Issues »  Volume 48, Issue 7

Detection and Minimizing of Surface Blistering in Continuously Cast and Hot-Rolled Mild Steel Coils

V. V. Kukhar$^{1}$, O. M. Smirnov$^{2}$, A. G. Kostryzhev$^{3}$, K. Ye. Pismarov$^{2}$, V. Ye. Ukhin$^{2}$, O. D. Rud$^{4}$, M. S. Goryuk$^{2}$, S. V. Semiriagin$^{2}$, Yu. P. Skorobagatko$^{2}$, A. Yu. Semenko$^{2}$

$^{1}$Department of Metallurgy and Production Organization, Technical University ‘Metinvest Polytechnic’, 80 Pivdenne Highway, UA-69008 Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine
$^{2}$Physico-Technological Institute of Metals and Alloys, N.A.S. of Ukraine, 34/1 Academician Vernadsky Blvd., UA-03142 Kyiv, Ukraine
$^{3}$Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, 75 College Road, 4072 St. Lucia, Australia
$^{4}$G. V. Kurdyumov Institute for Metal Physics, N.A.S. of Ukraine, 36 Academician Vernadsky Blvd., UA-03142 Kyiv, Ukraine

Received: 14.05.2025; final version - 25.08.2025. Download: PDF

This study investigates the root courses of surface blistering and explores methods to minimise it in hot-rolled coil steels containing 0.1–0.2 C, 0.4–1.6 Mn, 0.05 Si (wt.%). Surface voids are believed to form during continuous casting, to develop into surface cracks during hot rolling, and to result in product rejection. These defects are found in the central part of the coils on the side corresponding to the small radius of the continuous casting machine (CCM). Metallographic analysis of samples reveals the defect-prolifiration depth ranging from 100 to 300 μm, decarburisation around the defected zones, and grain coarsening of ferrite to ASTM No. 7 (32–45 μm) from ASTM No. 9–10 (11–16 μm) in the non-defected microstructure. In addition to decarburisation, chemical analysis reveals oxidation and presence of non-metallic inclusions in the defected zones. Oxidation indicates moisture ingress during casting, which is linked to a loss of seal integrity at the CCM, particularly, following a leak between the steel and copper water-cooled plate of the mould. Indentation traces observed on the coils’ surface indicate the formation of a so-called ‘metallic skull’ due to the seal damage. The analysis of slag-forming mixtures reveals the maximum allowable limit of moisture content approaching 0.50%, although the moisture content in the coal used for carburisation of steel is ranging from 1% to 1.2% that is well below the limit of 9%. Based on the obtained results, a set of measures is developed to reduce the defect formation; this set includes: strict control of the moisture content in the mould powders, slag-forming mixtures, and ferroalloys; mandatory testing of mould seal integrity before casting; additional monitoring of tundish drying and the prevention of casting without a protective pipe.

Key words: continuous casting, mild steel, surface blister, microstructure characterisation, moisture control, mould powder.

URL: https://mfint.imp.kiev.ua/en/abstract/v48/i07/0715.html

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/mfint.48.07.0715

PACS: 61.66.Dk, 61.72.Qq, 81.05.Bx, 81.20.Ev, 81.20.Hy, 81.40.Ef, 81.40.Pq

Citation: V. V. Kukhar, O. M. Smirnov, A. G. Kostryzhev, K. Ye. Pismarov, V. Ye. Ukhin, O. D. Rud, M. S. Goryuk, S. V. Semiriagin, Yu. P. Skorobagatko, and A. Yu. Semenko, Detection and Minimizing of Surface Blistering in Continuously Cast and Hot-Rolled Mild Steel Coils, Metallofiz. Noveishie Tekhnol., 48, No. 7: 715–735 (2026)

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