A novel approach to simulate segregation at the centreline of continuously cast steel using laser-scanning confocal microscopy

A concentric solidification technique was employed to simulate the segregation of alloying elements that occur during solidification at the centreline of continuously cast steel. Microstructural development of low carbon steel upon solidification has been observed in situ in a laser-scanning confocal microscope. Sulphide precipitates that formed in the last remaining liquid were identified, and evidence is provided that segregation occurring at the centreline of steel slabs can reasonably be simulated by the use of the concentric solidification technique.