Thermo-mechanical Modeling in Continuous Slab Casting Mould and Its Application

In the continuous casting process of molten steel, understanding the thermal and mechanical behavior during solidification is crucial. This study aims to develop a comprehensive two-dimensional coupled thermo-mechanical finite element model to analyze the dynamics within the slab casting mold. The methodology involves simulating a quarter of the strand's transverse section as it descends through the mold, employing both steady and transient heat transfer models. A thermo-elastoplastic plane stress model facilitates the analysis of strand deformation, coupled with the heat transfer process via interfacial thermal resistance. The results reveal that implementing a chamfered mold with an appropriate corner size enhances the 2D heat transfer conditions at slab corners, effectively reducing the occurrence of transverse corner cracks. Additionally, optimizing the parabolic mold taper significantly improves the uniformity of strand temperature and stress, thereby decreasing peak stress values and minimizing crack formation. These findings support the potential application of the coupled thermo-mechanical model for better understanding internal crack formation and optimizing operational parameters and mold configurations.