Abstract: A method of and apparatus for localized control of heat flux in continuous casting of thin cast strip comprising removing oxides from the casting surface of each casting roll by contacting the casting surface of each casting roll with the rotating brush in advance of the casting area, and delivering gas at the casting surface between the rotating brush and entry to the casting area to form a gas layer on the casting surface of each casting roll where the oxides have been removed. The delivering of gas at the casting surface between the rotating brush and entry to the casting area is preferably done in at least three zones along the casting roll axes to form a gas layer on the casting surface of each casting roll where the oxides have been removed, where the gas projected in the respective zones can be of different composition, mixture, pressure, or combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of controlling the formation of crocodile skin surface roughness on thin cast strip of plain carbon steel forming a casting pool of molten metal of plain carbon steel of less than 0.065% carbon supported on a casting surfaces above a nip, assembling a rotating brush to contact the casting surfaces in advance of contact with the molten metal, and controlling the energy exerted by rotating brushes against the casting surfaces of the casting rolls to clean and expose a majority of the projections of the casting surfaces of the casting rolls by provide wetting contact with the molten metal of the casting pool. The cleaning step may be done by controlling the energy of the rotating brush against the casting rolls based on the difference between the measured heat flux and the initially measured heat flux when the casting surfaces are clean, and automating the method.

Abstract: The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting having a side dam assembly. The side dam assembly includes a side dam having opposite outer surfaces, one surface contacting molten metal and the opposite outer surface having fastening portions capable of attaching the side dam to a side dam holder, to hold the side dam in place during casting without exposed portions of the side dam holder extending substantially, beyond the opposite outer surface toward the outer surface for contacting molten metal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a side wall (1) of a plant for the continuous casting of metal strip (5) between two counter-rotating rolls (2, 2?) having horizontal axes and being internally cooled, the surfaces of which define a casting space confined laterally by two side walls (1) made of refractory, of the type comprising: a support plate (6) on the front face of which a recess (7) is made; an insert (9) made of hard material placed around the periphery of the recess (7); a lining (11) that fills the remainder of the recess (7); characterized in that the front face (12), turned towards the casting space, of the said lining (11) is set back by a maximum distance (d) from the front face (13) of the insert (9) over at least part of its length.

Abstract: A twin roll casting machine that can reduce an amount of inert gas to be fed for prevention of oxidization. The machine includes an enclosure enclosing a strip in a range from chilled rolls to pinch rolls, a first swing wall within the enclosure and having a tip end movable toward and away from a surface of the strip, a sealing roll rotatably supported by the tip end of the first swing wall, a second swing wall within the enclosure and having a tip end movable toward and away from the other surface of the strip, a sealing roll rotatably supported by the tip end of the second swing wall, sealing members between peripheral edges of the swing walls and an inner surface of the enclosure, and conduits for supplying inert gas into the enclosure. The respective swing walls are swung to bring the sealing rolls close to the strip to thereby suppress flow of the inert gas from a first space to a second space.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a plurality of coil-shaped thin cast strips while molten metal r is being supplied to the molten metal pool 3 formed by a pair of cooling drums 1, 1 and a pair of side dams, when a casting operation corresponding to one coil of the coil-shaped thin cast strip has been completed, gas is made to blow from the gas nozzles 7b toward the scum s floating on the molten metal, so that the scum s drifts, due to the gas flow to one meniscus m2, and the thus drifted scum is attached to a surface of the cast strip and circumferential faces of the cooling drums and is then discharged from the molten metal pool.

Abstract: A molten metal containment device between the crystallizing rollers (38, 39) of a continuous casting machine comprises a lateral containment plate (47) able to press against the shoulder surfaces (40, 41) of the crystallizing rollers (38, 39); means of providing pressure (37) able to move said lateral containment plate (47) so as to move it close to and press it against said shoulder surfaces (40, 41). The lateral containment plate (47) is fixed to the means of providing pressure (37) through an articulated joint which comprises a flexible tubular sleeve (1), corrugated like bellows and able to support said lateral containment plate (47) allowing the horizontal pivoting at least around one axis of pivoting (X) horizontal and not parallel to the axes of rotation (A1, A2) of the rollers (38, 39). In a second aspect of the invention the containment plate (47) is fixed to the means of providing pressure (37) through more supports (20).

