Attachment of Liquid Calcium Aluminate Inclusions on Inner Wall of Submerged Entry Nozzle during Continuous Casting of Calcium-Treated Steel

In the present study, inclusions in calcium-treated steel after RH treatment, in the tundish and in bloom were studied. Only two types of inclusions were detected in all steel samples, namely liquid calcium aluminate inclusions and inclusions of two phases with spinel in the center surrounded by the liquid calcium aluminate. The attachment of the inclusions on the inner surface of SEN was investigated for two types of refractory materials. The results indicated that liquid calcium aluminate inclusions could attach on the wall of SEN, when the refractory had big grain size and big cavities on the surface. On the other hand, tiny grain size and smooth surface of the SEN showed no attachment of the inclusions. The different behaviors of the two types of SEN were well explained using the results of flow calculation in the nozzle. The mechanism of the attachment was also discussed based on the experimental results and the CFD calculation. The tiny nodules formed on the surface of the inner nozzle due to inclusion attachment could be a source of macro inclusions.