Temperature Distribution of Electroslag Casting with Liquid Metal Using Current Conductive Ring

• Published in: Steel research international 2013-10, Vol.84 (10), p.1011-1017
• Main Authors: Dong, Yanwu, Jiang, Zhouhua, Medovar, Lev, Stovpchenko, Ganna, Zhang, Xinfa, Zang, Ximin, Deng, Xin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Casting; current conductive ring; Electroslag casting; electroslag metallurgy; Electroslag remelting; Equivalence; Ingot casting; Ingots; liquid metal; Liquid metals; Metallurgy; Molds; Refining; short collar mold
• ISSN: 1611-3683; 1869-344X
• DOI: 10.1002/srin.201300041

Electroslag casting with liquid metal (ESC LM) using current conductive ring has been developed. This technology is different from classical electroslag remelting (ESR) process. No consumable electrode is needed in the process. Liquid metal after refining is introduced into the mold directly. Current conductive ring instead of consumable electrode is the conductive unit for heating slag pool for the first time. Short collar mold and continuous withdrawal mechanism like continuous casting process are employed in the process. Conductive path of ESC LM process using current conductive ring is transformer → current conductive ring → liquid slag → molten steel → solid ingot → base plate → transformer. A mathematical model of electroslag casting process with liquid metal is developed for understanding the technology. Thermal field, voltage, and current density distributions in the system have been simulated, which are similar but different from conventional ESR process. Results of industrial trial indicate that there is no obvious macrosegregation and cracks in the industrial ingots produced by these methods. Ingot quality is equivalent to the conventional electroslag ingot. In addition, the production efficiency of ESC LM process is obvious higher than conventional ESR operation. In this work, electroslag casting process with liquid metal (ESC LM) using current conductive ring has been developed. Liquid metal after refining is introduced into the mold directly. Simulation has been carried out for understanding the process. Results of industrial trial indicate that Ingot quality manufactured by ESC LM process is equivalent to the conventional electroslag ingot. The production efficiency of ESC LM process is obvious higher than conventional electroslag remelting operation.