Impact of mould powder on physicochemical properties of slag in the continuous casting process

Abstract

Mould powder is essential for the reliable operation of the continuous casting system and the quality of the cast steel. The very responsible roles of mould powder are fulfilled by selecting combinations of components that affect physicochemical properties of the resulting liquid slag, which lubricate the walls among the crystallizer and slab. The contribution of mould powder refers to the range of melting temperature and speed and the viscosity of glassy or crystalline slag and formation temperature. These connections are the research subject in this paper, emphasizing the functional dependence of viscosity and liquidus temperature of mould powder with its material composition. This research investigates the impact of basicity, alkali oxides (Na2O and K2O), and carbon-free content on viscosity and liquidus temperature of mould powder in the continuous casting process. The liquidus temperature of mould powder was obtained empirically after a year of experimental examination, and viscosity was determined using several models. Based on experimental investigation, we show empirical parameters for equitation of liquidus temperature of mould powder. Also, using established equations, we presented isolines for viscosity and liquidus temperature with experimental parameters.