Research on Solid Shell Growth during Continuous Steel Casting

Abstract

The continuous steel casting process must simultaneously meet the requirements for production performance, quality and safety against breakouts. Knowing the thickness of the solidified shell, particularly at the exit of the mould, is useful for the casting process control and breakout prevention. Shell thickness is difficult to measure during casting; in practice, it is predicted by indirect methods and models. But after undesired rupture of the shell and leakage of the liquid steel, it is possible to measure the shell thickness directly. This article is focused on the problem of the growth and measurement of the solid shell obtained after the breakout of a round block with a diameter of 410 mm. An original methodology was developed in which a surface mesh of points was created from the individual scanned parts of the block using a 3D laser scanner. Research has shown differences of up to 6 mm between the maximum and minimum shell thickness at the mould exit. A regression function of the average shell thickness on time was found. The results of the real shell growth were further used for the verification of the original numerical model of cooling and solidification of the round block.

Research on the Relative Placement Angle of the Induction Heater and the Channel in a Four-Channel Induction-Heating Tundish

“…With the development of society, the requirements for the grades and quality of steel products are becoming increasingly stringent [ 1 , 2 ]. The tundish, as an intermediate metallurgical container in the continuous-casting process, plays a crucial role in maintaining consistent steel superheat and achieving a steady temperature and casting speed.…”