Method of verification of carbon segregation ratio determined with experimental methods

Abstract

The problem of macrosegregation of alloying elements occurring during cast strand solidification in the continuous casting process is still valid; it is the subject of numerous experiments and theoretical considerations. A large percentage of this research is dedicated to carbon segregation, which, for understandable reasons, is vital for the production of high-carbon steels. The background knowledge on the mechanism of segregation occurrence indicates that it is a very complex effect, and a broad range of factors influencing the continuous casting process need to be considered. Therefore, it is difficult to translate information (provided by complex models of metal flow through a diphase area at the solidification interface of a cast strand) into practical engineering recommendations to reduce the macrosegregation effect. The presented study shows the latest research related to the carbon macrosegregation effect for selected high-carbon steel grades cast with a continuous caster. Problems related to the recording of the effect concerned have been pointed out. The second part of the paper presents the influence of selected casting parameters on carbon macrosegregation intensity when casting 160 x 160 billets with a six-strand caster. In this case, the main subject of the research was the influence of the casting speed on macrosegregation intensity. In the following step, an attempt was made to find the relationship between the cast strand structure and the distribution of carbon content on its cross-section. The ultimate objective of the presented study was to find an answer to the question on the technological capabilities of restricting the segregation effect.