Water Model Experiments on the Effect of an Argon Bubble on the Meniscus Near the Immersion Nozzle

Abstract

Water model experiments have been carried out to understand the behavior of the meniscus of molten steel near the immersion nozzle. The meniscus is disturbed by a large argon bubble rising along the immersion nozzle. Water, silicone oil, and air are used as models for molten steel, mold powder, and argon, respectively. A cylindrical rod is used as a model for the immersion nozzle. The contact angle of a water droplet on the rod is adjusted to become nearly the same as that of a molten steel droplet on the immersion nozzle by coating repellent on the rod surface. A single air bubble of a predetermined volume is released from a cap-shaped container to attach to the bottom of the rod. The behavior of the bubble passing across the interface between water and silicone oil is observed with a high-speed video camera to make clear the entrapment of silicone oil droplets into the water bath.