DANIELI concepts and experiences in thin slab casting and rolling technology for HRC production—the evolution of a winning process route to face increasing market requirements

The direct rolling process for hot strip production,where the thin slab caster is connected directly to the mill,has gained market share rapidly because of its remarkable advantages in terms of energy savings and investment cost over the conventional hot strip mills. However,the unquestionable advantages of the first-generation applications of this plant concept also entail significant limitations both in productivity and steel grades that can be produced. Since his first pioneering applications,Danieli considered strategic the development of new technical solutions specifically conceived to overcome these limitations with the goal of increasing plant production volumes and enlarging steel grade product mix,in order to cover the gap between "Conventional mill" and "Thin slab casting and rolling" process routes. In order to reach this goal,Danieli has developed a complete portfolio of plant lay outs adopting Thin Slab Casting and Rolling technologies,each of them conceived to guarantee the optimal CAPEX and OPEX parameters in fitting with market requirements our Customer intend to target.in terms of productivity,steel grades and coil dimension product mix. Danieli TSR(Thin Slab Rolling) fTSR(flexible Thins Slab Rolling) QSP(Quality Strip Production) and ETR(Extra Thin Rolling) plant configurations are analyzed in this paper. With this diversified approach,Danieli solutions are most appropriate answers to thin slab casting and rolling to produce hot rolled coils with superior quality and an extremely diversified range of steel grades. Already,this approach has allowed Danieli plants to:①exceed the threshold production of 3.0 Mt/a with 2 casting strands in operation as done in Tangshan Iron and Steel plant in P.R.China since 2005;②expand the product mix to include virtually all the steel grades used for flat product applications,including the most demanding ones,such as peritectic(in Essar Algoma Canada and Benxi Iron and Steel,China),micro-alloyed,and silicon steels,for the most sophisticated applications,such as automotive and pipe manufacturing,including Arctic applications,(as done in OMK plant in Russia);③extend the range of final strip thicknesses to include ultra thin gauges,down to 0.8 mm(as in Ezz Flat Steel,in Egypt).

Morphology and Precipitation Kinetics of MnS in Low-Carbon Steel During Thin Slab Continuous Casting Process

The morphology of manganese sulfide formed during thin slab continuous casting process in low-carbon steel produced by compact strip production （CSP） technique was investigated. Using transmission electron microscopy analysis, it was seen that a majority of manganese sulfides precipitated at austenite grain boundaries, the morphologies of which were spherical or close to the spherical shape and the size of MnS precipitates ranged from 30 nm to 100 nm. A mathematical model of the manganese sulfide precipitation in this process was developed based on classical nucleation theory. Under the given conditions, the starting and finishing precipitation temperatures of MnS in the continuous casting thin slab of the studied low-carbon steel are 1 189 ℃ and 1 171 ℃, respectively, and the average diameter of MnS precipitates is about 48 nm within this precipitation temperature range. The influences of chemical components and thermo-mechanical processing conditions on the precipitation behavior of MnS in the same process were also discussed.

Longitudinal surface cracks of thin slabs

Based on the production practice of medium carbon thin slabs in the CSP plant,the reasons and influencing factors for the formation of longitudinal cracks were investigated,and some industrial measures were taken to eliminate the cracks.The results show that the efficient solutions to reduce longitudinal cracks are improving the performance of the mold powder,stabilizing the mold heat flux,and maintaining a proper taper of the mold during casting.Proper pouring temperature and secondary cooling also play important roles in preventing longitudinal surface cracks.

STUDY OF DYNAMIC RECRYSTALLIZATION OF LOW CARBON STEEL IN THIN SLAB CONTINUOUS ROLLING PROCESS

Combined with the technological characteristics of thin slab continuous rolling process （TSCR）, dynamic recrystallization of an extremely coarse austenite of low carbon steel is studied by Thermecmaster-Z hot simulator. By the analysis of true stress-strain curves and the observation of microstructures at different deformation stages, the critical stress and critical strain are determined under different deformation conditions. The effect of Z parameter on dynamic recrystallization of coarse austenite is studied. The microstructure evolution in real production is also discussed.

