Influence of roll speed difference on microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of 7075 aluminum plates produced via combined continuous casting and rolling process

The influences of the dissimilarity in the roll speeds on the microstructure, texture and mechanical properties of 7075 aluminum plates produced via combined continuous casting and rolling(CCCR) process were investigated. Several experiments were conducted with three different upper/lower roll rotational speed ratios(ω/ω0, ω is the upper roll rotational speed and ω0 is the lower roll rotational speed), namely 1:1, 1:1.2 and 1:1.4. It was found that the greatest dissimilarity in the roll speed(ω/ω0=1:1.4) improved the yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of 7075 Al plate in the rolling direction by 41.5% and 21.9%, respectively. Moreover, at a roll speed ratio of ω/ω0=1:1.4, the average grain size was decreased by 36% whereas the mean hardness of the transverse cross-section of the finally rolled plate was increased by about 9.2%. Texture studies also revealed that the more the difference in the roll speeds was, the greater the isotropy and the hardness of the final product were. Nevertheless, conducting CCCR operation with different roll speeds resulted in about 6% reduction in the elongation of the deformed plate.

Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Cu-0.36Be-0.46Co alloy fabricated by heating-cooling combined mold horizontal continuous casting during cold rolling

Cu-0.36 wt.%Be-0.46 wt.%Co alloy plate with 300 mm in width and 10 mm in thickness prepared by heating-cooling combined mold(HCCM) horizontal continuous casting was cold rolled. Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of the alloy as well as its deformation mechanism were investigated. The results showed that the as-cast alloy plate had columnar grains along the length direction, good surface quality and elongation of 35%, which was directly large-reduction cold rolled without surface treatment, and the accumulative cold rolling reduction reached 98%. When the reduction was small(20%), numerous dislocations and dislocation cells formed, and the deformation mechanism was dislocation slip. When the reduction was 40%, deformation twins appeared, and interactions between twins and dislocation cells induced strip-like dislocation cells. When the reduction exceeded 60%, shear bands formed and apparent crystal rotation in the micro-region happened. Further increasing the reduction, the amount of the shear bands rose and they interacted with each other, which refined the grains apparently. The tensile strength and hardness increased from 353 MPa and HV 119 of the as-cast alloy to 625 MPa and HV 208 with 95% reduction, respectively, and the elongation reduced from 35% to 7.6%. A process of HCCM horizontal continuous casting-cold rolling can work as a novel compact method to fabricate Cu-Be alloy sheet.

Relationships between the surface quality of a single crystal copper ingot and the process parameters of a heated mould continuous casting method

The relationships between the surface quality of a single crystal copper ingot and the process parameters of heated mould continuous casting method were studied experimentally using our own design of horizontal heated mould continuous casting apparatus, and the mechanism by which process parameters affect the surface quality of a single crystal copper ingot is analyzed in the present paper. The results show that the process parameters affect the surface quality of a pure copper ingot by affecting the position of the liquid-solid interface in the mould. The position of the liquid-solid interface in the mould must be controlled carefully within an appropriate range, which is determined through a series of experiments, in order to gain a single crystal copper ingot with good surface quality.

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.

Quantitative evaluation of multi-process collaborative operation in steelmaking–continuous casting sections

The quantitative evaluation of multi-process collaborative operation is of great significance for the improvement of production planning and scheduling in steelmaking–continuous casting sections(SCCSs). However, this evaluation is difficult since it relies on an in-depth understanding of the operating mechanism of SCCSs, and few existing methods can be used to conduct the evaluation, due to the lack of full-scale consideration of the multiple factors related to the production operation. In this study, three quantitative models were developed, and the multiprocess collaborative operation level was evaluated through the laminar-flow operation degree, the process matching degree, and the scheduling strategy availability degree. Based on the evaluation models for the laminar-flow operation and process matching levels, this study investigated the production status of two steelmaking plants, plants A and B, based on actual production data. The average laminar-flow operation(process matching) degrees of SCCSs were obtained as 0.638(0.610) and 1.000(0.759) for plants A and B, respectively, for the period of April to July 2019. Then, a scheduling strategy based on the optimization of the furnace-caster coordinating mode was suggested for plant A. Simulation experiments showed higher availability than the greedy-based and manual strategies. After the proposed scheduling strategy was applied,the average process matching degree of the SCCS of plant A increased by 4.6% for the period of September to November 2019. The multi-process collaborative operation level was improved with fewer adjustments and interruptions in casting.

