A Mathematical Model for Thermal Analysis of Thin Strip Casting of Low Carbon Steel

A thermal analysis of thin strip steel casting has been conducted for planar flow casting. For a given strip thickness, the interface heat transfer coefficient, h_i, has the most significant influence on average cooling rate ξ_avg (C/sec) and local solidification time t_f. As a result, h_i affects the as-cast structure and its properties. However, other factors such as melt superheat and initial substrate temperature have distinct but smaller effects on ξ_avg and t_f. In addition, a decreasing h_i makes initial isotherm movement slower and increases the delay time needed for the formation of certain types of segregation. Owing to a variation of local solidification time t_f (because of cooling from one side only) there is a likely gradient of micro-structure across the thickness resulting in property variation through the steel strip thickness.