Entrapment of Bubbles and Inclusions during Flow in the Mold

B.G. Thomas, S.H. Kim, G. Lee, and R. Chaudhary

Continuous Casting Consortium, POSTECH, Korea

Inclusion particles and bubbles carried by the turbulent flow of molten steel through the continuous casting nozzle and mold pool lead to serious surface and internal defects in the final product.  Three-dimensional turbulent fluid-flow models are being applied to understand and quantify inclusion transport and entrapment for different casting conditions.  The models incorporate the effects of nozzle clogging, and inclusion entrapment by the solidifying dendritic interface.  The computations are validated and augmented with measurements, metallographic analysis, and plant trials conducted at POSCO and elsewhere.