Optimisation of pinch roll load in thin slab continuous casting

Abstract

An analytical model has been developed to investigate the optimum pinch roll load and resulting slab thickness reduction during the continuous casting of a steel, constant thickness, thin slab in a vertical type machine. The pinch roll unit consists of two driven pinch roll sets, which support the solidified hot slab weight and take up the reaction forces owing to slab bending. Optimum conditions prevail when the pinch roll load required to support the slab weight is equally shared by the two pinch roll sets and has the minimum value allowing proper control of the slab speed. The model has been validated by being applied to an existing industrial case of thin slab continuous casting of plain low carbon steel. The effects of pinch roll radius, slab thickness, casting speed, slab temperature and the material carbon percentage on minimum pinch roll load and slab thickness reduction ratio have been investigated. Expressions have been obtained for the optimum pinch roll load and slab thickness reduction ratio related to the prevailing process parameters, which the plant operator can directly apply to determine the optimum pressure setting for the hydraulic cylinders fitted to the movable roll ends. The bending roll load is shown to be small compared with the pinch roll load.