Abstract: A temperature regulation device for the strip (3) produced in a continuous casting plant with ingot mold (16) comprising a pair of cooled, parallel, counter-rotating rolls (2, 2?), closed by two plates at the axial ends of the rolls, includes a pair of substantially rectangular panels (5) placed symmetrically under the plane of the rolls axis, with its longest dimension substantially parallel to the axis of the rolls. Ducts (6, 8, 8?) are provided which feed a series of jets (7) to spray cooling gas onto the strip surface (3).

Abstract: Ceramic plates for side dams of twin-drum continuous strip casters comprising a REAG phase of 10 to 90 vol. %, a Sialon phase of 5 to 50 vol. %, a BN phase of 5 to 50 vol. % and an amorphous phase of over 0 to 20 vol. %, with the REAG phase comprising at least one rare-earth aluminum garnet phase selected from YAG, ErAG, YbAG and DyAG phases and the Sialon phase having a chemical formula, Si6?zAlzOzN8?z, wherein Z is between 0.05 and 1.9.

Abstract: The reliable sealing of a gap (10), between a roller front face (7) and a side seal (3) on a roller-strip-casting machine is achieved by the generation of an electrical eddy field in the region of the gap (10), such as to produce a local gradient field (13). The eddy currents generated in the metal melt for casting prevent the ingress of the metal into the gap (10) or eject the metal from the gap (10). The risk of escape of liquid metal is essentially eliminated and the formation of ridges on the narrow edge of the metal strip avoided.

Abstract: Thin cast strip is produced in a twin roll caster by delivering molten steel between the rolls to form a casting pool. The casting pool is confined between the rolls by a pair of side dams adjacent the ends of the casting rolls. Steel strip is delivered downwardly to the nip through a metal delivery system having a tundish and core nozzles. One or more of the refractory components, including without limitation the tundish, core nozzles and side dams, or portions thereof, are replaced by first preheating the refractory component(s) to be replaced at a removed location, and then rapidly transferring the preheated component(s) from the preheating position and installing the same in the operating position by a transfer device. The desired refractory component is rapidly removed and the preheated replacement refractory component rapidly transferred and installed in the operating position in an amount of time that avoids thermal shock to the refractories that are not replaced.

Abstract: A system and method for producing thin cast strip by continuous casting is disclosed. The system includes a twin-roll casting apparatus having a pair of casting rolls positioned laterally adjacent each other to form a nip between the casting rolls through which metal strip may be continuously cast. A drive mechanism of the system is capable of individually driving the rotational speed of the casting rolls in a counter-rotational direction to cause the strip to pass through the nip between the casting rolls. A control mechanism of the system is capable of varying an alignment angle between the casting rolls to reduce effects of eccentricity in the casting rolls on a profile of the strip produced by the casting rolls.

Abstract: A cooling drum for metal cast strip by continuous casting has dimples 40 to 200 ?m in average depth and 0.5 to 3 mm in diameter of circle equivalent formed on a plated peripheral surface of the cooling drum, adjacent to each other at rims of the dimples; and a film, containing oxides of at least one member selected from the group consisting of Ni—W, Ni—Co—W, Cr, Ni—Fe and Ni—Al, is formed on the peripheral surface.

Abstract: A two-roll casting installation with two casting rolls which rotate in opposite directions about horizontal axes and forming a casting gap for forming and discharging a thin cast metal strip. A sealed housing which has a base and surrounds a conveying path for the metal strip which leaves the casting gap and which strip is from a vertical casting direction into an approximately horizontal conveying direction. Diverter devices divert the metal strip within the housing. A displaceable scrap collection container removes scrap and scale produced from the two-roll casting installation. To minimize the penetration of external air into the housing, the base of the housing, at least in a subregion, forms a collection trough for the scrap, which is part of an emptying device, and a displaceable scrap collection container is arranged in a receiving position below the emptying device.

Abstract: A method for casting metal strip by controlling the distance between the confining side plates confining the casting pool and the outer nozzle ends of discrete nozzle pieces of the delivery nozzle delivering the molten melt. The nozzle pieces defining the outer nozzle ends may be moved and control separately from the position of the confining plates, or with the position of the confining plates, by a nozzle delivery drive. The distance between the outer nozzle ends and the confining plates may be set before casting and maintained during casting with wear and thermal expansion of the confining plates, nozzle pieces, or both, or varied during the casting operation, to inhibit the formation of skulls in the casting pool and the formation of “snake eggs” in the cast strip.

