<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Operators often see cracks and damage in ladle shrouds, long nozzles, and refractory parts. This happens because of a few main reasons:</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Fast temperature changes can cause thermal shock and peeling.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Mechanical stress comes from handling, hitting, or working forces.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Hot slag and molten steel can wear down and get into the parts.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Material problems like tiny holes or mistakes made during making.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Issues with design, how things line up, or how they fit together.</span>

<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Knowing these reasons helps teams stop corrosion, breaks across the part, and chemical damage. This helps ladle shrouds last longer.</span>

<h2 style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #0f0c1e;">Key Takeaways</span></h2>
<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Quick temperature changes can cause thermal shock. This can crack ladle shrouds. Heating slowly and checking the temperature can stop this damage.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Mechanical stress from moving and using parts can cause cracks. Storing parts carefully and handling them right helps lower this risk. Installing them the correct way also helps.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Hot slag can wear down and get into refractory materials. This makes them weaker. Using strong materials and checking slag conditions can protect the parts.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">The </span><span lang="EN-US">[size= 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #554bdf]quality of materials[/size]</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;"> is important. Good raw materials and careful making of parts help stop cracks. Having the right amount of porosity makes parts stronger and better at handling shock.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">[size= 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #554bdf]Good design and alignment[/size]</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;"> lower stress and stop leaks. Smooth shapes and tight fits help keep ladle shrouds and nozzles strong. Checking them often also helps.</span>

<h2 style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #0f0c1e;">1. Thermal Shock</span></h2>
<h3 style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #0f0c1e;">Temperature Changes</span></h3>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">When the </span><span lang="EN-US">[size= 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #554bdf]temperature changes[/size]</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;"> quickly, it puts stress inside refractory materials. During ladle preheating, the working layer gets hot on one side and stays cool on the other. This big difference in temperature causes strong pulling stress at the top of the working layer. Sometimes, this stress can get as high as 39.06 MPa. Damage often starts at the top and near the sidewall burner nozzles. If the ladle heats up too fast, alumina-magnesia castables get stiffer but weaker. The material turns more brittle and can break more easily. When steel is poured, the ladle shroud faces sudden heat, which also builds up stress.</span>

<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 宋体; color: #38364b;">Tip:</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;"> Teams should watch temperature changes during preheating and pouring. Using thermal imaging cameras can help find hot spots and uneven heating. These signs show where cracks might happen.</span>

<h3 style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #0f0c1e;">Crack Formation</span></h3>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Thermal shock cracks show up a lot in high-temperature furnace linings and steel ladles. These parts go through fast heating and cooling many times. When the temperature changes too quickly, the refractory grows or shrinks more than it can handle. If the material is brittle, especially under 1100&deg;C, cracks form easily. Big parts, uneven heating, and outside forces make cracking worse. Changes in the material&rsquo;s structure can also raise the risk</span><span lang="EN-US">[size= 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif].isostatical pressed refractory[/size]</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 宋体; color: #38364b;">Common scenarios for thermal shock cracking:</span>

<p style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Inter; mso-bidi-font-family: Inter; color: #38364b;">1.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Ladle preheating with fast temperature rise.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Inter; mso-bidi-font-family: Inter; color: #38364b;">2.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Steel pouring with sudden molten metal exposure.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Inter; mso-bidi-font-family: Inter; color: #38364b;">3.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Quenching or cooling steps in steelmaking.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 72pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Inter; mso-bidi-font-family: Inter; color: #38364b;">4.<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">High-temperature furnace linings in steel, cement, glass, and ceramics.</span>

<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Thermal shock can cause early failure with small and large cracks. Operators often see pieces breaking off, falling apart, and cracks along the </span><span lang="EN-US">[size= 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #554bdf]ladle shroud[/size]</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;"> and nozzle. Checking often and tracking temperature changes helps teams stop damage before it gets worse. Using materials that handle thermal shock better and heating slowly can help lower the chance of cracks. </span><span lang="EN-US">[size= 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif]Slide gate plate[/size]</span>

