Modelling of heat transfer coupled with columnar dendritic growth in continuous casting of steel

Abstract

The general aim of this work is to calculate the extent of the equiaxed zone in continuously cast steel products. Free equiaxed grains can grow only in undercooled liquid regions. Undercooling of the bulk liquid occurs because the columnar dendrite tips growing from the mould reject solutes in the liquid. The specific aim of this contribution is to calculate the thermal and physical state of continuously cast steel long products assuming a columnar solidification mode, taking into account the tip undercooling at the solidification front. A 2‐D heat transfer model has been developed where the columnar solidification mode is assumed. The calculation of the undercooling at the advancing solidification front is coupled with the heat transfer equation. The comparison between the results of the present model and the classical heat transfer model indicates the importance of modelling the undercooling phenomenon. The influence of the secondary cooling has also been studied.

Citation

M’Hamdi, M., Combeau, H. and Lesoult, G. (1999), "Modelling of heat transfer coupled with columnar dendritic growth in continuous casting of steel", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 9 No. 3, pp. 296-317. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615539910260158