Abstract: A twin-drum continuous casting apparatus for casting a metal sheet (4) by supplying molten metal (3) to a pouring basin formed by a pair of cooling drums (1) rotating in opposite directions, and side gates (2), to cool the molten metal (3) by contact with surfaces of the cooling drums (1), thereby forming a solidified shell. The cooling drum (1) is formed from a drum body (11) having shaft portions at opposite end portions, and a drum sleeve (10) fitted on an outer peripheral portion of the drum body (11). Also, means is provided for preventing various adverse influences due to differences in thermal expansion of constituent members of the drum body (11) during casting. Thus, the reliability of the apparatus is increased, and the quality of casting is improved.

Abstract: A continuous metal strip casting plant on which is mounted, at the casting location, a mobile ingot mould comprising two cylindrical metallic casting rolls in addition to other components, amongst which there are a tundish and/or under tundish and/or an unloader and/or lateral plates, respective preheating stations located in positions separated from the position of casting, and rotating arms located on a turret itself also placed on the casting plane to transfer the components from the casting line to their preheating stations.

Abstract: A continuous metallic strip casting plant comprising an ingot mould, a device for the evacuation of casting wastes formed by a trolley which can host two chests. The trolley is located below the ingot mould and on the trolley is deposited the full chest in the free space next to the spare empty chest. The trolley is then moved and the spare empty chest is fixed under the ingot mould. A metal waste evacuation method is also described.

Abstract: A casting roll unit (U) with side weirs (6) and a delivery nozzle (8) being detachably attached thereto is fixed at a casting position. Side-weir and delivery-nozzle preheating furnaces (29, 30) are arranged away from the casting roll unit (U). Arranged adjacent to the roll unit (U) are replacing robots (31, 32) which can selectively clamp the side weirs (6) or the delivery nozzle or nozzles (8) and which can move between the roll unit (U) and the side-weir or delivery-nozzle preheating furnace (29 or 30) for installation/removal of the side weirs (6) or delivery nozzle or nozzles (8).

Abstract: The invention relates to a strip-casting machine for production of a metal strip, comprising two adjacent case-width casting rollers (22, 24), forming a casting gap (15?), with side seals (25) arranged on the front face thereof. The rotating casting rollers are mounted on a machine mount (32). Between the above and the side seals (25), the metal melt, introduced by means of at least one casting tube (13), or similar, is protected by at least one gaseous medium. At least said casting rollers (22, 24) are surrounded on at least the case width and front face thereof as well as the side seals by a preferably multi-component housing (30, 60, 80). An optimal sealing of the casting rollers as well as the metal strip and the metal strip appearing from between the rollers can thus be achieved in a simple manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a strip casting machine (10), whereby molten metal (18) is poured between two rotatable casting rolls (11, 12). A gaseous film (G) is formed between the respective surfaces (11?, 12?) of the casting rolls and the strip skin (D1, D2, D3) forming on the molten metal, the gas being introduced essentially into the inerting chamber (24 ) above the metal bath. During the casting, a controlled quantity of a gas consisting of argon, nitrogen and/or another gas is introduced into the inerting chamber (24) in such a way that the heat transfer from the strip skin to the casting rolls (11, 12) can be influenced by the thickness of the gaseous film (G) in such a way that the surfaces (11, 12?) of the casting rolls can be provided with or without cavities (51). A smooth surface can thus also be obtained on the strip cast.

Abstract: Support device for an assembly (14) of the casting rolls (11, 11?) of a continuous metallic strip casting line comprising a movable support at each axial end. Such supports (17, 17?, 19, 19?) are provided with a hydraulic bearing (13) to reduce friction during motion with respect to the assembly. Between the movable supports of one of the rolls (11) and the assembly is located a hydraulic actuator (18), which thrusts the first roll (11?) towards the second roll (11?) against a stop (16). Between the second roll (11?) and the assembly there are located magnetostrictive actuators which thrust the second roll (11?) against the first roll (11). The device has a joint provided with a housing (22) inside which a telescopic tube (21) for the supply of the cooling water to conduits present in the rolls may slide. The housing (22) is connected to the assembly (14) by means of a bellows (27) allowing for oscillation.

