Quantification of the Solidification Microstructure in Continuously-Cast High-Carbon Steel Billets

In this work, an attempt has been made to investigate the relationship between the cast microstructure and solidification variables in industrial scale, continuously-cast (CC) high-carbon steel billets. Toward these, theoretical and experimental studies are undertaken to predict the evolution of dendrite arm spacing (DAS) in the columnar zone of CC billets. Several billet samples collected from the continuous casting shop of Tata Steel are used to characterize the solidification microstructure, and interdendritic arm spacings (both primary and secondary) are measured. Macrostructural examination of the billet samples indicates predominantly columnar structure in all billets. Dendrite arm spacings vary over a wide range indicating nonuniform secondary cooling. A mathematical model is also developed to describe the relationship between dendrite structures and solidification parameters. The model considers the effect of change of volume on solidification and provides a quantitative estimation of variation of DAS as a function of distance from the product surface. Results predicted by the mathematical model are compared with the experimental measurements and good agreement can be observed in this regard, thereby establishing the authenticity of the proposed formulation.