Research Projects

The continuous casting process is well known among other solidification processes because of its reliability. It is a vital process between steelmaking and rolling. The refractories used in the continuous casting process of the steel are fabricated by alumina (Al2O3)-carbon (C) based materials because of their admirable thermal, thermomechanical, and corrosion properties. The slide gate valve system regulates the stream of molten steel to tundish from the ladle in the continuous casting process. Sliding wear damage is the major problem for the life deterioration of the plates. Higher strength is required to control this issue. The bonding between the matrix and aggregates are important to improve the mechanical strength of the refractory. Alumina aggregates are modified by using additives and incorporated in the composition to improve the bonding when heat treated. Nanocarbon is used as a carbon source, it can easily react with the additives and form in-situ bonding phases, thereby enhancing the strength of the refractory. As the additives are coated on aggregates, it is easy to disperse them in the composition. In-situ phases formation helps in pore filling in the system, ensuing in a dense compact structure. A dense structure cannot be penetrated easily by molten metal/slag, which aids in enhancing corrosion resistance.