Using a Two-Phase Columnar Solidification Model to Study the Principle of Mechanical Soft Reduction in Slab Casting

A two-phase columnar solidification model is used to study the principle of mechanical soft reduction (MSR) for the reduction of centerline segregation in slab casting. The two phases treated in the model are the bulk/interdendritic melt and the columnar dendrite trunk. The morphology of the columnar dendrite trunk is simplified as stepwise growing cylinders, with growth kinetics governed by the solute diffusion in the interdendritic melt around the growing cylindrical columnar trunk. The solidifying strand shell moves with a predefined velocity and the shell deforms as a result of bulging and MSR. The motion and deformation of the columnar trunks in response to bulging and MSR is modeled following the work of Miyazawa and Schwerdtfeger from the 1980s. Melt flow, driven by feeding of solidification shrinkage and by deformation of the strand shell and columnar trunks, as well as the induced macrosegregation are solved in the Eulerian frame of reference. A benchmark slab casting (9-m long, 0.215-m thick) of plain carbon steel is simulated. The MSR parameters influencing the centerline segregation are studied to gain a better understanding of the MSR process. Two mechanisms in MSR modify the centerline segregation in a slab casting: one establishes a favorable interdendritic flow field, whereas the other creates a non-divergence-free deformation of the solid dendritic skeleton in the mushy region. The MSR efficiency depends not only on the reduction amount in the slab thickness direction but also strongly on the deformation behavior in the longitudinal (casting) direction. With enhanced computation power the current model can be applied for a parameter study on the MSR efficiency of realistic continuous casting processes.     

On the formation of pipes and centerline segregates in continuously cast billets

Centerline macrosegregation in continuously cast steel billets, blooms, and slabs is a significant problem. Thermal contraction of the solidified shell at the final end of the liquid pool causes a separation in the central portion of the strand and formation of a pore. When this pore fills with liquid, centerline macrosegregation results. Segregation formation is influenced by the cooling and casting conditions. The effects of those parameters are discussed in this article. Thermal contraction also causes formation of a large pipe in the very last portion of the strand. The casting parameters that control the centerline macrosegregation also control the size of the pipe.     

Elimination of Hot Tears in Steel Castings by Means of Solidification Pattern Optimization

A methodology of how to exploit the Niyama criterion for the elimination of various defects such as centerline porosity, macrosegregation, and hot tearing in steel castings is presented. The tendency of forming centerline porosity is governed by the temperature distribution close to the end of the solidification interval, specifically by thermal gradients and cooling rates. The physics behind macrosegregation and hot tears indicate that these two defects also are dependent heavily on thermal gradients and pressure drop in the mushy zone. The objective of this work is to show that by optimizing the solidification pattern, i.e., establishing directional and progressive solidification with the help of the Niyama criterion, macrosegregation and hot tearing issues can be both minimized or eliminated entirely. An original casting layout was simulated using a transient three-dimensional (3-D) thermal fluid model incorporated in a commercial simulation software package to determine potential flaws and inadequacies. Based on the initial casting process assessment, multiobjective optimization of the solidification pattern of the considered steel part followed. That is, the multiobjective optimization problem of choosing the proper riser and chill designs has been investigated using genetic algorithms while simultaneously considering their impact on centerline porosity, the macrosegregation pattern, and primarily on hot tear formation.     

连铸方坯中心线凝固行为波动现象及变化规律

连铸坯中心线区域钢液的凝固行为与中心偏析缺陷的形成及控制密切相关。基于中碳钢连铸方坯纵断面的实际凝固组织,以中心偏析点内部二次枝晶间距计算局部冷却速率,揭示了铸坯中心线局部冷却速率的波动特征。结合连铸三维凝固模型,研究了铸坯中心线固相率波动引起局部冷却速率波动并最终影响铸坯中心组织和性能的均匀性的机理;对不同工况铸坯中心线固相率和局部冷却速率波动的周期性进行了分析对比,提出了连铸坯凝固终点位置的周期性波动机理并得到了不同拉速下凝固终点波动距离的判断方程,对于所选连铸方坯,凝固终点波动距离为25.0～27.5 mm;在此基础之上,研究了拉速对中心线固相率波动程度的影响规律,并分析了凝固终点波动距离变化对末端电磁搅拌(final electromagnetic stirring, F-EMS)和轻压下(mechanical soft reduction, MSR)作用均匀性的影响。结果表明,拉速由1.8 m/min提高至2.4 m/min后,虽然液相穴长度增加可能增加整体偏析程度,但铸坯中心线固相率波动程度降低了20%,这有利于减轻中心线偏析沿拉坯方向的波动性,提高铸坯中心质量的均匀性。并...     

