Influence of mechanical factors on solidification structure of thin strips of Fe-6.5wt-% Si alloy by twin roll casting process

Strips (1.6 mm thick) of Fe-6.5wt-% Si alloy were prepared by twin roll casting. The microstructure was found to be mainly columnar and equiaxed grains. The plastic deformation of the strip is inhomogeneous in the thickness direction. The most serious deformation is located at a certain depth from the strip surface. The influence of mechanical factors on the solidification structure of the strip is discussed. As the two solidifying shells contact with each other at the end of solidification, the columnar growth fronts break into fragments, which finally grow into equiaxed grains. At the hot rolling stage, the inhomogeneous deformation of the strip is attributed to the fact that the ductility of the alloy is sensitive to temperature. There is a large temperature gradient in the thickness direction, which can be up to 510 degrees C mm(-1).