Abstract: Methods for continuously casting metal product directly from molten metal confined and solidified in a casting region defined by upper and lower, cooled, endless, flexible, traveling, casting belts supported by belt support systems including back-up rollers in respective upper and lower carriages and laterally defined by first and second traveling side dams. The back-up rollers and belt support systems shape and maintain the casting region for improved heat transfer between cast metal and belts for improved product uniformity and enhanced machine performance. Several methods are disclosed including having one belt flexibly constrained, resulting in a transverse bowing away from the casting centerline due to liquid metal head, with the opposing belt being rigidly constrained and contoured or transversely bowed towards the casting centerline in a configuration that compensates for displacement of the flexibly constrained belt resulting in a uniform transverse cross section.

Abstract: Systems are provided for continuously casting metal product directly from molten metal confined and solidified in a casting region defined by upper and lower, cooled, endless, flexible, traveling, casting belts supported by belt support systems including back-up rollers in respective upper and lower carriages and laterally defined by first and second traveling side dams. The back-up rollers and belt support systems shape and maintain the casting region for improved heat transfer between cast metal and belts for improved product uniformity and enhanced machine performance. Several systems are disclosed including having one belt flexibly constrained, resulting in a transverse bowing away from the casting centerline due to liquid metal head, with the opposing belt being rigidly constrained and contoured or transversely bowed towards the casting centerline in a configuration that compensates for displacement of the flexibly constrained belt resulting in a uniform transverse cross section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for feeding and continuously casting molten metal are described in which inert gas is applied to the moving mold surfaces and to the entering metal for the protection or shrouding of the molten metal surface within the mold cavity from oxygen and other detrimental atmospheric gases. The shrouding is by means of inert gas injected into the mold through a semi-sealing nosepiece, or directed at the mold cavity and passing through the necessary slight gaps around the nosepiece. At the same time, such inert gas is further circulated by channeling or shielding the circulated gas for blanketing and diffusing of the inert gas along the moving mold surfaces for cleansing them of undesired accompanying gases, such as atmospheric oxygen, water vapor, sulphur dioxide, carbonic acid gas, etc. as the mold surfaces approach the nosepiece before entering the mold region.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and continuously casting molten metal is described in which inert gas is applied to the moving mold surfaces and to the entering metal for the protection or shrouding of the molten metal surface within the mold cavity from oxygen and other detrimental atmospheric gases. The shrouding is by means of inert gas injected into the mold through a semi-sealing nosepiece, or directed at the mold cavity and passing through the necessary slight gaps around the nosepiece. At the same time, such inert gas is further circulated by channeling or shielding the circulated gas for blanketing and diffusing of the inert gas along the moving mold surfaces for cleansing them of undesired accompanying gases, such as atmospheric oxygen, water vapor, sulphur dioxide, carbonic acid gas, etc. as the mold surfaces approach the nosepiece before entering the mold region.

Abstract: The casting belt is preheated with steam closely ahead of the entrance to the casting zone by providing wrap-around steam feed tubes having nozzles, such tubes being positioned in very deep circumferential grooves in input pulley or nip pulley which moves the casting belt into the input end of the casting zone. These circumferential grooves of the input or nip pulley also house wrap-around liquid coolant feed tubes for cooling the casting belt near the beginning of the casting zone. The wrap-around steam feed tubes also have radial ports positioned to direct steam toward the reverse side of the endless belt, with the port being spaced from the nozzle thereby providing a staged elevation of temperature in the flexible casting belt on the input or nip pulley, while the belt is in contact therewith before the belt reaches the casting zone.

Abstract: Improved casting method and side dam apparatus for use in twin-belt continuous metal casting machines are described particularly adapted for casting rectangular copper bar providing a casting speed almost double that obtained in prior twin-belt machines and a damblock lifetime which is more than doubled, while producing a more homogeneous and symmetrical casting structure. The side dams are formed by stringing slotted damblocks along the entire length of a flexible metal strap, except for end portions of the strap. An end-to-end weld forms an endless strap loop of accurately predetermined length, and special damblocks having two mating interlocking halves are inserted into the remaining space along the strap, whereby all blocks are free to slide on the strap but with little cumulative space between blocks, which are preferably made of a bronze alloy presenting better resistance to heat cracking and higher heat conductivity than in previous damblocks.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for continuously casting metal slab, strip or bar with integral lugs projecting therefrom. These lugs project from the edge of the cast product and lie in the casting plane, but they have a partial thickness as compared with the thickness of the product. Continuous wide slabs of unrefined copper or other electrolytically refinable metal having partial thickness lugs on both edges can be cut to form electrode plates for subsequent refining by suspending in an electrolytic bath. These partial thickness lugs serve as supports and provide electrical connection from the side rails of the electrolytic cell. Their partial thickness conserves metal and weight. In the continuous casting method and apparatus the revolving edge dams include special dam blocks defining partial thickness mold pockets for casting the integral lugs.