EP3898028B1 - Mould unit for the continuous casting of metal products and continuous casting installation - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a mold unit for the continuous casting of metal products, in particular for the continuous casting of blooms. Furthermore, the invention relates to a continuous casting plant.

In molds for the continuous casting of metal products, such as blooms, a distinction is made between so-called plate molds and so-called tube molds. Plate molds comprise a number of separate mold plates which are in contact with one another and which together form a mold with a polygonal, in particular rectangular, cross-sectional shape. Tube moulds, on the other hand, comprise a mold tube which forms a mold with a round, in particular circular, cross-sectional shape or a polygonal, in particular rectangular, cross-sectional shape.

An advantage of a plate mold is that its mold plates can be stored in such a way that a distance between opposing mold plates can be adjusted, so that metal products of different formats can be cast with the plate mold. Another advantage of a plate mold is that damaged or worn mold plates can be reworked or replaced in a targeted manner. A disadvantage of a plate mold, however, is that there may be gaps between adjacent mold plates at the corner areas thereof, into which foreign bodies, such as residues of (liquefied) casting powder, can penetrate and/or liquid metal can penetrate. This can result in sharp-edged burrs, so-called fins, on the strand. When a strand is extracted from a plate mold, fins are subject to higher static friction than the remaining surface of the strand. This creates mechanical stresses that can lead to the tearing of a strand shell that is being formed.

The problem described above does not normally occur at the corner regions of a tube mold (with a polygonal cross-sectional shape), since the side walls of the mold tube are usually formed in one piece with one another. However, only a single format of a metal product can be cast with a one-piece tubular mold. In addition, with a one-piece tubular mold, it is not possible to specifically replace individual side walls if they are damaged or worn.

Until now, tube molds have mainly been used for the continuous casting of small-sized metal products. Up to now, plate molds have been used for the continuous casting of large-format metal products. Recently, however, in the continuous casting of large-sized metal products, tube molds have been increasingly used because a tube mold does not usually have the problem of generation of fins.

In the case of a tubular mold that is to be used for the continuous casting of large-format metal products, care must be taken to ensure that the wall thickness of the mold tube is not too great so that adequate heat transfer through the mold tube can be ensured for the purpose of heat dissipation to a coolant. However, a low wall thickness of the mold tube has the disadvantage that, due to the high (coolant) pressures acting on the mold tube, the mold tube may be deformed and consequently the life of the mold tube may be shortened.

In the prior art, the above-mentioned disadvantage of a small wall thickness of the mold tube is compensated for by several reinforcement plates being fastened to the outside of the mold tube, which give the mold a sufficiently high level of rigidity.

From the EP 1 468 760 A1 a mold unit for the continuous casting of metal products is known, which comprises a mold tube which has a plurality of corner regions. In addition, the mold unit comprises a plurality of separate reinforcement plates which are fastened to the outside of the mold tube and together enclose the mold tube, a coolant guide gap for guiding a coolant being formed between each of the reinforcement plates and the mold tube.

An object of the invention is to enable a mold unit that has a mold tube with a polygonal outer cross-sectional shape, or a continuous casting plant equipped with such a mold unit, to achieve a long service life.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a mold unit according to claim 1 and by a continuous casting plant according to claim 15.

Preferred configurations of the invention are specified in the further patent claims and in the following description.

The mold unit according to the invention for the continuous casting of metal products, in particular for the continuous casting of blooms, comprises a mold tube with a polygonal outer cross-sectional shape, which has several corner areas, and several separate reinforcing plates, which are attached to the outside of the mold tube and together enclose the mold tube, with between each of the reinforcing plates and a coolant guide gap for guiding a coolant is formed in each case in the mold tube. Furthermore, in the case of the mold unit according to the invention, the reinforcing plates at the corner regions of the mold tube are not connected to one another by screw connections. In other words, in the case of the mold unit according to the invention, the reinforcing plates are not screwed together at the corner areas of the mold tube.

Specifically, there is no direct contact between the reinforcement plates. A possible sealing element or a plurality of sealing elements between two mutually adjoining reinforcement plates does not impede the thermal expansion of the reinforcement plates or only insignificantly, since the sealing element is elastically deformable and its rigidity is very low. Compared to the rigidity of the reinforcement plates, the rigidity of the sealing elements is negligible.

