WO1991012102A2 - Continuous casting - Google Patents

Continuous casting Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1991012102A2
WO1991012102A2 PCT/GB1991/000206 GB9100206W WO9112102A2 WO 1991012102 A2 WO1991012102 A2 WO 1991012102A2 GB 9100206 W GB9100206 W GB 9100206W WO 9112102 A2 WO9112102 A2 WO 9112102A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
mould
casting
outlet end
electromagnetic stirrer
continuous casting
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1991/000206
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO1991012102A3 (en
Inventor
David Stonecliffe
Original Assignee
Davy Mckee (Sheffield) Limited
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 Davy Mckee (Sheffield) Limited filed Critical Davy Mckee (Sheffield) Limited
Publication of WO1991012102A2 publication Critical patent/WO1991012102A2/en
Publication of WO1991012102A3 publication Critical patent/WO1991012102A3/en

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B22CASTING; POWDER METALLURGY
    • B22DCASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES
    • B22D11/00Continuous casting of metals, i.e. casting in indefinite lengths
    • B22D11/12Accessories for subsequent treating or working cast stock in situ
    • B22D11/122Accessories for subsequent treating or working cast stock in situ using magnetic fields

Definitions

  • This invention relates to continuous casting, particularly, but not solely, to horizontal continuous casting.
  • a solid outer skin is formed in contact with the cooled wall of the mould passage and, on leaving the mould, the solid outer skin contains within it a liquid metal core. It is also known to position at least one electromagnetic stirrer downmstream of the mould outlet so as to stir the molten metal forming the core of the casting. Again, the reason for electromagnetically stirring the molten metal is to ensure that, in the metal forming the core, the maximum number of small equiaxed crystals are generated in order to homogenise solidification, reduce dendritic bridging and minimise central porosity.
  • each electromagnetic stirrer For the or each electromagnetic stirrer to be effective it must be located at its optimum position with respect to the soldified skin thickness and/or the ratio of unsolidified metal to skin thickness.
  • the skin has a thickness (t) at a particular position downstream of the outlet end of the mould passage and the stirrer is permanently located at this position.
  • the casting speed is not constant. Initially, the casting speed is fairly slow, it is accelerated up to a maxiumum speed which remains constant until close to the end of the cast and then the casting speed is decelerated down. If the maximum speed is held constant for a long time, compared with the times during which the casting is accelerated and decelerated, the fixed stirrer can be positioned accurately in the best position for the time during which the casting speed is constant. If the time during which the speed is constant is not long, compared with the acceleration and deceleration times, an electromagnetic stirrer in a fixed position is not efficient and does not produce the required quality of casting throughout the length of the casting.
  • continuous casting apparatus comprises a mould defining a mould passage; at least one electromagnetic stirrer located downstream of the outlet end of the mould passage for stirring the molten core of a casting produced in the mould; characterised in that the or each electromagnetic stirrer is displaceable towards and away from the outlet end of the mould in the direction of movement of the casting.
  • means downstream of the mould defines an elongate support for the casting leaving the mould and the or each electromagnetic stirrer is displaceable along the length of said support.
  • molten metal is supplied to the inlet end of a mould passage and a casting comprising a solid skin containing a molten metal core is withdrawn from the outlet end of the mould passage and at least one electromagnetic stirrer is displaced along the casting downstream of the mould passage to an optimum position for stirring the molten core.
  • Two or more electromagnetic stirrers may be positioned downstream of the outlet end of the mould passage with the position of each of the stirrers being adjusted independently of each other throughout the duration of the cast to bring about optimum stirring of the molten metal core.
  • the or each electromagnetic stirrer may have a temperature measuring device associated with it and the stirrer and temperature measuring device are together moved along the length of the casting until the temperature measuring device indicates a position where the skin thickness is at an optimum value to permit the molten metal core of the casting to be stirred most efficiently.
  • the instantaneous velocity of the casting as it is withdrawn from the mould is measured and this instantaneous velocity is averaged to give an average velocity.
  • the or each electromagnetic stirrer may be located on a separate carriage which is moved, during casting, in the direction of the length of the casting. If a cutting tool is located at a fixed position with respect to the outlet end of the mould, so that the casting can be severed into acceptable lengths, there is always the danger that the cutting tool will sever the casting before the core is fully solidified. It is convenient, therefore, for the cutting tool to be mounted on a separate carriage which is movable with, but independent of, the stirrer(s) so that the cutting tool also cuts the casting after it has completely solidifed.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a diagrammatic end elevation.
  • a horizontal continuous casting mould (1) is arranged so that its mould passage is horizontal.
  • Molten metal is fed into the inlet end of the mould passage through a feed tube (2).
  • a casting (3) is withdrawn from the mould and the casting consists, as it leaves the mould, of a solidified shell (4) surrounding a molten core (5).
  • the casting (3) is supported on a support surface (6) and, as it moves along the support surface, it is is cooled by means (not shown) so that the molten core solidifies to form a completely solid casting a short distance downstream of the outlet end of the mould.
  • An electromagnetic stirrer indicated generally by reference number (7), is located downstream of the outlet end of the mould adjacent a part of the casting which has a molten core.
  • the electromagnetic stirrer (7) is displaceable towards and away from the outlet end of the mould in the direction of movement of the casting (3).
  • the stirrer is displaceable by means of a fluid-operable ram (9) to which it is connected or, alternatively, some form of electric drive could be employed.
  • a position transducer (11) is associated with the ram (9) to give an indication of the position of the stirrer relative to the outlet end of the mould. It is convenient for the stirrer to have a temperature measuring device (12) associated with it for measuring the surface temperature of the adjacent portion of the casting.
  • the electromagnetic stirrer (7) is of conventional form and is shown diagrammatically in Figure 2 mounted on wheels (13) which permit the stirrer to be displaced along the support (6).
  • a roller (15) is in engagement with the casting downstream of the mould to produce an electrical signal representative of the speed of withdrawal of the casting from the mould.
  • This signal is supplied to a device (16) which serves to average out the velocity over a time period because the velocity of withdrawal of the casting is not constant.
  • the output from the device (16) represents the average velocity of the casting and it is supplied to a control unit (18) which also receives a signal from the transducer (11).
  • the control device (18) determines the distance (S) of the stirrer (7) from the outlet end of the mould from the equation:
  • the transducer (11) indicates the value of (S) while the device (16) produces a signal representing Va.
  • (K) is constant, the position (S), which corresponds to the required thickness (t) of the skin, can be determined.
  • a signal from the temperature measuring device (12) may be used as an input to the control device (18) to operate the ram (9) to position the electromagnetic stirrer at the position where the thickness (t) is of optimum value to permit the molten metal of the core to be stirred most efficiently.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Continuous Casting (AREA)

