Shuikou brick plays a vital role in the steel casting process, and it is a key component to ensure the smooth casting process and improve the quality of billet. The following are the main functions of nozzle brick in steel casting:

I. Controlling the flow of molten steel

The main function of nozzle brick is to control the speed and flow of molten steel from ladle or tundish into crystallizer. By adjusting the opening of nozzle brick, the accurate control of molten steel flow can be realized, thus ensuring the stability of molten steel level in the mold. This is very important to prevent the formation of slab surface defects (such as vibration marks, pores, etc.).

II. Stabilize the direction of molten steel flow

The shape and design of nozzle brick are helpful to guide molten steel to flow into the mold smoothly. Its upper part is usually designed as an arc, which is convenient for molten steel to enter smoothly and reduce impact; The lower part is straight, which ensures the stable outflow of molten steel and avoids turbulence and splashing. This design is helpful to form a uniform molten steel flow, reduce the generation of slag entrapment and inclusions, and thus improve the internal quality of the slab.

III. Preventing molten steel from splashing and oxidation

The structural design of nozzle brick can effectively reduce the splashing phenomenon of molten steel in the flow process. By controlling the flow speed and direction of molten steel, the contact area between molten steel and air can be reduced and the oxidation of molten steel can be reduced. This is very important for improving the purity of molten steel and the quality of billet.

IV. Protection of refractory materials and equipment

As a part of refractory, nozzle brick can withstand the erosion and erosion of high temperature molten steel. It protects other refractory materials and structural parts of ladle and tundish, and prolongs the service life of equipment. At the same time, the fire resistance and corrosion resistance of nozzle brick ensure that it remains stable in high temperature environment and will not be deformed or damaged due to high temperature.

V. Prevention of breakout and leakage

The nozzle brick is closely matched with the plug brick or slide gate system to ensure complete sealing in the closed state and prevent molten steel from leaking. This sealing performance is very important to ensure the safety and stability of the casting process and avoid production accidents and equipment damage caused by breakout.

VI. Improving the quality of casting blank

By accurately controlling the flow speed and direction of molten steel, nozzle brick can reduce inclusions and pores in the slab and improve the surface quality and internal quality of the slab. This is very beneficial to the subsequent rolling and processing process, and can reduce the rejection rate caused by slab defects.

VII. Adapting to different casting processes

Shuikou brick can be customized according to different casting processes and equipment. For example, in the process of continuous casting, the nozzle brick needs to match the size and shape of tundish and crystallizer; In the process of die casting, the nozzle brick needs to adapt to the shape and size of the mold. This flexibility enables the nozzle brick to meet all kinds of complex casting requirements.

VIII. Optimizing production efficiency

By accurately controlling the flow rate and direction of molten steel, nozzle brick can improve the efficiency of casting process. It can reduce the downtime and equipment maintenance cost caused by poor molten steel flow, thus improving production efficiency and economic benefits.

IX. Summary

Shuikou brick plays an indispensable role in steel casting. It not only controls the flow speed and direction of molten steel, but also protects the equipment from high temperature erosion, improves the quality of billet and ensures production safety. The performance and design of nozzle brick directly affect the smooth casting process and the quality of the final product. Therefore, it is very important for steel casting industry to select high-quality nozzle brick and design its structure reasonably.