Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface treating dispersion for treating a surface of zinc or of an alloy of zinc and aluminum, the surface treating dispersion comprising an aqueous solution having a pH of below 3 and a complex formed from at least one species of metal oxo ion in conjunction with at least one species of hetero ion, the metal oxo ion being selected from the group consisting of molybdate, tungstate and vanadate, the hetero ion being selected from the group consisting of phosphorus (V), aluminum (III), silicon (IV), manganese (II), manganese (IV), zirconium (IV), titanium (IV), tin (IV), cerium (III) and nickel (II); and with a film forming acid tolerant resin compatible with the selected ions.

Abstract: A casting pool (30) of ferrous molten metal is supported on a pair of chilled generally horizontal casting rolls (22) forming a nip (27) between them. The casting rolls (22) rotate mutually opposite directions to produce a solidified metal strip (12) moving downwardly from the nip (27). The strip (12) passes along a transit path (10) which takes it away from the nip (27) in an unrestrained loop (29) disposed within a strip enclosure (38) within which the strip is confined through said transit path (10). The strip (12) moves downwardly from the nip (27) to form the unrestrained loop (29) passes between a pair of cooled non-contact heat absorbers (101) to which heat is radiated from the strip (12) whereby to extract from the strip heat generated by completion of solidification of metal therein after leaving the casting pool (30). Heat absorbers (101) are formed as opposite side walls of a cooling collar (100) defining an upper part of enclosure (38) and provided with cooling water ducts (102).

Abstract: The apparatus includes a pair of cooled, rotating casting rolls forming a nip between them. Molten metal is delivered into the nip between the casting rolls to form a casting pool of molten metal supported on the rolls. The cast strip produced is delivered downwardly from the nip and guided through a transit path which takes it away from the nip. An enclosure confirms the strip throughout the transit path and includes an enclosure wall including a movable section disposed beneath the casting rolls and formed to serve as a movable receptacle for scrap produced at any stage of the casting process, which enclosure is sealed to control ingress of oxygen containing atmosphere during operation of the apparatus, thereby controlling the formation of scale on the strip during operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Method of casting steel strip in which molten steel solidifies as a shell on a chilled casting surface (100). The casting surface (100) has a texture (101) formed by a regular pattern of surface projections (103) and depressions (102) and the steel chemistry is selected to generate in the casting pool deoxidation products which form on the casting surface (100) a layer of less than 5 microns thickness a major proportion of which is liquid during cooling of the steel to below its liquidus temperature in the formation of said solidified shell. The substantially liquid layer suppresses the formation of surface defects in the solidifying metal surface due to early deposition of solid oxides on the casting surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for retarding a flow of molten metal to a metal caster. The flow of molten metal is confined within a duct 11 having an elongate cross-section transverse to the flow directions to shape the flow in a sheet formation. The sheet formation flow is subjected to a magnetic field extending through the flow transversely of the sheet formation and varying sinusoidally along the flow direction whereby to induce circulating electric currents in the molten metal which interact with the magnetic field to produce forces on the molten metal which retard the flow. The magnetic field may be induced by two sets 13 of permanent magnets 14 spaced one set to either side of the duct 11, the magnets 14 of each set being spaced along the flow direction and being of successively opposite magnetic polarity.

Abstract: Continuous casting of steel strip in twin-roll caster comprising casting rolls (16). Molten steel is delivered by a delivery system comprising a distributor (18) and delivery nozzle (19) to casting pool (68) supported above the nip (69) between the casting rolls (16) which are rotated to deliver a solidified steel strip (20) downwardly from the nip. Delivery nozzle (19) dips into casting pool (68). To minimise reactions between carbon in the delivery nozzle with oxygen containing compounds in the casting pool the delivery nozzle is made of refractory material containing a major proportion of a refractory aggregate and a minor proportion of graphite of at least 96% purity in the range of 15% to 25% by weight and an anti-oxidant additive being aluminium or an alloy thereof. The refractory aggregate may be comprised mainly of alumina.

Abstract: A casting roll (18) for a twin roll continuous caster comprises a roll body (19) made of a metal material having high rigidity and a sleeve (20) made of a metal material having high thermal conductivity for covering an outer periphery of the roll body (19). A plurality of load bearing members (23) with thicker width are provided peripherally on the outer periphery of the roll body (19), the load bearing members (23) being in contact with an inner periphery of the sleeve (20) and extending axially of the roll.