The invention is based on the finding that thermal expansion of the mold tube and the reinforcing plates occurs during operation of the mold unit.

If the reinforcement plates are screwed together at the corners of the mold tube, as is the case, for example, in EP 1 468 760 A1 is provided, the reinforcement plates are prevented from thermal expansion at the corner areas of the mold tube. This can lead to mechanical stresses, particularly in the corner areas of the mold tube, which can lead to damage to the reinforcement plates and/or to the mold tube and consequently to a reduced service life of the mold unit.

Since the reinforcing plates in the corner areas of the mold tube are not screwed together in the invention, the reinforcing plates in the corner areas of the mold tube can perform greater thermal movements relative to one another. As a result, the occurrence of large mechanical stresses can be avoided, particularly in the corner areas of the mold tube. In this way, a longer service life of the mold unit and consequently also a longer service life of a continuous casting plant equipped with such a mold unit can be achieved.

Advantageously, the reinforcement plates are not bonded to one another in the corner areas of the mold tube, so that the reinforcement plates do not penetrate either a material connection can be prevented from thermal expansion.

In the present case, the term "polygonal" is not necessarily to be understood in a strictly mathematical or geometric sense. For the purposes of the invention, a “polygonal” (cross-sectional) shape, such as a rectangular (cross-sectional) shape, can be understood to mean, in particular, a (cross-sectional) shape with rounded corners.

In the present case, the mold tube of the mold unit is a casting mold which has a plurality of side walls which are formed in one piece with one another.

The mold tube is preferably a copper tube. This means that the mold tube is preferably made of copper or a copper alloy. This ensures a high thermal conductivity of the mold tube. The aforementioned reinforcing plates can be made, for example, from stainless steel, for example steel grade WNr. 1.4301.

Due to the fact that in the invention between each of the reinforcement plates and the mold pipe a coolant guide gap for guiding a coolant is formed in each case, a so-called water-conducting jacket for guiding a coolant can be dispensed with. Instead, the reinforcement plates can assume the function of a water-conducting jacket. This enables the mold unit to be produced at low cost, since there is no need for a complex production of a water-conducting jacket.

The aforementioned coolant-guiding gaps are preferably each laterally delimited by one of the reinforcement plates and one of the side walls of the mold tube.

Advantageously, the mold tube and the reinforcing plates are spaced apart from each other at all points. With In other words, the mold tube and the reinforcing plates are advantageously not in contact with one another, but are arranged without contact with one another at all points. This can prevent heat from being conducted directly from the mold tube to the reinforcement plates. In addition, in this way heat can be given off to the coolant over a comparatively large area of the reinforcement plates and over a comparatively large area of the mold tube, as a result of which a particularly strong cooling effect can be achieved with the aid of the coolant.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mold tube has a mold cavity which, in the cross section of the mold tube, has a rectangular shape, in particular a rectangular shape with rounded or pre-chamfered corners.

Furthermore, it is preferred if said rectangular shape of the mold cavity has a length of at least 280 mm, in particular at least 320 mm, and/or a width of at least 240 mm, in particular at least 280 mm.

Furthermore, the mold cavity of the mold tube can be curved. That is, the mold unit can be a so-called curved mold. Alternatively, the mold cavity can be straight.

It is also advantageous if the mold tube has a wall thickness of at most 35 mm, preferably at most 30 mm. On the one hand, this enables the mold tube to be produced more cost-effectively, since comparatively little material is required to produce the mold tube. On the other hand, good heat transfer can be achieved through the mold tube, so that the coolant can be used to achieve a strong cooling effect on the molten metal to be cooled.

The wall thickness of the mold tube can be constant over the entire mold tube. Alternatively, the mold tube have different wall thicknesses. In the latter case, the wording that the mold tube has a wall thickness of at most 35 mm or at most 30 mm can be understood to mean that the mold tube has a wall thickness of at most 35 mm or at most 30 mm at its thickest point(s). mm.

The mold tube can, for example, have a rectangular external cross-sectional shape. In this case, four separate reinforcement plates are expediently attached to the outside of the mold tube. That is, the aforementioned multiple reinforcing plates may be four reinforcing plates in particular.

