Continuing the coverage of ECCC5 in the previous issue (see I&S, 2006, 33, (1), 1), this second report focuses on casting of stainless steels, specific product groups, quality issues relating to nozzle and fluid flow, modelling and e-learning. Held in Nice, France, from 20 to 22 June 2005 at the Acropolis Centre, the ECCC5 was attended by over 500 people from 35 countries and five continents. Eightyfive papers and 28 posters were presented and the exhibition featured 17 stands.
Stainless and specialty steelsThis session, chaired by J. P. Giret of Arcelor, France and P. Hooli of Outokumpu, Finland, began with a paper on 'Development of an advanced quality control system for stainless steel slabs' by J. W. Kim, co-authored by J. J. Kim, S. K. Kim and J. Y. Choi (Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Korea). The online prediction system for semi quality uses software modules -initial solidification, mould cooling rate, solidification structure, oscillation marks, cleanness and general casting practice. Each main module has a series of sub-modules. Metallurgical models involving mould thermal monitoring, solidification, oscillation marks and cleanness have been developed and integrated for stainless steels.Laser sensors, measuring SEN depth, are used in conjunction with the MTM system to validate the model with real production values. The