Abstract: A refractory article for use in casting operations wherein said article is subject to prolonged contact with molten metal of at least 1500° C. for at least three hours, said article comprises a ceramic composite consisting essentially of about 10 to about 40 wt. % mullite; about 35 to about 5 wt. % aluminium nitride; and at least about 20 wt. % boron nitride, for forming a reactive coating layer covering at least 80% of exposed surfaces and providing corrosion/erosion protection for said article against molten metal.

Abstract: A copper casting mold for the continuous casting of steel melts is provided, in the presence of zinc and or sulfur in the thermally most greatly stressed contact region with the steel melt, with an at least single-layer diffusion barrier layer made of at least one metallic/metalloid material.

Abstract: A twin roll casting machine that can reduce an amount of inert gas to be fed for prevention of oxidization. The machine includes an enclosure enclosing a strip in a range from chilled rolls to pinch rolls, a first swing wall within the enclosure and having a tip end movable toward and away from a surface of the strip, a sealing roll rotatably supported by the tip end of the first swing wall, a second swing wall within the enclosure and having a tip end movable toward and away from the other surface of the strip, a sealing roll rotatably supported by the tip end of the second swing wall, sealing members between peripheral edges of the swing walls and an inner surface of the enclosure, and conduits for supplying inert gas into the enclosure. The respective swing walls are swung to bring the sealing rolls close to the strip to thereby suppress flow of the inert gas from a first space to a second space.

Abstract: In twin roll casting of steel strip, molten steel is introduced into the nip 16B between parallel casting rolls to create casting pool supported on casting surfaces of the rolls and the rolls are rotated to deliver solidified strip downwardly from the nip. Casting surfaces are textured by a random pattern of discrete projections, which may have an average surface distribution of between 5 and 200 peaks per mm2 and an average height of at least 10 microns. In order to suppress chatter defects, the molten steel also has manganese content of at least 0.55% by weight and a silicon content in the range of 0.1 to 0.35% by weight. The strip is thus capable of moving away from the casting pool at a speed of more than 60 meters per minute without substantial high speed chattering defects.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a metal strip using a two-roller casting device formed by two oppositely rotating casting rollers with parallel casting-roller axes and two side plates which bear against end sides of the casting rollers. The metal melt is conveyed out of the casting gap formed by the casting rollers as an at least partially solidified metal strip. To improve the sealing of the melt pool at the start of casting and in the event of parasitic solidifications passing through the casing gap, the side plates during a first time interval are moved onto the end sides of the casting rollers in a first direction of movement parallel to the casting-roller axes, and the side plates during a second time interval, are moved onto a portion of the lateral surfaces of the casting rollers in a second direction of movement parallel to the casting direction in the casting gap.

Abstract: Methods for casting an austenitic stainless steel thin strip casting through a continuous caster, e.g., a twin-drum type caster, in which the mold walls move synchronous with the casting to obtain a casting, wherein defects, e.g., salt-and-pepper unevenly glossy defects, on a steel sheet formed after cold rolling or cold forming are prevented. In particular, casting an austenitic stainless steel thin strip casting by regulating a pressing force P of mold wall faces against the casting in the range from more than 1.0 to less than 2.5 t/m, and preferably from more than 1.1 to not more than 1.6 t/m. The continuous caster used may be a twin-drum type continuous caster, with a drum radius R(m) and a pressing force P(t/m) of mold wall faces satisfying the relation 0.5?(?{square root over (R)})×P?2.0, and preferably 0.8?(?{square root over (R)})×P?1.2.

Abstract: A device for casting a molten metal comprising casting rolls and a housing arranged downstream from the rolls for the cast strip. The aim of the invention is to be able to replace the casting rolls with minimum mounting, and to simultaneously reduce the thermal load of the casting rolls and the adjacent units. A casting roll screen which forms a displaceable structural unit with a frame used to support the casting rolls.

