Effect of the mold corner structure on the friction behavior in slab continuous casting molds

Abstract

The friction behavior between strands and molds plays a significant role in the surface quality of strands, especially around the strand corner. Herein, the friction behavior in slab molds with different corner structures (right-angle, big-chamfer, multi-chamfer, and fillet) was investigated. The temperature distribution of the slab was calculated through a three-dimensional mold model that couples the fluid flow and heat transfer. Then, the friction behavior was analyzed using a friction model, which was modified via a solid slag fracture model. The results show that an air gap is formed around the slab corner because of the disappearance of the liquid slag and the fracture of the solid slag. The slab friction stress on the wide face exponentially increases from the meniscus to the mold exit, while that on the narrow face is much lower. The friction stress distribution around the slab corner in the chamfered mold is more uniform than that in the right-angle mold, especially in the fillet mold. Employing a chamfered mold allows reducing the friction stress around the slab corner. The mold friction stress on the wide face increases quasi-linearly from the meniscus to the mold exit while that on the narrow face is similar to that of the slab friction stress. In addition, the oscillation parameters have a great effect on the friction behavior.