Abstract: Metal strip 3 may be cast directly from molten metal in an open tundish 2 onto a chill roll 1. Strip thickness is controlled by contouring the tundish lip 14 with an offset 10 near the casting wheel. This can be used remedially to offset the natural tendency for the strip to be thicker near the edges, which is undesirable for cold rolling, or it may be used creatively to produce contoured strip.

Abstract: The invention provides an aluminum based alloy consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Fe.sub.a X.sub.b, wherein X is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zn, Co, Ni, Cr, Mo, V, Zr, Ti, Y, Si and Ce, "a" ranges from about 7-15 wt %, "b" ranges from about 1.5-10 wt % and the balance is aluminum. The alloy has a predominately microeutectic microstructure.The invention also provides a method and apparatus for forming rapidly solidified metal, such as the metal alloys of the invention, within an ambient atmosphere. Generally stated, the apparatus includes a moving casting surface which has a quenching region for solidifying molten metal thereon. A reservoir holds molten metal and has orifice means for depositing a stream of molten metal onto the casting surface quenching region. A heating mechanism heats the molten metal contained within the reservoir, and a gas source provides a non-reactive gas atmosphere at the quenching region to minimize oxidation of the deposited metal.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing solidified metallic forms from levitated molten metal including a levitation conduit having an interior surface for accommodating the metal to be levitated, and a device for introducing the metal to the levitation conduit. Induction coils induce a moving magnetic field in the levitation conduit to levitate the metal upwardly through the conduit, and to maintain the outer surface of the levitated metal while molten out of pressured contact with the interior surface of the levitation conduit. The molten metal output is provided to a chamber in which a device re-forms the molten metal output and solidifies it.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bushing for use in an apparatus for continuously passing a core wire through a crucible holding molten metal to accrete the molten metal on the core wire to form a cast rod. The bushing is connected to the crucible for passing the core wire therethrough into the crucible. The bushing is tubular and has an engaging portion for engaging with the core wire passing therethrough. The engaging portion is made of ceramics material containing a major proportion of at least one selected from the group consisting of zirconia, silicon carbide and silicon nitride.

Abstract: During the melt spinning process for producing metal foils having an amorphous structure, molten metal is cast through a slot-like nozzle onto a surface or wall which is rapidly moved past the nozzle. A particularly rapid quenching and cooling rate of the solidifying melt is achieved by providing cooling support elements which are supplied with a cooling pressure medium, on one side of the moved surface or wall and which aide is located opposite to or remote from the nozzle. Advantageously, the surface or wall is constructed as a thin-walled cylindrical shell or tube which is elastically deformable to some extent. In its shell interior, there are provided a number of rows of cooling support elements which may be controlled by thickness sensors and temperature profile sensors. There is thus rendered possible, the continuous production of amorphous metal foils.

Abstract: In the method for producing a round metal wire from a melt by using a cooling substrate, the cooling substrate is provided with a groove and melt streams are ejected toward the groove and successively impinge upon a wire while it is in an unsolidified state.

Abstract: A method is provided for directly casting molten metal from a U-shaped structure of the exit end of a casting vessel onto a moving casting surface to form a continuous strip of crystalline material. The method includes radiantly cooling the molten metal in a zone defined above the molten metal, across the width of the U-shaped structure and adjacent the casting surface. The method also includes providing a non-oxidizing atmosphere in the zone.

Abstract: In casting thin metal strip or foil by dynamic casting in which molten metal is teemed from a crucible 13 onto a moving belt or wheel, the invention provides an outlet orifice control assembly arranged to define a slot of controlled width through which the metal flows from the crucible outlet 20. The assembly comprises opposed shut-off plates 28,29 extending between edge strips 26,27, and underlying these are opposed slot plates 32,33 extending between second edge strips 30,31 with opposed support strips 34,35 extending beneath the strips 30,31 and supporting the edges of the slot plates 32,33. The sets of plates are aligned and arranged so that one plate 29 and 33 is movable relative to the other respective plate 28 and 32 between closed and open positions for controlled flow of metal through a sized slot defined between the slot plates 32,33.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved rapid solidification casting system which employs one or more metal conditioning brushes. The casting surface is cleaned by the brushes and the pressure on the brushes is adjusted so as to deposit a layer of the brush metal onto the casting surface, the casting surface so conditioned increases the quality of the resulting cast material.

