Method of enlarging the strand width of a steel strand during continuous

Abstract

A method of widening the width of a continuously cast strand, especially a cast steel strand, comprising the steps of casting a strand in an adjustable continuous casting mold having a first pair of oppositely situated short sides and a second pair of oppositely situated long sides defining therebetween the mold compartment, wherein at least one of the short sides of the mold can be moved during the casting operation. According to the invention, the short side of the mold, during a first stage, is moved away from the continuously cast strand, by rocking or pivoting the same about its lower end region and is brought out of a starting position into an inclined displaced position, then during a second stage this short side is displaced horizontally, in a direction substantially parallel and away from the cast strand, and then during a third stage such short side is moved away from the strand out of the horizontally displaced position into an end position by pivoting or rocking such short side about its upper end region. The displacement speed which is effective during the second stage is dependent upon the relevant prevailing casting speed and chosen such that there is ensured for contact of the cast metal with the entire, imbued surface of such short side.