Abstract: The continuous metal casting method includes continuously forming a portion of an ingot in the open-ended mold of the primary cooling zone under pressure, with a cold junction being formed at the end of the portion. The portion of the ingot is intermittently drawn into the secondary cooling zone, to produce the ingot subdivided by the cold junctions into portions of a required length. In the intervals between the successive drawing cycles, the ingot is treated in the secondary cooling zone to effect constrained shrinkage, while producing in the cold junction areas a bending strain of a value not short of the yield strength of the metal. The plant includes a vessel for the metal to be cast, communicating with the open-ended mold of the primary cooling zone.

Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting method and apparatus is disclosed. Liquid metal, held in a storage container, is continuously maintained at a height not less than the height of the continuous casting mold. Additionally, adjustment of the relative positions with respect to one another of a magnetic coil surrounding a portion of the continuous casting mold, the storage container, in both the horizontal and vertical directions and the drain pipe extending from the storage container into the continuous casting mold is disclosed.

Abstract: A mold-starting plug alignment system for a horizontal direct chill continuous casting apparauts includes a frame support positionable at the exit of a continuous casting mold and guides attached to the frame support spaced along the periphery of the mold opening. The arrangement also includes an adjustable starter head which is attached to a primary starting block member by an adapter member and which cooperates with the guides to self-align the starting head while inserting the starting head into the mold opening prior to casting.

Abstract: An arrangement for continuously casting a metal strand includes a continuous casting mould reciprocating in the longitudinal direction. A casting tube sealed relative to the inner walls of the mould projects into the continuous casting mould. An extraction means for the strand running out of the continuous casting mould is provided. In order to start casting without using a starter bar and by observing the shortest set-up times possible, the mould and the extraction device composed of driving rolls are arranged on a car or sledge that is displaceable to and fro in the longitudinal direction of the continuous casting mould. A coolable closure piece for the mould cavity is insertable and removable between the run-out side end of the mould and the extraction device.

Abstract: A method of casting metallic strands in a closed pouring or teeming system wherein the metal is cast through a refractory distributor vessel-pouring structure, such as a pouring spout, into an open-ended mold connected in flow communication with the pouring structure. To improve the quality of the strand and to increase the production capacity or output of such installations at the region of a connection plane of the distributor vessel-pouring structure and the open-ended mold the metallic melt is maintained away from the wall of the mold inlet opening by means of a constricting or bundling electromagnetic field.

Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing a metal casting from the mould of a continuous metal casting plant comprises a movable housing and cooled shoes disposed along the perimeter of the casting. Each shoe is provided with two pairs of wedges disposed between the shoe and the housing. One of the wedges of each pair is rigidly secured on the shoe. The other wedges of these pairs are connected with each other through a member adjustable in length and one of them also with a crossbar through a member of a constant length. The apparatus is also provided with a drive for pressing the shoes against the casting and a drive for withdrawing the casting from the mould, rods of hydraulic cylinders thereof being connected to the crossbar. The proposed invention makes it possible to improve the quality of a casting, increase the metal yield and to step up the rate of casting.

Abstract: A horizontal continuous casting apparatus comprising a furnace having a bottom wall, side walls and a top wall. A holding block is supported within the furnace and has a vertical opening and a horizontal opening communicating with the vertical opening, the vertical opening extending upwardly. A crucible is mounted within the furnace and has a downwardly extending opening. A vertical adapter provides communication between the opening of the crucible and the vertical opening of the holding block. A side wall of the furnace has a horizontal opening. A horizontal adapter provides communication between the horizontal opening of the holding block and a die associated with the horizontal opening.

Abstract: In a method for forming shaped articles from molten metallic material the melt is caused to flow from a holding vessel therefor through a refractory duct having at least one static thermally-conducting element extending transversely within the duct so dimensioned and located to both cool and stir by shear the melt flowing therethrough. The melt is cooled to a temperature within its freezing range, if it is an alloy, or at its freezing point, if it is a metal, and is stirred to precipitate a solid phase as fragmented dendrites. The cooled and stirred metal outflow from the duct is cast into shaped articles. The invention has one specific application in producing the precipitating solid phase as non-degenerate micro-crystalline particles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous casting plant for the horizontal continuous casting of steel, especially steel billets, the plant including a horizontally displaceable chill mould which is adapted to be connected to the pouring spout of a pouring vessel, shut-off means being also provided for isolating the mould from the pouring spout when it is desired to separate the mould from the pouring vessel. In accordance with the invention the shut-off means comprises a shear-plate which is slidable across the inlet of the mould.

Abstract: Mould for the horizontal continuous casting of metals comprising a first mould part which is adapted to have an intensive cooling effect on the metal being cast and which has a reduced inflow cross-section for the metal relative to casting cavity; a support frame; and a second mould part which is formed by several elements carried by the support frame, the elements being movable radially relative to the support frame.

