Surface solidification behaviour of micro-alloyed steels under continuous casting conditions

Micro-alloyed steels are important in steel industry with regard to their unique mechanical properties. Their characterisitcs are mainly caused by the refinement of ferrite grain size by controlled precipitation of nitrides during thermomechanical treatment in hot rolling. Uncontrolled precipitations of titanium nitrides in the surface region during casting and solidification can negatively influence the surface quality of continuously cast steel, particularly when casting, thermal soaking and hot rolling are carried out in a combined process chain. Focus of this work are experimental simulations and mathematical investigations of early solidification in a CC mould, primary precipitation of nitrides, and effects of different influences such as mould contact through casting flux or direct mould contact. A laboratory rig to lead solidification on liquid casting flux was developed. The carbon content of the steel melts was varied.