Abstract: A method is available for forming a surface on a continuous casting mold. A surface of a continuous casting mold is formed by explosion cladding to produce a wear resistant surface having high bond strength. The surface may consist of a hot face of a broad or narrow wall of the continuous casting mold or may comprise the edges of the end walls. Deformation of the mold section is prevented by filling the coolant cavities with a filler prior to explosion cladding.

Abstract: An improved continuous metal casting mold incorporating a removable cassette insert member that has a uniform thickness copper facing plate and a steel backing plate fastened together in such a way as to allow three dimensional expansion of the copper plate in relation to the steel plate to minimize the thermal stresses exerted on the copper plate and the temperature differential along the surface of the copper plate.

Abstract: A stainless steel load cell having a shear web design suitable for use in a continuous casting environment is disclosed. Strain gauges are disposed on both sides of each of the four webs to detect deformation, while a wheatstone bridge is provided, having thermally-compensated potentiometers, to balance the strain gauge output to provide a signal indicative of an applied load. The interior of the load cell is sealed on both sides with disc shaped stainless steel seal members. The interior of the load cell is coated with a very low durometer polymer to provide the bridge and strain gauges with a barrier to moisture and other corrosive vapors. The load cell is enclosed by an air-tight canister that is supplied with pressurized nitrogen gas for drying purposes.

Abstract: A continuous casting mold for casting relatively thin slab comprises a pair of broad walls and a pair of narrow walls. The narrow walls are movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to the mold cavity to adjust the width of the slab being cast. The broad walls in an upper portion of the mold are spaced farther apart to permit introduction of molten metal into the mold. The broad walls in the lower portion of the mold are substantially parallel to each other. The narrow mold walls are adapted to sealingly engage the broad mold walls and are wider in the upper portion of the mold than in the lower portion. In one embodiment, a tilt angle of the lower portion of the narrow walls is independently adjustable from that of the upper portion of the narrow walls while in a second embodiment, each of the walls comprises independently angled top and bottom portions and provides a flat and smooth surface to the contained molten metal. Solidification in the upper portion of the mold is substantially prevented.

Abstract: The width of a mold is controlled effectively to produce a slab having a desired and constant width associated therewith. More particularly, the speed of the output slab and the temperature of the molten metal contained within tundish are measured and the pressure exerted by the received molten metal within mold is determined. These measured and determined values are used to appropriately modify the width of the mold so as to produce a slab of constant width.