2D thermal finite element analysis of sticker breakout in continuous casting.

The sticker breakout is an accident in continuous casting which could frequently occur without a correct process monitoring. The breakout of the sticker has become one of the main factors limiting the development of the continuous casting technology at high speed and wide-thick-plate. In this work, finite element models of the steel shell formation in continuous casting have been developed. The thermal parameters such as conductivity of mold, convection due to cooling system, thermal contact resistance were calibrated. The model allows to predict the temperature field throughout the process. The prediction of shell thickness reasonably agrees with experimental observations. Then, a 2D-thermal model of sticker breakout is established. The new algorithm allows for prediction of hot tearing due to sticking phenomena and its propagation. Current simulations are useful to define the model sensitivity and they increase the understanding of this phenomena.