Nozzle clogging mechanism in continuous casting for titanium-containing steel

Abstract

In order to provide the mechanism of nozzle clogging, recovered nozzles for high strength steel grade were examined carefully after continuous casting. The thickness of clogged material in SEN is increased in the following order: from the bottom to the top of the nozzle, upper part of slag line, and the pouring hole. Nozzle clogging material begins to form due the adhesion of metal to nozzle wall, the decarburization, and reduction of oxide in the refractory by Al and Ti in the melt. The reduction of oxide in the refractory by Al and Ti improves the wettability of the melt on the refractory and forms a thin Al-Ti-O layer. Metal containing micro alumina inclusions is solidified on the Al-Ti-O layer, and the solid layer grows due to the heat evolution through the nozzle wall. Thermodynamic calculation has been made for the related reactions. The effect of superheat to the nozzle clogging is discussed on ultra low carbon steel and low carbon steel.