In a preferred manner, the end faces of two of the reinforcement plates are at least partially covered by the other two reinforcement plates. Stated another way, preferably two of the reinforcing plates are partially located between the other two reinforcing plates. Such an arrangement of the reinforcing plates permits comparatively large thermal movements of the two covering reinforcing plates, since the covering reinforcing plates can expand thermally without hitting the other two reinforcing plates at the ends.

Two of the four reinforcement plates can be made narrower than the other two reinforcement plates. Preferably, the two wider reinforcement plates have a greater maximum wall thickness than the two narrower reinforcement plates. This allows the wider backing plates to withstand greater forces than the narrower backing plates.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mold unit has a plurality of connecting elements, by means of which the reinforcing plates are attached to the mold tube are. The connecting elements can each have one or more threaded sections, for example.

A threaded section of a connecting element is to be understood here as a section of the connecting element provided with a thread.

In addition, the mold unit can have a plurality of threaded inserts that are inserted into recesses in the mold tube. The connecting elements are preferably screwed into the threaded inserts. The threaded inserts enable easy and quick assembly of the reinforcement plates on the mold tube using fasteners.

The expression "inserted" is not necessarily to be understood here in such a way that the respective thread insert has to be arranged completely in a recess. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the respective threaded insert protrudes from the recess.

The connecting elements are advantageously designed as expansion bolts. An advantage of connecting elements designed as expansion bolts is that they allow thermal movement of the reinforcement plates relative to the mold tube without the connecting elements being subjected to excessive tension, which could possibly lead to plastic and/or separating deformation of the connecting elements. The respective connecting element preferably has an unthreaded shank section. In particular, its diameter can be smaller than the diameter of the threaded section or the threaded sections of the respective connecting element. Alternatively, the diameter of the shank portion of the respective connecting element can be the same or approximately the same size as the diameter of the threaded portion or threaded portions. The length of the shaft section can be between 50 mm and 100 mm, for example. The length of the shank section preferably corresponds to at least 50% of the total length of the connecting element.

Furthermore, the mold unit can comprise a plurality of clamping sleeves, each of which surrounds a part of one of the connecting elements, in particular the unthreaded shank section. Preferably, the clamping sleeves are each braced between one of the reinforcement plates and the mold tube.

The clamping sleeves can be in contact with the threaded inserts on the face side, or a clamping sleeve with a threaded insert can form a single component. If a threaded insert protrudes from a recess in the mold tube, it can be achieved in this case that the clamping sleeve transmits a force to the threaded insert, but not directly to the side wall of the mold tube.

Furthermore, it is expedient if the mold unit has a plurality of nuts, by means of which the connecting elements are secured. If necessary, the mold unit can have a plurality of washers against which the nuts rest. Optionally, the mold unit can also have one or more spring elements, such as one or more plate springs, between the respective washers and the respective nut.

Advantageously, adjacent reinforcement plates are sealed against each other in the corner regions of the mold tube by means of one or more sealing elements. Adjacent reinforcing plates in the corner regions of the mold tube are preferably sealed against one another with the aid of a first sealing element and a second sealing element, which is different from the first sealing element. As a result, a particularly good seal can be achieved in the corner areas of the mold tube.

The first sealing element can be, for example, an elastic sealing cord, which is inserted into a groove, in particular into a groove running in the vertical direction of the mold unit, of one of the adjacent reinforcing plates. The second sealing element can be, for example, an elongate, curved sealing plate, which engages with its longitudinal edges in two grooves, in particular in two grooves running in the vertical direction of the mold unit, of the adjacent reinforcing plates.

In the event that adjacent reinforcement plates are each sealed at the corner regions of the mold tube with only one sealing element, the respective sealing element can be, for example, a sealing element of the type of the aforementioned first sealing element or the aforementioned second sealing element.

The mold unit preferably comprises a tube jacket surrounding the mold tube and the reinforcing plates. The tube jacket advantageously has one or more coolant inlets and/or one or more coolant outlets. In particular, the tube jacket can have a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet for each reinforcement plate. In the preferred case that the mold unit comprises four reinforcement plates, the pipe jacket can therefore have in particular four coolant inlets and four coolant outlets.

