Abstract
The electromagnetic stirring (EMS) was applied in the secondary cooling zone in order to refine the solidification structure of continuously cast 18% Cr stainless steel slabs, in order to improve the ridging of the cold rolled sheets.
So as to obtain the most suitable operational condition for refining the solidification structure, the casting and EMS conditions were varied systematically. The solidification structures of tested slabs were examined, and the flow pattern during EMS was studied on the basis of the growth direction of columnar crystals in order to clarify the mechanism for the formation of the banded equiaxed grains which were observed at high temperature casting. The results thus obtained are as follows:
1) The effect of decreasing the superheat for increasing the ratio of equiaxed zone (REZ) is greater with the application of EMS than without it.
2) Ridging of cold rolled sheets from the continuously cast slabs is fairly improved by increasing REZ which is achieved by application of EMS.
3) It is supposed that the banded equiaxed grains form at the stagnant portion in the molten pool.
