Analysis of Mold Level Hunching by Unsteady Bulging during Thin Slab Casting

In order to analyze the phenomenon of mold level hunching (MLH) during thin slab casting process, the variation of the mold level and the bulging of strand were measured and analyzed using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) spectrum analysis. Both of mold level hunching and bulging had the same frequency and the specific frequency corresponded to the main roll pitch of the thin slab caster. The unsteady bulging was found to be a main reason of mold level hunching. The unsteady bulging profile through the full range of the caster and the height of mold level hunching were calculated using a heat transfer model and a continuous beam model. The effects of process variables on mold level hunching and the process condition of reducing mold level hunching were studied. The amount of mold level hunching increased as unsteady bulging increased due to the hunching of casting speed. An aperiodic roll pitch between segments could be effective in reducing mold level hunching.