Thermal Stress and Surface Crack Formation in Continuous Casting

B.G. Thomas, K. Xu

Continuous Casting Consortium

Thermal stress in the steel shell as it moves down through the mold and below between the rolls in the secondary cooling zones contributes to many different problems, including transverse cracks, slab shape problems, and support roll wear.  Mathematical heat flow and stress models are being developed to predict the temperature, and the associated distortion, stresses and strains, both in and below the mold.  In addition, criteria for crack formation will be developed, based on steel ductility measurements and a model of grain size and nitride, oxide, and sulfide precipitation to track the susceptibility of different steel grades to ductility problems.  Results will be compared with experience prior to establishing cracking criteria and applying the models to understand and explore ways of preventing cracking problems.