Horizontal continuous casting of metals

Abstract

A mold for horizontal casting of molten metal comprising a mold body forming an open-ended mold cavity having an inlet end and an outlet end. An annular permeable wall member is mounted in the mold body adjacent the inlet end of the mold cavity with an inner face thereof forming an interior face of the mold. A refractory transition plate is mounted at the inlet end of the mold cavity, this transition plate providing a mold inlet opening having a cross-section less than that of the mold cavity. This provides an annular shoulder at the inlet end of the cavity. Means are provided for feeding molten aluminum through the inlet opening. Separate conduits are also provided for feeding a gas into the shoulder and via the permeable wall means for providing a layer of gas between the metal and the inner face of the mold. A gas that is more reactive with molten aluminum is fed into the shoulder and a less reactive gas is fed via the permeable wall. The reactions with the molten aluminum create a skin or shell on the aluminum which provides smooth passage through the mold and allows for more rapid secondary cooling of the emerging ingot.