Abstract
Interactions between the molten steel and the refractory linings are of fundamental importance for the steelmaking industry. During the casting process, the steel cleanliness can be made worse because of the reoxidation of the molten steel in contact with the atmosphere and/or other sources of oxygen (refractories, top slag, etc.). In the industrial trial periods, four tundish refractory linings (preformed boards, two kinds of gunning materials and dry vibrating material, all MgO based refractories) were used in order to evaluate the interactions between the refractories and the molten steel. Owing to the small dimension of the tundish (5 ton) used in the continuous casting at Villares Metals SA, after casting, the chilled steel was cut in order to show, in a single section, the stopper, submerged entry nozzle, MgO ramming and the working refractory lining. Cross-sections of samples from the steel/refractory interface were investigated by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Four major aspects were observed at the steel/refractory interface: steel infiltration into the tundish refractory lining, mainly in the gunning materials; a steel oxidised layer formed at the steel/refractory lining interface; formation of a spinel layer between steel and tundish working refractory lining; and many particles were found in the steel phase, near to the steel/refractory interface, being a potential source of non-metallic inclusions.
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