It is also advantageous if the respective coolant inlet and the respective coolant outlet of the pipe jacket are connected to at least one of the coolant guide gaps in a fluid-conducting manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a cavity between the reinforcement plates and the pipe jacket forms a coolant feed for the mold unit, while the coolant guide gaps together form a coolant return for the mold unit. Alternatively, he can Cavity between the reinforcing plates and the pipe jacket form a coolant return of the mold unit, while the coolant guide column together form a coolant flow of the mold unit.

Advantageously, the previously mentioned sealing elements separate the coolant flow from the coolant return at the corner areas of the mold tube.

The pipe jacket can have a fastening flange for fastening the mold unit to a mold carrier device. Said mounting flange is preferably arranged at the upper end of the pipe shell. Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one coolant inlet of the pipe jacket is arranged in the fastening flange and/or at least one coolant outlet of the pipe jacket is arranged in the fastening flange.

As mentioned at the outset, the invention relates, inter alia, to a continuous casting plant.

The continuous casting plant according to the invention is equipped with a mold unit according to the invention.

The continuous casting plant can in particular be a so-called curved continuous casting plant. Alternatively, the continuous casting plant can be a so-called vertical continuous casting plant.

The description given so far of preferred configurations of the invention contains numerous features, some of which are combined into several in the individual dependent patent claims. However, these features can also be considered individually and combined to form further meaningful combinations. In particular, these features can each be combined individually and in any suitable combination with the mold unit according to the invention and the continuous casting plant according to the invention.

The characteristics, features and advantages of the invention described above and the manner in which they are achieved will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following description of an embodiment of the invention, which will be explained in more detail in connection with the figures. The exemplary embodiment serves to explain the invention and does not limit the invention to the combinations of features specified therein, not even in relation to functional features. In addition, suitable features of the exemplary embodiment can also be explicitly considered in isolation and combined with any of the claims.

FIG 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Stranggießanlage mit einer Kokilleneinheit;

FIG 2

einen Längsschnitt der Kokilleneinheit aus FIG 1 sowie eine Kokillenträgervorrichtung, an welcher die Kokilleneinheit befestigt ist;

FIG 3

eine 3D-Ansicht der Kokilleneinheit;

FIG 4

eine Draufsicht der Kokilleneinheit;

FIG 5

einen Schnitt durch die Kokilleneinheit entlang der Schnittfläche V-V aus FIG 4;

FIG 6

einen Schnitt durch die Kokilleneinheit entlang der Schnittfläche VI-VI aus FIG 4;

FIG 7

eine 3D-Ansicht eines Kokillenrohrs der Kokilleneinheit;

FIG 8

eine Schnittdarstellung der Kokilleneinheit, in welcher ein Verbindungselement der Kokilleneinheit abgebildet ist;

FIG 9

einen Querschnitt der Kokilleneinheit;

FIG 10

eine alternative Schnittdarstellung eines Teils der Kokilleneinheit 8 zu FIG 8.

Show it:

FIG 1

a schematic representation of a continuous casting plant with a mold unit;

FIG 2

a longitudinal section of the mold unit FIG 1 and a mold support device to which the mold unit is attached;

3

a 3D view of the mold unit;

FIG 4

a plan view of the mold unit;

5

a section through the mold unit along the cutting surface VV FIG 4 ;

6

a section through the mold unit along the interface VI-VI FIG 4 ;

FIG 7

a 3D view of a mold tube of the mold unit;

8

a sectional view of the mold unit, in which a connecting element of the mold unit is shown;

9

a cross section of the mold unit;

10

an alternative sectional view of part of the mold unit 8 8 .

FIG 1 shows schematically a continuous casting plant 2 for the continuous casting of metal products, in particular for the continuous casting of blooms. In the present exemplary embodiment, the continuous casting plant 2 is a curved continuous casting plant.

The continuous casting plant 2 comprises a ladle turret 4, in which two interchangeable ladles 6 are used, and a mold unit 8. The latter is attached to a mold carrier device 10 (cf. FIG 2 ), in the FIG 1 is not shown for the sake of clarity.

