Study of continuous casting nozzle clogging using cathodoluminescence microscopty

Previous studies have addressed the issue of clogging in continuous casting nozzles as well as the mechanisms leading to accretion. Although techniques such as clogging simulations, flow modeling, chemical additives and gas injection have helped minimize catastrophic nozzle accretions they have not eliminated the problem. This paper reviews previous studies, focussing on refractory/metal interactions and proposed clogging countermeasures. Post-mortem analysis of nozzle accretions using cathodoluminescence microscopy will also be reviewed in order to demonstrate the utility of this characterization technique.