GB750131A - Improvements in or relating to the continuous casting of metal - Google Patents

Abstract

750,131. Continuous-casting machines. BRENNAN, J. B. May 14, 1952, No. 12215/52. Class 83 (1). In apparatus for continuous-casting, molten material flows from a reservoir such as 5, Fig. 1, to a cooling-die 7, and a plunger 4 is reciprocated within a guide 8 to engage the solidified end of the billet 11 to urge it through the die. The plunger 4 is made of ceramic and is attached to a disc 2 guided in the sleeve 8 and reciprocated by a hydraulic piston, or by a crank, or a lever 1 and link 3. The reservoir is heated by a highfrequency coil 9 and the die is cooled by a metal sleeve 10 having a passage 10a for coolant. The disc 2 and the upper end of the die 7 may also be cooled at 2a. The molten metal flows by gravity into the die through holes 8a in the guide 8. A protective atmosphere may be applied to the metal 6 and to the billet 11, and the apparatus may be enclosed in a vacuum &c. chamber, as in Specification 748,643. Extraction of the billet may be facilitated by rolls &c. In a modification, for producing tubular billets, a hollow plunger 12, Fig. 2, reciprocates between a guide 13 and a core 14, the latter being supported by pins 15 and the plunger having slots 12a to clear the pins. The molten metal flows by gravity through holes 8 or may be forced by fluid pressure on the surface of the metal 6, and the pins 15 may be extended downwardly into the cooling zone to divide the billet 11 into a number of strips of arcuate section, or into rods of round or other section. Flat strips may be produced by making the plunger and core of flat-faced rectangular section, or the hollow billet may consist of thick strips joined by thinner sections. The core 14 also may be reciprocated vertically or circumferentially. In another modification a plunger 24, Fig. 5, is reciprocated, by a crank 22 and motor 21, in a guide 26 apertured as at 26a to admit molten metal between the plunger and cooled die 30. The hollow billet 11 is slit by rolls 33 engaging the plunger, and the separate strips 34 are wound on drums 35 which prevent the billet from being drawn upwards by the plunger. Lubricant may be supplied between the billet and plunger, at 39 by a pipe 36. The slitting- rolls 33 may be replaced by feed-rolls, to produce continuous tubing.