Abstract: Casting process and device for the continuous casting of strip and thin slabs or rods whereby at least one wall of a casting mold is formed by a flexible open-end casting belt which travels from a coil through the mold is coiled up again after passing through the mold. The belt is submitted to a tensile force acting in the direction of its path of motion and so intensely that the belt, when it is heated up in the mold, is stressed beyond its elastic limit as to cause the belt to be strained to the extent that the growth of its cross-sectional area resulting from thermal expansion is sufficiently compensated for by the reduction of its cross-section due to the strain in the belt. Thereby an inadmissable deformation of the belt due to its thermal expansion is prevented.

Abstract: A method and system is used for achieving increased precision of steering of the flexible, metallic endless belts of continuous metal-casting machines. Such belts usually have the imperfections inherent in the parent strip metal from which the belt is made. For example, in low-carbon steel, there is generally a "camber," a curvature of the edges in the plane of the strip material. Belts, revolving in the machine, are normally steered through sensing the lateral position of one edge. If the edge is not true, due to camber, the servo steering system of the prior art will continually "hunt" caused by variations in lateral position of the cambered edge. The present invention provides a steering method and system responsive to a single signal source, fixed on a belt edge. This single signal source is achieved by notching or otherwise cuing a belt at one place along an edge so that the steering sensor senses this cue notch as the belt revolves.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous casting includes a tundish for containing molten metal and delivering the metal to a work zone where the metal solidifies as it is moved through the work zone in a continuous casting process. The tundish contains molten metal and includes an outlet and a pervious flow restricting element is positioned in the outlet. The element causes the flow of the metal to be distributed as it flows through the outlet and into the work zone to engage a growing shell of solid metal carried through the work zone by a chilled substrate. The molten metal acts to apply a pressure on the shell and to lubricate the moving shell. The arrangement minimizes exposure of liquid to air and minimizes opportunity for turbulence in the liquid contained in the work zone. A method of continuous casting is also described.

Abstract: The wide, thin, revolvable, flexible, metallic casting belts are made to incorporate differential patterns of residual internal longitudinal tensile and compressive stresses. The two marginal areas are residually longitudinally stretched more than the main middle area straddled by these margins. This main middle area is used as a moving mold and is expected to contact molten metal. Thus, the treated belts have two marginal areas in a state of mild longitudinal compression straddling the main middle area in a state of mild residual longitudinal tension. During casting, when hot metal comes into contact with the main middle area of such treated belt, the main middle area expands. Because of the built-in differential compensating stresses, the stresses throughout such belt during casting advantageously become balanced or equalized across the whole belt width.

Abstract: A feed system is provided for conveying molten metal to a thin section caster having mold surfaces moving exclusively in the direction of casting. The feed system has a passage of circular cross section adjacent to one end thereof for receiving molten metal and a rectangular cross section at the delivery end thereof adjacent to the caster. The feed system is designed for supplying molten metal to the caster at low pressure for "closed-pool" type caster operation. The point of highest elevation in the metal flow passage of the feed system is on the upper surface of a transition portion where the cross section changes from circular to rectangular adjacent to the nozzle. The level or height of the high point above the centerline of the nozzle exit is selected so as to be less than the pressure of the metal measured in inches at the nozzle exit. This feature enables the maintenance of positive pressure in the metal within the feed system so that ingress of air into the metal is prevented.

Abstract: A method and belt composition for improving the performance and flatness of thin revolving flexible casting belts of continuous casting machines wherein at least one wall of the moving mold is provided by a thin flexible endless metallic casting belt having a permanent insulative coating with fluid-accessible porosity in this permanent coating. Contrary to prior methods and apparatus which have sought to protect the wide thin casting belts, the present method for improving belt flatness and performance involves providing a Helium-containing gaseous film between the metal and the front face of the casting belt which is coated with a permanent insulative porous coating.

