In the continuous casting of steel, the tundish serves as the final and most critical metallurgical vessel before solidification. It acts as a reservoir that ensures a stable flow of steel to the mold, but more importantly, it is the last chance to ensure steel cleanliness. The performance of the tundish is dictated by its working lining, and modern steel plants increasingly rely on Tundish Spray Mixes as the most efficient and effective solution for this application.

A Tundish Spray Mix is a sophisticated monolithic refractory, typically with a magnesite base, that is designed to be mixed with water and applied robotically or manually with a spray gun. This process creates a seamless, temporary working lining that covers the permanent safety lining of the tundish.

The Advantages of a Sprayed Working Lining

This method of lining a tundish has become the industry standard due to several clear advantages over older methods like using boards or bricks.

• Speed and Operational Efficiency: Robotic spraying allows a fresh working lining to be applied in a matter of minutes. This rapid turnaround maximizes tundish availability and keeps the casting sequence moving without delays.
• Seamless, Joint-Free Surface: Unlike boards or bricks, a sprayed lining is monolithic and has no joints. This eliminates potential weak points where steel could penetrate and damage the permanent lining, and it removes crevices where inclusions could get trapped.
• Enhanced Steel Cleanliness: The smooth, engineered surface of the sprayed lining facilitates the easy separation of non-metallic inclusions from the molten steel into the tundish flux. After the cast is complete, the entire sprayed layer is easily removed (“deskulled”), taking any trapped inclusions with it.
• Protection of Permanent Linings: The spray mix acts as a disposable barrier, absorbing the wear and tear of the casting process. This protects the much more expensive and labor-intensive permanent safety lining, significantly extending its life.

The Critical Need for Phosphorus-Free Mixes

For producers of high-quality automotive, electrical, and other specialty steels, controlling tramp elements is paramount. Phosphorus (P) is one such element that can be detrimental to the final properties of these advanced steel grades. While the amounts are small, some traditional refractory binders can contain trace levels of phosphates.

To eliminate this potential source of contamination, specialized Phosphorus-Free Spray Mixes have been developed. Using a certified phosphorus-free mix provides steelmakers with the assurance that their refractory lining is not contributing to any unwanted phosphorus pickup in the steel, which is a critical quality guarantee for their most demanding customers.

In conclusion, the adoption of advanced spray mixes is a key factor in achieving the high levels of efficiency, quality, and consistency required by modern steel manufacturing.

Optimize Your Tundish Operations with Pennekamp

At Pennekamp Middle East, we offer a comprehensive range of advanced tundish consumables, including high-performance Tundish Spray Mixes. Our portfolio includes specialized Phosphorus-Free grades to help you meet the strictest quality specifications for any steel grade.

Contact our technical experts today to find the perfect spray mix solution to enhance your continuous casting operations.