Study of the Influence of Speed and Method of Melt Casting on the Development of the Axial Zone in Model Ingots

The paper presents the results of laboratory studies on the influence of the method and speed of melt casting on the solidification process and the features of forming of the axial zone of a large ingot. The research is conducted using physical (cold) simulation on a model ingot weighing 19.6 t. Sodium thiosulfate (crystalline hyposulfite) is used as the simulating solution. The casting of the melt into the mold–crystallizer is performed from the top. It is shown that changing the casting speed of the melt significantly affects the length of the axial zone. It is established that a decrease in the casting speed of the melt leads to an increase in the directionality of crystallization and an improvement in the structure of the axial zone of the ingot. It is found that model ingots that were cast with topping up of the founding head with the melt after a certain interval of time post-filling solidify 1.4 times faster than ingots cast using classical technology.