Modeling of oxide inclusions in steel casting

Abstract

Abstract A model is presented that predicts the amount and location of oxide inclusions in steel castings. A number and size distribution of inclusions, defined about a mean diameter, enters the casting system at its inlet during the filling process and are transported to their final locations in the casting. Model parameters for inclusion density, drag and wall friction are used to calculate the motion and locations of the oxide particles. Model results are presented to study the effects of casting shape and surface orientation on the final inclusion locations and distributions within castings. These results are compared with inclusion tracking experiments where the geometry of the gating system and orientation of casting cope surfaces affect the final distribution of inclusions in the castings. Measured and simulated inclusion area percent coverage, inclusion count and mean diameter are compared for a range of modelling parameters and inclusion size distributions. The size and number distribution at the casting system inlet, and other model parameters, are determined which provide the best agreement between measured and simulated inclusion area, count, and size.