Abstract: A plant for the continuous casting of aluminum strip, according to current construction type, has two counterrotating continuous casting rolls (1, 2), between which a casting gap (4) is formed. According to the present invention, the 1. continuous casting roll (1) is made of a copper material at least in its circumferential edge region, and the other, 2. continuous casting roll (2) is made of a steel material at least in its circumferential edge region. The copper material should have a thermal conductivity ?K of 230 to 260 W/m·K, and the steel material should have a thermal conductivity ?S of 30 to 40 W/m·K. Rejecting the prevailing idea that casting can only be performed with two continuous casting roll materials of the same kind, so as to ensure uniform crystal growth, a continuous casting roll pairing of steel and copper is provided in the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing bulging of both edges of a strip while preventing contamination of a roll surface in a twin roll strip caster including a meniscus shield (5) and a plurality of weirs (12).

Abstract: Twin roll caster for casting thin steel strip comprises chilled casting rolls mounted on carriers. One roll is fixed and the other is moveable laterally and biased toward the other roll by carrier drive units acting on the moveable roll carriers. A casting pool of molten steel is supported on the rolls which are rotated to produce a solidified steel strip delivered downwardly from the nip therebetween. A substantially constant gap is maintained between the rolls such that unsolidifed molten metal passes through the nip between the solidified shells of the forming strip and solidifies below the nip. The carrier drive units are effective to apply to the biased roll substantially constant and low biasing forces, which may be between the same and slightly more than the force required to balance the hydrostatic pressure of the casting pool and to overcome the mechanical friction involved in moving the biased roll.

Abstract: In twin roll casting of steel strip, molten steel is introduced into the nip between parallel casting rolls to create a casting pool supported on casting surfaces of the rolls and the rolls are rotated to deliver solidified strip downwardly from the nip. Casting surfaces are textured by a random pattern of discrete projections at least some of which include peaks having a surface distribution of between 5 and 200 projections per mm2 and an average height of at least 10 microns. The random texture may be produced by grit blasting the casting surfaces on a substrate covered by a protective coating. Alternatively the texture may be produced by chemical deposition or electrodeposition of a coating onto a substrate to form the casting surfaces.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for inspecting a surface, in particular the surface of a mill roll, comprising a housing wherein are arranged means for transmitting and receiving a light beam, and an optical coupling device arranged on the outer surface of a front wall of the housing. The optical coupling device comprises: (a) a component (5), called fluid dispenser, (b) a hollow cylindrical nozzle (11), and (c) a mobile tubular component (16), successively traversed by the light beam. The mobile tubular component (18) is arranged partly inside the cylindrical nozzle (11), so as to be able to slide inside said cylindrical nozzle, and partly exits therefrom in the extension thereof, towards the surface to be inspected (2). Different cross-sections (shoulders 14, 19) are provided in the cylindrical nozzle (11) and in the mobile tubular component (16), in particular for limiting said sliding movement.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a metal strip, whereby molten is continuously poured between two casting rolls (1, 2) of a strip casting machine with rolls. Above the molten bath (4) and respectively proximate to the molten bath (5) casting rolls (1, 2) transition surface a rotating magnetic field is produced which generates, in the molten metal, local turbulent flows, so that a surface current is formed in said molten metal, which surface current is directed by the casting rolls (1, 2) towards the central plane (E) of the molten bath (4), that is towards the plane for output of the metal strip (8), thereby enabling to largely prevent supernatant impurities at the surface of the molten bath and oxides located on the surface of the rolls from being deposited, and the molten metal particles from being prematurely solidified.

Abstract: Roll caster (11) produces thin steel strip (12) formed on casting surfaces (22A) of casting roll (22) that passes through first enclosure (37) adjacent casting roll surfaces (22A) and, optionally, thereafter second enclosure (61). Enclosure (37) and/or enclosure (61) may be fitted with spray nozzles (71,72) and/or (67, 68) operable to spray fine water mist adjacent strip (12) to produce hydrogen gas in enclosure (37) while tending to avoid liquid water contact with steel strip (12) and casting surfaces (22A). If hydrogen gas is produced only in enclosure (61), the two enclosures (37, 61) are interconnected so that gas can flow from enclosure (61) to enclosure (37). Enclosure (37) and, if present, enclosure (61) are sealed to maintain positive pressure and oxygen levels less than the surrounding atmosphere, and with the presence of hydrogen gas, reduce formation of scale on the strip in enclosure (37) and, if present, enclosure (61).