Effect of Process Factors on Microstructure of Semisolid Continuous Casting Billets

Semisolid continuous casting (SSCC) is a new technology to produce billets for semisolid metal forming (SSMF). The effect of process factors, such as pouring temperature, stirring rate, preheating temperature and thermal conductivity of stirring chamber, on the microstructure of SSCC billets was studied by means of the factorial experimental method. The results show that the microstructure of SSCC billets can be controlled by the above-mentioned four process factors. In order to obtain fine and rounded granular grains in an SSCC billet, the pouring temperature, preheating temperature and stirring rate should be kept in a moderate range, and the thermal conductivity of stirring chamber should be high. The regression equations with the process factors connecting the microstructure was also set up based on experimental data.

PHYSICAL SIMULATION OF CONTINUOUS ROLL CASTING PROCESS

A series of simulating experimental studies on the rheological behavior and its influential factors of aluminum alloy in continuous roll-casting process have been explored in this paper with a Gleeble-1500 Thermal-Mechanical Simulation Tester and a set of special clamp system. Relevant rheological rules in the process of coupling transient solidification and continuous deformation of roll-casting conditions are obtained. Experimental results indicate that four different characteristic stages exist in the whole rheological process, and relative constitutive models suitable for the given conditions of continuous roll casting process have been established through multivariable linear regression analysis of the experimental data.

Slab Storage Calculation Method for Continuous Casting-Hot Rolling

Based on load-oriented manufacturing control theory,different combining modes and slab storage calculation method for continuous casting and hot rolling were discussed.The buffer capacity index of continuous casting-rolling was introduced,and the reasonable slab storage under different combining modes was calculated with buffer capacity index of 120.00 hfor CCR,79.20 hfor HCR,19.68 hfor DHCR and 3.84 hfor DR.Thin slab is 1.20 h,and the strip is zero.Theory gist was provided for steel enterprise to decrease storage.

The effect of the continuous casting process on ultrasonically-tested defects in heavy plates

A plate＇s internal quality is very critical, especially for boilers and high-pressure vessels. The ultrasonic test （UT） is the main type of non-destructive flaw detection for heavy plates, which is important because one of the main reasons for plate defects is ultrasonic flaws. This study, based on Baosteel＇ s practical experience in the manufacture of heavy plates, elucidates the cause of defect formation by analyzing ultrasonic flaw testing maps and using special equipment, such as the scanning electron microscope, electron probe and the optical microscope. The author puts forward the following improvement measures： ① Ultrasonic flaws are caused by central porosity and segregation,[H] bubbles and inclusion in slabs.②Ultrasonic flaws are more likely to occur in the bottom and top of slabs rather than the other positions in the casting sequence. It is clear that one-quarter of the inner camber＇ s thickness is accumulated inclusion.③It is clear that overheating in the tundish and the flow of the casting mould have an effect on ultrasonic flaws caused by inclusions.④Soft reduction improves central porosity and segregation,which decreases the number of ultrasonic flaws in the plate.

Rheological behavior of continuous roll casting process of aluminum alloy

The rheological behavior of aluminum alloy and its influencing factors in physical simulation of continuous roll casting process were studied by using a Gleeble-1500 thermal-mechanical simulation tester with a set of special clamp system. The relationships between the flow stress and the strain rate in the deformation process of simulating roll casting experiment were obtained. The results show that four different characteristic stages exist in the temperature range of the whole rheological process. The first occurs when the temperature is higher than 600 ℃, which belongs to the creep deformation stage; the second occurs when the temperature lies in the range of 500600 ℃, and it can be regarded as the high temperature and low stress level deformation stage; the third occurs when the temperature decreases to the range of 300500 ℃, it is considered to be the middle stress level deformation stage; the last occurs when the temperature is less than 300 ℃ and the strain rate is less than 1.00 s -1, it belongs to middle stress level deformation stage. But when the strain rate is larger than 1.00 s -1,it belongs to the high stress level deformation stage. And the relative constitutive models suitable for the four different stages of continuous roll casting process were established through multivariate linear regression analysis of the experimental data.