On the Formation of Centreline Segregation in Continuous Slab Casting of Steel due to Bulging and/or Feeding

Centreline macrosegregation is often observed in continuous slab casting of steel. Two of the main macrosegregation formation mechanisms are bulging and feeding. Both were studied and compared in the current work by using a two‐phase volume averaging model considering only columnar solidification. The casting of the strand itself is modelled by applying a predefined velocity following the casting speed and solid shell deformation (e.g. bulging). Three different cases are simulated and discussed. (i) The first case considers the influence of the feeding flow during solidification without taking bulging into account. Negative macrosegregation is observed in the centre of the casting in this case. (ii) The second case takes the flow caused by series of bulging along the solidifying strand shell into account, and is, therefore, representative for an ideal situation where bulging takes place without solidification shrinkage. In this case positive centreline segregation is found. (iii) The last case shows the results of a simulation which combines both shrinkage‐ and bulging‐induced flows. It is found that under the current casting conditions the bulging effect dominates over the shrinkage effect, and so positive centreline segregation is predicted.     

Formation and control of macrosegregation for round bloom continuous casting

Based on the developed coupled model of electromagnetism, heat and solute transportation, the macrosegregation formation and effect of secondary cooling water ratio on macrosegregation degree in strand during round bloom continuous casting process have been investigated. The solute segregation degree fluctuates from a positive to a negative value with distance from strand surface in the initial solidified shell region within thickness of 20?mm. A negative segregation region in concave shape and an irregular positive segregation zone are presented in the fixed and loosened side of strand respectively due to the gravity and thermosolutal convection. As the secondary cooling water ratio decreases from 0.25 to 0.15?L?kg^??1, the solidification ratio at final electromagnetic stirring (F-EMS) centre increases from 73.14 to 77.83%. For the steel grade of 50Mn casted by round bloom casting within diameter of 0.35?m, the optimal solidification ratio at F-EMS centre is 75.05%, where the radial centre crack and shrinkage cavity at strand cross-section are removed.     

连铸工艺参数对45#、70#钢铸坯冶金效果影响的探讨

通过对45#、70#钢铸坯低倍组织情况的分析以及连铸工艺参数的总结，探讨出钢水过热度、拉速、塞棒自动控制、二冷配水及电磁搅拌等连铸工艺参数对铸坯低倍组织的影响。通过对45#、70#钢中心碳偏析分析，表明随着钢中碳含量升高，连铸拉速、钢水过热度的增加，铸坯中心碳偏析有增大趋势。     

不同角部形状特厚矩形坯凝固传热及应变数值模拟

 为了更加有效控制和减少连铸坯的角部横裂纹质量缺陷,根据其形成的机制,针对两种新型铸坯模型,即圆角和倒角模型进行研究。通过建立特厚连铸矩形坯在凝固过程的传热模型并进行数值模拟,得到铸坯在凝固过程沿拉速方向上温度场和坯壳厚度的分布规律,并在此基础上建立热力耦合模型,分析铸坯的应力变化,讨论了产生裂纹的可能性。研究结果表明,通过对比传统直角模型,得出圆角和倒角模型对铸坯角部温度场和应力场两个方面的分布状况都有改善,即新铸坯模型角部温度在连铸矫直段有效避开了钢的高温脆性区,同时降低了铸坯角部的应力值,减小了角部裂纹产生的可能性。     

