Optimization of traveling magnetic field for horizontal continuous casting of thin slab containing tin phosphor bronze

To improve the quality of horizontal continuous casting bronze thin slab, especially the end quality of the thin slab, three methods were proposed; (i) using silicon steel sheet at the ends of the traveling magnetic field (TMF), (ii) change in the length of TMF, and (iii) reduction in the ends current intensity of TMF. Then, the effect of these methods on the magnetic field, flow and solidification of thin slab was studied both numerically and experimentally. Results show that the use of silicon steel sheet is the best method to modify the magnetic field intensity distribution. Due to the electromagnetic field shielding effect of silicon steel sheet, when the silicon steel sheet with 150 mm length and 0.5 mm thickness was applied, the magnetic field intensity at the ends of TMF was reduced to about half of the original. However, the magnetic field intensity in the middle of TMF did not change, which assists the elimination of the strong flow of the melt at the ends of the mold and uniform the solidification shell of the melt. Then, the bronze thin slab can be successfully cast without any crack defects at the ends.