The future of the twin-roll strip casting and rolling process

Twin-roll strip casting and rolling is a typical near-net-shape steel manufacturing process.The twin-roll strip casting and rolling of low-carbon steel strips has made a number of breakthroughs and achieved significant results during the past 20 years.Baosteel has been paying close attention to the development of this technology and set up a research and development project focused on its industrialization in 2001.The Ningbosteel-Baosteel strip casting industrialization demo project(NBS),which was launched in 2016,marks the strip-casting technology(registered as Baostrip) developed by Baosteel as having reached an advanced international level after 15 years of effort.This paper summarizes the results obtained in the industrialized demonstration plant and considers the future development of strip casting and rolling.

Effect of asymmetric rolling process on the microstructure,mechanical properties and texture of AZ31 magnesium alloys sheets produced by twin roll casting technique

Symmetric rolling(SR)and asymmetric rolling(ASR)processes were carried out on 6 mm thick AZ31 magnesium alloy sheets that were produced by twin roll casting(TRC)technique.Before rolling processes,sheets were heat treated in order to obtain a homogenized microstructure.In this study,for the ASR process the rolling speed ratio between upper roller and lower was selected as 1.25.Both SR and ASR processes were utilized with 40%reduction per passes using 2 pass schedule for a total reduction ratio of 0.67.Symmetric and asymmetric rolled sheets were characterized using optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)techniques.Texture measurements were performed by using X-ray diffraction(XRD)technique and mechanical properties were investigated by tensile tests and also hardness measurements.

Simulation of Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer and Micro-Segregation in Twin-roll Strip Casting of Stainless Steel

In twin-roll strip casting process, metal flow and temperature distribution in the molten pool directly affect the stability of the process and the quality of products. In this paper, a 3D coupled thermal-flow fenite element modeling （FEM） simulation for twin-roll strip casting of stainless steel was performed. Influences of the pouring temperature and casting speed on the temperature fields were obtained from the numerical simulation. The micro-segregation of the solutes during the strip casting process of stainless steel was also simulated. A developed micro-segregation model was used to calculate the micro-segregation of solutes in twin-roll casting of stainless steel. The relationship between the solidus fraction in solidification and temperature was given, which was used to determine the LIT （liquid impermeable temperature）, ZST （zero strength temperature） and ZDT （zero ductility temperature） in the period of non-equilibrium solidification. The effect of temperature on the micro-segregation was discussed. According to the computational results, the solidification completion temperature in the twin-roll strip casting of stainless steel was then determined, which can provide a basis for controlling the location of solidification completion temperature and analysing the crack of the casting strip.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF MOLTEN POOL AND CONTROL STRATEGY OF KISS POINT IN A TWIN-ROLL STRIP CASTING PROCESS

Coupled turbulent flow, temperature fields of the twin-roll casting strip process were simulated by three-dimensional finite element method. Based on the heat balance calculation and using inverse methods between the simulations and real experiments, the relational models among casting speed, location, and coefficient of heat transfer between molten metal and rolls in different regions are given. In the simulation, the calculated surface temperatures are in good agreement with the measured values. An on-line model of kiss point is derived by simulations and the geometry of molten pool, corresponding control strategy is also proposed.

Investigation of the solute transportation coupled with heat transfer and fluid flow during twin-roll strip casting process

Mathematical model of solute [C] distribution in twin-roll strip casting process has been setup successfully with Calcosoft for the first time. Simulation result shows that in the center of the molten steel pool between the two rolls there is a vortex flow, which is a solute enriched area. But the highest solute concentration position is at the solidification front of the columnar grain zone near the cooling roll surface. Another solute enriched position is in the back flow above the nip point. Combined with the formation mechanism of microstruoture in final as cast strip, analysis shows that solute enriched area is in the transitional area between columnar and equiaxed grain zone.

Mathematical modeling of fluid flow and level profile during twin-roll strip casting process

In twin-roll strip casting process,transport phenomena of fluid in the molten pool directly affect the process stability and the quality of products.In order to elucidate the fundamental transport phenomena in twin-roll casting,a commercial software called ProCAST was employed to simulate the transient fluid flow and level profile behaviors during the early stage of the process in this study.The coupled set of governing differential equations for mass,momentum and energy balance were solved with the finite element method and the transient free surface problem was treated with a volume of fluids(VOF) approach.The effect of different delivery systems configuration on flow pattern,level profile in the pool was studied and analyzed in this paper. The new wedge metal delivery systems have been optimized for the twin-roll strip caster.It was shown that new type metal delivery systems had a preferable effect on the uniform distribution of fluid and level fluctuation in the pool.The simulation results also provide a valuable basis for the optimization of delivery system and process parameters during the initial pouring stage.

