US20050034840A1 - Method and apparatus for stirring and treating continuous and semi continuous metal casting - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for stirring and treating continuous and semi continuous metal casting Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20050034840A1
US20050034840A1 US10/487,447 US48744704A US2005034840A1 US 20050034840 A1 US20050034840 A1 US 20050034840A1 US 48744704 A US48744704 A US 48744704A US 2005034840 A1 US2005034840 A1 US 2005034840A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
continuous
casting
electrode
arc
semi
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/487,447
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Pavel Dvoskin
Valery Zlochevsky
Dror Nadam
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Netanya Plasmatec Ltd
Original Assignee
Netanya Plasmatec Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Netanya Plasmatec Ltd filed Critical Netanya Plasmatec Ltd
Assigned to NETANYA PLASMATEC LTD. reassignment NETANYA PLASMATEC LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DVOSKIN, PAVEL, NADAM, DROR, ZLOCHEVSKY, VATERY
Publication of US20050034840A1 publication Critical patent/US20050034840A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D27/00—Treating the metal in the mould while it is molten or ductile ; Pressure or vacuum casting
    • B22D27/04—Influencing the temperature of the metal, e.g. by heating or cooling the mould
    • B22D27/06—Heating the top discard of ingots
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22—CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22D—CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D11/00—Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths
    • B22D11/10—Supplying or treating molten metal
    • B22D11/11—Treating the molten metal