In addition, the continuous casting plant 2 includes a distributor basin 12 for receiving molten metal from the ladles 6 and for forwarding the molten metal to the mold unit 8. The continuous casting plant 2 also has a strand guiding system 14 with a cooling device (not shown in the figure) and several strand guiding rollers 16 as well as a separating device 18

In the ladles 6 is a molten metal, such as liquid steel. The molten metal is introduced into the distributor basin 12 from the respective pouring ladle 6 . From there, the molten metal is introduced into the mold unit 8 via an outlet pipe 20 of the distributor basin 12 .

Since a coolant, preferably water, is passed through the mold unit 8, the molten metal cools down at its contact surfaces with the mold unit 8 and solidifies partially, so that the molten metal emerges from the mold unit 8 in the form of a strand 22 . Upon exiting the mold unit 8, the strand 22 has a solidified shell while much of its cross-section is still liquid.

With the aid of the strand guide rollers 16 of the strand guide system 14, the strand 22 emerging from the mold unit 8 is transported away and thereby guided along an arc. In the strand guide system 14, the strand 22 is further cooled with the aid of the cooling device of the strand guide system 14, so that the strand 22 solidifies.

By means of the separating device 18, the strand 22 is divided into several individual pieces for the purpose of further processing and then transported away. Alternatively, the strand 22 could, for example, be further processed directly by one or more roll stands without being divided beforehand.

FIG 2 shows a longitudinal section of the mold unit 8 and the aforementioned mold carrier device 10 to which the mold unit 8 is attached. The above-mentioned coolant, which is passed through the mold unit 8, is supplied to the mold unit 8 by the mold carrier device 10 and discharged again via the mold carrier device 10.

How out FIG 2 As can be seen, the mold unit 8 comprises a mold tube 24. The mold tube 24 comprises four side walls 26 made of copper or a copper alloy which are formed in one piece with one another and has a rectangular external cross-sectional shape with rounded corners (cf. FIG 7 and 9 ). Since the continuous casting plant 2 in the present exemplary embodiment is a curved continuous casting plant, the mold tube 24 has a mold cavity 28 of curved design. The deflection of the mold cavity 28 is thereby achieved that the two broader of the four side walls 26 are formed curved.

Furthermore, the mold cavity 28 in the present exemplary embodiment has a rectangular shape with rounded corners and a length L of 380 mm and a width B of 280 mm in the cross section of the mold tube 24 (cf. FIG 7 and 9 ), with other dimensions of the mold cavity 28 also being possible in principle.

Furthermore, the mold unit 8 comprises four separate reinforcement plates 30, which are fastened to the outside of the mold tube 24 and together enclose the mold tube 24, with in FIG 2 only two of the four reinforcing plates 30 are visible. The mold tube 24 and the reinforcement plates 30 are arranged without contact with one another (cf. 5 and 6 ).

In addition, the mold unit 8 comprises a cylindrical tube jacket 32 surrounding the mold tube 24 and the reinforcing plates 30. At its upper end, the tube jacket 32 has a fastening flange 34, by means of which the mold unit 8 is fastened to the mold carrier device 10. The tubular jacket 32 has a peripheral collar 36 at its lower end.

Furthermore, the mold unit 8 has an end plate 38 fastened to the collar 36 of the tube jacket 32, by means of which an opening between the tube jacket 32 and the mold tube 24 is closed at the lower end of the tube jacket 32.

3 shows a 3D view of the mold unit 8. In this figure, the pipe jacket 32 with its fastening flange 34 and its collar 36 as well as the upper edge of the mold pipe 24 and a part of the mold cavity 28 are visible, whereas the reinforcement plates 30 are covered by the pipe jacket 32.

The tube jacket 32 includes a coolant inlet 40 and a coolant outlet 42 for each reinforcement plate 30. This means that the tube jacket 32 includes a total of four coolant inlets 40 and four coolant outlets 42. Three of the four coolant inlets 40 are arranged on the mounting flange 34 of the tube jacket 32, while the other coolant inlet 40 is arranged laterally on the pipe jacket 32. Likewise, three of the four coolant outlets 42 are arranged on the fastening flange 34 , while the other coolant outlet 42 is arranged on the side of the pipe jacket 32 .

FIG 4 shows a plan view of the mold unit 8. The upper edge of the mold tube 24 and its mold cavity 28 can also be seen in this figure. In addition, in FIG 4 the fastening flange 34 and a part of the collar 36 of the pipe jacket 32 as well as the coolant inlets 40 and the coolant outlets 42 are visible.