Abstract: Method to shear a strip during the casting step, wherein the casting speed is increased, with respect to a speed of a stationary regime, maintaining the thickness of said cast strip constant to the value corresponding to the speed of a stationary regime, in order to determine the formation of a |liquid core which determines the re-melting of the adjacent skin and the breakage of the strip due to the weight of the part of the strip located under the liquid core.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for casting metal strip by controlling the distance between the confining side plates confining the casting pool and the outer nozzle ends of discrete nozzle pieces of the delivery nozzle delivering the molten melt. The nozzle pieces defining the outer nozzle ends may be moved and control separately from the position of the confining plates, or with the position of the confining plates, by a nozzle delivery drive. The distance between the outer nozzle ends and the confining plates may be set before casting and maintained during casting with wear and thermal expansion of the confining plates, nozzle pieces, or both, or varied during the casting operation, to inhibit the formation of skulls in the casting pool and the formation of “snake eggs” in the cast strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to an installation for producing a metal strip. The aim of the invention is to make sure that the metal strip formed in the casting installation passes through the first cooling and grain texturing phase substantially without being subjected to stress and without effects on the subsequent installations. To this end, the molten bath is fed to a two-roll casting device and a cast metal strip is formed in the casting gap between two casting rolls whose rotational axes lie in a horizontal plane (two-roll casting method), the thickness of the cast strip ranging between 1.0 to 20 mm, preferably between 1.5 to 12 mm. The cast metal strip that freely emerges downwards from the two-roll casting installation is directly deflected from the vertical casting direction to a substantially horizontal transport direction. The metal strip is taken up and conveyed in a controlled manner by means of a first drive roll stand that operates at a first transport speed.

Abstract: Dimples, preferably 40 to 200 ?m in average depth and 0.5 to 3 mm in diameter of circle equivalent, are formed on the peripheral surface of a cooling drum, adjacent to each other at the rims of the dimples; and fine humps (preferably, fine humps 1 to 50 ?m in height and 5 to 200 ?m in diameter of circle equivalent on the surfaces of the dimples and/or fine humps 1 to 50 ?m in height and 30 to 200 ?m in diameter of circle equivalent at the rims of the dimples), fine holes (preferably, fine holes 5 ?m or more in depth and 10 to 200 ?m in diameter of circle equivalent), or fine unevenness (preferably, fine unevenness 1 to 50 ?m in average depth and 10 to 200 ?m in diameter of circle equivalent) are formed at the rims and/or on the indented surfaces of said dimples.

Abstract: The caster roll (10) is used in the manufacture of metal plate, strip, sheet, or foil. The caster roll (10) includes a cylindrical roll core (12) and at least one metal overlay (14) formed on the roll core (12). The at least one metal overlay (14) defines a plurality of cooling passages (34) for conducting a cooling medium through the at least one metal overlay (14) to cool the roll (10) during use. Additional metal overlays (16) may be formed on top of the at least one metal overlay. (14). The cooling passages (34) may also be formed in the roll core (12).

Abstract: Device (10) to discharge liquid steel from a container (12) to a crystallizer (11) with rollers (31, 32), formed by a discharge element (13) arranged between the container (12) and the rollers (31, 32), wherein the discharge element (13) is shaped so as to define a main tank (15) provided with vertical intermediate walls (16, 18) which define a central compartment (19) into which the liquid steel is able to be cast from the container (12). Lateral walls (20, 21) define two lateral compartments (22, 23) communicating with the central compartment (19) by means of apertures (25) made in the lower part of the vertical intermediate walls (16, 18). On the bottom wall (27) of the discharge element (13), between the intermediate walls (16, 18) and the lateral walls (20, 21), discharge apertures (29) are provided through which the cast steel is able to flow downwards. Moreover guide elements (30) are provided at the sides of the discharge apertures (29).

Abstract: An apparatus for casting metal strip in which molten metal is applied to a casting roll the surface of which is cleaned by a cleaning brush device comprising a main brush extending across the roll surface by sweeper brush actuator 28A and a sweeper brush extending across the roll and capable of tangentially engaging the peripheral longitudinal roll surface in advance of the main brushing device. Both brushes are mounted on mounting frames moveable to bring the main and sweeper brushes into contact with the casting roll. The sweeper brush is independently moveable on the frame by operation of an sweeper brush actuator to move the sweeper brush into engagement with the surface of the casting roll near the start and end of the casting run and the main brush actuator to move the main brush into engagement with the peripheral longitudinal surface of the casting roll during normal casting operation.

