ON THE COARSE INCLUSIONS IN CONTINUOUS CASTING STRANDS

The coarse oxide inclusions isolated from either horizontal or curved continuous casting strands were examined on their content,shape,composition and size distribution bv means of the slime method and elecrtoprobe. They are oxides of SiO_2-Al_2O_3-MnO system. About 80% or more of them are coarser than 80um. The inclusion content in the horizontal continu-ous casting strand is far more than in curved one owing to preventing the secondary oxida-tion by clo e connection between the tundish and mold. Thus, the protective casting is avail-able to improve the steel purity.