FINE INTERGRANULAR SURFACE CRACKS IN BLOOM CASTING.

Abstract

The formation of fine intergranular surface cracks is strongly affected by the residual content but the main precondition is a coarse microstructure leading to critical concentrations of segregated solutes and/or precipitates along austenite grain boundaries. A fine solidification structure is achievable by maximum uniformity in the initial shell growth and avoidance of depression formation. All other measures, in particular a soft spray cooling intensity, are of secondary importance.