Abstract: A twin belt continuous casting machine for producing thin slabs includes a pair of belts and a pair of edge dams for forming a metal pool, which are movable in the transverse direction of the belt. A plurality of cooling/heating chambers partitioned in the transverse direction of the belt are provided on the rear surface of the belt in the vicinity of respective side end portions of the belts. A plurality of supporting members which are capable of pressing the rear surface of the belt are respectively provided in the plurality of cooling/heating chambers. The movement of the edge dams is synchronized with the operation of the plurality of supporting members. A fluid introduced into each of the cooling/heating chambers is changed into a heating fluid or a cooling fluid in synchronism with the movement of the edge dams.

Abstract: In continuously casting molten metal into cast product by a twin-belt machine, it is desirable to achieve dramatic increases in speed (linear feet per minute) at which cast product exits the machine, particularly in installations where steel cast product is intended to feed a downstream regular rolling mill (as distinct from a planetary mill) operating in tandem with the twin-belt caster. Such high-speed casting produces product with a relatively thin shell and molten interior, and the shell tends to bulge outwardly due to metallostatic head pressure of the molten center. A number of cooperative features enable high-speed, twin-belt casting: (1) Each casting belt is slidably supported adjacent to the caster exit pulley for bulge control and enhanced cooling of cast product. (2) Lateral skew steering of each belt provides an effective increase in moving mold length plus a continuity of heat transfer not obtained with prior art belt steering apparatus.

Abstract: A casting method and apparatus making use of a twin belt caster which has an upper belt, a lower belt and dam members disposed between both opposing longitudinal edges of the upper and lower belts. The upper belt, lower belt and dam members in cooperation provide a continuous casting mold which is inclined at a predetermined angle from the horizontal plane and into which a melt of steel is poured. The lower belt provides a smaller cooling effect than the upper belt so that the solidification of the melt is retarded in the region near the lower belt as compared with the region near the upper belt.

Abstract: In order to securely hold a moving belt of a continuous casting device against selective movable side walls, a first group of rotatable control rods which are disposed in a first supply header and an adjacent exhaust header are arranged to produce narrow high pressure zones in the film defined between the cooling pad in which the header are formed and the moving belt. These zones can be selectively moved to juxtapose the side walls when the gap between the walls is adjusted. A second group of rotatable control rods which are disposed in second and third supply headers selectively heat the side edges of the belt which are relatively cool as compared with the center section which is exposed to molten metal. As the side walls are moved apart the width of the edge sections which are exposed to pre-heated coolant can be reduced and the amount of normal temperature coolant applied thereto also increased.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of an elongated thin metal strip achieves substantially high yield without allowing break-out or sticking. The method for casting a continuous elongated metal strip includes a step of driving endless belts at a varying speed so as to apply jerks to the slightly and half-solidified metal that release the metal from the surfaces of the stationary side walls. Applying jerks to the casting chamber by varying the driving speed of the endless belt ensures that the solidifying metal will travel smoothly and thus ensures a high manufacturing yield.

Abstract: In a casting nozzle, tubes are placed between a bar-shaped mouthpiece and a distribution bar, which connect holes in the mouthpiece and the distribution bar to allow for the flow of the melt. Pulling rods which are under tension, are anchored to the mouthpiece and to the distribution bar and press these parts elastically against the ends of the tubes in such a manner that the nozzle components are elastically braced, yet remain flexible and can adjust freely to heat dilatations or inaccuracies which occur in fabrication or assembly. The nozzle components, particularly the tubes, are easy to obtain and to exchange. Due to the fact that the pulling rods enter the mouthpiece from its back side and are anchored therein, the mouthpiece can be very slender, thus allowing for thin casting.

Abstract: Prior to reaching the nozzle's exit, the belt is pressed from outward against the nozzle by means of a rail supported by springs whereby the mould is reliably sealed off under all working conditions. Pressing the belt against the nozzle can also be achieved by means of pistons or the direct hydrostatic and/or hydrodynamic effect of the coolant from the outside or through various combined measures. In order to reduce friction and wear, the nozzle in the area of contact with one belt can be provided with a wear-resistant coating or wear-resistant inserts. This sealing method enables a casting process with high metallostatic pressure, consequently resulting in a high quality product.

