Flow field, heat transfer and inclusion behavior in a round bloom mold under effect of a swirling flow submerged entry nozzle

Flow field,heat transfer and inclusion behavior in a 700 mm round bloom mold under the effect of a swirling flow submerged entry nozzle(SEN)were investigated with the aim to enhance the casting process.The results indicate that the impinging flow phenomenon,which is commonly observed in conventional single-port SEN casting,was completely suppressed by the swirling flow SEN coming from a novel swirling flow generator design in tundish.Steel from the SEN port moved towards the mold wall in 360 direction,leading to a uniform temperature distribution in the mold.Compared to a conventional single-port SEN casting,the steel super-heat was decreased by about 5 K at the mold center,and the temperature was increased by around 3.5 K near the meniscus.In addition,the removal ratio of inclusions to the mold top surface in the swirling flow SEN casting was found to be increased.Specifically,the removal ratio of spherical inclusions with diameters of 1,10,50 and 100μm was increased by 18.2%,18.5%,22.6% and 42.7%,respectively.Furthermore,the ratio was raised by 18.2%,20.8%,21.5% and 44.1%for non-spherical inclusions,respectively.

Distribution behavior of inclusions in compact-strip-produced martensitic steel and its influence on mechanical properties

The distribution behavior of inclusions in martensitic steel produced by compact strip production process(CSP-MS)and its influence on mechanical properties were systematically investigated.The inclusions in the CSP-MS specimen are mainly composed of spherical Al_(2)O_(3)-CaO-CaS,MnS with high aspect ratio and small-sized TiN,whereas many coarse cuboidal TiN inclusions do exist in conventional martensitic steel(Con-MS).The high inclusion density of the CSP-MS specimen resulted in lower total elongation and impact toughness,and the MnS inclusions with high aspect ratio led to significantly stronger mechanical anisotropy than that for Con-MS specimen.The in-situ tensile results indicated that when the fracture direction is parallel to MnS direction,the microcracks induced by MnS inclusions tend to propagate into the matrix,leading to the formation of valley-like features,which significantly deteriorate the properties such as the total elongation and impact toughness.The microcracks caused by TiN inclusions are sharper than those caused by spherical Al_(2)O_(3)-CaO-CaS inclusions,and are easy to propagate into the matrix.This work is expected to guide the optimization of the mechanical properties of martensitic steels produced by CSP process and provide a theoretical basis for the CSP process design.

Modeling of LF refining process:a review

With the increasing demand for energy conservation and emission reduction,more attentions have been paid to the intelligentization,greenization and low carbonization during the transformation and upgrading of steelmaking plants.Ladle furnace(LF)refining is one of the key procedures in steelmaking process and has been widely used in steelmaking plants for its high equipment matching degree,low equipment investment and outstanding refining performance.According to the main tasks of LF refining process,the modeling methods of temperature prediction model,slag-making model,alloying model,argon blowing model and model of inclusions behavior were systematically reviewed,and the advantages and disadvantages of each modeling method were summarized.In addition,the technical framework for the future has also been proposed based on existing works,including classification of raw materials,graphic representation of knowledge,introduction,upgradation and management of device/equipment,customization of steelmaking,modeling of refining process,synergy of models,intelligentization of decision-making,automation of control,and digitization of processes and operations,aiming to provide a reference for the modeling and intelligent development of LF refining process.