Abstract: Apparatus for production of semiconductor ribbon materials of the type in which molten material is brought into contact with the surface of a rotating cool wheel or drum wherein the cooling surface of the drum is textured to form a plurality of discrete contacting points to enhance growth of large crystal grains.

Abstract: A method is provided for directly casting molten metal from of the exit end of a casting vessel onto a moving casting surface to form a continuous strip of crystalline metal. The surface tension of the molten metal flowing from the exit forms the top, edge and bottom surfaces of the strip being cast to provide good strip surface quality, edges and structure. An apparatus is also provided including a casting vessel having a molten metal receiving end and an exit end from which a fully developed uniform flow of molten metal leaves through a U-shaped structure onto a moving casting surface. A direct cast strip product is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting metal strip include a moving chill body that has a quench surface. A nozzle mechanism deposits a stream of molten metal on a quenching region of the quench surface to form the strip. The nozzle mechanism has an exit portion with a nozzle orifice. A depletion mechanism supplies a low density atmosphere to a depletion region located adjacent to and upstream of the quenching region. The quench surface is heated to a temperature that substantially prevents precipitation of condensed or solidified constituents from the low density atmosphere onto the depletion region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting metal strip include a moving chill body that has a quench surface. A nozzle mechanism deposits a stream of molten metal on a quenching region of the quench surface to form the strip. The nozzle mechanism has an exit portion with a nozzle orifice. A depletion mechanism heats a gas to lower the density thereof and to produce a low-density atmosphere. The gas is supplied to a depletion region located adjacent to and upstream of the quenching region to provide the low density atmosphere within the depletion region.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for the manufacturing of microcrystalline metallic materials in band form, wherein the chemical compositing for the cooling roller given in ranges within which the upper surface roughness is reduced, the geometry is improved, the presence of microcracks is eliminated or reduced and the ductibility of the band is increased.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reliably casting a continuous metal filament include a moving casting surface and an extrusion means for depositing a stream of molten metal onto the casting surface to form the filament. A metallic mesh hugger belt, at least a portion of which is adapted to move at a velocity substantially equal to the velocity of the casting surface, entrains the filament against the casting surface to maintain cooling contact therewith. A force mechanism urges the hugger belt toward the filament and casting surface to provide an entraining, hugger pressure which is sufficient to substantially prevent relative movement of the filament with respect to the casting surface and hugger belt. A regulator mechanism controls the hugger pressure to prevent the imposition of excessive forces within the filament during the cooling thereof.

Abstract: A system is described for the production of rapidly solidified powder. The system contains elements for casting rapidly solidified ribbon, an in-line knife mill or a hammer mill for fracturing the rapidly solidified ribbon into shard, and either an in-line fluid energy mill, or an in-line centrifugal mill for reducing the shard to powder. The system can effectively reduce ribbon to powder in an in-line operation, and produce a powder with a particle size of -35 mesh.

Abstract: A method for continuously casting strip material onto a casting surface moving past a nozzle in a molten metal holding tundish is disclosed comprising the steps of pouring molten metal into the tundish at a rate sufficient to establish a metallostatic head pressure of at least one-quarter pound per square inch at the nozzle within one second after pouring is initiated, and pouring additional molten metal into the tundish at a rate sufficient to maintain a substantially constant operating pressure at the nozzle throughout the casting operation. A tundish for holding molten metal to be cast into strip material onto a casting surface moving past a nozzle in the tundish, is also disclosed comprising a front wall having an inside surface, a rear wall having an inside surface and sidewalls enclosing a molten metal holding area defined between the inside surfaces of the front and rear walls.

Abstract: Material is supplied from a pressure hopper made to have an inert gas atmosphere to each of a plurality of melting furnaces one after another in a predetermined amount each time. The interior atmosphere of each melting furnace is replaced by an inert gas, and the material is melted in the melting furnace by heating. The resulting molten metal is supplied from one of the melting furnaces after another to a discharge container having a discharge nozzle and made to have an inert gas atmosphere, and is continuously discharged from the discharge nozzle against a rapid quenching device.