Abstract: A belt type cast sheet continuous caster of the type comprises a pair of opposed circulatorily movable belts, a pair of opposed side plates arranged along opposite side edge portions of the movable belts, coolers which each have numerous water feed openings and water discharge openings opened to the movable belt and are arranged behind the respective movable belts, and movable partition plates which are placed in respective cooling headers and each connected to driving means for moving the partition plates in a width direction of a cast sheet. A casting space is defined by the movable belt and the side plates.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of an elongated thin metal strip achieves substantially high yield without allowing break-out or sticking. The method for casting a continuous elongated metal strip includes a step of driving endless belts at a varying speed so as to apply jerks to the slightly and half-solidified metal that release the metal from the surfaces of the stationary side walls. Applying jerks to the casting chamber by varying the driving speed of the endless belt ensures that the solidifying metal will travel smoothly and thus ensures a high manufacturing yield.

Abstract: A twin-belt continuous casting mold has a guide assembly for the casting belts; the guide assembly includes a plurality of support rollers arranged serially parallel to the casting direction and engaging each casting belt along the mold chamber, and additional ribbed supports transversely engaging each casting belt in a zone upstream of the first support roller as viewed in the casting direction. There is provided a first resilient holding arrangement for positioning each additional support and resiliently urging it into engagement with a respective casting belt. The support rollers form a first and a second group; the first group is situated in a zone of the mold entrance adjacent the respective additional ribbed support downstream thereof. The guide assembly further has a second resilient holding arrangement for positioning each support roller of the first group for resiliently urging each such support roller into engagement with a respective casting belt.

Abstract: A mold of a caterpillartype track mold for a continuous caster features at least at one place a pair of wires which form a thermocouple and make first contact outside the mold. The wires are inserted into the mold in such a manner that their other ends are separated from the surface of the mold facing the melt by a metallic layer which joins these wires and is at most 100 .mu.m thick. The process for manufacturing this mold is such that the metallic layer is electro-deposited on to the ends of the wires.

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 transverselybowed 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: An apparatus and method for reliably casting a continuous metal filament include a moving casting surface and an extrusion means for depositing a stream of molten metal onto the casting surface to form the filament. A metallic mesh hugger belt, at least a portion of which is adapted to move at a velocity substantially equal to the velocity of the casting surface, entrains the filament against the casting surface to maintain cooling contact therewith. A force mechanism urges the hugger belt toward the filament and casting surface to provide an entraining, hugger pressure which is sufficient to substantially prevent relative movement of the filament with respect to the casting surface and hugger belt. A regulator mechanism controls the hugger pressure to prevent the imposition of excessive forces within the filament during the cooling thereof.

Abstract: A cooling pad for use in a continuous casting apparatus for the production of cast sheets. The pad is provided with plural water supply and discharge holes satisfying the particular relations on the arrangement thereof. By using such a cooling pad, a filmy cooling water flow is uniformly and stably formed in the casting.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the continuous casting of metal, especially with a casting machine having circulating molds, the metal flows as a melt out of a nozzle, if appropriate with a nozzle mouthpiece, between molds and solidifies between side-limiting elements. The mouthpiece has adjoining it on each of its two sides a baffle which is followed in the casting direction by a cooling block. Between the baffle and cooling block there is a gap through which a gas can be blown into a corner region formed by the baffle, cooling block and melt, this gas forming a gas cushion in this corner region. The throughflow width of the molten metal between the baffles located opposite one another can be changed as a result of the movement of the baffles in the direction. The same applies to the width of the cooling blocks located opposite one another.

Abstract: Aluminum alloy sheet for use in drawn and ironed can bodies, having a content of 0.45-0.8% Mn, 1.1-2.2% Mg, 0.3-1.2% Fe, and 0.1-0.50% Si, produced by casting a continuous strip ingot of the alloy between chilled moving belts while maintaining a heat flux of at least about 40 cal./cm..sup.2 /sec. through the belts such that the as-cast ingot has a cell size ranging from about 10-15 microns at its surfaces to about 23-30 microns at the center of its thickness, and reducing the ingot by rolling operations including cold rolling to can body stock gauge, the cold-rolled product having a maximum constituent particle size of about 2 microns at the surface and about 3-4 microns at the center.