Abstract

In continuous casting apparatus, at least one electromagnetic stirrer (7) is located downstream of the outlet end of the mould passage (1) for stirring the molten core (5) of a casting produced in the mould, and the stirrer (7) is movable towards and away from the outlet end of the mould in the direction of movement of the casting.

Description

CONTINUOUS CASTING
This invention relates to continuous casting, particularly, but not solely, to horizontal continuous casting.
It is known to associate an electromagnetic stirrer with a horizontal continuous casting mould so that the molten metal in the mould is stirred before it solidifies. This attempts to ensure that the molten metal is homogeneous and a casting of a consistently satisfactory quality with a correct grain formation and low central porosity is produced.
In a continuous casting mould, a solid outer skin is formed in contact with the cooled wall of the mould passage and, on leaving the mould, the solid outer skin contains within it a liquid metal core. It is also known to position at least one electromagnetic stirrer downmstream of the mould outlet so as to stir the molten metal forming the core of the casting. Again, the reason for electromagnetically stirring the molten metal is to ensure that, in the metal forming the core, the maximum number of small equiaxed crystals are generated in order to homogenise solidification, reduce dendritic bridging and minimise central porosity.
For the or each electromagnetic stirrer to be effective it must be located at its optimum position with respect to the soldified skin thickness and/or the ratio of unsolidified metal to skin thickness.
Assuming that the casting speed is constant, the skin has a thickness (t) at a particular position downstream of the outlet end of the mould passage and the stirrer is permanently located at this position. However, in practice, the casting speed is not constant. Initially, the casting speed is fairly slow, it is accelerated up to a maxiumum speed which remains constant until close to the end of the cast and then the casting speed is decelerated down. If the maximum speed is held constant for a long time, compared with the times during which the casting is accelerated and decelerated, the fixed stirrer can be positioned accurately in the best position for the time during which the casting speed is constant. If the time during which the speed is constant is not long, compared with the acceleration and deceleration times, an electromagnetic stirrer in a fixed position is not efficient and does not produce the required quality of casting throughout the length of the casting.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, continuous casting apparatus comprises a mould defining a mould passage; at least one electromagnetic stirrer located downstream of the outlet end of the mould passage for stirring the molten core of a casting produced in the mould; characterised in that the or each electromagnetic stirrer is displaceable towards and away from the outlet end of the mould in the direction of movement of the casting.
Conveniently, means downstream of the mould defines an elongate support for the casting leaving the mould and the or each electromagnetic stirrer is displaceable along the length of said support.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a method of continuous casting, molten metal is supplied to the inlet end of a mould passage and a casting comprising a solid skin containing a molten metal core is withdrawn from the outlet end of the mould passage and at least one electromagnetic stirrer is displaced along the casting downstream of the mould passage to an optimum position for stirring the molten core.
Two or more electromagnetic stirrers may be positioned downstream of the outlet end of the mould passage with the position of each of the stirrers being adjusted independently of each other throughout the duration of the cast to bring about optimum stirring of the molten metal core.
There is a relationship between the surface temperature of the casting and the thickness of the solidifed skin. The or each electromagnetic stirrer may have a temperature measuring device associated with it and the stirrer and temperature measuring device are together moved along the length of the casting until the temperature measuring device indicates a position where the skin thickness is at an optimum value to permit the molten metal core of the casting to be stirred most efficiently.