Influence of Feeding Mode on Flow and Temperature Field for Twin Roll Strip Casting Process

A three-dimensional finite element method was developed to simulate the fluid flow,heat transfer and solidification for twin roll strip casting.An improved two-equationκ-εmodel was used to incorporate the turbulence in fluid flow.The influence of vertical feeding and submerged entry nozzle feeding on the flow and temperature field was discussed.The optimum submersion depth and entry angle of submerged nozzle were obtained through comparison of the simulation results.

Microstructure and Eutectic Carbide Morphology of the High Speed Steel Strips Produced by Twin Roll Strip Casting Process

The M2 high-speed steel strip was produced by using the laboratory scale twin roll strip caster. The microstructure and eutectic carbide morphology of thus produced products were observed and analyzed, and the comparison of those with conventional products was carried out. The effects of the processing parameters such as the melting temperature, the pouring temperature, rolling speed and separating force on the microstructure and eutectic carbide morphology and their distribution were analyzed. The spheroidizing process of the strips in the annealing process was investigated. The relations between the growth and spheroidizing of the eutectic carbide and the annealing technology were obtained, and the mechanism of the twin roll strip casting process improving the eutectic carbide spheroidizing was discussed. The theoretical instruction for determining the subsequent treatment process was provided.

Study of measurement and control of free loop of hot steel strip in twin-roll strip casting

In the twin-roll strip casting process, hot cast strips can be broken or tom if the casting speed does not match the rolling speed. Usually, a certain length of hot steel strip is hung freely between the caster and rolling mill to deal with the effect of this speed difference. In this paper,the freely hanging hot steel strip is referred to as the free loop of hot steel strip. Accurately measuring and controlling the height of this free loop is the key factor in maintaining a stable casting operation. Several methods for measuring the loop height of a steel strip are discussed and a method for accurately measuring and controlling the free loop height of hot steel strip is presented. Based on the results of the casting loop quantity change curve, this control method is confirmed to be effective and able to meet the requirements of continuous casting strip production.

Numerical simulation of the temperature fields of stainless steel with different roller parameters during twin-roll strip casting

The temperature field of stainless steel during twin-roll strip casting was simulated by experiment and a finite element （FE） model. By comparing the measured result with the simulated values, it is found that they fit close to each other, which indicates this FE model is effective. Based on this model, the effects of roll gap （t） and roll radius （R） on solidification were simulated. The simulated results give the relationship between t or R and the position of the freezing point. The larger the t is and the smaller the R is, the closer the position of the freezing point is to the exit.

3D stress simulation and parameter design during twin-roll casting of 304 stainless steel based on the Anand model

This study first investigated cracks on the surface of an actual steel strip. Formulating the Anand model in ANSYS software, we then simulated the stress field in the molten pool of type 304 stainless steel during the twin-roll casting process. Parameters affecting the stress distribution in the molten pool were analyzed in detail and optimized. After twin-roll casting, a large number of transgranular and intergranular cracks resided on the surface of the thin steel strip, and followed a tortuous path. In the molten pool, stress was enhanced at the exit and at the roller contact positions. The stress at the exit decreased with increasing casting speed and pouring temperature. To ensure high quality of the fabricated strips, the casting speed and pouring temperature should be controlled above 0.7 m/s and 1520℃, respectively.

Mathematical modeling of thermo-mechanical behavior of strip during twin roll casting of an AZ31 magnesium alloy

The effect of set-back distance on the thermo-mechanical behavior of the strip during twin roll casting(TRC)of an AZ31 magnesium alloy was modeled using finite element method(FEM).Model validation was done by comparing the predicted and measured exit strip surface temperature as well as the secondary dendrite arm spacing(SDAS)through the thickness of the sheet to those measured during experiments.Model results showed as the set-back distance increases,the strip exit temperature decreases and the solidification front moves toward the entry of the roll gap.The cast strip also experiences more plastic deformation and consequently,the normal stress on the strip surface and effective strain at the strip center-line increase.Moreover,higher separating forces were predicted for longer set-back distances.Model predictions showed that changing the set-back distance by varying the final thickness has a more significant effect on the temperature and stress-strain fields than altering the nozzle opening height.

Effect of casting parameters and deformation on microstructure evolution of twin-roll casting magnesium alloy AZ31

Twin roll casting method is a promising route to directly produce magnesium alloy strip. It is a rapid solidification process with high temperature gradient combined with thermal flow and rolling deformation in the casting region. As-cast strip with proper microstructure is requested to serve as next rolling feedstock. However the microstructure of as-cast strip is sensitive for casting conditions during the casting process and the as-cast microstructure greatly affects the mechanical properties. In this work, the effect of casting speed, pouring temperature, deformation as well as anneal process on microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated. The results revels that twin-roll casting process can effectively refine the grain size, improve the morphology and distribution states of Mg17Al12. The homogenization treatment time can be shorted for the fine microstructure and lower the cost dramatically for the next forming process.

