The prevention of surface damage is an important aspect during the production process of continuous cast slabs, since the deletion of these defects is associated with high costs. An economical production of high quality products therefore requires an optimal production process. This will require better knowledge of mechanisms that lead to crack initiation. In this part of the project, various factors influencing the high temperature ductility behavior will be tested on different steel samples. The findings of these studies are necessary to provide the required information to optimize the process and avoid the formation of surface-near cracks during the continuous casting process.