Numerical Simulation of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Funnel Shaped Mold of Thin Slab Continuous Caster

Thin slab casting is used widely in the world. The control of molten steel flow and solidification in the mold is difficult due to the high casting speed and complicated configuration of the mold. Numerical simulation was carried out to study the fluid flow and heat transfer in the funnel shaped mold. The influence of nozzle design, casting speed and nozzle submersion depth on the flow and temperature fields in the mold was investigated, and guidance for selecting configurations of submerged nozzle was obtained.

INFLUENCES OF CASTING SPEED AND SEN DEPTH ON FLUID FLOW IN THE FUNNEL TYPE MOLD OF A THIN SLAB CASTER

In recent years, thin slab continuous casting technology has been widely used to improve the quality of the product and to reduce the cost. One of the challenges faced by this technology is to design reasonable flow patterns, which strongly affect the surface and inner properties of the final slab in the mold. With the fixed scales and complex geometrical structures of nozzle and funnel type mold, a series of numerical simulations are made to analyze the flow patterns in melt steel using finite volume method based on structured body fitted coordinate grids. The CFD （computational fluid dynamics） package is validated first using one typical case described in previously published studies, and then it is developed to study the effect of operational parameters on fluid flow in thin slab caster. Two operational parameters, casting speed and SEN （submerged entry nozzle） depth, are mainly considered for numerical analysis. On the basis of present simulations, the reasonable SEN submergence depths corresponding to different casting speeds are suggested according to fluid flow characteristics like, flow jet impingement on the narrow side of the mold, flow speed of the melt steel beneath the meniscus and the recirculation region. This is the first stage of study on the numerical analysis of the whole thin slab casting process with electromagnetic brake.

Modeling of unsteadiness of fluid flows and level fluctuations in thin slab continuous casting moulds

Unsteady fluid flows and level fluctuations in a thin slab continuous casting mould have significant influence on product quality. In this study, the phenomena concerning transient flow features and free surface motions were analyzed by means of the large eddy simulation （LES） software with the smagorinsky SGS model--VisualCast （VCast） II, where the Simpler algorithm on a body-fitted mesh was used to resolve governing equations. A series of water analog experiments on the fluid flow and the surface wave in the moulds of thin slab continuous casting were also performed. The results of fluid regions, middle of vortex and level fluctuation from digital simulations were identical with the results of the water analog experiments.

Behavior of Liquid Steel in Mold for Thin Slab Caster

The comparison of different submerged entry nozzles(SEN)was made by numerical simulation regarding the influence of liquid steel flow field,heat transfer and mold fluxes,as well as solidification shell stress and surface quality of thin slabs.The optimum internal shape of mold and the SEN were obtained.The foundation for choice of internal shape and casting parameters of mold was built.

Technological Investigation on the Continuous Casting of Mid-Width Thin Slabs

Continuous casting of thin slabs is a key state project for 7th and sth five -year plans. On thebasis of foundamental works , CISRI condueted the tests of 102 heats in Lanzhou Steel Works in the periodof January 1991- June 1992. Three slab assortments of 50× 900 mm . 70 × 900 mm , 70 × 500 mm were ex-amined. In June of 1992, 412 t steel of 46 heats were cast with the efficiency of 91. 3 %. This. result meetsthe requiremeni of the state in this period. The mould, hedt transfer . casting technology and factors influ-encing slab’s qualities are investigated as well.

Antioxidant Coating of SEN for Thin Slab Con-casting

The SEN for thin slab con-casting is easy to break and damage because of the oxidation during preheating and application. The enamel coating material is generally applied on the surface of SEN to avoid the oxidation. The coating material with born glass and silicon as main starting materials and silica sol as binder was studied. ZrO2 - C and Al2O3 - C materials containing 15% carbon were isostatic pressed, and heated at 600 ℃ , 900 ℃ , 1 200 ℃ , 1 500 ℃ for 2 h, respectively. The results show that the coating material with 70% of boron glass and 30% of silicon bonded by silica sol can form denser protection layer in the above mentioned materials at the range of 600 -1 500 ℃. The oxidation area ratio and weight loss ratio with the coating are much lower than those without the coating.

Development of a New Subermerged Entry Nozzle in Thin Slab Caster

The fluid flow in the mould of the thin slab continuous caster has a large intluence on the quality of slabs and its productivity.The fluid flow pattern can be controlled by the SEN (Submerged Entry Nozzle) structure. Traditional SEN can not decrease the surface turbulence and penetration depth at the same time, especially at high casting speed. In order to improve the fluid flow in the mould, a new structure SEN-Dissipation SEN have been invented. The water modeling experiments proved that the dissipation SEN could satisfy, the needs of fluid flow condition in the mould at high casting speed.