Furthermore, in FIG 4 a first kinking section surface VV and a second kinking section surface VI-VI are shown.

5 shows a section through the mold unit 8 along the cutting surface VV FIG 4 and 6 shows a section through the mold unit 8 along the interface VI-VI FIG 4 .

As well in 5 as well as in 6 the mold tube 24 with its mold cavity 28, two of the reinforcement plates 30 and the tube jacket 32 are shown.

How out 5 and 6 As can be seen, a portion of the mounting flange 34 is supported on the reinforcement plates 30 . Furthermore, the mounting flange 34 is sealed to the reinforcement plates 30 .

Between its reinforcement plates 30 and its mold tube 24, the mold unit 8 has a coolant guide gap 44 for guiding a coolant 46 on. The coolant-guiding gaps 44 are each laterally delimited by one of the reinforcement plates 30 and one of the side walls 26 of the mold tube 24 .

In 5 the coolant 46 is shown symbolically in the form of arrows, the directions of the arrows representing the flow direction of the coolant 46 in each case.

The coolant 46 flows into the mold unit 8 via the coolant inlets 40 of the pipe jacket 32 . In a cavity 48 between the tube shell 32 and the reinforcement plates 30, the coolant 46 flows downward. The coolant 46 is deflected at the end plate 38 . The coolant 46 then flows upwards in the coolant guide gaps 44 and then exits the mold unit 8 via the coolant outlets 42 of the tube jacket 32 . The cavity 48 between the tube jacket 32 and the reinforcement plates 30 forms a coolant feed, while the coolant guide gaps 44 form a coolant return.

FIG 7 shows a 3D view of the previously mentioned mold tube 24 of the mold unit 8. In this figure, all four side walls 26 of the mold tube 24 and its corner areas 50 are visible.

Furthermore, in FIG 7 Several threaded inserts 52 of the mold unit 8 that are provided with an internal and external thread can be seen, which are screwed into recesses 54 in the side walls 26 of the mold tube 24 and protrude from the recesses 54 (cf. 8 and 9 ).

8 shows a sectional view of part of the mold unit 8.

In 8 a part of one of the reinforcement plates 30 and a part of one of the side walls 26 of the mold tube 24 are shown. In addition, in 8 a connecting element 56 of the mold unit 8, by means of which the reinforcement plate 30 shown is attached to the side wall 26 of the mold tube 24 shown.

The connecting element 56 is designed as an expansion bolt and has a threaded section 58 at each of its two ends and an unthreaded shank section 60 arranged between them, the length of the shank section 60 corresponding to approximately 60% of the overall length of the connecting element 56 . In the present embodiment, the shank portion 60 has a smaller diameter than each of the two threaded portions 58. Alternatively, the diameter of the shank portion 60 can be the same as the diameter of the respective threaded portion 58. In addition, the connecting element 56 is in one of the aforementioned threaded inserts 52, which is inserted into a recess 54 of the illustrated side wall 26 of the mold tube 24 is screwed.

A part of the connecting element 56 is surrounded by a clamping sleeve 62 which abuts said threaded insert 52 on the face side. Furthermore, the connecting element 56 is secured by means of a nut 64 . A washer 66 is disposed between the nut 64 and the backing plate 30 shown. In the present embodiment, the washer 66 is fully recessed in a recess 68 of the reinforcing plate 30, while the nut 64 is partially recessed in this recess 68.

The washer 66 has two annular grooves 70, in each of which a sealing ring 72, preferably an elastomer sealing ring, is inserted, one of these two sealing rings 72 bearing against the reinforcement plate 30 and the other of these two sealing rings 72 bearing on the connecting element 56.

Each of the reinforcement plates 30 of the mold unit 8 is attached to the associated side wall 26 of the mold tube 24 with the aid of a plurality of connecting elements 56 of the type described above (cf. 9 ). The above statements in context with the connecting element 56 8 apply correspondingly to the other connecting elements 56 of the mold unit 8.

10 shows an alternative sectional view of a part of the mold unit 8 8 .

