Abstract: Methods of billet casting are provided herein. The methods may include the steps of assembling a billet caster with a shroud extending from a tundish to above a mold such that the shroud does not reach molten metal in the mold, delivering molten metal from a ladle into the tundish, delivering molten metal from the tundish through the shroud to the mold, the shroud inhibiting contact between the molten metal and air, casting the molten metal into billets in the mold and cooling the billets below the mold with a coolant spray, and delivering the cooled billet to a runout table to be cut to length.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of making steel with low carbon content which includes preparing a heat of molten steel composition in a steelmaking furnace to a tapping temperature ranging from 2912 to 3060 degrees F. and tapping into a ladle the molten steel composition having an oxygen level is about 700 to 1000 ppm. The molten steel composition is then transported to a ladle metallurgy furnace, where the molten steel composition is further heated and one or more elements are added to the molten steel composition. The molten steel composition is then transported from the ladle metallurgy furnace to a vacuum tank degasser. The molten steel composition is then decarburized and one or more elements are added to the molten steel composition at the vacuum tank degasser for deoxidization and desulphurization. The molten steel composition is then transported to a ladle metallurgy furnace to further adjust chemistry and temperature.

Abstract: Methods of billet casting are provided herein. The methods may include the steps of assembling a billet caster with a shroud extending from a tundish to above a mold such that the shroud does not reach molten metal in the mold, delivering molten metal from a ladle into the tundish, delivering molten metal from the tundish through the shroud to the mold, the shroud inhibiting contact between the molten metal and air, casting the molten metal into billets in the mold and cooling the billets below the mold with a coolant spray, and delivering the cooled billet to a runout table to be cut to length.

Abstract: Methods of billet casting are provided herein. The methods may include the steps of assembling a billet caster with a shroud extending from a tundish to above a mold such that the shroud does not reach molten metal in the mold, delivering molten metal from a ladle into the tundish, delivering molten metal from the tundish through the shroud to the mold, the shroud inhibiting contact between the molten metal and air, casting the molten metal into billets in the mold and cooling the billets below the mold with a coolant spray, and delivering the cooled billet to a runout table to be cut to length.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method of making steel with low carbon content which includes preparing a heat of molten steel composition in a steelmaking furnace to a tapping temperature ranging from 2912 to 3060 degrees F. and tapping into a ladle the molten steel composition having an oxygen level is about 700 to 1000 ppm. The molten steel composition is then transported to a ladle metallurgy furnace, where the molten steel composition is further heated and one or more elements are added to the molten steel composition. The molten steel composition is then transported from the ladle metallurgy furnace to a vacuum tank degasser. The molten steel composition is then decarburized and one or more elements are added to the molten steel composition at the vacuum tank degasser for deoxidization and desulphurization. The molten steel composition is then transported to a ladle metallurgy furnace to further adjust chemistry and temperature.

Abstract: A thin cast steel strip and method of making thereof with improved resistance to microcracking, where the steel strip is produced by continuous casting and contains a carbon content between about 0.010% and about 0.065% by weight, less than 5.0% by weight chromium, at least 70 ppm of total oxygen and between 20 and 70 ppm of free oxygen, and manganese to sulfur ratio greater than about 250. The carbon content in the cast strip may be below about 0.035%, less than 0.005% by weight titanium, and the average manganese to silicon ratio in the strip produced may be greater than 3.5. The carbon content may be less than 0.035%, the casting speed less than 76.68 meters per minute, and the tundish temperature of the molten metal is maintained below 1612° C. (2933.7° F.).

Abstract: A metal strip casting apparatus and a method of casting continuous metal strip includes assembling a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces positioned laterally forming a nip between for casting, and delivering molten metal through a delivery nozzle disposed above the nip capable to form a casting pool supported on the casting rolls. The delivery nozzle comprises segments each having elongate nozzle body with longitudinally extending side walls, end walls and a bottom part to form an inner trough, a nozzle insert disposed above bottom portions of the inner trough of each segment and supported relative to the nozzle body through which incoming molten metal may be delivered to the inner trough of each segment of the delivery nozzle, and the elongate nozzle body of each segment having passageways in fluid communication with the inner trough and outlet openings capable of discharging molten metal from the nozzle body outwardly into the casting pool.