Abstract: Elongated members of reactive metals and alloys thereof, for example, uranium and alloys thereof, are cast from a crucible containing the molten metal blanketed with an inert gas and non-reactive prepared molten slag, directly into a mould protruding from the crucible. The cast metal is spray cooled with inert gas, which may be liquefied, as it emerges from an outlet end of the mould and is pulled, for example by rollers, into and possibly through an inert gas flushed container directly connected to the mould outlet end.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a tundish and a mold for horizontal continuous casting of a metal, which comprises: a break ring fitted to the inlet opening of a water-cooled mold through a joint material; a front nozzle engaged in the molten metal outlet of the side wall of a tundish; a feed nozzle provided between said break ring and said front nozzle so that one end thereof is in contact with said break ring and the other end thereof is in contact with said front nozzle through respective joint materials; and, a connecting mechanism for connecting said tundish and said water-cooled mold, said connecting mechanism having an elasticity means which pushes said break ring elastically against the inlet opening of said water-cooled mold, one end of said feed nozzle against said break ring, and the other end of said feed nozzle against said front nozzle.

Abstract: In a device for the horizontal continuous casting of ingots or billets without pronounced structure there is provided in the wall of the trough an opening which connects up with another opening in the lower part of a disc-shaped nozzle which is used to transfer the molten metal to the mold. For casting rectangular ingots this nozzle opening is in plan view approximately in the form of a dog bone shaped slit, and is provided with a run-out surface inclined in the direction of casting and running into the inner face of the mold. The opening forms a trumpet-shaped taper towards the inside of the trough.

Abstract: The disclosed continuous casting mold is especially constructed for use with a vaporizable coolant which is nonreactive with the molten metal being cast or the mold itself and includes an inner mold body having a longitudinal solidification chamber therethrough, an intermediate mold body surrounding and spaced from the inner mold body to define an annular cooling chamber therebetween and an outer mold body surrounding and spaced from the intermediate mold body to define an annular manifold chamber therebetween. Coolant access means associated typically with the outer mold body provides entry for coolant into the manifold chamber.

Abstract: A discharging mechanism for molten metal and slag remaining in a tundish provided with at least one pouring nozzle for a continuous casting machine, which comprises: a discharging nozzle attached to the bottom wall of the tundish, the nozzle having a discharging bore flaring downwardly for discharging molten metal and slag remaining in the tundish; a frustoconical plug matching with the discharging bore of the discharging nozzle, releasably inserted from outside the bottom wall of the tundish into the discharging bore, a plug fitting being fixed to the lower end of the plug; and a plug engaging means connected with the plug fitting for inserting the plug into the discharging bore of the discharging nozzle, holding same therein and withdrawing same therefrom.

Abstract: A nozzle which can be used repeatedly for the supply of liquid metal is made up of individual, hollow, refractory sections fitted together side by side in a metal frame. The hollow elements of the nozzle may feature, in addition to at least one longitudinal channel for the supply of liquid metal, channels to accommodate heating elements also running in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: In a continuous casting system, a starter block for withdrawing a metal strand from a casting mold is provided with a bolt which is readily releasable from the metal block. The bolt is provided with a conical head having a threaded surface which projects out from the end face of the starter block and is cast into the metal strand. After casting of the metal strand, the starter block is uncoupled from the bolt and the bolt is rotatably removed from the metal strand. The starter block can then be reused.

Abstract: A combined feed tube and continuous casting mould comprises a copper mould having a refractory feed tube projecting into the inlet end of the mould passage. The feed tube is in abutting relation with the wall of the mould passage and the material from which the feed tube is formed is one which has a low coefficient of friction such as graphite. The portion of the feed tube in the mould provides the surface on which the initial freezing of the molten metal occurs and this surface is cooled by its contact with the mould.

Abstract: A continuous mold with a mold chamber, preferably a rectangular mold chamber, for continuously casting metals, especially copper and copper alloys, which includes a one piece or more piece graphite block and also includes cooling pipes forming components of a cooling circuit and being frictionally connected to the graphite block for improving the heat transfer to the mold chamber of the graphite block. The cooling circuit is structurally separate from the graphite block, and the cooling pipes yieldably engage the outer surface of the graphite block.

Abstract: An extrusion mold for growing crystalline silicon in any desired size at a very high purity level. The mold is formed of molybdenum with any desired width, length and depth. The major portion of its length is immersed in a temperature-controlled environment. A high temperature receiving end of the mold is located in a controlled atmosphere containing an inert gas such as nitrogen. Molten silicon is poured from a crucible into the open end of the mold in the controlled atmosphere. The extrusion mold is at an incline to permit the molten silicon to flow through the mold until it contacts a seed crystal of silicon. The seed crystal is located at the point where the silicon solidifies. The molten silicon begins to form a crystalline structure oriented according to the seed crystal. As crystallization takes place, the seed is slowly pulled out of the other end of the extrusion mold which is open to the atmosphere bringing the crystalline silicon structure with it.

