Use of NH4Cl-H2O Analogue Castings to Model Aspects of Continuous Casting

Crystallisation of NH4Cl from aqueous solutions has been used to examine grain formation in a configuration similar to that existing in the curved mould of a continuous, steel casting machine. The observations show how falling equiaxed crystals accumulate at the lower (outer) columnar front earlier than at the upper (inner) front and, thus, lead to an asymmetric grain structure. The usefulness of the aqueous system as a realistic model for steel casting is discussed in terms of relative temperature profiles, materials properties, and observed columnar and eutectic growth rates.