Performance and properties of mould fluxes

TLDR

The flux provides lubrication and appropriate heat transfer between the shell and mould, which are essential functions in continuous casting. The paper reviews the role of mould fluxes in continuous casting. The study analyzes major defects such as longitudinal, transverse, and star cracking, gas and slag entrapment, deep oscillation marks, and sticker breakouts, and identifies key physical properties of flux that mitigate these problems. Physical property data for the fluxes are provided, with keywords including continuous casting, mould fluxes, defects, lubrication, heat transfer, and physical properties.

Abstract

AbstractAbstractThe role of mould fluxes in continuous casting is reviewed. The main functions of the flux are described and the importance of the flux in providing lubrication and the right level of heat transfer between the shell and the mould is described. The major problems of longitudinal, transverse and star cracking, gas and slag entrapment and deep oscillation marks in the steel product and 'sticker breakouts' are analysed. The important physical properties of the flux in combating these various problems are identified. Physical property data for the fluxes are given.Keywords: CONTINUOUS CASTINGMOULD FLUXESDEFECTSLUBRICATIONHEAT TRANSFERPHYSICAL PROPERTIES