Inclusion Band Formation in Continuous Casting: Influence of Geometry and Process Parameters

The formation of the inclusion band in a strand of a bow type continuous slab caster is calculated by means of numerical flow simulations, considering the turbu-lent liquid steel flow, the steel solidification and the inclusion movement. The main focus of the presented work is to study the influence of the caster geometry (verti-cal length, strand format) and the process parameters (particularly the casting speed) on the inclusion distribution in the cross section of the solidified strand. Benchmark designs like curved mould and a vertical caster as well as intermediate designs are considered. From theoretical considerations, a non-vertical strand geometry with a non-homogenous, but arbitrary limitable inclusion density is also presented.