Abstract: To suppress wear of side surfaces of end closures due to rotation of cooling rolls in a twin roll strip caster, a pair of housings 11 are provided, each arranged to face on end faces of one or the other ends of cooling rolls 1a and 1b, which are arranged substantially horizontally and in parallel with each other, so that it may be displaced toward and away from the end faces, rolling members 12 rotatably supported by each of said housings 11 so that they may contact the corresponding end faces of the rolls 1a and 1b, a thruster body 21 supported on each of the housings 11 so that it may be displaced toward and away from the corresponding end faces of the rolls 1a and 1b, and an end closure 3 loaded on each of the thruster bodies 21 so that it may closely contact upper portions of the end faces of the rolls 1a and 1b. When the end closure 3 is worn to a predetermined extent, then the rolling members 12 contact the end faces of the rolls 1a and 1b to thereby suppress wear of the end closure 3.

Abstract: A metal delivery nozzle (19) for delivery of molten metal to the nip between casting rolls in a twin roll caster to establish a casting pool supported above the nip. The trough (19) defines an open topped trough (61) to receive molten metal from a distributor. The bottom of the trough (61) is closed and the nozzle has side openings (64) and two large end openings (71) for delivery of molten metal from the trough (61) into the casting pool. The side openings (64) are longitudinally spaced circular holes disposed between unperforated end regions (72) of the nozzle.

Abstract: Twin roll casting of metal strip by introducing molten metal between chilled casting rolls (16) to form casting pool supported on the rolls and confined by refractory end closures (56), and rotating the rolls (16) so as to cast a solidified strip delivered downwardly from the nip between the rolls (16). Prior to casting refractory end closures (56) are preheated by positioning adjacent their inner faces a pair of metal plates (130) and exposing those plates to electromagnetic fields to cause them to rise in temperature and so heat the closures (56). Plates (130) have hooked top flanges (131) for location on the refractory end closures (56).

Abstract: To give vibration to molten metal in a melt pool to enhance solidification efficiency of the molten metal.Substantially directly above meniscus 14 between molten metal 5 in a melt pool 4 and each of rolls, an AC electromagnet 15 is arranged over the entire length of said meniscus 14 so that magnetic flux runs substantially perpendicular to a surface of the molten metal. Above the AC electromagnet 15, a DC electromagnet 16 is arranged over the entire length of the AC electromagnet 15 so that magnetic flux runs substantially perpendicular to the surface of the molten metal. Under application of DC magnetic field by means of the DC electromagnet 16, an AC magnetic field is applied near the meniscus 14 between the molten metal 5 in the melt pool 4 and each of the rolls 1 and 2. As a result, induction current is generated in the molten metal 5 and high frequency vibration is applied to the molten metal 5 by Lorentz's force due to interaction between the induction current and the DC magnetic field.

Abstract: To suppress wear of side surfaces of end closures due to rotation of cooling rolls in a twin roll strip caster, a pair of housings 11 are provided, each arranged to face on end faces of one or the other ends of cooling rolls 1a and 1b, which are arranged substantially horizontally and in parallel with each other, so that it may be displaced toward and away from the end faces, rolling members 12 rotatably supported by each of said housings 11 so that they may contact the corresponding end faces of the rolls 1a and 1b, a thruster body 21 supported on each of the housings 11 so that it may be displaced toward and away from the corresponding end faces of the rolls 1a and 1b, and an end closure 3 loaded on each of the thruster bodies 21 so that it may closely contact upper portions of the end faces of the rolls 1a and 1b. When the end closure 3 is worn to a predetermined extent, then the rolling members 12 contact the end faces of the rolls 1a and 1b to thereby suppress wear of the end closure 3.

Abstract: A steel strip (12) is continuously cast from a pool (30) of molten metal that is supported on one or more chilled casting surfaces (22A). The casting surfaces (22A) are moved to produce a solidified strip (12) moving away from the casting pool (30) along a transit path (10). The formation of scale on the solidified strip (12) as it passes through the transit path (10) is controlled by confining the solidified strip within an enclosure (37) from which oxygen is extracted by oxidation of the strip and which is sealed to control ingress of oxygen containing atmosphere.

Abstract: In a wrapping apparatus comprising a two-part endless track surrounding a wrapping station, a shuttle for dispensing wrapping medium able to ride around the track and thereby wrap an article in said station, and a track support structure such that at least one part of the track may be moved relative to another part so as to open and close a gap between those parts, a shuttle change may be effected by providing a movable shuttle carrier in the form of a length of track, and means enabling the shuttle carrier to be inserted into and removed from a gap in the track whereby a replacement shuttle may be driven from the carrier onto the track and a spent shuttle may be driven from the track onto the carrier for removal therewith.

