GB805465A - Method and apparatus for continuously casting metal - Google Patents

Abstract

805,465. Continuous-casting machines. TARQUINEE, V., and SCOVILL, J. Dec. 24, 1954, No. 37427/54. Class 83 (1). A continuous-casting method comprises initially forming a peripheral skin of solidified metal by applying fluid coolant continuously to the exterior of the mould, progressively thickening the skin by applying a fluid coolant directly to the skin while in the mould while gradually decreasing the radial support afforded the skin, and maintaining the application of coolant after the metal, still molten except for the outer shell, has left the mould, until the peripheral skin has built up sufficient thickness to absorb the heat from the molten core and to solidify the core without deformation. The melt is poured into a basket 24, Figs. 1 and 2, to which the mould 51 is connected, and the outgoing ingot 29 passes through support rolls 30, 31, a soaking furnace 32, reduction rolls 34-37 and thence to flying shears 38. The pouring basket 24 comprises a pear-shaped recess 44 and a graphite sleeve 50 aligned with the thin copper mould 51. High-pressure fluid coolant jets 68 are directed to the exterior of the mould from annular cooling heads 59-62, baffles 70 being interposed between the heads. The peripheral skin 58 formed thereby is then progressively exposed to the direct application of the coolant through perforations 172 in the mould wall, Fig. 10, which are circumferentially spaced and axially staggered, and increase in size in the downstream direction. To improve the cooling, the skin is maintained in firm contact with the mould wall by maintaining a predetermined head H of molten metal above the mould. The end of the mould is formed with a series of prongs 76, between which the coolant impinges on the thickening skin 58. The ingot is subjected to further cooling, after leaving the mould, by spray-heads 78. By proper regulation of the heat content of the ingot prior to its entry into the soaking-furnace 32, it may be brought to a rolling temperature with the addition of little or no outside heat. In modifications, the mould has a number of helical slots 80, Fig. 11, or axially spaced transverse slots, or is of cage-like form, being defined by bars 90-92, Fig. 13, of varying lengths supported by hoops 94-96.