A three-dimensional finite element model has been developed with heat, flow and solute transfer behaviour coupled calculation to predict shrinkage and macrosegregation defects in an as cast steel ingot. Solidification evolution and carbon segregation have been verified by previous investigations of a 3?3 t steel ingot. The heat transfer coefficient (HTC) at the ingot mould interface against temperature was researched by an inverse calculation method based on thermophysical parameters from microsegregation model and experimental temperatures. Good agreements were obtained both in range and variation trend of HTC compared with experimental results in references. Macrosegregation and shrinkage porosities were observed to accompany each other at the hot top of the rectangular ingot, which should be further investigated by numerical simulation. Applications of the model were extended to steel plants. The soundness and homogeneity of rolled blooms were both satisfied.
IntroductionIngot casting remains a common process for metals and alloys, especially for automotive, hydroelectric, aeronautic and military applications, where continuously cast semis cannot meet the requirements of quality, postcast reduction ratios or product size. However, shrinkage and macrosegregation are the most common defects in large steel ingots, resulting in service property deterioration of the final products.It has been an important issue to analyse the formation mechanism of these defects and take effective measures to improve ingot quality. With the rapid development of numerical simulation technology numerous studies have been carried out in recent decades by numerical methods 1-4 to obtain a further understanding of the internal defects. Thomas and Samarasekera et al. 5,6 built a 2D FEM model with heat and stress coupled calculation where the thermophysical and thermomechanical parameters were treated as a function of temperature. Tashiro and Watanabe et al. 7 put forward a criterion for predicting central shrinkage and A type segregation based on a 100 and 135 t steel ingot solidification analysis. Kubo and Pehlke 8 developed a 2D FDM model including convection calculation to study the mechanism of shrinkage formation and the results were observed to be in line with those of Pellini. 9 Rappaz et al. 10,11 created a 3D FVM model based on Darcy's law and gas segregation calculation, and the pipe and porosity distribution for Al-Cu, Al-Si alloys are consistent with the observation. Beckermann et al. 12,13 predicted the macrosegregation under the hot top of a 3?3 t steel ingot by a 2D FDM model, but the negative segregation in the lower part was ignored. Založnik and Combeau et al. 14,15 expanded Beckermann's model to a 3D domain, and the equiaxed settling during the solidification of this 3?3 t ingot was also taken into consideration. Macrosegregation results matched well with the experiment. In addition, simulation and experimental analysis for optimising mould design, improving flow pattern and increasing yield rate have been heavily pres...