GCr15轴承钢连铸坯宏观碳偏析的基本规律

主要针对GCr15轴承钢凝固过程较易出现宏观碳偏析的现象,研究分析了宏观碳偏析形成的基本规律。取兴澄、石钢和永通3个不同特殊钢厂用不同连铸工艺所产轴承钢连铸坯横截面不同部位的试样,分析研究了碳的质量分数。结果表明,径向比对角线方向宏观碳偏析大;连铸坯柱状晶发达,导致中心位置附近出现较严重的碳正偏析;较致密的凝固组织有利于减轻宏观偏析;纵切面上的碳呈周期性分布。     

Simulation of convection and macrosegregation in a large steel ingot

Melt convection and macrosegregation in casting of a large steel ingot are numerically simulated. The simulation is based on a previously developed model for multicomponent steel solidification with melt convection and involves the solution of fully coupled conservation equations for the transport phenomena in the liquid, mush, and solid. Heat transfer in the mold and insulation materials, as well as the formation of a shrinkage cavity at the top, is taken into account. The numerical results show the evolution of the temperature, melt velocity, and species concentration fields during solidification. The predicted variation of the macrosegregation of carbon and sulfur along the vertical centerline is compared with measurements from an industrial steel ingot that was sectioned and analyzed. Although generally good agreement is obtained, the neglect of sedimentation of free equiaxed grains prevents the prediction of the zone of negative macrosegregation observed in the lower part of the ingot. It is also shown that the inclusion of the shrinkage cavity at the top and the variation of the final solidification temperature due to macrosegregation is important in obtaining good agreement between the predictions and measurements.     

高碳钢连铸方坯中心偏析

综述了高碳钢连铸方坯中心偏析的成因和控制方法,分析了电磁搅拌和接近液相线温度的低过热度浇铸技术对消除或改善高碳钢连铸方坯中心偏析的作用和效果。指出低过热度浇铸和二次水膜强化冷却是解决高碳钢连铸方坯中心偏析的有效途径,并可提高拉坯速度。     

CSP工艺生产SPA-H钢的宏观偏析

针对目前珠江钢铁有限责任公司薄板坯连铸连轧生产线(CSP)生产的集装箱板用钢SPA-H铸坯的宏观偏析进行了分析研究,从导致铸坯宏观中心偏析的各影响因素入手,对问题进行全面的分析与阐述,提出了进一步提高薄板坯连铸生产SPA-H钢质量的一些建议和技术措施.     

攀钢连铸坯角横裂缺陷产生的原因与对策

对攀钢Q235G钢连铸坯出现的角横裂缺陷进行了调查分析，在此基础上确定了连铸保护渣是引起角横裂的主要原因。并对保护渣的配方进行了改进，通过试验，研制出了适合攀钢普碳包晶钢用的连铸保护渣，有效地控制了Q235G钢连铸坯角的横裂缺陷。     

超低碳钢中最大夹杂物尺寸预测方法

介绍了超低碳钢连铸坯中最大夹杂物尺寸的预测方法——极值法(SEV),利用该方法预测了不同生产线超低碳钢连铸坯内部最大夹杂物的尺寸,并与生产实际中的铸坯情况进行了对比,结果证明,该方法有效。     

连铸控流模式对大方坯及棒材组织结构与宏观偏析影响

以中碳结构钢大方坯及其热轧棒材为研究对象,通过对铸坯和轧材进行低倍侵蚀和成分分析,揭示了连铸控流模式对大方坯凝固组织与宏观偏析分布特征的影响及其铸轧遗传性。研究表明:常规直通水口浇注模式下,结晶器电磁搅拌(Mold electromagnetic stirring, M-EMS)电流由0增加到800 A,铸坯等轴晶率由6.06%仅可增加到11.71%,难以有效避免大方坯常见的中心缩孔缺陷与突出的中心线偏析。采用新型五孔水口浇注模式,即使不开启M-EMS,铸坯中心等轴晶率仍可达23.1%,大方坯中心缩孔级别可降至1.0级以下,满足后续热轧大棒材探伤要求。同时发现,五孔水口浇注模式下,大方坯铸态组织中往往会出现较为明显的柱状晶到等轴晶转变(Columnar to equiaxed transition, CET)区,铸坯断面碳偏析指数呈M型分布,表现为断面1/4位置CET区域碳偏析指数最高。大棒材轧制基本改变不了铸坯断面宏观偏析的分布形态,且可能导致中心线偏析指数增加。同时指出,基于连铸控流模式的作用规律和铸?轧遗传性特征,以及特殊钢长材热加工对中心致密度和偏析分布与程度的要求,实际生产中应从连铸工艺源头合理地控制铸态组织与宏观偏析分布形态。      

Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Macrosegregation and Shrinkage in Large-Diameter Steel Roll Castings

Minimizing macrosegregation and shrinkage in large cast steel mill rolls challenges the limits of commercial foundry technology. Processing improvements have been achieved by balancing the total heat input of casting with the rate of heat extraction from the surface of the roll in the mold. A submerged entry nozzle (SEN) technique that injects a dilute alloy addition through a nozzle into the partially solidified net-shaped roll ingot can mitigate both centerline segregation and midradius channel segregate conditions. The objective of this study is to optimize the melt chemistry, solidification, and SEN conditions to minimize centerline and midradius segregation, and then to improve the quality of the transition region between the outer shell and the diluted interior region. To accomplish this objective, a multiphase, multicomponent computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code was developed for studying the macrosegregation and shrinkage under various casting conditions for a 65-ton, 1.6-m-diameter steel roll. The developed CFD framework consists of solving for the volume fraction of phases (air and steel mixture), temperature, flow, and solute balance in multicomponent alloy systems. Thermal boundary conditions were determined by measuring the temperature in the mold at several radial depths and height locations. The thermophysical properties including viscosity of steel alloy used in the simulations are functions of temperature. The steel mixture in the species-transfer model consists of the following elements: Fe, Mn, Si, S, P, C, Cr, Mo, and V. Density and liquidus temperature of the steel mixture are locally affected by the segregation of these elements. The model predictions were validated against macrosegregation measured from pieces cut from the 65-ton roll. The effect of key processing parameters such as melt composition and superheat of both the shell and the dilute interior alloy are addressed. The influence of mold type and thickness on macrosegregation and shrinkage also are discussed.     

Physical modelling investigation of influence of strand blockage on RTD characteristics in a multistrand tundish

Abstract

In the continuous casting process, the tundish acts as a continuous molten steel distribution vessel. The importance of the tundish during the molten steel delivery becomes more significant when it supplies liquid steel to more than one mould. In the present work, a water model of a six strand billet caster tundish has been used to study the effect of strand blockage on the residence time distribution (RTD) characteristics at the strands. All the experiments were performed under steady state conditions. Potassium chloride was used as a tracer for the study. The effects of blockage on the strand dissimilarity among the open strands were also studied. Both single and dual strand blockage experiments were performed. Blockage of strands deteriorated the RTD characteristics at the open strands. The results reveal the most preferred options for strand blockage when the plant operation needs to do so.     

小方坯齿轮钢连铸过程中的宏观偏析模拟

基于国内某厂齿轮钢小方坯连铸生产过程,利用ProCAST软件建立移动切片模型,能够高效模拟连铸过程中的宏观偏析,模型分别模拟研究了不同过热度、二冷水量和拉坯速度等对宏观偏析的影响。模拟结果与碳偏析检测结果吻合良好,验证了移动切片模型模拟连铸坯宏观偏析的准确性。由于溶质浮力的影响,内弧侧的宏观偏析强于外弧侧。随着过热度的增加,铸坯中心碳偏析度从1.06增加至1.15。过热度控制在25 ℃范围内,可以保证铸坯的宏观碳偏析度控制在1.10范围内。随着连铸二冷水量的增加,铸坯中心偏析改善程度较小,铸坯中心碳偏析度从1.16降低至1.13。随着拉坯速度的增加,铸坯中心偏析呈现加重的趋势,铸坯中心碳偏析度由1.14增加至1.21,拉坯速度控制在1.4 m·min–1范围内,可保证铸坯中心碳偏析度低于1.15。