Hot top electromagnetic casting research of Al thin slab

The hot top EMC (electromagnetic casting) method was put forward, namely, the shape of top liquid column was formed by the hot top in the screen and the semi suspended liquid column was formed by the electromagnetic force nearby the liquid solid interface frontier. Using the numerical simulating technique, the temperature distribution was discussed, the effect of parameters such as upper conduct distance (UCD), cooling water rate of flow, pouring temperature and liquid column height on casting velocity were studied, the relationship among them was confirmed finally. According to the calculated results, the hot top EMC shaping system was designed and a lot of experiments were performed. The pure Al thin slabs of 480 mm×20 mm×850 mm were made successfully. The result showed that the casting velocity curve obtained experimentally almost coincides to the calculated one.

Experimental Study of Fluid Flow in Thin Slab Continuous Caster Mould with Water-Model

Model study is an efficient method for optimizing the siructure of the mould and the submerged entry nozzle (SEN). Based on the similarity criteria, a full-scale water model has been established in accordance with the mould of thin-slab caster of the CSP (Compact Strip Production) operation. The effects of SEN structure including outlet area, outflow angle, nozzle width, thick-ness and immersion depth have been studied under high speed casting by measuring the amplitude and the impetus of top waves. By the orthogonal experiment design, not only the influence of the faCtors was estimated, but also the optimum work condition was judged. The rules of the fluid flow phenomena were summarized. The principle for choosing a reasonable structure of SEN was discussed.

Texture of Hot Rolled Strip for Fe-3Si Steel Produced by Thin Slab Casting and Rolling

Fe-3Si steel strip was produced by thin slab casting and rolling （TSCR） process in the laboratory. The microstructure and texture of hot rolled strip by different total reduction and rolling schedules were observed through EBSD technique and X-ray diffraction method. The rule of texture density for the a,ε and γ fibers was analyzed. When the total reduction was increased from 82.9% to 97.1%, the gradient of microstrueture and texture for A steel surface layer and center layer was found, {001}〈110〉 texture had higher intensity, and {001}〈110〉texture was changed to { 110 } 〈 001 〉 and { 112 } 〈 111 〉. The texture distribution with different reduction schedules for B steel was basically similar, but the Goss texture orientation density and volume fraction for B steel were higher, the hot rolling reduction schedule of C1 was effective for the formation of Goss texture. The research work was useful theoretical basis and reference data to develop electrical steel by thin slab continuous casting and direct rolling technology.

Microstructure,texture and precipitates of grain-oriented silicon steel produced by thin slab casting and rolling process

A grain-oriented silicon steel strip with AlN as main inhibitor was produced by thin slab casting and rolling（TSCR）process.The microstructure,texture and precipitates of the hot-rolled strip were investigated by use of optical microscope（OM）,X-ray diffractometer,transmission electron microscope（TEM）and energy dispersive spectroscope（EDS）.The result shows that the microstructure and texture exhibit a through-thickness gradient similar to that of the hot-rolled strip produced by conventional high-temperature slab-reheating process;the preferred orientation varies from {110}〈001〉in the surface layer to{001}〈110〉in the center layer,and the Goss texture with a maximum intensity mainly concentrates on the surface layer.In addition,some other texture components,for example rotated Goss texture,form in the 1/4thickness layer,which are not observed in the hotrolled strip produced by conventional high-temperature slab-reheating process.The precipitates in the hot-rolled strip are mainly（Mn,Cu）S and AlN compound particles with dimension of 100-200 nm,and the fine precipitates are significantly less than that in the hot-rolled strip produced by conventional high-temperature slab-reheating process.Moreover,the areal density of the fine precipitates in the center layer is more than that in the surface layer.