<h2 style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #0f0c1e;">2. Mechanical Stress</span></h2>
<h3 style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #0f0c1e;">Handling Damage</span></h3>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Mechanical stress often starts when workers do not handle parts carefully. Sometimes, workers drop or hit the ladle shroud by mistake. This can chip, crack, or even break it before use. Teams may forget how important good storage is. If the storage area is wet or rough, the refractory gets weaker. This makes it easier to crack later.</span>

<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Operators should do these things to stop handling damage:</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Keep ladle shrouds in dry, clean places.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Teach workers to lift and move parts the right way.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Check each part for chips or cracks before using it.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Heat the ladle shroud slowly so it does not crack.</span>

<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 宋体; color: #38364b;">Tip:</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;"> Handle parts with care and heat them slowly. This helps stop early cracks and makes the ladle shroud last longer.</span>

<h3 style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #0f0c1e;">Operational Impact</span></h3>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Mechanical stress keeps happening when the equipment is used. Taking off coatings or moving the ladle shroud can hurt the refractory. Forces between the upper nozzle and ladle bottom can cause stress. These forces come from heat changes, steel shell growth, and heavy loads.</span>

<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">These types of mechanical stress often cause cracks or bending:</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Pulling forces from blocked thermal expansion.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Pushing forces that make the part bend for good.</span>

<p style="margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; color: #38364b;">&middot;<span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-language-override: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-feature-settings: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">The steel shell grows wider and faces thermal shock.</span>

<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">The table below shows how these forces can hurt the structure:</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Distortion Force / Cause</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Effect on Structural Integrity</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Mechanism / Description</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Mitigation / Design Considerations</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Thermal gradients (radial differences)</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Radial cracks in refractory plates</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Expansion/contraction causes tensile and hoop stresses</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Optimize design, use tough materials, control cooling rates</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">High bolt preload on cassette assembly</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Rare radial cracks in plates</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Bending stresses from bolt tightening and expansion</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Adjust bolt tightening, improve cassette shape</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Thermal contraction during cooling</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Radial cracks from inner bore</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Cooling causes tensile stress in Y-direction</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Slow, uniform cooling</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Mechanical stresses from vertical loads</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Transverse and radial cracks in middle plate</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Compressive stresses from molten steel cause tensile stresses</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Increase preheating temperature and operation time</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Crack formation and oxidation</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Corrosion, leakage, steel quality degradation</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Cracks allow air ingress, causing oxidation and contamination</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Use anti-oxidizing additives, improve composition</span>

</td>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Connection type (conical vs butt)</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Stress distribution and stability</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Conical induces tensile stress; butt works under compression</span>

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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Select connection type based on expansion and load limits</span>

</td>
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</tbody>
</table>
<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Operators who know about these stresses can pick better materials. They can also install parts better and lower the chance of cracks. Checking often and lining up parts right helps keep steelmaking equipment strong.</span>

<h2 style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #0f0c1e;">3. Slag Erosion</span></h2>
<h3 style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #0f0c1e;">Slag Penetration</span></h3>


<p style="background-image: initial; background-position: initial; background-size: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">Hot slag attacks the outside of </span><span lang="EN-US">[size= 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #554bdf]ladle shrouds and nozzles[/size]</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Inter',serif; color: #38364b;">. The molten slag moves over the refractory and brings heat and chemicals. These things break down the material. Slag penetration happens when liquid slag gets into small pores and cracks. This changes the inside of the refractory and makes a weak layer. That weak layer can break apart easily.</span>

<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">[size= 9.0pt; font-family: 'Batang',serif]Tips You Shuold Know About The Tundish Metering Nozzle[/size]</span>



<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Introduction To The Fast Change Mechanism Of Tundish Metering Nozzle</span>

ladle shroud

submerged entry nozzle

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