Effects of Using New Mold and Modified Secondary Cooling Scenario on Continuous Casting Process at a Steel Plant in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, new mold and modified secondary cooling scenario were applied at continuous casting part of a steel factory in Turkey to attain higher mold lifetime and good product quality with reduced process failures. In order to see the influence of these applications, a significant number of casting trials were performed in the factory to produce square steel billets. After finishing the casting, solidification and cooling of steel billets, the examinations were made to check whether the quality faults were formed or not on the products. A significant increase in productivity, quality and the mold lifetime were reached at the high-speed casting between 3.0 and 4.0 m/min for steel billet of 150x150 mm dimensions with the help of modifications made in both primary and secondary cooling zones. For the peritectic grade steels, higher casting speed and much lower breakouts were recorded compared to the old mold.