Abstract: A continuous casting assembly has a pair of contiguously counter-rotating belts for controllably forming a continuous cast metal ribbon. One of the belts is chilled and forms a casting surface for the cast ribbon, while the other belt is intimately positioned to hug the ribbon and improve the quality of the ribbon. The two belts are squeezed together to compress the ribbon by evacuating between the belts and allowing the atmospheric pressure to act on the opposite surfaces of the belts. A sealing box adjacent the lateral edges of the belts includes elongated floating seals and provides the evacuation by connection to a vacuum source. The floating seals are formed of plastic rods and are retained in the sealing box by end wiper seals which also serve to seal against the belts at the ends of the box.

Abstract: A twin-belt continuous casting apparatus has a central support assembly (formed of rollers) in alignment with the mold chamber and arranged for backing up a respective casting belt at a plurality of locations; and lateral support assemblies in alignment with a respective side dam of the apparatus for backing up a respective casting belt against the side dams. Each lateral support assembly comprises a plurality of serially-arranged rolling bodies and a guiding arrangement for guiding each rolling body for a rolling advancement in the casting direction through a length portion while contacting a respective casting belt and for returning each rolling body from a downstream end of the length portion to an upstream end thereof while being out of contact with and oriented away from the casting belt. The length portion extends substantially from the inlet of the mold chamber and has a length which is, at the most, one fourth of the length of the mold chamber.

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: In a method of continuously casting unrefined electrodes in quantity for use in the electrolytic refining of metal in which a metal e.g. copper, strip is continuously cast and cut at spaced positions along its length to form electrodes, a substantial saving in metal is effected by casting the strip in such a way that, in longitudinally spaced minor portions of its length, the strip has at least one hole, recess in at least one of its side edges, or region of substantially reduced thickness as compared with that of the major portion of its length.

Abstract: A unitary-layer partially metallic, suitably adherent, mechanically and thermally durable, non-wetting, fusion-bonded matrix coating on endless, flexible metallic casting belts for continuous casting machines is described. This fusion-bonded matrix coating is also advantageous for coating other molten-metal-contacting surfaces, in continuous casting machines, such as edge-dam blocks that define moving side walls of a mold cavity. The fusion-bonded matrix (or reticulum) coating provides advantageous accessible porosity throughout the coating and comprises a nonmetallic refractory material interspersed substantially uniformly throughout a matrix of heat-resistant metal or metal alloy, for example nickel or nickel alloy, which is fusion-bonded to the grit-blasted surface of the belt and anchors and holds the nonmetallic material. The coating is applied by thermally spraying a powdered mixture directly on the roughened surface.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for casting a strip with laterally extending lugs by introducing molten metal at the inlet of a molding zone having a bottom and sidewalls, the bottom of the molding zone being formed by the upper surface of a moving endless belt and the sidewalls being formed by a first and second moving endless sidedam. The sidedams move with the belt from the inlet to the outlet of the molding zone and return from the outlet to the inlet. Each sidedam comprises an endless strap and a multiplicity of blocks strung thereon. Some of the blocks form lug molding pockets, the height of each pocket being lower than the height of the molding zone. A cast strip with laterally extending lugs is extracted at the outlet of the molding zone. The passage of lug molding pockets or blocks forming these pockets in each sidedam is detected.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus for the production of cast sheets having a casting space defined by a pair of opposed endless belts and a pair of side plates arranged near the side edge portions of the belts while being brought into intimate contact therewith and designed to be converged toward a drawing direction. In this apparatus, a filmy water flow-forming pad arranged behind each of the belts, and each of the side plates are so profiled that the casting space inclusive of the tapered portion depicts a smooth curve at at least a transition area from the taper end portion to a constant thickness portion.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for the recycling accumulation of at least one moving continuous band in a continuous molten metal casting machine of the type having continuously advancing mold parts, at least one of which is formed by said band and wherein at a station located in a spaced relationship to said casting machine, the elongated continuous band, belt, or strip is accumulated from the mold end and simultaneously fed out or supplied to the mold beginning. In combination therewith are the use of means to properly tension said band or bands, and means to join the ends thereof to new lengths of band, belt, or strip so as to connect a substantially unlimited number of individual elongated belts to the one in use.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously casting a filament, such as a glassy metal filament, at high speed within a zone of preselected vacuum. A continuous extrusion mechanism and a rapidly moving quench surface are located within a casting module. A vacuum mechanism provides the preselected vacuum in the module as the filament is cast, and a transport mechanism continuously moves the resultant rapidly advancing filament across the boundary between the vacuum in the casting airlock mechanism substantially preserves the module vacuum as the cast filament is transported across the boundary and a passivator mechanism passivates the quench surface to prevent the filament from adhering thereto.