Abstract: Method for continuously casting metal strip of the kind in which molten metal is introduced into the nip between a pair of parallel casting rolls (16) via a metal delivery nozzle (19) disposed above the nip to create a casting pool (30) of molten metal supported on casting surfaces (16A) of the rolls immediately above the nip and the casting rolls (16) are rotated to deliver a solidified metal strip (20) downwardly from the nip. The casting surfaces (16A) are smooth so as to have an Arithmetic Mean Roughness Value (R.sub.a) of less than 5 microns and the casting pool contains material to form on each of the casting surfaces a thin layer interposed between the casting surface and the casting pool during metal solidification a major proportion of which layer is liquid during the metal solidification and the liquid of the layer has a wetting angle of less than 40.degree. on the casting surface. This promotes wetting of the smooth casting surfaces and increases heat flux during metal solidification.

Abstract: To suppress generation of scales on surfaces of a strip and to reduce the amount of non-oxidising gas consumed in the casting of strip in a twin roll caster there is provided downstream apparatus comprising pinch rolls 17a and 17b for pinching a strip 4 continuously cast by a pair of casting rolls 1a and 1b, a coiler 8 for coiling the strip 4 delivered from the pinch rolls 17a and 17b, an upstream chamber 19 for enclosing a travelling path of the strip 4 from the casting rolls 1a and 1b to the pinch rolls 17a and 17b, a downstream chamber 24 for enclosing a travelling path of the strip 4 from the pinch rolls 17a and 17b to a position before the coiler, a shutter on an end of the downstream chamber closer to the coiler and a gas supply source for supplying non-oxidising and reducing gases to the upstream and downstream chambers 19 and 24 and quenching means within the downstream chamber to cool the strip so that it leaves the chamber at a temperature of 300.degree. C. or below.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying heat to a reservoir (27) of molten metal, comprising a plasma torch (48) and a metal contact electrode (52) to complete an electrical circuit with the torch (48) via the molten metal in the reservoir (27). The plasma torch (48) and the metal contact electrode (52) are both mounted on a stand (51) for up and down movements as a unit so as that the plasma torch (48) is moveable downwardly into proximity with the surface of the reservoir of molten metal and the metal contact electrode is simultaneously insertable into the molten metal and withdrawable therefrom. The metal contact electrode (52) is formed with an interior passage (63) for flow of gas therethrough into the molten metal and there is provided a gas pressure detector (65) to detect a change in gas pressure consequent on breakage of the metal contact electrode (52).

Abstract: In continuous casting of steel strip, a casting pool of molten metal is supported on moving casting surfaces which are chilled to cause solidification of steel on the casting surfaces. The casting surfaces are textured by provision of parallel groove and ridge formations (11) defining V-shaped grooves (12) and ridges (13) with sharp edges (14). The depth (d) of the texture from ridge peak to groove root is in the range 5 to 50 microns and the pitch (p) between the grooves is in the range 100 to 250 microns. The casting surfaces may be peripheral surfaces of casting rolls of a twin roll caster.

Abstract: Molten metal is introduced between a pair of parallel casting rolls (16) of a twin roll caster by metal delivery apparatus comprising a distributor vessel (18) and delivery nozzle (19) to form a casting pool (10) above the nip (30) between the rolls (16). The rolls (16) are rotated so as to cast a solidified strip (20) delivered downwardly from the nip (30). Casting of the strip is terminated by stopping the flow of metal to the delivery apparatus (18, 19) and allowing the quantity of molten metal in the delivery apparatus to run down to a reduced quantity at which there is still molten metal in the casting pool and then moving one or both casting rolls laterally to increase the gap between the rolls whereby to interrupt formation of the strip and allow downward discharge of the remaining metal through the increased gap between the rolls.

Abstract: A casting roll (11) on which to cast molten metal comprises central shaft (12), an outer circumferential wall (14) fitted over cylindrical mandrel (15) and roll end walls (16). Longitudinal wall (14) is cooled by water passed through longitudinal passages (22) in that wall. The cooling water is passed to and from passages (22) through passages (23) in the central shaft, radial passages (24) in the end walls (16) and transition passages (25) interconnecting the radial passages with the longitudinal passages. In order to promote cooling of the end corners (31) of the roll, transition passages (25) extend in smoothly curved bends into regions of the roll disposed both radially and longitudinally outwardly from the intersection directions of the longitudinal passages (22) and radial passages (24) so as to provide for water flow close to the roll comers (31) without formation of stagnation pockets.