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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">The slide gate plate is a critical functional refractory component widely applied in modern steelmaking for the precise control of molten steel flow from the ladle or tundish. It operates in combination with a nozzle system, stopper rod or ladle shroud, and a complete slide gate mechanism. As steelmaking processes become more automated, high-speed, and quality-oriented, the performance of slide gate plates has become indispensable to ensure safe casting, stable flow rate, long service life, and consistent steel quality.

<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Because slide gate plates must withstand extremely aggressive conditions&mdash;thermal shock, severe abrasion, steel oxidation, chemical corrosion, and mechanical stress&mdash;the selection of their materials, design, and manufacturing processes plays a decisive role in casting stability. This article provides a detailed technical overview suitable for metallurgical engineers, refractory specialists, and casting operators who require deep understanding of slide gate plate technology.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">A slide gate plate is a shaped refractory element installed in a ladle or tundish slide gate system that controls the opening and closing of molten steel. It typically consists of two or three plates:

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Upper Plate</span> &ndash; fixed to the ladle bottom or tundish bottom nozzle housing.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Lower Plate</span> &ndash; movable plate that slides horizontally to adjust the area of the flow opening.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">The slide gate plates form a sealed interface with the nozzle. During steel tapping and continuous casting, the operator adjusts the gate position to regulate the steel flow rate, ensuring casting stability and avoiding turbulence, oxidation, and inclusion entrainment.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Flow Control:</span> Regulates molten steel discharge from ladle/tundish during casting.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Sealing:</span> Provides reliable contact surfaces that prevent steel leakage and air ingress.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Wear Resistance:</span> Withstands high erosive forces from flowing steel, refractories, and steel inclusions.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Thermal Shock Resistance:</span> Maintains mechanical integrity despite rapid temperature changes (from ambient to >1600&deg;C).

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Operational Safety:</span> Prevents catastrophic leakage that could lead to equipment damage or operator risk.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Without a properly designed and maintained slide gate plate system, casting efficiency, product quality, and plant safety would be significantly compromised.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Slide gate plate configurations vary according to the number of plates and mechanism design. The most common systems include:

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Lower movable plate<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />This is the most common design for ladles and tundishes due to its structural simplicity and reliable sealing surface.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Upper plate

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Lower plate<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />The additional plate improves thermal insulation, enhances sealing during long casting durations, and reduces wear. Common in high-productivity continuous casting.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">These are specialized composite systems with enhanced anti-erosion and thermal shock resistance using carbon-bonded materials.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Widely used in global steel plants, each series features different combinations of alumina-carbon, zirconia-bonded alumina, or spinel-bearing matrixes designed for specific casting grades such as ultra-low-carbon steels, high-Al steels, or stainless steel grades.

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Slide gate plates are made from high-performance refractories engineered to withstand steelmaking conditions. The most common material systems are:

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Alumina content: 85&ndash;95%

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Carbon content: 8&ndash;15%

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Additives: Si, SiC, antioxidants, metal additives

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Advantages: Excellent thermal shock resistance, moderate cost

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Applications: General carbon steel and alloy steel casting

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">ZrO₂ content: 5&ndash;20%

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Alumina matrix strengthened by zirconia grains

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Advantages: High abrasion resistance, superior corrosion resistance

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Applications: High wear segments, SS and high-Al steel grades

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Used mainly where slag attack is a major factor

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Superior corrosion resistance to basic slags

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Applications: Special ladle metallurgy or secondary refining

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Improved corrosion resistance and reduced steel reactivity

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Increasingly used for clean steel production

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</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Applications: Ultra-low-oxygen steel, stainless steel, and automotive steel grades

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">3.5 Composite Layered Plates</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Multi-layer design: wear zone + insulation zone + structural zone

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</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Benefits: Prolonged service life and reduced risk of thermal cracking

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</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">The correct material selection is determined by casting time, steel grade, tundish temperature, flow rate, and your plant&rsquo;s operational conditions.

