Armco Inc.

Ronald J O'Malley

Robert S Williams

Richard C Sussman

James R Sauer

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) 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.

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Miamisburg, OH, United States of America

Ronald J O'Malley