Abstract: To produce steel sheet cross sections, particularly those having a small thickness down to a lower limit of about 30 mm and a width of about 500 to 1500 mm, with high surface quality and at a high casting rate (about 10 m/min) at relatively low expense in continuous casting molds equipped with comoving mold walls defining a casting cross section or cavity, a tubular casting nozzle having a mouthpiece whose width at its exit cross section is less than 50% of the width of the casting cavity is utilized, and the space between the sidewalls of the mouthpiece and the adjacent lateral dams or sidewalls of the casting cavity is bridged by means of two symmetrically oriented rotating wheels provided with ceramic rims. The wheels are of a size such that they simultaneously form a seal together with the mouthpiece and the respective, oppositely disposed lateral dams and casting belts defining the casting cavity.

Abstract: A continuous casting assembly has a pair of counter-rotating belts for controllably forming a continuous elongated cast ribbon. One of the belts is a chilled substrate for receiving molten metal discharged from a dispensing nozzle. The other belt is positioned immediately adjacent the chilled substrate belt and contactable. Both of the belts are moved in a substantially parallel paths at the same predetermined speed with the cast ribbon interposed between the belts. Magnetic forces are used to urge the two belts together in contacting relationship with each other and with the interposed cast ribbon.

Abstract: The continuous sheet metal casting device of this invention has a mold which comprises: a pair of flexible top and bottom belts traveling along with the sheet metal being cast; and a pair of side belts traveling together with the sheet metal, a part of the side belts being held between the top and the bottom belts, the other part being located on the side of one of the top and bottom belts with respect to the sheet metal. With this construction it is possible to elongate the width of the side belts without affecting the bending stress acting on the side belts and regardless of the thickness of the sheet metal. The greater width of the side belts thus obtained results in improved adhesion between the top and bottom belts and the side belts, thereby preventing the leakage of molten metal from the mold.

Abstract: A continuous steel casting apparatus includes a casting nozzle, a mold surrounding the casting nozzle and having moving mold walls together defining a rectangular casting cross section and being formed of oppositely located, parallel-extending endless casting belts and oppositely located, parallel-extending endless lateral dams. A sealing assembly provides a seal between the casting nozzle and the mold walls. The sealing assembly includes sealing levers situated between the casting nozzle and the casting belts. The sealing levers are movably mounted on the casting nozzle. Each sealing lever has a sealing face oriented towards a respective casting belt and extending parallel to the width thereof. Further, each sealing lever is resiliently urged into a sealing engagement with the casting belts. Side surfaces of the sealing levers sealingly engage the dams.

Abstract: An improvement in continuous metal casting machines of the type having a pair of flexible, moving casting belts which revolve along endless paths for defining a casting region therebetween and moving side dams which revolve along with the casting belts for confining the cast strip, slab or bar laterally. The casting belts are individually supported by upper and lower carriage means. The machine is provided with sensors such as load cells for sensing the displacement forces existing between the upper and lower carriages at selected points along the path of belt travel, and for sensing the side pressures exerted upon the side dams by the cooling, solidifying metal. This sensing permits the maintenance of predetermined, desired contact pressures along the length of the solidifying metal to thereby improve the physical characteristics of the cast product.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus includes a mold defined by a pair of side plates in a curved shape or ring-shaped rotary members and a pair of endless belts. One of the belts is inscribed in the side plates or the ring-shaped rotary members. The other belt is circumscribed with the side plates or the ring-shaped rotary members. The belts rotate in synchronism with the cast piece. On the rear surfaces of the belts, there are provided means for supporting and cooling the mold and cast piece.

