Solidification and flow behaviour of mould fluxes

Mould fluxes are synthetic slags added to the molten steel surface in the copper mould and provide lubrication by melting and infiltrating the gap between the solidified steel and mold. The use of mould lubricants in continuous casting of steel has been an important operational measure since the inception of continuous casting as early as the 1940's. Synthetic Mould Flux powders have been in use since 1960's and presently constitute the great majority of continuous casting lubricants. Mould fluxes serve many functions in the mould, including prevention of oxidation of liquid steel, prevention of rapid heat loss from the top of the mould and adsorption of non-metallic inclusions from the liquid steel, but their two major functions are to provide lubrication between the copper mould and the solidifying steel strand, and control heat transfer between the strand and mould.