Abstract: Molten metal 23 is streamed as a jet 25 from a nozzle 17 toward a cooling liquid layer 24 formed by the centrifugal force of a rotary drum 1 in rotation. The jet 25 is quenched and solidified to form a metal filament. The front end portion of the metal filament rides on a pickup 13a. The pickup 13a rotates synchronously with the rotary drum 1 and, during this synchronous rotation, it is displaced radially inwardly of the rotary drum. The front end portion of the metal filament is attracted by magnetic force to a magnet roller 19 from the pickup 13a. A following portion of the metal filament are wound and held on the magnet roller 19 in rotation. Subsequently, the magnet roller 19 moves toward a winder located outside the drum 1 to deliver the metal filament to the winder so that the metal filament is wound on the winder directly from the rotating drum.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for continuous casting of amorphous or polycrystalline metal strip from a melt. The molten metal is delivered from a reservoir (2) to a moving chill surface, preferably a cylindrical roll (1) through an orifice (3) in the reservoir (2). The gap between the reservoir (2) and the chill surface (1) is not fixed as in prior methods but is variable due to a resilient bias on the reservoir toward the chill surface. A pivot (10) and counterweight (11) are convenient apparatus for resiliently biasing the reservoir. The small portion of the reservoir (2) therefore rides lightly upon the molten metal film delivered to the chill surface or upon the solidified metal strip. The variable gap allows better control over the process and better quality surfaces on the metal strip.

Abstract: A continuous casting assembly has a pair of contiguously counter-rotating belts for controllably forming a continuous cast metal ribbon. One of the belts is chilled and forms a casting surface for the cast ribbon, while the other belt is intimately positioned to hug the ribbon and improve the quality of the ribbon. The two belts are squeezed together to compress the ribbon by evacuating between the belts and allowing the atmospheric pressure to act on the opposite surfaces of the belts. A sealing box adjacent the lateral edges of the belts includes elongated floating seals and provides the evacuation by connection to a vacuum source. The floating seals are formed of plastic rods and are retained in the sealing box by end wiper seals which also serve to seal against the belts at the ends of the box.

Abstract: A method of producing a thin metal wire having a circular cross section is disclosed. The wire is produced by providing a molten metal within an extruding device having a nozzle therein. A strip of liquid coolant in motion at a speed of 200 m/min or more is then provided. The molten metal is extruded into the strip of liquid coolant in order to cool and solidify the metal and form the thin metal wire. A high quality thin metal wire is obtained by precisely adjusting the speed of the strip of liquid coolant relative to the speed of the extruded molten metal as well as the angle at which the molten metal is extruded into the liquid coolant strip. The method is capable of economically and continuously producing a high quality thin metal wire on a commercial scale. The method is effective in directly producing a thin metal wire having an amorphous, a nonequilibrium crystalline, or microcrystalline structure.

Abstract: Cold-hearth melt-spinning apparatus for adapted improved continuous casting of refractory and reactive alloys possesses (1) a cold crucible having a selectively grooved surface operative to reduce both melt "freezing" at the melt/crucible interface and input heating power requirements, and (2) a replaceable nozzle of a refractory material that is friction-fit in an aperture provided therefor in the crucible. The confronting nozzle/crucible walls define a thermally impeding interface which maintains the nozzle at a temperature sufficient to substantially eliminate melt "freezing" in and across the nozzle orifice. The melt is ejected as a molten jet from the crucible by pressure, rapidly quenched on a suitably configured spinning disk into either filaments or flakes, and passed to an environmentally protected processing compartment. Arc heating of the melt is provided by a water-cooled and selectively movable electrode.

Abstract: A thin metal wire having a circular cross section is produced by a method which comprises spouting molten metal through a spinning nozzle and bringing the resultant flow of molten metal into contact with a layer of liquid cooling medium formed on a grooved conveyor belt in motion thereby quenching and solidifying the flow of molten metal. This method is capable of continuously producing a thin metal wire of high quality economically on a commercial scale. It is highly effective in directly producing a thin metal wire having an amorphous, non-equilibrium crystalline, or microcrystalline structure.

Abstract: A casting assembly for controllably depositing an elongated, thin cast ribbon on a substrate includes a means for magnetically retaining the ribbon on the substrate. A relatively thin spacer leaf is secured in contacting relationship with the substrate to separate the substrate and the magnets. The spacer is flexible and resilient both in the direction of substrate movement and across the width of the substrate to accommodate irregularities in the surface and movement of the substrate, reducing belt wear and power requirements and improving smoothness of substrate movement.

Abstract: A method of forming, by melt-spinning techniques, a laminated ribbon structure consisting, for example, of a semiconductor disposed on a metal ribbon substrate. The substrate may be 10-50 .mu.m thick and the semiconductor may be 10-50 .mu.m thick, for example; typically the ribbon width is about one millimeter to several centimeters.