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to metal continuous and semi continuous castings. More particularly, the invention provides an improved method and apparatus for stirring and treating continuous and semi-continuous casting to produce a high-quality cast of any desired length and cross section composed of a ferrous or of a non-ferrous metal.
  • Continuous and Semi-continuous casting are the most commonly used methods for casting and producing semi-finished products such as plats, tubs, shits, etc. While continuous casting is the main method for casting ferrous alloys i.e. low carbon steel, stainless steel, etc., semi-continuous casting is the preferred method for casting non-ferros alloys such as aluminium and copper alloys. Both methods based on continuously pouring metal from a reservoir mostly known as the tundish or the distributor, to a cooled open mold. The mold is open both for metal entrance (usually from the top) and for metal exit (usually from the bottom). Unlike other casting methods the metal does not solidifies completely in the mold, but rather receives an initial solidifying shell and continues to cools outside the mold most commonly by water jets.
  • the cast produced by continuous or semi-continuous casting such as billet, bloom, bar, slab etc, hereandafter defined as “rod” is advanced by means of rollers, gravitation, piston etc. the rod undergo further plastic deformation for producing the semi-finished products, mentioned above.
  • the main difference between continuous and semi-continuous casting regards the length been cast. In continuous casting the total length can be hundreds of meters in a continuous process. At the end of the casting the rods, are cut from the casting. While in semi-continuous casting the length is constant in the size of several meters, and each billet is cast in a single process.
  • a further effect in metal alloy casting is the appearance of dendrites during cooling, these being formed during solidification as various points in the mass take up a lattice tree like structure.
  • alloying elements such as C, Cr or Ni are pushed outwardly to form a crystal grain boundary, these form later a site for the initiation of cracks in a finished component.
  • a concentration of these alloying elements is referred to as segregation, which can to some extent be combated by lower pouring temperatures.
  • Impurities from the ladle or the casting powder can form inclusions and further reduce the mechanical properties of the products.
  • Lowry et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,724 describe an unusual continuous casting method for metals which claims to eliminate voids and flaws and to produce a dense homogeneous product. This is achieved by forcing the metal to flow upwards, against gravity, by means of an electromagnetic field which also provides containment forces.
  • the method disclosed includes electromagnetic stirring of the molten metal; this aspect of the process is in common industrial use, and is known to improve homogeneity and produce a fine grain structure.
  • PCT/IL97/00023 describes an electric arc which could be used in the present apparatusus.
  • Yet a further object of the invention is to improve the production of a continuous rods having aspect ratios exceeding 1.8.
  • the present invention achieves the above objects by providing a stirring and treating continuous casting apparatus for the production of improved-quality rods from molten metal, including rod cross-sections having a aspect ratio exceeding 1.8, the apparatus comprising:
  • the invention also provides a method for improving quality, such as: reducing voids, inclusions, porosity, dendrite and grain size in metallic continuous rod casting and for improving homogeneity therein, the method comprising
  • the novel device of the present invention improves rod quality by stirring the liquid metal in the mold.
  • the electric power required for this purpose is moderate.
  • aspect ratio 2 made of copper nickel alloy, the plasma-arc consumed only 2 kWh per ton.
  • FIG. 1 is a partially section of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a detail section of the first electrode suspended over the rod
  • FIG. 3 is a partially sectional view of an embodiment of the apparatus wherein a second electric circuit is provided to create a magnetic field urging said plasma arc towards the center of the upper surface.
  • FIG. 4 is a detail sectional view of an embodiment with a refractory guard ring arranged to prevent solid impurities such as casting powder from reaching the upper surface under the plasma arc;
  • FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view of an embodiment arranged to provide a stream of inert gas for preventing oxidation of the molten metal
  • FIG. 6 is a photographic view of a section of a slab cast by conventional methods.
  • FIGS. 7 a and b are photographic views of a section of a slab cast from the same material using the method and the apparatus of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 There is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 a continuous casting apparatus 10 for the production of improved-quality rods 12 from molten metal 14 .
  • a water-cooled mold 16 has a cavity open at its upper end 20 to receive molten metal 14 and open at its lower end 22 to release the partially solidified rod 12 being formed.
  • the mold 16 is electrically conductive, and functions as one of the components of a electric circuit.
  • a first plasma arc electrode 24 is positioned so that its lower face 26 thereof is disposed in proximity to the upper surface 28 of the molten metal 14 having been poured into the mold 16 .
  • a stand 30 is provided for supporting the first plasma arc electrode 24 above the upper surface 28 , leaving a gap of between 2-20 mm between the first electrode 24 and the upper surface 28 of the molten metal 14 .
  • a second plasma arc electrode 32 is attached to the electrically conducting mold 16 or to the metal 12 or 14 .
  • Control means 34 are connected between the apparatus 10 and power supply source 36 .
  • the control means 34 controls the electric circuit parameters, thus enabling an operator to increase or decrease power in accordance with the needs of the process.
  • the plasma arc 38 is formed between the upper surface 28 of the molten metal 14 and the lower face 26 of the first electrode 24 .
  • the plasma arc 38 completes an electric circuit, and causes stirring of the molten metal 14 in the mold 16 .
  • the rod 12 continuous to grow in length as long as required and as long as further molten metal 14 is available from the tundish 46 through the nozzle 48 .
  • a continuous casting apparatus further provided with a second electric circuit 68 , requiring less power than the first electric circuit, is provided to create a magnetic field urging the plasma arc 38 (see FIG. 2 ) towards the center of the upper surface 28 (see FIG. 2 ) of the molten metal 14 .
  • the second electric circuit 68 passes through the molten metal held in the tundish 46 and through the nozzle 48 and reaches the molten metal 14 in the mold 16 .
  • FIG. 4 shows a detail of a continuous casting apparatus 10 , further provided with a refractory guard ring 54 arranged to prevent solid impurities such as casting powder 56 from the upper surface 28 under the plasma arc 38 ;
  • the refractory guard ring 54 submerged to a level below the upper surface 28 of the molten metal 14 contained in the mold 16 .
  • FIG. 5 shows a detail of a continuous casting apparatus 10 , further provided with a stream of inert gas 76 device for preventing oxidation of the molten metal 14 ;
  • the first electrode 24 is hollow and a jet tube 78 is provided for directing a stream of an inert gas 76 ,
  • the gas jet 78 impacts the upper surface 28 of the molten metal 14 of the rod 12 in the mold 16 .
  • the inert gas prevents oxidation of the molten metal forming the upper surface 28 , and removes therefrom any solid impurities, particularly any casting powder if present.
  • FIG. 3 Any combination of the embodiments described and illustrated in FIG. 3 , FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 can be applied.
  • FIG. 6 is a photograph 90 of a copper-nickel slab section of 400*200 mm cast by conventional semi-continuous casting.
  • FIGS. 7 a and b are photographs of the same alloy been treated by the method and apparatus of the present invention. The improved macrostructure is evident.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Continuous Casting (AREA)
US10/487,447 2001-08-23 2002-08-20 Method and apparatus for stirring and treating continuous and semi continuous metal casting Abandoned US20050034840A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL14509901A IL145099A0 (en) 2001-08-23 2001-08-23 Method and apparatus for stirring and treating continuous and semi continuous metal casting
IL145099 2001-08-23
PCT/IL2002/000686 WO2003018231A1 (en) 2001-08-23 2002-08-20 Method and apparatus for stirring and treating continuous and semi continuous metal casting

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20050034840A1 true US20050034840A1 (en) 2005-02-17

Family

ID=11075732

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/487,447 Abandoned US20050034840A1 (en) 2001-08-23 2002-08-20 Method and apparatus for stirring and treating continuous and semi continuous metal casting

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20050034840A1 (de)
EP (1) EP1441870A4 (de)
IL (1) IL145099A0 (de)
WO (1) WO2003018231A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112974738A (zh) * 2021-04-23 2021-06-18 北京科技大学 连铸微合金化生产方法

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN101378864A (zh) 2006-01-25 2009-03-04 力能学技术有限公司 消除轴向多孔性和细化晶体结构的连续铸造方法
JP5774419B2 (ja) * 2011-09-02 2015-09-09 株式会社神戸製鋼所 チタンまたはチタン合金からなるスラブの連続鋳造装置