Abstract: A method for making a thin cast strip with reduced meniscus marks includes assembling a pair of casting rolls laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween, preparing molten steel having a carbon content in the range of 0.01 to 0.3% by weight, a manganese content between 0.1 and 0.8% by weight, a silicon content between 0.05 and 0.5% by weight, a calcium content between 0.0008 and 0.004% by weight, an aluminum content between 2 and 500 ppm by weight, having a free oxygen content below about 50 ppm at 1600° C., forming a casting pool of the molten steel supported on casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip, and counter-rotating the casting rolls cause thin strip to be casted downwardly from the nip.

Abstract: A thin cast steel strip and method of making thereof with improved resistance to microcracking, where the steel strip is produced by continuous casting and contains a carbon content between about 0.010% and about 0.065% by weight, less than 5.0% by weight chromium, at least 70 ppm of total oxygen and between 20 and 70 ppm of free oxygen, and manganese to sulfur ratio greater than about 250. The carbon content in the cast strip may be below about 0.035%, less than 0.005% by weight titanium, and the average manganese to silicon ratio in the strip produced may be greater than 3.5. The carbon content may be less than 0.035%, the casting speed less than 76.68 meters per minute, and the tundish temperature of the molten metal is maintained below 1612° C. (2933.7° F.).

Abstract: A metal strip casting apparatus and a method of casting continuous metal strip includes assembling a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces positioned laterally forming a nip between for casting, and delivering molten metal through a delivery nozzle disposed above the nip capable to form a casting pool supported on the casting rolls. The delivery nozzle comprises segments each having elongate nozzle body with longitudinally extending side walls, end walls and a bottom part to form an inner trough, a nozzle insert disposed above bottom portions of the inner trough of each segment and supported relative to the nozzle body through which incoming molten metal may be delivered to the inner trough of each segment of the delivery nozzle, and the elongate nozzle body of each segment having passageways in fluid communication with the inner trough and outlet openings capable of discharging molten metal from the nozzle body outwardly into the casting pool.

Abstract: A method of casting steel strip by introducing molten plain carbon steel on casting surfaces at least one casting roll with the molten steel having a free nitrogen content below 120 ppm and a free hydrogen content below about 6.5 ppm measured at atmospheric pressure. The free nitrogen content maybe below about 100 ppm or below about 85 ppm. The free hydrogen content maybe between 1.0 and 6.5 ppm at atmospheric pressure. Novel cast strip of plain carbon steel is produced having a strip thickness less than 5 mm or less than 2 mm by use of the method.

Abstract: An indirect plasma-arc processor for aluminum dross is disclosed. The process involves melting aluminum dross in the presence of a flux in a furnace equipped with one or more arc-forming electrodes, wherein the arc is formed with a gas, such as argon. Molten oxides are removed from time to time, and the volatiles are removed via off-gas ducts.

Abstract: This invention relates to the refining of steel external to a primary steelmaking vessel, for example in the ladle. More particularly, it is: A.) a method of synthesizing a slag on the steel that (i) mitigates the detrimental effects of existing natural slag carried over from the primary steelmaking vessel, (ii) is low in specific bulk density, due to gas evolution and foaming, (iii) is suitable for refining of steel, and (iv) is not aggressive to the ladle refractory lining; B.) a method, and composition for treating any primary slag that has entered the ladle; C.) a method and composition for coating refractory linings. The present invention involves the manufacture in situ of a secondary ladle slag, the treating of ladle slag, and the protection of refractory linings by the addition of materials including calcium carbide, foaming agents such as one or more carbonates of calcium, magnesium, and sodium, and other components used to adjust slag composition.