In an alternative method, the instantaneous velocity of the casting as it is withdrawn from the mould is measured and this instantaneous velocity is averaged to give an average velocity. For any particular velocity, the thickness (t) and the distance (S) from the outlet end of the mould are given by the following equation: t 2 S = Va (-)
Thus, as the velocity of withdrawal of the casting changes, it is only necessary to reposition the or each electromagnetic stirrer further away from, or closer to, the outlet end of the mould in order to position it where the thickness of the skin remains at the optimum value (t).
The or each electromagnetic stirrer may be located on a separate carriage which is moved, during casting, in the direction of the length of the casting. If a cutting tool is located at a fixed position with respect to the outlet end of the mould, so that the casting can be severed into acceptable lengths, there is always the danger that the cutting tool will sever the casting before the core is fully solidified. It is convenient, therefore, for the cutting tool to be mounted on a separate carriage which is movable with, but independent of, the stirrer(s) so that the cutting tool also cuts the casting after it has completely solidifed.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, it will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side elevation of apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 2 is a diagrammatic end elevation.
Referring to Figure 1, a horizontal continuous casting mould (1) is arranged so that its mould passage is horizontal. Molten metal is fed into the inlet end of the mould passage through a feed tube (2). A casting (3) is withdrawn from the mould and the casting consists, as it leaves the mould, of a solidified shell (4) surrounding a molten core (5). Downstream of the mould, the casting (3) is supported on a support surface (6) and, as it moves along the support surface, it is is cooled by means (not shown) so that the molten core solidifies to form a completely solid casting a short distance downstream of the outlet end of the mould. An electromagnetic stirrer, indicated generally by reference number (7), is located downstream of the outlet end of the mould adjacent a part of the casting which has a molten core. The electromagnetic stirrer (7) is displaceable towards and away from the outlet end of the mould in the direction of movement of the casting (3). Conveniently, the stirrer is displaceable by means of a fluid-operable ram (9) to which it is connected or, alternatively, some form of electric drive could be employed. A position transducer (11) is associated with the ram (9) to give an indication of the position of the stirrer relative to the outlet end of the mould. It is convenient for the stirrer to have a temperature measuring device (12) associated with it for measuring the surface temperature of the adjacent portion of the casting.
The electromagnetic stirrer (7) is of conventional form and is shown diagrammatically in Figure 2 mounted on wheels (13) which permit the stirrer to be displaced along the support (6).
Referring again to Figure 1, a roller (15) is in engagement with the casting downstream of the mould to produce an electrical signal representative of the speed of withdrawal of the casting from the mould. This signal is supplied to a device (16) which serves to average out the velocity over a time period because the velocity of withdrawal of the casting is not constant. The output from the device (16) represents the average velocity of the casting and it is supplied to a control unit (18) which also receives a signal from the transducer (11). The control device (18) determines the distance (S) of the stirrer (7) from the outlet end of the mould from the equation:
t -
S = Va I - )
and operates the ram (9) accordingly. The transducer (11) indicates the value of (S) while the device (16) produces a signal representing Va. As (K) is constant, the position (S), which corresponds to the required thickness (t) of the skin, can be determined.
As an alternative, because there is a relationship between the surface temperature of the casting and the thickness of the solidified skin, a signal from the temperature measuring device (12) may be used as an input to the control device (18) to operate the ram (9) to position the electromagnetic stirrer at the position where the thickness (t) is of optimum value to permit the molten metal of the core to be stirred most efficiently.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, two electromagnetic stirring devices (7) and (71) are shown, each of these being movable independently of the other.

