Abstract
A model investigation has been carried out on argon bubble attachment to the sliding gate settled in the immersion nozzle of continuous casting process. Water and air are used as the model fluids for molten steel and argon gas, respectively. A downward air-water two-phase flow is generated in the immersion nozzle. The wettability of the sliding gate is changed by coating fluororesin on it. Bubbles attach preferably to the poorly wetted sliding gate. The velocity of water flow is measured with particle image velocimetry (PIV). Bubble attachment patterns can be classified into eight categories. An empirical equation is proposed for the critical condition describing the bubble attachment. The flow in the immersion nozzle is affected strongly by bubble attachment to the sliding gate.
