Research & Development Division
Surface Defects (Concast Metallurgical Manual – Product Evaluation)
Defect
Oscillation mark (OM)
Deformed oscillation mark
Transverse Face Crack (TFC)
Transverse Corner Crack (TCC)
Appearance / Comment
• By itself is not a defect.
• Only when it is associated
with cracking then it is a
defect.
• Is a stress concentrator
for transverse defects
• Smeared or dragged
upwards. A short distance
from corners, smear or
deform in a curve and return
to horizontal again near the
opposite corner.
• Normal OM appearance
should be horizontal.
Often appears in prominent OM.
Causes
1. Deformed mould – concave at
meniscus level
2. Mould taper too severe for the casting
speed and size
A) Steel chemistry
• P, S, and tramp elements (Cu, Sn, Sb,
As) weaken the shell’s hot strength.
• These elements alone would not cause
crack, unless they are extremely high.
• If combined with mechanical stress
(misalignment), reduced lubrication
(mould friction) and bending +
straightening  CRACK
B) Mechanical stress
1. Mould restrictions in terms of:
• Lubrication – if insufficient, this
alone can cause crack for some steel
grades
• Taper – over tapered for casting
speed and size
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Jan 17, 2010
Countermeasures
Shorter stroke and high oscillation frequency 
better OM due to improved lubrication.
1. Replace with new mould, but the root cause
must be determined.
2. Replace with correct taper for the casting
speed and size.
To limit these elements in the steel by proper
material selection.
1.
• Change casting powder
• Check mould taper.
Generally less taper for high casting speed and
smaller size. Check for taper uniformity over
Research & Development Division Jan 17, 2010

Defect Appearance / Comment Causes Countermeasures

entire mould length (partial taper). It is
misleading to only check top and bottom (total
taper).

• Deformation • To check on inward or

All these are resistance to strand outward deformation
movement.

2. Mould movement deviations

in the horizontal plane will be definite
crack initiator.
3. Mode of mould oscillation
(positive strip) is a strong influence.
4. Mould/strand guide
misalignment – results in severe stress,
particularly in the upper zones, and
subsequent transverse cracking.
5. Straightening action –
sufficient to cause cracks if steel
chemistry, strand temperature and OM are
abnormal. Cracks appear on top-face or
inner-radius face.
2. To check position (mould table at
zero stroke) and horizontal deviations. Any out-
of-tolerance leads to severe transverse stresses.
3. Should be on negative strip. It is
possible to have positive stripping if
maintenance is neglected (wear or lack of
lubrication).
4. Check alignment between mould
and strand guide. Any misalignment leads to
transverse stresses.
5. Straightening action:
• Steel chemistry – refer A.
• Strand temperature – refer
C.
• OM – shorter stroke and
high oscillation frequency produce better
OM due to improved lubrication.

C) Casting parameters

1. Casting speed – affect strand Strand surface temperature at straightening should be

temperature (cooling and solidification time) increased to > 850oC by:
- reducing secondary cooling at the
2. Strand surface temperature: lower zone

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Research & Development Division
Defect
Selected Technological Supplies (STS)
Defect
Transversal Facial Crack
Transversal Corner Crack
STS
Cause
Excess cooling in mold
Sticking of shell on mold surface
Excess cooling in spray zone
Insufficient mould lubrication
Irregular oscillation movement
Bending at too low temperature
Sudden liquid steel level variation in mould
Misalignment
Steel analysis
Jan 17, 2010
Appearance / Comment Causes Countermeasures
• Is a f unction of casting speed, - increasing the casting speed
secondary cooling, and metallurgical
length.
• Straightening of cold strand
will be more harmful if a cracking
potential is present.
• Hot shortness (for low Mn/S
where FeS liquid is formed) aggravates
the problem.
Causes Associated causes
1. Excess of cooling in mould 1. Insufficient mould lubrication
2. Sticking of shell on mould wall 2. Irregular oscillation movement
3. Excess cooling in spray zone 3. Covering powder not suitable
1. Bending at too low temperature 1. Irregular oscillation movement
2. Insufficient mould lubrication 2. Misalignment
3. Sudden liquid steel level variation in 3. Steel analysis
mould 4. Excess cooling in mould and spray
zone
Transversal Facial Crack Transversal Corner Crack
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Research & Development Division Jan 17, 2010

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