Abstract: Process and apparatus for continuous casting in a twin-belt casting machine in which the moving side dams are guided along opposite sides of the moulding cavity by guide device extending along beside the respective moving side dams, and the moving side dams are cooled by cooling fluid circulated in at least a part of the guide device and applied directly to the moving side dams. The moving side dams are cooled by cooling fluid sprayed through orifices in the guide device directly onto the moving side dams along at least a part of the downstream zone of the moulding cavity. During movement of the side dams along the moulding cavity from its entrance to its exit, they pass successively through a first (or upstream) zone in which they face molten metal and through a second (or downstream) zone in which they face solidified metal. The cooling fluid is sprayed directly onto the moving side dams only in this second zone.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of copper wire rod, in which liquid copper is cast in a continuous casting machine provided with an inclined straight moulding cavity to produce a continuous bar of copper, comprising guiding said bar as it leaves the casting device towards a horizontal rolling machine known "per se" along a curved path, the maximum curvature of the curved path being less than 0.25 m.sup.-.sup.1 thus preventing the formation of cracks in the hot bar, and converting the said bar into wire rod in the said rolling machine.