Implementation of an YSZ coating material to prevent clogging of the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) during continuous casting of Ce-treated steels

Abstract

The possibility to reduce clogging in the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) during continuous casting of Ce alloyed stainless steels has been studied. This was done by implementing a new plasma coating material, consisting of yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ). The coating was first tested in pilot–plant trials; where the amount of steel teemed through the plasma-coated nozzles was monitored. Thereafter, samples of the coatings from the nozzles were studied using a FEG-SEM equipped with EDS. In addition, the coating material was tested in industrial trials where the performance was judged with respect to the clogging tendency detected as the movement of the stopper rod. The results from both the pilot–plant trials and industrial trials showed that the use of an YSZ coating led to a decreased clogging tendency during the casting in comparison to when using an uncoated SEN. Specifically, the pilot–plant trials showed that the clogging factor was lowered when implementing the YSZ coatings. Furthermore, the industrial trials showed that the clogging tendency, measured by the stopper rod movements, were lower when implementing the YSZ coating.

Keywords:

• Continuous casting
• Clogging
• Rare earth metals
• Submerged entry nozzle
• New coating material
• Plasma coating
• Yttria-stabilised zirconia
• Stainless steel
• Pilot–plant trials
• Industrial plant trials

Acknowledgements

The committees TO23 and TO24 at Jernkontoret as well as VINNOVA are acknowledged for their trust and financial support. Outokumpu Stainless AB, in Avesta, Sweden, and Sandvik Materials Technology AB, in Sandvik, Sweden, are acknowledged for their technical support. Also, Stefan Björklund at University West, in Trollhättan, Sweden, is acknowledged for his help with the plasma coating.

ORCID

J. K. S. Svensson http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6996-5001

Additional information

Funding

VINNOVA (SE), Jernkontoret the Swedish steel producers’ association, Committee TO2352, “The Strategic Steel Research program for Sweden 2007–2012”, Project title: “Clogging”.