In contrast to 8 the threaded extension 52 is designed in one piece with the clamping sleeve 62. In addition, the shank portion 60 has the same outside diameter as the threaded portion 58 . Finally, the length of the clamping sleeve 62 is only approximately 20% of the length of the connecting element 56. The assembly and disassembly of the reinforcement plate 30 with a side wall 26 is accelerated by the one-piece design.

9 shows a cross section of the mold unit 8. In this figure, part of the mold tube 24, parts of the reinforcement plates 30 and part of the tube jacket 32 are visible. In addition, 9 among other things, several of the previously mentioned connecting elements 56 as well as the nuts 64, by means of which the connecting elements 56 are secured, can be seen.

How out 9 shows, the reinforcement plates 30 are each fastened to the mold tube 24 by means of a plurality of connecting elements 56, but the reinforcement plates 30 are not connected to one another by screw connections at the corner regions 50 of the mold tube 24.

Since the reinforcement plates 30 do not touch directly in the corner regions 50 of the mold tube 24 either, thermal expansion of one reinforcement plate 30 is not impeded by another reinforcement plate 30 . The sealing elements 74 and 76 between two mutually adjoining reinforcement plates 30 in the corner areas 50 of the mold tube 24 do not impede the thermal expansion since they are elastically deformable.

Adjacent reinforcing plates 30 are sealed against one another at the corner regions 50 of the mold tube 24 by means of a first sealing element 74 and a second sealing element 76 . These sealing elements 74, 76 separate the coolant flow of the mold unit 8 from the coolant return of the mold unit 8 at the corner areas 50 of the mold tube 24.

The respective first sealing element 74 is an elastic sealing cord which is inserted into a groove 78 of one of the adjacent reinforcement plates 30, whereas the respective second sealing element 76 is an elongate, curved sealing plate which engages with its longitudinal edges in two grooves 80 of the adjacent reinforcement plates 30 .

Next is over 9 It can be seen that those reinforcing plates 30 which are attached to the narrower side walls 26 of the mold tube 24 have a wall thickness d ₁ which is smaller than the wall thickness d ₂ of those reinforcing plates 30 which are attached to the wider side walls 26 of the mold tube 24. In addition, the mold tube 24 has a wall thickness d ₀ that is smaller than the aforementioned wall thicknesses d ₁ , d ₂ . In the present exemplary embodiment, the wall thickness d ₀ of the mold tube 26 is approximately 24 mm, while the wall thickness d ₁ of the reinforcement plates 30 fastened to the narrower side walls 26 of the mold tube 24 is approximately 55 mm and the wall thickness d ₂ of those on the wider side walls 26 of the mold tube 24 attached reinforcing plates 30 is approximately 110 mm, with other values for the wall thicknesses d ₀ , d ₁ , d ₂ also being possible in principle.

Each of the reinforcing plates 30 has a rear side 82 facing the mold tube 24 and a front side 84 facing away from the mold tube 24 . The reinforcement plates 30 fastened to the wider side walls 26 of the mold tube 24 also each have two front edge surfaces connecting their front side 84 and their rear side 82 to one another 86, which are partially covered by the reinforcement plates 30 fastened to the narrower side walls 26 of the mold tube 24. In other words, the two reinforcing plates 30 attached to the wider side walls 26 of the mold tube 24 are partially arranged between the two reinforcing plates 30 attached to the narrower side walls 26 of the mold tube 24 .

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited by the disclosed example and other variations may be derived therefrom without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Reference List

2

continuous caster

4

ladle turret

6

ladle

8th

mold unit

10

mold carrier device

12

distribution basin

14

strand guiding system

16

strand guide roller

18

separator

20

outlet pipe

22

strand

24

mold pipe

26

Side wall

28

mold cavity

30

reinforcement plate

32

pipe jacket

34

mounting flange

36

collar

38

end plate

40

coolant inlet

42

coolant outlet

44

coolant guide gap

46

coolant

48

cavity

50

corner area

52

threaded insert

54

recess

56

fastener

58

threaded section

60

shank section

62

collet

64

mother

66

washer

68

recess

70

groove

72

sealing ring

74

sealing element

76

sealing element

78

groove

80

groove

82

back

84

front

86

edge surface

B

Broad

d0

Wall thickness

d1

Wall thickness

d2

Wall thickness

L

length

Claims (15)

