Hydrodynamic Lubrication during Non-Sinusoidal Oscillation for a Continuous Casting Mould

Abstract

A hydrodynamic lubrication model of a flux channel was established for a continuous casting mould with non-sinusoidal oscillation. A new experimental apparatus was developed simultaneously for analysing the lubrication mechanism. A mixed oil, which was simulated mould flux, was poured and infiltrated into the channel, and the flux consumption was determined in the process of oscillation. Based on the combination of analytical calculation and cold model experiment, the flux channel is divided into two parts to clarify the behaviours of flux infiltration and shell deformation. The results show that oscillation marks and surface cracks are formed at the bottom of the meniscus during the negative and positive strip time respectively. Meanwhile, the liquid flux is periodically infiltrated into the channel by negative pressure below the meniscus because the cyclic movement of the shell lags behind the mould oscillation. The casting performances were improved by increasing the non-sinusoidal oscillation factor.