Numerical Simulation of Shrinkage Cavity Distribution and its Influencing Factors during Solidification of 303-ton Steel Ingot

Author of the article:ZHANG Lun1 , ZHOU Qiuyue2 , CHEN Wei1 , WANG Yadong3 , ZHANG Lifeng3

Author's Workplace：1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China; 2. School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; 3. School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, North China University of Technology, Beijing 100144, China

Key Words：ingot; shrinkage; casting temperature; insulation material; height of the upriser

Abstract：Based on the production process of a 16Mn steel 303 t ingot in a domestic plant, a three-dimensional solidification mathematical model was established by ProCAST software to investigate the effect of the casting temperature, insulation material and height of the upriser on the shrinkage cavity and solidification time during solidification. The accuracy of the model was verified by comparing the measured and predicted values of the ingot temperature in the actual production process and the shrinkage cavity after solidification. In the initial working condition, the liquid steel solidifies from the bottom and sidewall, and the central liquid phase changes from a "U" shape to a "V" shape and then to a semioval shape. The solidification time is approximately 54 h. The solidification process of the steel ingot under different technologies was calculated, and the fitting formula of the shrinkage cavity depth and solidification time was obtained, which provided a theoretical basis for guiding actual production. The results show that with increasing casting temperature, the shrinkage cavity depth of the ingot gradually deepens, and the solidification time gradually increases. With the increase in the thermal conductivity of the thermal insulation material, the shrinkage cavity depth gradually deepens, and the solidification time gradually decreases. With increasing riser height, the shrinkage cavity depth of the ingot decreases, and the solidification time increases.