique, kinetic models, a scanning electron microscope, and an energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results show that the initial crystallization temperature for CaO-SiO₂ based flux A ranges from [1086 K to 1147 K (813 °C to 874 °C)], which is lower than the case of CaO-Al₂O₃ based flux B ranging from [1205 K to 1245 K (932 °C to 972 °C)]. The crystallization kinetics for flux A are constant nucleation rate, two-dimensional growth, and control by diffusion. For flux B, they are constant nucleation rate, three-dimensional growth, and control by interface reaction. Besides, the EDS results indicate that the precipitate crystals in fluxes A and B are CaSiO₃ and Ca₂AlSiO₄, respectively.     

水口吹氩工艺板坯结晶器内气泡运动行为的物理模拟

以1300 mm × 230 mm板坯连铸结晶器的相似比0.4的物理模型,研究了拉速1.1 m/min、水口插入深度160 mm、水口吹气量0～15 L/min时连铸结晶器内气泡的运动行为,及其对钢液流股冲击深度、液面波动和液面裸露的影响。实验结果表明,随水口吹气量增加,结晶器内气泡的数量和尺寸都有所增加,气泡在钢液内水平方向扩散范围增大,且气泡最大穿透深度亦增加;当水口吹气量增大到5 L/min时,气泡逸出后在液面由全部向水口方向运动变为以集中逸出位置为中心的四散运动。     

Effect of MgO on Crystallization and Heat Transfer of Fluoride-Free Mold Fluxes

The effect of MgO on crystallization and heat transfer of fluoride-free mold fluxes was studied using single/double-hot thermocouple technique (SHTT/DHTT) and infrared emitter technique (IET), respectively. SHTT experiments demonstrated that the increase of MgO concentration promoted the crystallization tendency of mold fluxes. XRD analysis showed that the dominant phases changed from CaSiO₃ to CaSiO₃/Ca₂MgSi₂O₇/Ca₁₁Si₄B₂O₂₂, and to Ca₂MgSi₂O₇ as the MgO content was increased. The heat flux across mold flux disks was reduced from 671 to 615 kW/m² in IET experiments when MgO concentration was increased from 0.9 to 4.9 mass pct.