The crystallizer of the continuous casting machine is one of the key equipment in the continuous casting process, and it plays an important role in the continuous casting process. The main task of a crystallizer is to rapidly cool and solidify liquid metal into continuous billets.
The structure of a continuous casting machine crystallizer generally includes a crystallizer shell, crystallizer tubes, guide plates, cooling water pipes, and other components. The crystallizer shell is made of high-temperature and corrosion-resistant materials, usually made of high-quality stainless steel. The crystallizer tube is the core component of the crystallizer, which is filled with cooling water inside. Through the circulation of cooling water, the liquid metal is rapidly cooled. The guide plate plays a guiding and diversion role, allowing the liquid metal to flow uniformly through the crystallizer tube to ensure the quality of continuous casting.
The working principle of the crystallizer of the continuous casting machine is to use cooling water to rapidly cool the liquid metal. When liquid metal passes through the crystallizer tube, cooling water exchanges heat with the liquid metal through the tube wall. Due to the temperature of the cooling water being lower than the solidification temperature of the liquid metal, the liquid metal solidifies rapidly upon contact with the cooling water. As solidification progresses, continuous billets gradually form.
The performance of the crystallizer in the continuous casting machine has a significant impact on the stability of the continuous casting process and the quality of the continuous casting billet. Firstly, the cooling capacity of the crystallizer directly determines the upper limit of the continuous casting speed. The stronger the cooling capacity, the higher the continuous casting speed, and the higher the production efficiency. Secondly, the structural design of the crystallizer should be reasonable to ensure the stable flow state of liquid metal inside the crystallizer tube. Only when the flow state is stable can the consistency of the shape and size of continuous casting be ensured. Finally, the corrosion resistance of the crystallizer is good to ensure its service life.
In order to improve the continuous casting effect, modern continuous casting machine crystallizers have also applied some new technologies. For example, spraying a layer of ceramic material on the wall of the crystallizer can increase its corrosion resistance and extend its service life. In addition, some vibration devices can be installed inside the crystallizer tube to improve the flow state of liquid metal and further improve the quality of continuous casting.
In short, the crystallizer of the continuous casting machine is an indispensable equipment in the continuous casting process. It solidifies liquid metal into continuous billets by rapidly cooling it. The performance of the crystallizer directly affects the continuous casting speed and the quality of the continuous casting billet. In order to improve the continuous casting effect, some new technologies have also been applied in the crystallizer. With the advancement of technology, the performance of the crystallizer of the continuous casting machine will continue to improve, making greater contributions to the development of the continuous casting process.