Research on a 3D Temperature Field Model of a Slab with Oxide Layer Growth

Slab heating plays an important role in the production of iron and steel materials. However, it is a very complex process involving physical and chemical change. In this study, we built a numerical heat transfer model to predict the three‐dimensional transient temperature field of a slab based on the implicit finite difference method. The model takes the growth of the oxide layer into account, as well as the impact on heat transfer. Slab temperature and oxide layer thickness were calculated in each step. The model considers three kinds of boundary conditions. It displays the temperature variation of each part of the slab in the furnace at all time, the heating curve, and the growth in the thickness curve of the oxide layer. This model can be used to control heating time, optimize the heating curve, and improve production efficiency, thereby reducing cost. The model is also useful for calculation of rolling force, as well as the control of carbon isolation and product microstructure.