Attachment of Alumina on the Wall of Submerged Entry Nozzle During Continuous Casting of Al-Killed Steel

The mechanisms of the formation of different attachments on the walls of submerged entry nozzle (SEN) were studied for the processes of Al-killed steel (Ca-treated, HSLA) and ultra-low carbon Al-killed steel (ULC). To understand the mechanism, the types of inclusions in the steel taken in tundish and in bloom (or slab) were identified. In the case of ULC, the reoxidation product, micro-alumina particles were found to be the source of attachment on the inner wall of the SEN. To avoid reoxidation of the steel by the top slag, removal of the slag could be considered in order to improve the situation. No attached layer was found on the outer surface of the SEN after casting of the ULC steel. In the case of HSLA steel, an attached layer composed of plate-like alumina crystals was found in some trials. The entrainment of oxygen through the mold powder due to improper operation would be the reason for the formation of this type of attachment. The formation of the plate-like crystals was discussed with the help of CFD calculation.