Abstract: A mold for casting metals is provided with a roughened surface so that, on first contact of the mold with the melt, heat transfer is controlled in such a way that the melt comes into contact only with the peaks of the projections on the mold surface and an air gap is formed between the melt and the valleys on the surface. The pattern of roughness on the mold surface comprises a uniform arrangement of pyramidal or blunted-cone shaped projections. Neighboring projections are spaced a distance d of 0.05 to 1 mm apart and have a height h of 0.1d<h<d. The pyramid or blunted con surfaces satisfy the condition of 0.05<.function./d.sup.2 <0.5. A process which does not involve deformation is preferred for producing the rough pattern, for example, a photochemical etching process. The molds are suitable for many casting processes, in particular for continuous D.C. ingot or strip casting with moving molds and caterpillar track type mold belts.

Abstract: In the continuous casting of metal in strip form between moving belts while maintaining a flowing layer of liquid coolant between the reverse surface of a belt and mutually adjacent, guiding-surface, nozzle elements that deliver such coolant, such elements are each constituted as a cooling and guiding unit having a hexagonal face and including releasable retaining elements normally holding such face (through which coolant is projected against the belt) at desired level under spring pressure against the engaged elements. The elements, respectively with the hexagonal head and with a fixed support, are disengaged by depressing the head and turning it, thus allowing removal of the device for replacement or service. As the hexagonal heads can be arranged very closely together, except for narrow, liquid-withdrawal spaces between adjacent edges, practically complete support for a coolant layer across and along the entirety of the belt, is attainable, yet with practicality of construction of the units.

Abstract: For supporting and cooling the reverse surfaces of belts in apparatus for continuously casting metal strip between such belts, means enclosing the reverse surface of a belt includes a multiplicity of guiding faces that are distributed closely both crosswise and lengthwise of the belt to define an intended belt path, and that have nozzle openings through which liquid coolant is projected against the belt, rapidly flowing out in a layer over the guiding face and being withdrawn at localities close to all of the guiding faces. The belt, which may be forced toward the faces to stabilize it in its desired path, thus rests on a layer of rapidly moving liquid coolant, which affords efficient heat removal and an essentially complete liquid bearing, such apparatus and procedure being also deemed applicable to cooling other surfaces.

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.

Abstract: Continuous casting apparatus is described wherein the temperature of the flexible casting belts in twin-belt machines having two or more main rolls in each belt carriage is controllably elevated prior to contact with the molten metal to improve the casting conditions and the operation of the thin flexible casting belts; the temperature elevation preferably being relatively gradual may be carried out while the travelling belts are approaching the nip rolls or while the belts are in contact with the nip rolls, or both. Zone control of belt pre-heating is disclosed, and control of the coolant streams issuing from the curved nip roll tubes by use of fingernail-like extenders may be provided to aid in pre-heating the belts and in controlling their operation. Intensive infra-red heaters are shown directed at close range toward the casting surfaces of the belts, these heaters serving also to cure and dry any coating material on the belts.

Abstract: For supporting and cooling the reverse surfaces of belts in apparatus for continuously casting metal strip between such belts, means enclosing the reverse surface of a belt includes a multiplicity of guiding faces that are distributed closely both crosswise and lengthwise of the belt to define an intended belt path, and that have nozzle openings through which liquid coolant is projected against the belt, rapidly flowing out in a layer over the guiding face and being withdrawn at localities close to all of the guiding faces. The belt, which may be forced toward the faces to stabilize it in its desired path, thus rests on a layer of rapidly moving liquid coolant, which affords efficient heat removal and an essentially complete liquid bearing, such apparatus and procedure being also deemed applicable to cooling other surfaces.

Abstract: In apparatus for the continuous casting of metal in strip form between moving belts, belt support means comprising a multiplicity of elements that are distributed crosswise and lengthwise of a belt path area beside the mold space and are individually yieldable against a loading force, permit close belt stabilization to a selected path while yielding locally under excess outward force by the belt such as caused by solidified metal. Arrangement of belt support and cooling means along the mold space in successive sections each individually adjusted in respect to one or more of the conditions of belt path taper; degree of compliance, if any, in the retention of the belt against the support; and cooling action; are such that these features, as well as provision, if desired, of local yieldability, permit accommodation of the apparatus to various requirements of casting operation.