Entrapment behavior of argon bubbles and non-metallic inclusions under combined magnetic fields in slab continuous casting

Abstract

The entrapment of argon bubbles and non-metallic inclusions under combined applications of electromagnetic braking (EMBr) and electromagnetic stirring (EMS) is receiving increasing attention in slab continuous casting. A Eulerian-Lagrangian model, incorporating Archimedes electromagnetic force, was established to study the entrapment behavior of particles under multi-mode electromagnetic fields. Results showed that the novel EMBr device could enhance the mixing of liquid steel around the nozzle and significantly suppress inclusion entrapment. The optimal magnetic induction intensity ranged from 0.218 T to 0.272 T based on the number of entrapped particles beneath the slab surface. Furthermore, employing appropriate drag force coefficients and considering the Archimedes electromagnetic force were crucial for predicting the quantity and size of entrapment particles. Particles from the nozzle jet experienced a downward electromagnetic force induced by EMBr. EMS tended to drag particles toward the solidified shell, with a more pronounced effect on large-sized particles. More particles were entrapped by the solidified shell in numerical results. Further research should account for Archimedes electromagnetic force in quantitative examination of inclusion entrapment.

Keywords

• Inclusion entrapment
• Particle transport
• Combined magnetic fields
• Electromagnetic braking
• Continuous casting