Dynamic pressure in mould flux channel during mould non-sinusoidal oscillation

Abstract

Based on the lubrication theory of mould flux, a mathematical model of dynamic pressure in mould flux channel was developed, and the distribution of dynamic pressure and its variation during non-sinusoidal oscillation were investigated. The effects of casting speed and non-sinusoidal oscillation parameters, including the degree of non-sinusoidal operation (non-sinusoidal factor), amplitude and frequency of oscillation on the dynamic pressure in the mould flux channel, were studied. The results indicate that the maximum negative pressure is decreased, and the maximum positive pressure is increased with increasing non-sinusoidal factor. The optimum value of non-sinusoidal factor is ∼0·2. With increasing amplitude and frequency of oscillation, both the negative and positive pressure are increased; moreover, the increment of positive pressure is obviously greater than that of negative pressure; especially when the oscillation frequency is increased, the increment of negative pressure is very little. When the casting speed is enhanced, the negative pressure is increased, but the positive pressure is decreased. Therefore, if the casting speed is increased, the oscillation amplitude needs to be increased, as well as the oscillation frequency needs to be decreased properly. With these adjustments, the positive pressure in mould flux channel is nearly unchanged. The actions of strand demoulding and cracks welding are kept effective. Moreover, the negative pressure in mould flux channel is increased properly, which causes the flux consumption to increase, so the mould lubrication is improved. Finally, the strand surface quality is improved greatly, and breakout can be avoided. The applicability of the optimised non-sinusoidal oscillation parameters for the two kinds of casting speed has been proven by industrial practice.