EFFECT OF CASTING FLUX ON CRACKING IN THE CONTINUOUS-CASTING OF SLABS

Introduction to the problem under consideration: effect of strand width on the formation of longitudinal cracks, application of highly liquid casting slags to prevent cracking, lubricating effect of casting fluxes, effect of parameters determined by the casting flux on cracking. Behaviour of casting fluxes in the mould. Importance of liquid slag layer thickness in the mould. Shape and geometry of the slag crust at the meniscus: effect of oscillation stroke and thickness of the slag layer on the expansion of the crust, impact of transparency and pore percentage of the slag crust on thermal conductivity. Structure of the lubricating film: effect of casting flux consumption on the thickness and stability of the lubricating film, dependence of casting flux consumption on casting speed and viscosity of the slag at the liquid metal level, effect of additives on the viscosity of slags, significance of slag basicity for thermal resistivity. Description of the operating results: dependence of the granulated powders employed on basicity, determination of casting speeds, melting and crystallization temperatures as well as viscosity, determination of the temperature profile of the slag crust between mould and strand surface. Outlook.