Initial Solidification and Meniscus Hook Formation in Continuous Slab Casting

B.G. Thomas, C. Ojeda, and G. Lee

Continuous Casting Consortium, POSTECH, Korea, and Labein, Spain.

The first few seconds of solidification at the meniscus create the final cast product surface, and may include defects such as deep oscillation marks, surface depressions, and subsurface hooks in the microstructure, if conditions are not optimal.  Computational fluid flow, heat flow and stress models of the meniscus region are being developed and applied to simulate these phenomena.  Plant measurements such as mold temperature, liquid surface shape, and metallographic examination of oscillation marks and hooks are being conducted on slabs cast at POSCO.  Together, ways to optimize casting conditions such as speed, level control, superheat, mold oscillation practice, and mold powder composition are being investigated to minimize meniscus hook depth.

Publications:
Thomas, B.G., J. Sengupta, and C. Ojeda, “Mechanism of Hook and Oscillation Mark Formation In Ultra-Low Carbon Steel”, Second Baosteel Biennial Conference, (May 25-26, 2006, Shanghai, PRC), Vol. 1, 2006, pp. 112-117. Click here for a PDF version. (705 KB)