Numerical simulation of continuous roll-casting process of aluminum alloy

In order to improve the strip quality of continuous roll-casting process (CRP) of aluminum alloy, the investigations of the flow behavior within the metal pool, the heat transfer condition between roll and strip, the pouring temperature of molten alloy, the roll-casting speed and the control of the position of solidification final point are important. The finite volume method was applied to the analysis of the continuous roll-casting process. A two-dimensional incompressible non-Newtonian fluid flow with heat transfer was considered, which was described by the continuity equation, the Navier-Stokes equation and the energy equation. With this mathematical model, the flow patterns, temperature fields and solid fraction distributions in the metal pool between two rolls were simulated. From the calculated results, the effects of technical parameters to the position of solidification final point are obtained. The simulated results show that the roll-casting speed and pouring temperature have an enormous effect on the temperature distribution and the position of solidification final point.

Experimental research on electromagnetic continuous casting high-speed steel composite roll

A high speed steel composite roll billet was fabricated, which is regular in shape, smooth in surface, slight in trace, compact in internal structure, free of slag inclusion, shrinkage cavity, cracks and other flaws, and good in macro quality of junction surface using a vertical continuous casting machine. The interface zone microstructure of bimetallic in billet of high speed steel composite roll was analyzed by metallurgical microscope(OM), X-ray diffractmeter(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis(EDS). The results indicate that the microstructure of roll billet is composed of chilled solidified layer, dendrite zone, interfacial zone of bimetal and core material zone. The microstructure of outer shell material is composed of martensite + bainite + residual austenite + some small labyrinth-shape, small-short lath-shape, or dollop-shape eutectic carbides. The microstructure of core material is slice-shape pearlite and a little ferrite along boundary of cells. The interface region microstructure of bimetallic composite roll consists of diffusion region, chilled solidified layer and columnar grain region.

Recent Developments in the Continuous Processing of Steels

This paper reviews recent developments in the contin- uous processing of steels in Japan.The following items are discussed:continuous casting-direct rolling(CC-DR) process of hot-rolled strip:thermomechanical control process(TMCP)of heavy plates:in—line heat treating pro- cess of rails:direct lead patenting(DLP)process of wire rods;and fully integrated processing line(FIPL)of cold-rolled strip.

Calculation of Solidification Process of Continuous Cast Bar

In this paper,it presents the results of calculation of solidification process of copper continuous cast bar by cross section size 120 mm × 70 mm with application of Pro Cast 2010 software. The estimation of mould design effect on solidification process of continuos copper cast bar is completed at various speeds of casting.Profiles of liquid metal cavities and temperature allocations in the cast bar at various casting speeds are defined.The analysis of received liquid metal cavity profiles shows that a new mold construction allows significantly decrease of the length of the liquid metal cavity during continuous copper casting at HAZELETTcasting machine and the increase of maximum casting speed from 10 to 11 m / min. Adequacy of the results of copper continuous cast bar solidification process calculation is confirmed by the experimental data.

EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ON CASTING-ROLLING STRIP BREAKDOWNS

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Evolution of inclusions in a pipeline steel during continuous casting and hot rolling process

