Influence of Mould and Insulation Design on Soundness of Tool Steel Ingot by Numerical Simulation

The solidification of 4.4 t cold work tool steel ingot type X210Cr12 was simulated by Magma software. By the reduction of ingot height, solidification modeling and pouring of a new 3 t ingot were performed and decreasing the porosity formation potential in 3 t ingot in comparison with 4.4 t ingot on the basis of Niyama criterion was observed which was in good accordance with experimental data. In order to produce sound ingot, a new 2.8 t ingot mould was designed which includes some parameteric changes in mould such as mould slope, slenderness ratio, mould concavity radius, fillet radius of mould internal corners and feeding diameter to ingot upper diameter ratio. Furthermore, the effects of insulating between kokil and feeding ring and also insulating the outer surface of feeding ring as well as insulating the outer surface of one third of kokil upper part on centerline porosity formation were investigated in both 2.8 and 4.4 t ingots. The results show that the ingot which was produced in new designed 2.8 t mould has a better Niyama pattern and the centerline porosities were eliminated.