Abstract: Aluminium and other non-ferrous metals are continuously cast in the form of a thin strip in a thickness range of 5-30 mm through an open-ended casting mould. The emerging strip is cooled in conventional manner by direct application of coolant as it emerges from the mould. The novel feature is that the solidified strip is gripped at its side edges at a station close to the exit of the mould and positively pulled out of the mould.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved mold bore configuration for a DC casting mold wherein the feed end of the mold bore is provided with a chill section having an inner surface which tapers outwardly in the direction of the discharge end of the mold. The tapered, diverging inner surfaces intersect the surfaces of the straight walled, shape determinative chilled section of the mold bore at an obtuse angle greater than 135.degree.. Faster casting speeds can be used and improved billet and ingot surfaces result.

Abstract: In a device for the horizontal continuous casting of ingots or billets without pronounced structure there is provided in the wall of the trough an opening which connects up with another opening in the lower part of a disc-shaped nozzle which is used to transfer the molten metal to the mold. For casting round ingots this nozzle opening is in plan view approximately in the form of a banana-shaped slit, and is provided with a run-out surface inclined in the direction of casting and running into the inner face of the mold. The opening forms a trumpet-shaped taper towards the inside of the trough.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously casting metal strips at various rates wherein and whereby a non-turbulent, constant-head, constant-temperature source of dross-free melt is provided to the casting nozzle by pumping the melt from a reservoir upwardly through a standpipe open midway to the nozzle and overflowing it from the standpipe back to the reservoir. An adjustable wire atop the standpipe controls the metalostatic head above the casting nozzle, and a reversible pump permits ready aborting of a casting run.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus of a horizontal type is designed for simultaneous casting of a plurality of parallel strands from molten metal discharged from a common tundish. Each strand unit comprises a mold and a refractory conduit which are in contact with each other and in direct association with a clamping mechanism provided with means for adjusting the clamping pressure applied to said mold and conduit to enable closeness of contact therebetween. In combination with a cylinder mechanism intended for clamping conduits to a tundish, said clamping mechanisms provide for a fluid tight connection therebetween at the place of junction thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for horizontal continuous casting of metal alloys, such as brass, which tend to have a component thereof separate therefrom, in vapor form, during and immediately after solidification of the metal. The molten metal alloy progresses from the entrance end toward the discharge end of a horizontal tubular mold, with the metal solidifying at least next to the inner surface of the mold before reaching the discharge end thereof. The solidified metal in the mold shrinks inwardly away from the mold surface to form a shrinkage gap therewith, so that the above component of the alloy in vapor form enters into this shrinkage gap. In accordance with the invention this shrinkage gap is maintained filled with a gas which is inert to the above vapor so that the latter cannot oxidize in the shrinkage gap. In this way it is possible to avoid formation of undesirable deposits at the inner surface of the mold.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for continuously casting a steel strand with a mould having a closed bottom molten steel is cast from a casting container into the mould, and the mould is moved away in a substantially horizontal direction to form a strand with a solidified skin and a liquid core, which strand is longer than the mould. Then the strand outside the mould is supplied with heat to maintain a uniform temperature of the liquid core, which temperature is higher than the liquidus temperature of the steel over most of the longitudinal extension of the strand.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of metal casting utilize a die having at least one helical rib or channel surrounded by a cooler which cooperates with a means for imparting a relative screwing motion, such as a pair of rollers at an angle to the longitudinal member which is being cast, to screw a helically shaped metal member continuously from the die.

Abstract: Strain reduction or reversal technique for continuous casting of a metal billet element wherein there is provided an axial mold wall which is oscillatable, a plug element in the axial wall which may be solid in the sense that it closes one end of the mold or which may be of a type in which molten metal may flow therethrough into the mold, one of said elements being oscillatable with respect to the axial wall in a manner to relieve strain on metal newly freezing to the axial wall during oscillation of the axial wall.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously casting lead strip at various rates upwards of about 8 ft. per minute including a nonturbulent, constant-head, constant-temperature source of dross-free melt, an open-ended casting nozzle, an insulator thermally isolating the nozzle from the source and an aromatic polyimide seal at the inlet of the nozzle. Melt is pumped upwardly through a standpipe which is open midway to the nozzle. An adjustable weir atop the standpipe controls the metalostatic head above the casting nozzle, and a reversible pump permits ready aborting of a casting run.

Abstract: A method and apparatus employed in the spacing and gapping the product containing rollers contained within a plurality of continuous casting discharge racks. Both the method, and apparatus with which the method is employed, insure the accurate gapping of the discharge rack rollers from a specific centerline, the latter being in a given spacial relationship with a given benchmark located upon the rack per se such that the centerlines of a plurality of such racks are collinearly aligned when positioned using their respective benchmarks within a continuous casting machine.