Industrial trials were performed to study the evolution of inclusions in a pipeline steel during the continuous casting and hot rolling process.The main composition of inclusions changed from Al_(2)O_(3)-CaO in the liquid steel to Al_(2)O_(3)-CaO-CaS in the slab,and then to Al_(2)O_(3)-CaS in the rolled plate.Corresponding area fractions of inclusions increased from 47.0×10^(-6) to 76.7×10^(-6),and to 144.3×10^(-6).It was explained by thermodynamic calculations that the thermodynamic equilibrium between inclusions and the steel varied with the temperature.Element contents of Al,Ca,Mg,S,and O in the steel decreased during the solidification and cooling process.Due to the difference in the cooling rate,the transformation ratio of CaS increased from 61% at the slab surface to 95% in the slab center.It was also affected by the size of inclusions as smaller inclusions provided better kinetic conditions.Critical diameters of inclusions for the composition transformation were calculated.For the hot rolling process,the average aspect ratio of inclusions increased from 1.4 in the slab to 2.8 in the rolled plate.During the hot rolling process,a part of inclusions was crushed into small particles of CaS phase and Al_(2)O_(3)-CaO-MgO cores,leading to a decrease in CaS content of inclusions.

Establishment of mathematical moment model in twin casting rolling rolls

In continuous casting rolling process, the deformed body is different from the hot rolling strip. The metal in casting rolling zone is first assumed to be viscous fluid and the mathematical model of casting rolling force is established, then the calculating formula for casting rolling torque is derived. In addition, considering the effects of deforming cone and appendant torque of rotary junctions sealing ring, the calculating model which accords with casting rolling condition is found out. Theoretical formula is proved by experiment.

Simulation on Effect of Divergent Angle of Submerged Entry Nozzle on Flow and Temperature Fields in Round Billet Mold in Electromagnetic Swirling Continuous Casting Process

A new process for swirling flow generation in the submerged entry nozzle （SEN） in continuous casting process of steel was proposed. A rotating electromagnetic field was set up around the SEN to induce swirling flow by Lorentz force. The flow and temperature fields in the SEN and round billet mold with electromagnetic swirling were numerically simulated and then verified by the electromagnetic swirling model experiment of low melting point alloy. The effects of divergent angle of the SEN on the flow and temperature fields in mold with electromagnetic swirling were investigated. The electromagnetic swirling flow generator （EMSFG） could effectively induce swirling flow of molten steel in the SEN, which consequently improved greatly the flow and temperature fields in the mold. Below the nozzle outlet in mold, with the increase of divergent angle, the stream of bulk flow diverged more widely, the high temperature zone shifted up, and the temperature field became more uniform. Above the nozzle outlet in mold, with 350 A electromagnetic swirling, when the divergent angle of the SEN increased, the upward flow velocity and the meniscus temperature first increased and then decreased. With a divergent angle of 60~, the upward flow velocity and meniscus temperature reaced the largest value.

Development of Continuous Casting Technology of Electrical Steel and New Products

The development of continuous casting technology of electrical steel was analyzed. The technologies and products characteristics of conventional continuous casting, thin slab continuous casting and rolling, middle thin slab continuous casting and rolling and twin-roll thin strip were compared. Conventional continuous casting technology was widely adopted in producing electrical steel, thin slab continuous casting and rolling and middle thin slab contin- uous casting and roiling technology industrialized electrical steel~ and study of twin-roll thin strip casting technology was focused on fundamental experiments.

Application of Mix Optimization Scheduling Approach for Steelmaking Continuous Casting Process Based on Actual Steelmaking Industry

The models, algorithms and implementation results of a computerized scheduling system were introduced for the steelmaking-continuous casting process （SCCP） of a steel plant in China. The scheduling of SCCP in this plant required that each cast plan should be processed on time, the charges in the same cast should be processed con- tinuously on the same caster, and the waiting time of the charges which are in front of each caster cannot exceed the given threshold. At the same time, the processing time of charges cannot be conflicted mutually in the same convert- ers or refining furnaces. Based on the research background, a hybrid optimal scheduling approach and its application were discussed. Aiming at the main equipment scheduling, an optimal scheduling method was proposed which con- sisted of equipment assignment algorithm based on dynamic program （DP） technique and conflict elimination algo rithm based on linear program （LP） technique. The approach guarantees that the charges are continuously processed on the same caster. Meanwhile, the requirement for high temperature ladle can also be satisfied due to the ladle matching function. Numerical results demonstrate solution quality, computational efficiency, and values of the mod els and algorithm.