Interfacial Fluctuation Behavior of Steel/Slag in Medium-Thin Slab Continuous Casting Mold With Argon Gas Injection

The flow field of molten steel and the interfacial behaviour between molten steel and liquid slag layer in medium-thin slab continuous casting mold with argon gas injection were studied by numerical simulation, in which the effects of nozzle submergence depth and port angle, casting speed, and argon gas flow rate on the flow and the level fluctuation of molten steel were considered. The results show that the molten steel is jetted from the submerged en- try nozzle （SEN） with three ports into the mold and forms three recirculation zones including one upper recireulation zone and two lower recirculation zones. Argon gas injection results in a secondary vortex flow in the upper zone near the nozzle. For a given casting speed and argon gas flow rate, increasing the side port angle and submergence depth of nozzle can effectively restrain the steel/slag interracial fluctuation. Increasing the casting speed would prick up the level fluctuation. For a fixed casting speed, argon gas flow rate has a critical value, the interracial fluctuation with argon gas injection are stronger than the case without argon gas injection when the argon gas flow rate is less than the critical value, but when the argon gas flow rate exceeds the critical value, the level fluctuation is calmer than that without argon gas injection.

Texture of Cold Rolled Strip of Fe-3Si Steel Produced by Thin Slab Casting and Rolling

The hot rolled strip of Fe-3Si steel was experimentally produced by thin slab casting and rolling（TSCR） process in the laboratory.The texture evolution rule was investigated during hot rolling and cold rolling.The texture distribution of cold rolled strips with four kinds of cold rolling reduction schedules was observed through X-ray diffraction method,and the orientation density variation of 1/16 layer,1/8 layer,1/4 layer,and 1/2 layer in thickness was analyzed.The cold rolled texture of steel A with four kinds of cold rolling reduction schedules was mainly composed of α and γ fibers.Cold rolling reduction ratio of 70% was more beneficial for obtaining more γ fibers.The γ fiber texture orientation density of {111}01-1 and {111}1-1-2 was the largest on the 1/8 layer and 1/4 layer and the least on the 1/16 layer and 1/2 layer for steel B.The texture orientation density of {001}-{223}11-0 in the α fibers for steel C was increased,but the texture orientation density of {332}-{110}11-0 was low.

Different Roles of Microalloying in Thin Slab Direct Rolling Technologies

HSLA steels constitute one of the main types of steels produced worldwide by Thin Slab Direct Rolling technologies (TSDR).Among microalloying elements,the most widely used are V,Nb and Ti.These elements play different roles during the austenite evolution in TSDR.Regarding austenite conditioning before transformation,the limitations in the total reduction that can be applied in TSDR technologies need to be considered when composition/process parameters are selected.In this context,whereas an important number of studies have been focused on Nb microalloyed grades,a less systematic analysis has been performed concerning the role of vanadium on austenite conditioning.This paper analyzes these singularities taking into account different process parameter conditions,such as total reduction and initial rolling temperature.

Norton-Hoff model for deformation of growing solid shell of thin slab casting in funnel-shape mold

A funnel-type mold is commonly used to provide necessary clearance for the submerged entry nozzle in the thin slab casting(TSC).The partially solidified shell is subjected to the mechanical deformations,which can lead to the defects formation and,as a results,to a breakout.Traditionally,the results of the flow simulation,performed by the finite volume method(FVM),are fed to the external package for the finite element analysis of stress and strain.A coupled model was assembled using“creeping solid”approach by blending the Norton-Hoff viscoplastic stress for the solidifying shell with the Newtonian viscous stress of the liquid melt.The FVM was used to combine both liquid and solid stress models within a single solver.The iterative procedure based on the improved both side diffusion method was introduced to treat the nonlinear relation between the viscoplastic stress and the strain rate.The modeled shell thickness was verified by previously published breakout measurements and the simulation results.Temperature distribution,obtained during the TSC simulation,dominantly corresponds to the viscoplastic range.Developed numerical approach is robust and has direct industrial application.

Elastic one-return boundary element method and hybrid elastic thin-slab propagator for strong-contrast media with sharp boundaries

In this paper, we developed the theory and algorithm of an elastic one-way boundary element method（BEM） and a corresponding hybrid elastic thin-slab propagator for earth media with sharp boundaries between strong contrast media. This approach can takes the advantage of accurate boundary condition of BEM and completely overcomes the weak contrast limitation of the perturbationtheory based one-way operator approach. The one-way BEM is a smooth boundary approximation, which avoids huge matrix operations in exact full BEM. In addition, the one-way BEM can model the primary-only transmitted and reflected waves and therefore is a valuable tool in elastic imaging and inversion. Through numerical tests for some simple models,we proved the validity and efficiency of the proposed method.