<hr style="box-sizing: content-box; height: 0px; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-image: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #eeeeee; max-width: 100%;" />
<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: #5f5f5f; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 16px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">4. Manufacturing Processes</span></h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">To achieve the necessary density and microstructure, slide gate plates undergo advanced refractory manufacturing:

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">4.1 Raw Material Selection</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">High-purity alumina, synthetic spinel, zirconia

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</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Graphite flakes (high purity, controlled particle size)

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Anti-oxidants: Si, Mg, Al

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Resin or pitch binders

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">4.2 Mixing and Kneading</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Homogeneous dispersion of carbon

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Controlled temperature to avoid premature resin curing

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">4.3 Forming Methods</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Cold Isostatic Pressing (CIP)</span> &ndash; Ensures uniform density, preferred for premium plates

</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Uniaxial Hydraulic Pressing</span> &ndash; Standard manufacturing route

</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ol style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Vibration or Vacuum Forming</span> &ndash; Used in composite plates

</li>
</ol>
</ol>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">4.4 Drying and Curing</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Controlled heat treatment cycles

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Stabilizes resin bonding and carbon distribution

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">4.5 High-Temperature Firing</span></h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Typical firing temperatures range from <span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">1300&ndash;1650&deg;C</span>, depending on material type.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">4.6 Final Machining</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Precision grinding of sliding surfaces

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</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Dimensional accuracy ensures proper fit with slide gate mechanism

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</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Manufacturing quality directly influences plate life and sealing performance.

<hr style="box-sizing: content-box; height: 0px; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-image: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #eeeeee; max-width: 100%;" />
<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: #5f5f5f; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 16px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">5. Working Conditions and Failure Mechanisms</span></h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Slide gate plates suffer simultaneous attack from molten steel flow, thermal shock, oxidation, and mechanical friction. Major failure modes include:

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">5.1 Erosion and Abrasion</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">High-velocity steel jets carrying inclusions erode the flow channel

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</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Excessive erosion leads to leakage or unstable flow

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">5.2 Thermal Shock Cracking</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">From ambient temperature to 1600&deg;C within minutes

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</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Carbon provides flexibility; insufficient carbon increases cracking risk

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</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">5.3 Oxidation of Carbon</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Oxygen penetration burns carbon, weakening structure

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Results in surface spalling and increased sliding friction

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">5.4 Steel Infiltration</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Molten steel penetrates micro-cracks

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Causes swelling, crack propagation, or plate jamming

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">5.5 Chemical Corrosion</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Aggressive slags attack alumina or magnesia phases

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Zirconia additions help resist chemical degradation

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">5.6 Mechanical Wear</span></h3>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">The sliding surfaces undergo friction during gate operation

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; max-width: 100%;">
<ul style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; max-width: 100%;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Poor lubrication or misalignment accelerates wear

</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%;" />
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Understanding failure mechanisms is crucial for designing long-life plate systems.

<hr style="box-sizing: content-box; height: 0px; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-image: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-color: #eeeeee; max-width: 100%;" />
<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: #5f5f5f; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 16px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">6. Performance Requirements of Slide Gate Plates</span></h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">A high-quality slide gate plate must deliver:

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">1. Excellent thermal shock resistance</span></h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">To survive repeated opening/closing cycles and rapid heating.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">2. Low sliding friction</span></h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Smooth movement ensures stable flow control.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">3. High mechanical strength</span></h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Prevents breakage during clamping and operation.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">4. High corrosion and erosion resistance</span></h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Especially in the bore or wear zone.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">5. Precise dimensional control</span></h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Ensures perfect sealing and alignment.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">6. Resistance to steel infiltration</span></h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Critical to avoid sticking, swelling, or leakage.

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<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: #5f5f5f; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 16px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">7. Applications in Modern Steelmaking</span></h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Slide gate plates are used throughout the steelmaking process:

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Installed at ladle bottom

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Must withstand long casting sequences (often >2 hours)

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Higher thermal and mechanical load than tundish plates

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<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Tundish Slide Gate Systems</span></h3>
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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Used to regulate flow to the mold

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Exposure to lower temperatures but require high stability for precision casting

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<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">Specialty Applications</span></h3>
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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Ultra-clean steel production

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">High-aluminum steels (require anti-corrosion systems)

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<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Stainless steel (requires zirconia-bearing plates)

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<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: #5f5f5f; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 16px; padding: 0px 0px 3px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">8. Technical Improvement Trends</span></h2>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Modern slide gate plate technology continues to evolve:

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">8.1 Nano-reinforced matrix systems</span></h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Improved crack resistance and longer plate life.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">8.2 Ultra-high-density forming</span></h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Cold isostatic pressing creates smaller pore structures and better wear resistance.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">8.3 Non-carbon bonded systems</span></h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Used for ultra-low-oxygen steel grades.

<h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 500; line-height: 1.1; color: inherit; margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 24px; max-width: 100%;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; max-width: 100%;">8.4 Composite multi-layer engineered plates</span></h3>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; max-width: 100%;">Optimized for extreme erosion zones while reducing cost in non-critical zones.

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