Abstract: A rotary drum comprises a hollow cylindrical outer member, a coaxial hub, and a plurality of spokes pivotally connected to the outer member and to the hub, all the spokes being aligned at the same oblique angle to the radius at the respective connections to the hub. Thermal expansion of the outer member relative to the spokes is accommodated by rotation of the outer member relative to the hub and a consequent change in the oblique angle, so minimizing thermally induced stresses in the spokes. The drum may be used in the production of a metal by deposition from the vapor phase onto the outer surface of the drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously casting a filament within a region of preselected vacuum and passing the filament to ambient region of higher pressure include a rotating casting wheel which has an annular peripheral quench surface. A guide housing encloses the casting wheel to separate the wheel from the ambient region and to delimit a guide region which is adapted to pass the filament therethrough to an exit region communicating into the ambient region. An extrusion housing delimits an extrusion chamber which communicates with the guide housing and has a portion of the quench surface disposed therein. An extrusion mechanism located in the extrusion chamber extrudes molten metal onto the quench surface to form the filament, and an extrusion vacuum mechanism provides a preselected vacuum in the extrusion chamber. A fluid jet mechanism disposed in the guide housing reduces the pressure in the extrusion chamber and directs the filament through the guide region.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing amorphous metal ribbons by ejecting molten metal through a nozzle attached to a tundish onto a rapidly moving cooling body, the molten metal is suppled to the tundish by first pouring the molten metal from a ladle into an intermediate vessel and then by supplying the molten metal from the intermediate vessel to the tundish through a gas-lift pump. An apparatus for supplying molten metal to a tundish comprises an intermediate vessel adjacent to the tundish and a gas-lift pump to supply the molten metal from the intermediate vessel to the tundish. The molten metal is poured from a ladle into the intermediate vessel. The gas-lift pump has a pump proper that is placed over the intermediate vessel and tundish so that its inlet and outlet open in the intermediate vessel and tundish, respectively. Bubbles are suppled into the pump proper through its inlet.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus and related method for a continuous casting apparatus includes a series of spray nozzles for spraying a coolant against one surface of a moving chill substrate. The invention apparatus includes an enclosure having vacuum applied thereto for preventing migration of the sprayed coolant from the surface against which it is sprayed to the surface contacting the molten solidifying material. Any coolant having a tendency to escape along sealed edges of the enclosure is forced back into the enclosure by the pressure gradient. The edges are sealed by elongated plastic rods. Additionally, scrapers are provided for removing remanent coolant from the sprayed surface. The coolant is sprayed at a high velocity to increase its heat transferring efficiency.

Abstract: A casting assembly has a casting nozzle for dispensing a melt puddle upon a casting surface of a continuously moving chilled substrate. A vibratory support contacts the chilled substrate opposite the casting nozzle and includes an ultrasonic transducer for exciting the substrate. The support applies ultrasonic vibrations through the substrate to the melt puddle prior to the critical period of solidification for enhancing wetting of the substrate and improving heat transfer between the melt puddle and the chilled substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly quenching a metal or alloy in the molten state by projecting a jet thereof from a crucible 7 onto a cooled belt 1 moving at high speed inside a vacuum chamber 3. The crucible is mounted outside of and above the chamber, with its curved bottom, provided with a casting orifice 14, resting on the rim 5' of an opening provided in the upper cover 6 of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for producing thin ribbon of semiconductor material. A device is provided for feeding the material onto a moving chill block. A first electromagnetic field is generated to heat the material in the solid condition into a molten drop and then to shape the molten drop into a thin ribbon shape prior to the contact of the material with the chill block.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly for casting continuous metal strips includes a nozzle for extruding molten metal. The nozzle has a nozzle body, a nozzle inlet opening, a nozzle exit orifice and a nozzle mounting surface located proximate to the nozzle inlet. A reservoir contains the molten metal and is in fluid communication with the nozzle. The reservoir has a reservoir outlet opening for flowing molten metal therethrough and has a reservoir mounting surface located proximate to the reservoir outlet. The reservoir mounting surface is adapted to mate with the nozzle mounting surface and allow a relative, sliding-type movement therebetween due to a differing thermal expansion of the nozzle relative to the reservoir. A heat resistant seal between the nozzle mounting surface and the reservoir mounting surface minimizes molten metal leakage therebetween, and a force mechanism resiliently urges the nozzle mounting surface toward the reservor mounting surface to mate the nozzle and reservoir together.

