Continuous steel casting — Tools and defects

This article describes the impact of each component of a continuous casting machine on the metallurgical characteristics of the cast products: billets, blooms or slabs.

It is the logical continuation of the , which describes the preparation of steel prior to casting, the particular characteristics and points to watch for each steel grade, and the fundamentals of solidification.

The introduction of liquid steel through nozzles or free-jet systems, liquid level regulation, the ingot mould and its lubrication, mechanical support of the product along the continuous casting machine, bending – or decurving – evacuation... each of these elements has an impact on the quality of the cast products: distribution of non-metallic inclusions or gas bubbles trapped in the skin, surface appearance, greater or lesser fineness of the skin structure, possible internal cracks or fissures.

The link with the rolling shop – direct rolling, direct loading, hot loading – and the impact on product quality are discussed.