Hazelett Strip-casting Corporation

Stanley W Platek

Robert William Hazelett

Charles J Petry

John F Wood

Wojtek S Szczypiorski

S Jerry Desautels

Gary P Ackel

Joseph C O'Kane

Methods and apparatus for feeding and continuously casting molten metal are described in which inert gas is applied to the moving mold surfaces and to the entering metal for the protection or shrouding of the molten metal surface within the mold cavity from oxygen and other detrimental atmospheric gases. The shrouding is by means of inert gas injected into the mold through a semi-sealing nosepiece, or directed at the mold cavity and passing through the necessary slight gaps around the nosepiece. At the same time, such inert gas is further circulated by channeling or shielding the circulated gas for blanketing and diffusing of the inert gas along the moving mold surfaces for cleansing them of undesired accompanying gases, such as atmospheric oxygen, water vapor, sulphur dioxide, carbonic acid gas, etc. as the mold surfaces approach the nosepiece before entering the mold region. In installations where the inert gas is directed at the mold cavity from above and/or below the nosepiece, the gas is ejected at a relatively slow flow rate so as to be noiselessly ejected, i.e. without audible disturbance, the objective being to avoid entrainment of air. Heavier-than-air inert gas may advantageously be used above the nosepiece, while lighter-than-air inert gas is simultaneously used below it.

Method and apparatus for feeding and continuously casting molten metal

Apparatus for feeding and continuously casting molten metal is described in which inert gas is applied to the moving mold surfaces and to the entering metal for the protection or shrouding of the molten metal surface within the mold cavity from oxygen and other detrimental atmospheric gases. The shrouding is by means of inert gas injected into the mold through a semi-sealing nosepiece, or directed at the mold cavity and passing through the necessary slight gaps around the nosepiece. At the same time, such inert gas is further circulated by channeling or shielding the circulated gas for blanketing and diffusing of the inert gas along the moving mold surfaces for cleansing them of undesired accompanying gases, such as atmospheric oxygen, water vapor, sulphur dioxide, carbonic acid gas, etc. as the mold surfaces approach the nosepiece before entering the mold region. In installations where the inert gas is directed at the mold cavity from above and/or below the nosepiece, the gas is ejected at a relatively slow flow rate so as to be noiselessly ejected, i.e. without audible disturbance, the objective being to avoid entrainment of air. Heavier-than-air inert gas may advantageously be used above the nosepiece, while lighter-than-air inert gas is simultaneously used below it.

Apparatus for feeding and continuously casting molten metal with inert

Continuous casting methods and apparatus are described wherein a defect in the cast surfaces consisting of longitudinal bands of sinkage, sometimes called 'sinks', which are spaced relatively far inwardly from the edges of wide, relatively thin slab or strip, usually being spaced inwardly away from the edges by a distance of 3 to 7 times (sometimes up to 9 times) the thickness of the cast slab, is practically eliminated by means of a coating or covering of non-wettable refractory ceramic material of low heat conductivity applied to the inner faces of the edge-dam blocks for reducing heat flow out of the edges of the slab or strip being cast. Numerous such blocks are strung onto a flexible metal band or cable to constitute each of the two edge dams which define the edges of the mold space. Alternative methods for reducing heat flow from the edges of the slab or strip being cast are disclosed--notably the breaking of thermal contact by means of jiggling by rocking individual edge-dam blocks back and forth; also the use of sintered edge-dam blocks, and the heating of the edge-dam blocks along the casting region. One or more of these alternative methods may be used in conjunction with the coating of refractory material on the inner faces of the edge-dam blocks for further reducing or controlling the flow of heat out of the margins of the metal being cast into the edge-dam blocks.

Refractory coating of edge-dam blocks for the purpose of preventing

An improvement in continuous metal casting machines of the type having a pair of flexible, moving casting belts which revolve along endless paths for defining a casting region therebetween and moving side dams which revolve along with the casting belts for confining the cast strip, slab or bar laterally. The casting belts are individually supported by upper and lower carriage means. The machine is provided with sensors such as load cells for sensing the displacement forces existing between the upper and lower carriages at selected points along the path of belt travel, and for sensing the side pressures exerted upon the side dams by the cooling, solidifying metal. This sensing permits the maintenance of predetermined, desired contact pressures along the length of the solidifying metal to thereby improve the physical characteristics of the cast product. The sensor outputs may be utilized to manually adjust the pressure points or, alternatively, may be employed in an automatic feedback system for providing automatic control of the various casting parameters affecting mold contact pressures and pressure distribution.

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Essex Junction, VT, United States of America

Stanley W Platek