Thermal history parameters calculation for columnar-to-equiaxed transition prediction in continuous casting process of GCr15 steel

Continuous casting is a key process in steel manufacturing, and the quality of cast billets is significantly influenced by the solidification microstructure, particularly the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). Accurate prediction of the CET location is essential for optimizing casting parameters and ensuring product quality. This study focuses on improving the calculation accuracy of critical thermal history parameters like solidification rate ( R ), temperature gradient ( G ), and cooling rate ( L ), which are vital inputs for CET prediction models. Simulation of the temperature evolution during the continuous casting process of GCr15 steel was conducted using the 2D sheet method by ProCAST software. Based on the temperature field results, two approaches were employed to calculate the parameters of solidification rate, temperature gradient, and cooling rate (RGL): closest node search (CNS) method and interpolation method. The calculation results of the CNS method exhibit extreme fluctuations due to node distribution randomness, while the interpolation method provides smoother and more stable results by organizing data into structured units. The interpolation method offers a more reliable approach for RGL calculation in continuous casting, contributing to improved accuracy in CET prediction and process optimization.