1. Mould unit (8) for the continuous casting of metal products, in particular for the continuous casting of blooms, comprising a mould tube (24) which has a polygonal outer cross-sectional shape and a plurality of corner regions (50), and a plurality of separate reinforcing plates (30) which are fastened to the outside of the mould tube (24) and together enclose the mould tube (24), wherein a respective coolant guide gap (44) for guiding a coolant (46) is configured between each of the reinforcing plates (30) and the mould tube (24),
   characterized in that the reinforcing plates (30) at the corner regions (50) of the mould tube (24) are not connected to one another by screw connections.
2. Mould unit (8) according to Claim 1,
   characterized in that the mould tube (24) and the reinforcing plates (30) are spaced apart from one another at all points.
3. Mould unit (8) according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the mould tube (24) has a mould cavity (28) which, in a cross section of the mould tube (24), has a rectangular shape having a length (L) of at least 280 mm, preferably at least 320 mm, and/or having a width (B) of at least 240 mm, preferably at least 280 mm.
4. Mould unit (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the mould tube (24) has a curved mould cavity (28).
5. Mould unit (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the mould tube (24) has a wall thickness (d₀) of at most 35 mm, preferably at most 30 mm.
6. Mould unit (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that the mould tube (24) has a rectangular outer cross-sectional shape and four separate reinforcing plates (30) are fastened to the outside of the mould tube (24), wherein the end-side edge surfaces (86) of two of the reinforcing plates (30) are at least partially covered by the other two reinforcing plates (30).
7. Mould unit (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized by a plurality of connecting elements (56) by means of which the reinforcing plates (30) are fastened to the mould tube (24) and which each have one or more threaded portions (58), and a plurality of threaded inserts (52) which are inserted in cutouts (54) of the mould tube (24), wherein the connecting elements (56) are screwed into the threaded inserts (52).
8. Mould unit (8) according to Claim 7,
   characterized in that the connecting elements (56) are in the form of expansion bolts, wherein the respective connecting element (56) has a threadless shank portion (60).
9. Mould unit (8) according to Claim 7 or 8,
   characterized by a plurality of clamping sleeves (62) which each surround a part of one of the connecting elements (56), wherein the threaded inserts (52) protrude from the cutouts (54) of the mould tube (24) and the clamping sleeves (62) bear against the threaded inserts (52) on the end side.
10. Mould unit (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that adjacent reinforcing plates (30) at the corner regions (50) of the mould tube (24) are each sealed in relation to one another by means of a first sealing element (74) and a second sealing element (76) which differs from the first sealing element (74).
11. Mould unit (8) according to Claim 10,
    characterized in that the first sealing element (74) is an elastic sealing cord which is inserted into a groove (78) of one of the adjacent reinforcing plates (30), and the second sealing element (76) is an elongate, curved metal sealing plate whose longitudinal edges engage into two grooves (80) of the adjacent reinforcing plates (30).
12. Mould unit (8) according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized by a tube jacket (32) which surrounds the mould tube (24) and the reinforcing plates (30) and which has one or more coolant inlets (40) and one or more coolant outlets (42), wherein the respective coolant inlet (40) and the respective coolant outlet (42) of the tube jacket (32) are connected to at least one of the coolant guide gaps (44) in a fluid-conducting manner.
13. Mould unit (8) according to Claim 12,
    characterized in that

    - a cavity (48) between the reinforcing plates (30) and the tube jacket (32) forms a coolant feed and the coolant guide gaps (44) together form a coolant return, or

    - the cavity (48) between the reinforcing plates (30) and the tube jacket (32) forms a coolant return and the coolant guide gaps (44) together form a coolant feed.
14. Mould unit (8) according to Claim 12 or 13,
    characterized in that the tube jacket (32) has a fastening flange (34) for fastening the mould unit (8) to a mould carrier apparatus (10), wherein at least one coolant inlet (40) of the tube jacket (32) is arranged in the fastening flange (34) and/or at least one coolant outlet (42) of the tube jacket (32) is arranged in the fastening flange (34).
15. Continuous casting installation (2), in particular bow-type continuous casting installation, having a mould unit (8) according to one of the preceding claims.

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