Citations (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3152372A (en) * 1959-12-10 1964-10-13 Firth Sterling Inc Method and apparatus for producing improved alloy metal
US3377294A (en) * 1965-01-22 1968-04-09 Monsanto Co Method for detecting moisture
US3546348A (en) * 1968-04-01 1970-12-08 Westinghouse Electric Corp Non-consumable electrode vacuum arc furnaces for steel,zirconium,titanium and other metals and processes for working said metals
US3586749A (en) * 1969-06-20 1971-06-22 Sergei Apollonovich Iodkovsky Method for the electroslag welding and building up of metals and alloys
US3597519A (en) * 1970-02-05 1971-08-03 Westinghouse Electric Corp Magnetic-field rotating-electrode electric arc furnace apparatus and methods
US3617596A (en) * 1969-08-27 1971-11-02 Westinghouse Electric Corp Nonconsumable electrode vacuum arc furnace for steel, zirconium, titanium and other metals
US3696859A (en) * 1971-05-18 1972-10-10 Heppenstall Co Production of large steel ingots with consumable vacuum arc hot tops
US3920063A (en) * 1973-03-24 1975-11-18 Sumitomo Metal Ind Top pouring ingot making method using cover flux
US4017672A (en) * 1976-03-11 1977-04-12 Paton Boris E Plasma-arc furnace for remelting metals and alloys
US4042007A (en) * 1975-04-22 1977-08-16 Republic Steel Corporation Continuous casting of metal using electromagnetic stirring
US4307280A (en) * 1980-06-06 1981-12-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Method for filling internal casting voids
US4427052A (en) * 1982-05-07 1984-01-24 Marvin Garfinkle Method of rotary refining and casting
US4528673A (en) * 1982-09-09 1985-07-09 Asea Aktiebolag Ladle furnace with DC heating
US4645534A (en) * 1984-10-25 1987-02-24 Centro Sperimentale Metallurgico S.P.A. Process for control of continuous casting conditions
US4749026A (en) * 1985-04-10 1988-06-07 Paul Metz Device for stirring molten metal in a continuous casting plant
US4756749A (en) * 1985-12-06 1988-07-12 Centro Sviluppo Materiali S.P.A. Process for control of continuous casting conditions
US4770724A (en) * 1980-07-02 1988-09-13 General Electric Company Continuous metal casting method and apparatus and products
US4970435A (en) * 1987-12-09 1990-11-13 Tel Sagami Limited Plasma processing apparatus
USH1179H (en) * 1991-03-18 1993-05-04 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Vader plasma arc casting
US5285563A (en) * 1991-01-11 1994-02-15 Rotelec Method of making a static electromagnetic inductor
US5963579A (en) * 1997-08-11 1999-10-05 Sollac Method of heating a molten metal in a continuous casting tundish using a plasma torch, and tundish for its implementation
US6169265B1 (en) * 1996-01-29 2001-01-02 Netanya Plasmatec Ltd. Electrode for plasma generator the generator comprising same and process for treatment of solidifying liquid metal

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3680163A (en) * 1969-08-27 1972-08-01 Westinghouse Electric Corp Non-consumable electrode vacuum arc furnaces for steel, zirconium, titanium and other metals and processes for working said metals
US3947265A (en) * 1973-10-23 1976-03-30 Swiss Aluminium Limited Process of adding alloy ingredients to molten metal
US4132545A (en) * 1975-12-08 1979-01-02 Rabinovich Volf I Method of electroslag remelting processes using a preheated electrode shield
US5273101A (en) * 1991-06-05 1993-12-28 General Electric Company Method and apparatus for casting an arc melted metallic material in ingot form

