Abstract: A stainless steel band is continuously cast. The stainless steel band is descaled and cold rolled. The cold rolled band is annealed and descaled or bright annealed. The band is finish formed and finally coiled. The stainless steel band is not coiled after being continuously cast and before being finally coiled.

Abstract: The process is characterized in that, before starting casting, an initialization position is determined for the stopper rod control actuator when the stopper rod is resting on its seat under its own weight and after having filled the tundish equipped with this stopper rod, the actuator is operated to place it in a controlled superclosed position and, to start casting, the actuator is driven according to an imposed movement versus time law, time (t1) for start of casting being determined from this law and the control actuator continues to be driven in opening direction to enable the metal to flow into the ingot mould.

Abstract: The solidification of the strip (9) is performed by introducing liquid metal between two horizontal rolls rotating in opposition directions (1, 1') which are cooled by an internal circulation of a coolant fluid. A casting space is defined between the rolls and their outer surfaces (3, 3') have a roughness. The casting space is blanketed by a cooling gas or a mixture of gases through a lid (10) covering the casting space. An adjustment of the crown or profile of the rolls (1, 1') is performed by modulating the quantity of cooling gas blown onto the rolls and/or the nature and composition of the gas at least in the vicinity of the surface of each roll (1, 1') upstream of its region of contact with the liquid metal (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle for introducing a liquid metal into a mold for continuous casting of metals, of the type comprising a tubular first part, one end of which is intended to be connected to a receptacle enclosing said liquid metal, and the other end of which opens into a hollow second part in which at least one portion of the internal space is oriented substantially perpendicularly to said tubular first part, said portion comprising at each of its ends at least one orifice intended to emerge into the casting space of said mold, which comprises an obstacle placed in the path of the liquid metal inside said tubular first part or in its extension, said obstacle consisting of at least one perforated component intended to divert the metal from its preferential trajectory inside the nozzle.

Abstract: Control process for twin-roll continuous casting, in which, during casting, the roll separation force (RSF) is measured and the position of the bearings of at least one of the rolls is varied in order to increase or decrease the center-to-center spacing of the rolls, with a view to keeping the force substantially constant, a band (.DELTA.RSF) of force values bracketing a desired nominal force (RSF.sub.0) is predetermined and the position of the bearings is varied more sharply when the value of the measured force lies outside the band than when it lies within the band. Application especially to the twin-roll continuous casting of thin steel strip.

Abstract: The device includes two rolls (10, 11) held by bearings (13, 14) on a frame (16) and, for each roll, devices (22) for measuring the position of the generatrix diametrically opposite the neck between the rolls, at three or more points lying respectively in a mid-plane (P.sub.3) perpendicular to the axes and in secondary planes such as (P1, P5) parallel to the mid-plane, and means (23) for measuring, in the said mid-plane, the position of a generatrix lying at 90.degree. to the neck. The method according to the invention uses these measurements to determine continuously the gap between the rolls, taking into account the in-service deformations of the rolls.

Abstract: A strip is continuously cast between rolls that includes a pair of rolls driven in rotation, two side dams urged against the ends of the rolls, and a jack for pressing the side dams against the rolls. The thrust force on the side dams is measured and the friction force exerted on the side dams by the rolls as a result of the rolls rotating is measured. From these measurements of thrust and friction forces, a coefficient representative of friction conditions between each of the surfaces of contact between the side dams and rolls is deduced and casting parameters are adjusted in response to the contact state between the surfaces.

Abstract: A side dam assembly for a continuous casting apparatus for continuously casting thin steel strips between casting rolls. The side dam assembly has a side dam for bearing directly against the rolls of the casting apparatus for preventing leakage of molten metal therebetween. The side dam is attached by a pair of belts to an insulating refractory plate which is carried by a cooled panel. To allow axial motion, one of the belts is not rigidly affixed to either the insulating refractory plate or the side dam. The cooled panel is carried by a thrust plate and is urged toward the rolls by biasing elements which preferably comprise a plurality of pistons urged outwardly from the thrust plate by springs. Preferably, the biasing elements are constructed and arranged so that they are distributed over a zone of shape corresponding to that of the side dam and are capable of exerting on the side dam thrust forces independently of one another.

Abstract: A side dam assembly for a continuous casting apparatus for continuously casting thin steel strips between casting rolls. The side dam assembly has a side dam for bearing directly against the rolls of the casting apparatus for preventing leakage of molten metal therebetween. The side dam is attached by a pair of belts to an insulating refractory plate which is carried by a cooled panel. To allow axial motion, one of the belts is not rigidly affixed to either the insulating refractory plate or the side dam. The cooled panel is carried by a thrust plate and is urged toward the rolls by biasing elements which preferably comprise a plurality of pistons urged outwardly from the thrust plate by springs. Preferably, the biasing elements are constructed and arranged so that they are distributed over a zone of shape corresponding to that of the side dam and are capable of exerting on the side dam thrust forces independently of one another.