Claims

Claims:
1. Continuous casting apparatus comprising a mould defining a mould passage; at least one electromagnetic stirrer located downstream of the outlet end of the mould passage for stirring the molten core of a casting produced in the mould; characterised in that the or each electromagnetic stirrer is displaceable towards and away from the outlet end of the mould in the direction of movement of the casting.
2. Continuous casting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the or each electromagnetic stirrer is supported on a carriage which is displaceable towards and away from the outlet end of the mould.
3. Continuous casting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided a run-out support from the outlet end of the mould passage for supporting the casting, characterised in that the electromagnetic stirrer is displaceable along the run-out support.
4. Continuous casting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the or each electromagnetic stirrer has a temperature measuring device associated with it, said device being arranged to detect the temperature of the adjacent skin of the casting.
5. Continuous casting apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in the provision of means for determining the average withdrawal velocity of a casting produced in the mould.
6. A method of continuous casting of metal in which molten metal is supplied to the inlet end of a mould passage and a casting comprising a solid skin containing a molten metal core is withdrawn from the outlet end of the mould passage and at least one electromagnetic stirrer is displaced along the casting downstream of the mould passage to an optimum position for stirring the molten core.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the position of the electromagnetic stirrer relative to the outlet of the mould is dependent upon the temperature of the skin of the casting so that
t 2 S = Va (-)
where (S) is the distance from the outlet end of the mould, (Va) is the speed of withdrawal, (t) is the thickness of the skin and (K) is a constant.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that a temperature measuring device is movable with the stirrer to a position determined by the temperature measuring device.
9. A method as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that the velocity of the casting as it is withdrawn from the mould is measured, the velocity over a time period is averaged, and the electromagnetic stirrer is displaced dependent upon the average velocity so that t ~
S = va <j)
where (S) is the distance from the outlet end of the mould, (Va) is the average speed of withdrawal, (t) is the thickness of the skin and (K) is a constant.
PCT/GB1991/000206 1990-02-13 1991-02-12 Continuous casting WO1991012102A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB909003196A GB9003196D0 (en) 1990-02-13 1990-02-13 Continuous casting
GB9003196.4 1990-02-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991012102A2 true WO1991012102A2 (en) 1991-08-22
WO1991012102A3 WO1991012102A3 (en) 1991-09-19

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WO (1) WO1991012102A2 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0511465A2 (en) * 1991-04-03 1992-11-04 Paul Wurth S.A. Electromagnetic agitating method for continuous casting
AT408963B (en) * 2000-06-05 2002-04-25 Voest Alpine Ind Anlagen Method of manufacturing a continuously cast preliminary product and continuous casting plant for the purpose
CN102205401A (en) * 2011-05-19 2011-10-05 田陆 Sensor positioning device and continuous casting liquid core position detecting system with same