Patent Citations (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3152372A (en) * 1959-12-10 1964-10-13 Firth Sterling Inc Method and apparatus for producing improved alloy metal
US3377294A (en) * 1965-01-22 1968-04-09 Monsanto Co Method for detecting moisture
US3546348A (en) * 1968-04-01 1970-12-08 Westinghouse Electric Corp Non-consumable electrode vacuum arc furnaces for steel,zirconium,titanium and other metals and processes for working said metals
US3586749A (en) * 1969-06-20 1971-06-22 Sergei Apollonovich Iodkovsky Method for the electroslag welding and building up of metals and alloys
US3617596A (en) * 1969-08-27 1971-11-02 Westinghouse Electric Corp Nonconsumable electrode vacuum arc furnace for steel, zirconium, titanium and other metals
US3597519A (en) * 1970-02-05 1971-08-03 Westinghouse Electric Corp Magnetic-field rotating-electrode electric arc furnace apparatus and methods
US3696859A (en) * 1971-05-18 1972-10-10 Heppenstall Co Production of large steel ingots with consumable vacuum arc hot tops
US3920063A (en) * 1973-03-24 1975-11-18 Sumitomo Metal Ind Top pouring ingot making method using cover flux
US4042007A (en) * 1975-04-22 1977-08-16 Republic Steel Corporation Continuous casting of metal using electromagnetic stirring
US4017672A (en) * 1976-03-11 1977-04-12 Paton Boris E Plasma-arc furnace for remelting metals and alloys
US4307280A (en) * 1980-06-06 1981-12-22 Westinghouse Electric Corp. Method for filling internal casting voids
US4770724A (en) * 1980-07-02 1988-09-13 General Electric Company Continuous metal casting method and apparatus and products
US4427052A (en) * 1982-05-07 1984-01-24 Marvin Garfinkle Method of rotary refining and casting
US4528673A (en) * 1982-09-09 1985-07-09 Asea Aktiebolag Ladle furnace with DC heating
US4645534A (en) * 1984-10-25 1987-02-24 Centro Sperimentale Metallurgico S.P.A. Process for control of continuous casting conditions
US4749026A (en) * 1985-04-10 1988-06-07 Paul Metz Device for stirring molten metal in a continuous casting plant
US4756749A (en) * 1985-12-06 1988-07-12 Centro Sviluppo Materiali S.P.A. Process for control of continuous casting conditions
US4970435A (en) * 1987-12-09 1990-11-13 Tel Sagami Limited Plasma processing apparatus
US5285563A (en) * 1991-01-11 1994-02-15 Rotelec Method of making a static electromagnetic inductor
USH1179H (en) * 1991-03-18 1993-05-04 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army Vader plasma arc casting
US6169265B1 (en) * 1996-01-29 2001-01-02 Netanya Plasmatec Ltd. Electrode for plasma generator the generator comprising same and process for treatment of solidifying liquid metal
US5963579A (en) * 1997-08-11 1999-10-05 Sollac Method of heating a molten metal in a continuous casting tundish using a plasma torch, and tundish for its implementation

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN112974738A (zh) * 2021-04-23 2021-06-18 北京科技大学 连铸微合金化生产方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2003018231A1 (en) 2003-03-06
IL145099A0 (en) 2002-06-30
EP1441870A4 (de) 2005-12-21
EP1441870A1 (de) 2004-08-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
RU2663661C2 (ru) Способ и установка для изготовления длинных слитков большого диаметра
CA2431136C (en) Treating molten metals by moving electric arc
AU2002222478A1 (en) Treating molten metals by moving electric arc
KR100718406B1 (ko) 주조 장치 및 주조 방법
CA2391235A1 (fr) Procede de coulee continue verticale des metaux utilisant des champs electromagnetiques et installation de coulee pour sa mise en oeuvre
US3610320A (en) Unit for manufacturing hollow metal ingots
WO2001057283A1 (en) Casting systems and methods with auxiliary cooling onto a liquidus portion of a casting
US20050034840A1 (en) Method and apparatus for stirring and treating continuous and semi continuous metal casting
JPS61186150A (ja) 電磁場浮遊鋳造法
JPH09220645A (ja) 連続鋳造用金属鋳型の壁の潤滑方法と、それを実施するための鋳型
Dock-Young et al. Effects of casting speed on microstructure and segregation of electro-magnetically stirred aluminum alloy in continuous casting process
AU2008200261B2 (en) Treating molten metals by moving electric arc
EP1423227B1 (de) Steigleitungsgrössenreduzierung und/oder metallqualitätsverbesserung beim schwerkraftgiessen von formkörpern durch bewegen eines lichtbogens
JPH0515949A (ja) 金属の連続鋳造装置および鋳造方法
Rooy Aluminum Alloy Ingot Casting and Continuous Processes
JPH06218497A (ja) 連続鋳造用鋳型
Roller DEMAG TECHNICS"--the continuous casting technology for nonferrous metals
Kumar et al. Continuous Casting of Steel and Simulation for Cost Reduction
JPH09168845A (ja) 介在物と気泡のない溶湯の連続鋳造法および装置
Yaskevich Once again about direct current arc furnaces
Ruddeck et al. The Strand Casting Process, a Rational Process for Copper Alloy Solid and Hollow Rods Greater Than 15 mm Diameter and Profiles
Khasin The Influence of Agitation of Steel in the Mould on the Structure and Quality of Cast Metal
JPS5586675A (en) Casting method of metal ingot
JP2005059012A (ja) 鉄合金系チクソキャスティング用素材の製造方法
JPH08187553A (ja) 電磁力を応用した連続鋳造用鋳型及び連続鋳造方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: NETANYA PLASMATEC LTD., ISRAEL

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DVOSKIN, PAVEL;ZLOCHEVSKY, VATERY;NADAM, DROR;REEL/FRAME:015879/0058

Effective date: 20040909

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION