The Effects of Electromagnetic Stirring on Solidification Structure of Continuously Cast SUS43O Stainless Steel Slabs

Effects of electromagnetic stirring on the solidification structure of continuously cast SUS430 slabs were investigated to reduce the ridging of cold-rolled sheets by grain refinement of the solidification structure. The following results were obtained:(1) The area in which equiaxed crystals form increases with increasing stirring intensity and decreasing superheat (ΔT) of molten steel. The most suitable stirring mode is the alternate stirring. The effect of ΔT can be moderated by lowering the position of the stirrer, but the ratio of equiaxed crystals decreases in this case. Appropriate conditions for obtaining a ratio of equiaxed crystals over 60% were determined.(2) Ridging is reduced as the ratio of equiaxed crystals increases. Stable ridging obtained for 50% or more equiaxed crystals is the same as that of steel sheets rolled from ingots.