Mathematical Model of Solidification in Continuous Cast Low Carbon Steel Billets

This paper describes the relation between the Secondary Dendrite Arm Spacing (SDAS), Area of Mushy Zone with the Continuous Casting variables in low carbon steels during the solidification process in the mold zone. A Finite Element analysis of the heat flow equation, coupled with the solute distribution model and the dendrite growth model, enables the determination of the Secondary Dendrite Arm Spacing (SDAS). The CONBCAST.FOR program is developed in this work to analyze effects of process variables on the Secondary Dendrite Arm Spacing (SDAS), Area of Mushy Zone and Volume of the Bleed. Effort is also made to find the optimum casting parameters. A new concept is introduced in this work to analyze the relation between the Area of Mushy Zone and Secondary Dendrite Arm Spacing (SDAS) with the Volume of the Bleed. Quantitative work is performed by collecting the square shaped billets at two different process conditions and determined the Secondary Dendrite Arm Spacing and Volume of Bleed to analyze the relationship between SDAS, Area of Mushy zone and Volume of Bleed.Copyright © 2009 by ASME