Life of stopper heads in continuous steel casting

Conclusions Chamotte heads with 5, 10 and 15% graphite differ from conventional chamotte by high thermal endurance, thermal conductivity and wear resistance. The increased rigidity of stopper heads with a graphite content of 5 to 15% used in combination with magnesite sleeves enhances the formation of longitudinal cracks.Chamotte specimens fired at 1230° C are endowed with high wear-resistance. They differ from conventional chamotte refractories by higher thermal endurance and provide for good stopper service in reladling killed steel.High-alumina SP-9-type heads made at Chasov-Yar Combine wear less in intermediate ladles and are endowed with greater thermal strength than chamotte heads.The higher quality of the chamotte heads under conditions of Stalino Metallurgical Plant in comparison to that of Krasnoye Sormovo Plant is not only due to the quality of the refractory but also to such factors as the rate and degree of preheating intermediate ladles before filling with metal, careful placement of the stoppers, and use of graphite packing around the teeming head.Despite higher wear SP-12-type chamotte heads made at Chasov-Yar Combine allowed normal teeming of rimmed steel in 50 ton ladles.To ensure a steady service of the stoppers in continuous steel casting the preheating of intermediate ladles of 1300 and the use of precooled stoppers are recommended.