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS53103932A (en) * 1977-02-23 1978-09-09 Nippon Steel Corp Magnetically stirring in continuous casting
JPS55153655A (en) * 1979-05-21 1980-11-29 Nippon Steel Corp Controlling method of electromagnetic rabbling thrust in continuous casting
JPS5719141A (en) * 1980-07-09 1982-02-01 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Electromagnetic stirring device of continuous casting facility
JPS57100854A (en) * 1980-12-17 1982-06-23 Toshiba Corp Method for controlling electromagnetic stirring of continuous casting installation
JPS58128253A (en) * 1982-01-27 1983-07-30 Nippon Steel Corp Method for stirring molten metal which decreases inclusion of continuous casting ingot
JPS5954450A (en) * 1982-09-21 1984-03-29 Kawasaki Steel Corp Electromagnetic stirrer for crater end of continuous casting billet
JPS6027460A (en) * 1983-07-26 1985-02-12 Nippon Steel Corp Synchronous rotation type continuous casting method
JPS60133955A (en) * 1983-12-20 1985-07-17 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd Method for electromagnetic stirring in continuous casting
EP0178695A1 (en) * 1984-09-17 1986-04-23 DANIELI &amp; C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE S.p.A. Continuous casting line with multiple-function stirrers and improved cooling system

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS53103932A (en) * 1977-02-23 1978-09-09 Nippon Steel Corp Magnetically stirring in continuous casting
JPS55153655A (en) * 1979-05-21 1980-11-29 Nippon Steel Corp Controlling method of electromagnetic rabbling thrust in continuous casting
JPS5719141A (en) * 1980-07-09 1982-02-01 Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd Electromagnetic stirring device of continuous casting facility
JPS57100854A (en) * 1980-12-17 1982-06-23 Toshiba Corp Method for controlling electromagnetic stirring of continuous casting installation
JPS58128253A (en) * 1982-01-27 1983-07-30 Nippon Steel Corp Method for stirring molten metal which decreases inclusion of continuous casting ingot
JPS5954450A (en) * 1982-09-21 1984-03-29 Kawasaki Steel Corp Electromagnetic stirrer for crater end of continuous casting billet
JPS6027460A (en) * 1983-07-26 1985-02-12 Nippon Steel Corp Synchronous rotation type continuous casting method
JPS60133955A (en) * 1983-12-20 1985-07-17 Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd Method for electromagnetic stirring in continuous casting
EP0178695A1 (en) * 1984-09-17 1986-04-23 DANIELI &amp; C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE S.p.A. Continuous casting line with multiple-function stirrers and improved cooling system

Non-Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Patent Abstracts of Japan, volume 5, no. 25 (m-55)(697), 14 February 1981; & JP-A-55153655 (SHIN NIPPON SEITETSU K.K.), 29 November 1980 *
Patent Abstracts of Japan, volume 6, no. 193 (M-160)(1071), 2 October 1982; & JP-A-57100854 (TOKYO SHIBAURA DENKI K.K.), 23 June 1982 *
Patent Abstracts of Japan, volume 6, no. 80, (M-129)(958), 19 May 1982; & JP-A-57019141 (MITSUBISHI JUKOGYO K.K.), 1 February 1982 *
Patent Abstracts of Japan, volume 7, no. 240 (M-251)(1385), 25 October 1983; & JP-A-58128253 (SHIN NIPPON SEITETSU K.K.) 30 July 1983 *
Patent Abstracts of Japan, volume 8, no. 158 (M-311)(1595), 21 July 1984; & JP-A-59054450 (KAWASAKI SEITETSU K.K.), 29 March 1984 *
Patent Abstracts of Japan, volume 9, no. 152 (M-391)(1875), 27 June 1985; & JP-A-60027460 (SHIN NIPPON SEITET-SU K.K.), 12 February 1985 *
Patent Abstracts of Japan, volume 9, no. 297 (M-432)(2020), 25 November 1985; & JP-A-60133955 (SUMITOMO KINZOKU KOGYO K.K.), 17 July 1985 *
WPI, File Server, Derwent Publications Ltd., (London; GB), AN 78-75140A & JP-A-53103932 (NIPPON STEEL CORP.), 9 September 1978 *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0511465A2 (en) * 1991-04-03 1992-11-04 Paul Wurth S.A. Electromagnetic agitating method for continuous casting
EP0511465A3 (en) * 1991-04-03 1993-04-21 Paul Wurth S.A. Electromagnetic agitating method for continuous casting
AT408963B (en) * 2000-06-05 2002-04-25 Voest Alpine Ind Anlagen Method of manufacturing a continuously cast preliminary product and continuous casting plant for the purpose
CN102205401A (en) * 2011-05-19 2011-10-05 田陆 Sensor positioning device and continuous casting liquid core position detecting system with same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9003196D0 (en) 1990-04-11
WO1991012102A3 (en) 1991-09-19

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