Armco Inc.

The United States of America As Represented by the United States

Ak Properties, Inc.

Robert S Williams

Richard C Sussman

Steven L Campbell

Ronald J O'Malley

Richard D Nathenson

Jerry W Schoen

Donald W Follstaedt

Edward L King

Glenn Stuart Huppi

John C Powell

Steven R Walk

James R Sauer

R Michael Slepian

A method for continuously casting grain oriented electrical steel is disclosed. This method utilizes a controlled rapid cooling step, such as one using a water spray, to control the grain orientation in the finished product. The product formed not only has the appropriate grain orientation but also has good physical properties, for example, minimized cracking. In this process, after a continuously cast electrical steel strip is formed, the strip undergoes an initial secondary cooling to from about 1150 to about 1250&deg; C., and finally undergoes a rapid secondary cooling (for example, by water spray) at a rate of from about 65&deg; C./second to about 150&deg; C./second to a temperature of no greater than about 950&deg; C.

Method of continuously casting electrical steel strip with controlled spray cooling

Casting molten metal using a segmented roll for casting continuous metal strip. A strip caster ( ) for producing a continuous strip ( ) includes a tundish for containing a melt and a pair of horizontally disposed water cooled composite casting rolls ( ). The casting rolls are juxtaposed relative to one another for forming a pouring basin ( ) for receiving molten metal. The composite rolls are formed from a plurality of annular segments ( ). Each segment preferably includes at least a pair of coolant openings ( ) and means for aligning the coolant openings, such as a pair of alignment openings ( ). The segments are axially aligned and structurally connected by a pair of connecting rods ( ) extending completely across the width of the roll through the alignment openings and through appropriate end plates ( ). Each roll includes a load supporting spindle ( ) with each end of the roll sealed by a rotary seal ( ). Coolant water is supplied to the composite casting roll by a flexible conduit ( ) and heated water is removed through a flexible conduit ( ).

Segmented roll for casting metal strip

A strip caster (10) for producing a continuous strip (24) has a tundish (12) for containing a melt (14) and a pair of horizontally disposed water cooled casting rolls (22). The casting rolls are juxtaposed relative to one another for forming a pouring basin (18) for receiving the melt through a teeming tube (16) thereby establishing a meniscus (20) between the rolls for forming a strip (24). The melt is protected from the outside air by a non-oxidizing gas passed through a supply line (28) to a sealing chamber (26). Devices (29) for conditioning the outer peripheral chill surfaces of the casting rolls includes grit blasting nozzles (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D), a collection trough (32) for gathering the grit, a line (34) for recycling the grit to a bag house (36), a feeder (38) and a pressurized distributor (40) for delivering the grit to the nozzles. The conditioning nozzles remove dirt, metal oxides and surface imperfections providing a clean surface readily wetted by the melt.

In-situ conditioning of a strip casting roll

A strip caster (10) for producing a continuous strip (24) includes a tundish (12) for containing a melt (14), a pair of horizontally disposed water cooled casting rolls (22) and devices (29) for electrostatically coating the outer peripheral chill surfaces (44) of the casting rolls with a powder flux material (56). The casting rolls are juxtaposed relative to one another for forming a pouting basin (18) for receiving the melt through a teeming tube (16) thereby establishing a meniscus (20) between the rolls for forming the strip. The melt is protected from the outside air by a non-oxidizing gas passed through a supply line (28) to a sealing chamber (26). A preferred flux is boron oxide having a melting point of about 550.degree. C. The flux coating enhances wetting of the steel melt to the casting roll and dissolves any metal oxide formed on the roll.

Strip casting with fluxing agent applied to casting roll

Casting nozzles will provide improved flow conditions with the parameters controlled according to the present invention. The gap relationships between the nozzle slot and exit orifice must be controlled in combination with converging exit passageway to provide a smooth flow without shearing and turbulence in the stream. The nozzle lips are also rounded to improve flow and increase refractory life of the lips of the nozzle. The tundish walls are tapered to provide improve flow for supplying the melt to the nozzle. The nozzle is located about 45.degree. below top dead center for optimum conditions.

Method and apparatus for strip casting

An apparatus and method for regulating the gap between a casting nozzle and a casting wheel in which the gap between the casting nozzle and the casting wheel is monitored by means of at least one sensing element protruding from the face of the casting nozzle. The sensing element is preferably connected to a voltage source and the casting wheel grounded. When the sensing element contacts the casting wheel, an electric circuit is completed. The completion of the circuit can be registered by an indicator, and the presence or absence of a completed circuit indicates the relative position of the casting nozzle to the casting wheel. The relative positions of the casting nozzle and casting wheel can thereby be selectively adjusted to continually maintain a predetermined distance between their adjacent surfaces.

Electronic gap sensor and method

An apparatus, method and system for the casting of thin strips or strips of metal upon a moving chill block that includes an electromagnet located so that molten metal poured from a reservoir onto the chill block passes into the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet. The electromagnet produces a force on the molten metal on said chill block in the direction toward said chill block in order to enhance thermal contact between the molten metal and the chill block.

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Fairfield, OH, United States of America

Robert S Williams