Water Modeling of Twin-Roll Strip Casting

Twin-roll strip casting is regarded as a prospective technology of near net shape continuous casting. The fluid flow field and level fluctuation in the pool have a strong influence not only on composition and temperature homogeneity of pool, but also on the strip quality. A 1 ： 1 water model of a twin-roll strip caster was set up based on the criteria of Froude number and Reynold number similarity. The level fluctuation was measured. The influence of pool depth, casting speed and feeding system configuration on level fluctuation in the pool was studied. The experimental results provided a basis for the optimization of feeding system and process parameters.

Effect of Oscillation Parameters to Flow Field in the Pool during the Oscillating Twin-Roll Strip Casting Process

During the oscillating twin?roll strip casting process, the quality of final products is directly influenced by the flow field distribution of molten metal in the pool. The variation in the flow field is caused by oscillating roller benefits, for homogeneous distribution of strip impurity, and decreasing the grain size. Thus, the quality of the strip could be improved. A numerical model was developed using the multiphase flow technology, coupled with heat transfer, fluid flow, solidification, and oscillation. Furthermore, a transient algorithm was adopted for simulating the oscillating twin?roll strip casting process of AlSi9Cu3 and 3104 aluminum alloy. This paper focuses on the flow distribution in the pool, in comparison with the traditional vertical twin?roll strip casting process, while the amplitude or frequency is chang?ing with the definite value of casting velocity, roller diameter, nozzle angle, and the strip thickness. Consequently, the conclusions were experimentally validated by oscillating twin?roll 3104 aluminum alloy strip casting. Vibrating casting technology can change the flow field in the pool by vibration, which can improve the quality of the strip core.

Numerical and physical simulation of a twin-roll strip caster

The 1：1 water model of a twin-roll strip caster was set up based on the Froude number and the Reynolds number similarity criteria. A new type metal delivery system was designed for the twin-roll strip caster. The level fluctuation and the fluid flow in the pool of the water model were measured using the level detector and the 3D-LDV （laser Doppler velocimetry） technology. It is shown that a wedged delivery system can produce the desirable level fluctuation and even fluid flow distribution in the pool Numerical simulations for the water model were performed. Comparisons between the numerical and physical simulation results show good agreement near the side dams.

Research and development of transnormal twin roll-casting technology

Focusing on the research and development of transnormal twin roll casting technology and modeling and simulation of twin roll casting process, the progresses made in China to date in the following aspects were introduced, the analysis and calculation of heat conductance both in contact zone between the strip and the outside of the roller and the inside of the roller; the 3 D numerical simulation of molten aluminum flow in feed tip nozzle; the research of the effects of electromagnetic fields on textures and mechanical properties of casting rolling strip, and the modeling and simulation of twin roll casting process including the methods of modeling and some significant results.

Twin-roll strip casting of magnesium alloys in China

The development status of twin-roll strip casting for magnesium alloys in China was summarized as well as the new progress when several kinds of twin-roll strip casting technologies were developed and used.Horizontal twin-roll casting (HTRC) of magnesium alloys has attracted much attention and has been industrialized in China.Vertical twin roll casting(VTRC) of the magnesium alloys can reach a speed of higher than 30 m/min and its research and development are just beginning and exhibit exciting potential.By comparing the process characteristics of the two technologies,the process stability of HTRC for the magnesium alloys is better,and the casting speed and the cooling rate of VTRC for the magnesium alloys are higher.The quality of the products by the two technologies needs to be improved and further investigated.

Application of Fuzzy Logic Controller to Level Control of Twin-Roll Strip Casting

An intelligent fuzzy-PID controller consisting of fuzzy logic controller and PID controller was developed to control the molten steel level of twin-roll strip caster.Additionally,a feedforward differential PID controller was used for stopper position control in order to avoid differential kick.It is proved by simulation that the proposed intelligent controller is able to obtain zero steady state error asymptotically and the control system is robust due to its fuggy behavior of the controller.

Microstructure and hot compression behavior of twin-roll-casting AZ41M magnesium alloy

The relationship of true stress and true strain of AZ41M magnesium alloy under twin-roll-cast （TRC） and hot compression was analyzed us- ing a Gleeble 1500 machine. Microstructural evolutions of the TRC magnesium alloy under different deformation conditions （strain, sWain rate and deformation temperature） were examined using optical microscopy and discussed. The relationship of true stress and true sWain pre- dicted that lower deformation temperature and higher sWain rate caused sharp strain hardening. Meanwhile, the flow stress curve turned into a steady state at high temperature and lower strain rate. The intermediate temperature and strain rate （623 K and 0.01 s^-1） is appropriate.