Study on Lubrication and Friction between Strand and Mould in Continuous Slab Casting

Abstract

AbstractDue to improved requirements for high casting speed, slab quality, variety of steel in continuous casting, it is increasingly important to accurately control the mould/strand lubrication and friction behavior. In this study, by means of combining analysis of the measured friction data from plant trials with numerical calculations, an empirical formula for the friction coefficient of strand/mould is obtained. The mathematical model is established in order to determine the strand/mould lubrication and friction behavior, and to obtain the profiles of thickness and internal pressure of liquid slag film, and the distribution of liquid friction between strand and mould. These values enable calculation of the local mould friction. It was found that mould friction increased when some cracks and breakouts take place, thus showing that the influence of mould friction on mechanical behavior of the solidified shell as well as the thermal stress are taken into account.