Effect of Electric Current Pulse on the Interfacial Reaction Between Molten Steel and SEN During Continuous Casting of Ultra-Low Carbon Steel

As an important refractory material in the continuous casting process, the clogging of submerged entry nozzle (SEN) can negatively affect the quality of the slab. In this paper, the effect of electric current pulse (ECP) on the interfacial reaction between molten steel and SEN during continuous casting of ultra-low carbon steel was studied. The results show that the application of ECP can effectively inhibit the adhesion and growth of clogging. After employing ECP, the structure of clogging at the interface changes and its density increases. The newly formed clogging is more stable and can effectively resist the impact of high-speed molten steel. In particular, applying ECP improves the qualification rate of liquid level fluctuation on the mold. The number of large-size inclusions and defects in the slab are significantly reduced, which has a positive effect on improving the quality of the slab and prolonging the service life of the SEN.