Measurements and Calculation of Interfacial Tension between Commercial Steels and Mould Flux Slags

Surface quality of continuously cast is strongly influenced by the interfacial tension between steel and mould flux slag. The meniscus shape and the inclusion entrapment are directly determined by interfacial tension. To achieve a better understanding of the continuous casting process, the interface between four commercial steels and the mould fluxes used at the continuous casting of each steel grade have been investigated. The situation at this interface is determined by the surface tension of steel and slag respectively and also by the mass transfer occurring across the interface. The surface tensions of the mould flux slags have been measured by sessile drop method. The results indicate that the surface tension of mould flux slags decreases with increasing temperature but does not vary so much within the present composition range. Interfacial tensions between steel samples and mould flux slags have been measured in the same way with the aid of X-ray unit. Estimation of interfacial tension from the steel and slag composition was done by applying empirical models. The measured and the calculated values were in agreement. The interfacial tension was lower for higher alloyed steel grades according to both experiments and calculations though the influence of surface active elements is significant.