Abstract: Metallic filament is continuously cast by directing a stream of molten metal onto the quench surface of a rotating quench wheel. Expansion mechanisms disposed about the quench wheel and between the quench surface and quench wheel drive shaft allow unrestrained radial and lateral thermal growth of the hoop-like quench surface while maintaining concentricity of the quench surface with the shaft. Crowning or thermal bowing of the quench surface is minimized and a transverse cross-sectional uniformity of the cast filament is maintained.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for continuously casting a metal strip are disclosed. In the invention, a molten metal is supplied, by a forcible circulation, into a casting cavity defined between an outer peripheral surface of rotating cooled casting roll and an inner peripheral surface having a substantially U-shaped cross-section of a refractory inner vessel disposed to oppose to said outer peripheral surface with a predetermined gap left therebetween. The molten metal is supplied in such a manner that it flows in the same direction as the direction of rotation of said cooled casting roll so that the molten metal contacts only with the outer peripheral surface of the cooled casting roll over a predetermined circumferential length. As a result, the molten metal is solidified on the outer peripheral surface of the cooled casting roll to form a metal strip.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously casting a filament, such as a glassy metal filament, at high speed within a zone of preselected vacuum. A continuous extrusion mechanism and a rapidly moving quench surface are located within a casting module. A vacuum mechanism provides the preselected vacuum in the module as the filament is cast, and a transport mechanism continuously moves the resultant rapidly advancing filament across the boundary between the vacuum in the casting airlock mechanism substantially preserves the module vacuum as the cast filament is transported across the boundary and a passivator mechanism passivates the quench surface to prevent the filament from adhering thereto.

Abstract: A plurality of discrete small cooling surfaces are arrayed on the surface of a movably received heat extracting member in both the axial and rotational directions. The discrete small cooling surfaces are formed by a plurality of one set of parallel grooves formed obliquely to and between the two axial ends of the heat extracting member and are crossed by a plurality of another set of parallel grooves formed in a similar manner but in different direction. An opening of a nozzle is directed toward the outer peripheral surface of the heat extracting member. A continuing stream of molten material is projected upon the discrete small cooling surfaces of the rotating heat extracting member such that the heat of the molten material is extracted by each of the discrete small cooling surface to solidify the molten material into flake particles. Accordingly, the molten material can be applied concurrently onto a plurality of discrete small cooling surfaces.

Abstract: A tundish for use in casting a ribbon of crystalline or coarse grain polycrystalline material, having a support for a hopper containing molten material, the hopper having a bottom plate and three side wall plates and a top plate, each made of a material which will not interact with the molten material contained within the space defined by the bottom plate, side wall plates and top plate, to impart any significant impurity into the molten material, and wherein the top plate slants downwardly towards the bottom plate to form an elongated orifice through which molten material is extruded onto a cool surface where crystallization of a ribbon of material occurs. As disclosed, the top plate is movable with respect to the bottom plate to change the thickness of the orifice. Also as disclosed, the top plate slides in a slot in each of two opposed side walls and is of a length such that it forms with the third side wall an opening into which molten material is added to the tundish.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for permitting long-term continuous casting provides a plurality of orifices. By temporarily casting simultaneously from two adjacent orifices, it becomes possible to replace orifices without interrupting the casting process. Thus, the duration of continuous casting is not limited by the useful lifetime of a single casting orifice. Among the applications of the invention is the long-term continuous casting of metallic ribbon, such as amorphous metal ribbon.

Abstract: The invention provides a chilled casting wheel. An annular wheel core member has axially extending channels formed about a circumferential, outer peripheral surface thereof and is adapted to rotate about a concentric axis of rotation. A cylindrical, axially extending wheel rim member concentrically connected to the core peripheral surface has a preselected interference fit therewith to provide a preselected residual, circumferential stress within the rim. A coolant mechanism directs a fluid coolant to the interior surface of the rim and through the channels.

Abstract: A thin strip of metal or alloy is subjected to rapid solidification as it is ejected under pressure in a molten state from a crucible onto a cold, continuous band moving at high speed beneath the crucible's opening, in order to form metal strips in the vitreous state. An atmosphere under reduced pressure surrounding the zone of impact of the molten metal on the band is provided by a partially evacuated housing having opposed narrow inlet and outlet openings through which the band passes. The band is cooled and precisely positioned, and its vibration is minimized, by ejecting fluid from openings in the bottom of the housing, over which the band passes in closely parallel fashion. A pressurized gas at low temperature, ejected through these openings in the direction of the band, creates a fluid cushion between the band and the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A double roll type method and apparatus for producing a thin metallic sheet by pouring a molten metal of a desired composition into a kissing region between two cooling rolls rotating in opposite directions, and rapidly cooling and solidifying the molten metal while it passes through the kissing region. The thin sheet which has come out of the kissing region is forcibly deflected by gas from a gas applying head and by a pair of pinch rolls so as to make close contact with one of the two cooling rolls over a predetermined region in the circumferential direction of the roll.