Abstract: Crystallizer comprising two crystallizer rollers disposed substantially parallel to each other to define a meniscus of liquid steel arriving from a tundish. The crystallizer rollers are provided inside with cooling means and are able to rotate in opposite directions to convey the liquid steel downwards while it is solidifying in contact with the crystallizer rollers. The cooling means comprise a plurality of holes disposed in proximity with the peripheral surface of each crystallizer roller and inside which a cooling liquid is able to circulate. The cooling liquid flows through at least some of the holes in the opposite direction with respect to the remaining holes.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a plurality of coil-shaped thin cast strips while molten metal r is being supplied to the molten metal pool 3 formed by a pair of cooling drums 1, 1 and a pair of side dams, when a casting operation corresponding to one coil of the coil-shaped thin cast strip has been completed, gas is made to blow from the gas nozzles 7b toward the scum s floating on the molten metal, so that the scum s drifts, due to the gas flow to one meniscus m2, and the thus drifted scum is attached to a surface of the cast strip and circumferential faces of the cooling drums and is then discharged from the molten metal pool.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for producing a uranium foil with fine crystalline granules by forming the foil by the gravitational dropping of molten uranium or uranium alloy and rapidly cooling the foil by the contact with cooling rolls, and a foil produced thereby. In accordance with the present invention, a high-purity and high-quality uranium foil with an isotropic structure and fine crystalline granules is easily produced via a simple process without requiring hot rolling and heat treatment processes. The surface of the foil is prevented from oxidizing and residual stress is not imparted to the foil. The productivity and the economic efficiency of the foil are improved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ceramic plate material for side dams of a twin-drum strip caster, the ceramic plate material containing Al of 9 mass % or more in terms of Al equivalent and having the properties of; bending strength at room temperature of not less than 120 MPa, bending strength at 1,000° C. of not less than 65 MPa, hardness (Hv) of 50 to 350, fracture toughness KIC at 1,000° C. of not less than 1 MPa·m1/2, thermal conductivity in the temperature range from room temperature to 1,000° C. of not more than 8 W/(m·K), thermal shock resistance index R? of not less than 800 W/m, and wettability with molten steel (contact angle ?) of not less than 120°: and allows molten stainless steel to be continuously cast for a long period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting roller (1), for a double-roller continuous casting machine, in particular for the casting of a steel strip, comprising a cylinder sleeve (2) which may rotate about a fixed axle (5). Intermediate rings (7b, 7c, 7d) rotating with the cylinder sleeve (2) are arranged between the cylinder sleeve (2) and the axle (5), which are provided with radial pressure means (9), acting on the cylinder sleeve (2). The above comprise a pressure chamber (10), pressurised with a fluid pressure medium and acting on a pressure ring (24) fixed to the inner wall of the cylinder sleeve (2), which may be deformed in the radial direction by inductive heating or radiated heat. The external profile of the casting roller (1) may be globally altered or local fine adjustments made by pressurizing the pressure chamber (10) with the pressure medium, or by heating the pressure ring (24).

Abstract: A twin roll casting machine that can reduce an amount of inert gas to be fed for prevention of oxidization. The machine includes an enclosure enclosing a strip in a range from chilled rolls to pinch rolls, a first swing wall within the enclosure and having a tip end movable toward and away from a surface of the strip, a sealing roll rotatably supported by the tip end of the first swing wall, a second swing wall within the enclosure and having a tip end movable toward and away from the other surface of the strip, a sealing roll rotatably supported by the tip end of the second swing wall, sealing members between peripheral edges of the swing walls and an inner surface of the enclosure, and conduits for supplying inert gas into the enclosure. The respective swing walls are swung to bring the sealing rolls close to the strip to thereby suppress flow of the inert gas from a first space to a second space.

Abstract: A twin roll casting machine that can reduce an amount of inert gas supplied. A duct is upwardly urged by cylinders to compress resilient sealing members respectively between a flange on a casting module and an upper flange on the duct and between a lower flange on the duct and a lower surface on a peripheral edge of an upper-end opening of an enclosure to maintain air-tightness of connections between the casting module and the duct and between the duct and the enclosure. A scrap box is moved upward by jacks to make a lower edge of a partition plate of an upper sealing member on the enclosure penetrate into the sealing material stored in a groove on the scrap box to maintain air-tightness of a connection between the scrap box and the enclosure.