Abstract: A continuous casting assembly has a pair of counter-rotating belts for controllably forming a continuous elongated cast ribbon. One of the belts is a chilled substrate for receiving molten metal discharged from a dispensing nozzle. The other belt is positioned immediately adjacent the chilled substrate belt and contactable. Both of the belts are moved in a substantially parallel paths at the same predetermined speed with the cast ribbon interposed between the belts. Magnetic forces are used to urge the two belts together in contacting relationship with each other and with the interposed cast ribbon.

Abstract: A continuous casting machine for battery grids includes a rotary drum on the outer peripheral surface of which the battery grid pattern is formed by a series of grooves. The peripheral surface of the drum mates with a shoe through which molten lead is directed into the grooves as the drum rotates. The outer periphery of the drum is a shell that is connected to rotary side plates by means of roll pins that enable the shell as a whole to expand and contract independently of the side plates. The drum is maintained at a desired temperature to solidify the molten lead directed into the grooves of the battery grid pattern by circulating a heated liquid through the drum.

Abstract: A strip casting apparatus is disclosed comprising a tundish for receiving and holding molten metal and an orifice passage defined between two spaced lips through which the molten metal is delivered to a casting surface located within about 0.120 inch of the orifice passage and movable past the orifice passage at a speed of from 200 to 10,000 linear surface feet per minute. In the apparatus of the present invention at least one lance is disposed with a tip of the lance directed toward a cavity in the tundish adjacent at least a portion of the material defining at least one of the lips of the orifice passage. Equipment is provided for delivering reactive gases through the lance and into the cavity, and at least one aperture is provided through which combustion products from the reactive gases escape the cavity in the tundish. One lip defining the orifice passage of this invention may comprise a molten metal resistant plate.

Abstract: A rapidly quenched, cast metallic strip is disclosed comprising a plurality of dissimilar portions, each portion metallurgically alloy-bonded during casting to adjacent portions along the longitudinal extent of the strip. In the method and apparatus for producing such strip a stream of molten metal is delivered onto a casting surface from a first crucible and at least one additional dissimilar stream of molten metal is delivered onto the casting surface such that a peripheral edge of the dissimilar stream contacts a peripheral edge portion of adjacent dissimilar metal to create a metallurgical alloy-bond therebetween during casting.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously casting strip material onto a casting surface includes a tundish for receiving and holding molten metal having a nozzle therein. The nozzle comprises an orifice passage defined between a first inside surface and a second inside surface, wherein at least a portion of at least one inside surface comprises an insert disposed against the tundish. A nozzle gap of at least 0.010 inch is maintained, an outer portion of the insert is able to be disposed to within 0.120 inch of the casting surface, and at least a portion of the outside surface of the tundish at the orifice of the nozzle is able to be disposed to within at least about 0.020 inch of the casting surface.

Abstract: Chill molds for multiple continuous casting of wires and casting strands with small cross-sections from metal, in particular from copper and copper alloys, are provided with a row of mold hollow spaces with walls from graphite and the walls are cooled with a coolant circle. In order to have to replace upon wear out or operational disturbances only the parts involved and the exchange of the parts nevertheless to remain simple and the space requirements of the chill mold remain low, the chill mold is provided with building elements independent from each other, that is with cooling elements (1) and mold support elements (2), which are disposed alternately and touching each other in a row next to each other or on top of each other as desired. The mold support elements (2) containing the mold hollow spaces (10) are freely movable with respect to their neighboring cooling elements (1). Each mold support element (2) can be individually pressed against a stop face (18') opposite to the casting direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously casting metallic strip material includes a tundish, and a nozzle comprising a curvilinear element, with an orifice passage in the element having substantially uniform cross-sectional dimensions throughout the longitudinal extent thereof. Disposed outside the nozzle is a cooled casting surface movable past the nozzle in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the orifice passage. First and second inside surfaces of the element define the orifice passage through which molten metal is fed to the casting surface.