Abstract: Using an apparatus for manufacturing a thin steel sheet including the followings which are arranged in order: a continuous casting machine (1) for a thin slab having a slab thickness of 70 mm to 120 mm at a lower end of a mold; a holding furnace (2) that is configured to maintain a temperature of a cast slab (10) and/or heats the cast slab (10); and a rolling stand (3) by which finish rolling is performed, the casting speed of the thin slab is set to 4 to 7 m/min, the slab (10) is reduced at a rolling reduction of 30% or more by the reduction roll (4) after solidification is completed and when a center temperature of the slab is 1300° C. or higher, and the slab (10) is held at a temperature of 1150° C. or higher and 1300° C. or lower for five minutes or longer in the holding furnace (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a spraying apparatus (10) for the thermal surface treatment of a metal product (1). The metal product (1) is conveyed in a transport direction (T) through a treatment section (12) of a spraying apparatus (10) equipped with cooling nozzles (16) while cooling fluid is discharged through the cooling nozzles (16) of the spraying apparatus (10) onto the surfaces of the metal product (1), wherein the metal product (1) has—viewed in the transport direction (T) of the metal product (1)—a front section (4) and a trailing rear section (5). The cooling of the surfaces of the metal product (1) within the spraying apparatus (10) occurs in such a manner that the rear section (5) of the metal product (1) is cooled more significantly than its front section (4).

Abstract: A method for operating a combined casting/rolling installation: A casting machine (4) of the combined installation (2) produces a cast product (40) and a rolling mill (6, 8) of the installation (2) produces a rolled product (42a, 42b) from the cast product (40). The installation (2) has a control device (12) with a measuring unit (14) and a controller (16). The measuring unit (14) detects a rolled-product property, generates a measurement signal dependent on that property and transmits the measurement signal to the controller (16), and the controller (16) uses the measurement signal to generate a control signal for the casting machine (4) based on a control algorithm and transmits the control signal to the casting machine (4) which uses the control signal to set a casting parameter.

Abstract: A method for continuously casting steel capable of reducing center segregation that occurs in a slab. In a section in a continuous casting machine in a slab withdrawal direction, a section from a start point at which the average value of solid phase ratios along a thickness direction at a widthwise center of a slab is within a range of 0.4 or more and 0.8 or less to an end point at which the average value of solid phase ratios along the thickness direction at the widthwise center of the slab is greater than the average value of solid phase ratios at the start point and is 1.0 or less is set as a first section. The slab is cooled by water in the first section at a water flow rate per surface area of the slab within a range of 50 L/(m2×min) or more and 2,000 L/(m2×min) or less.

Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a Cu—Ni—Sn alloy by a continuous casting method or a semi-continuous casting method, the method including pouring a molten Cu—Ni—Sn alloy from one end of a mold, both ends of which are open, and continuously drawing out the alloy as an ingot from the other end of the mold while solidifying a part of the alloy, the part being near the mold; and spraying mist-like liquid on the drawn-out ingot to cool the ingot, thereby making a cast product of the Cu—Ni—Sn alloy.

Abstract: Provided is a cooling device, where a hot-finish-rolling mill includes a plurality of nozzles which spray cooling water toward one of or both of upper and lower surfaces of a hot-rolled steel sheet just after rolled by rolling stands, the nozzles are provided on the inside of the upper and lower guides or adjoining to the guides on a downstream side, and a nozzle spray distance changes depending on a position of the nozzle in a rolling direction, wherein a spray angle of the nozzle at a position whose nozzle spray distance is the largest is smaller than a spray angle of the nozzle at a position whose nozzle spray distance is the smallest, and the spray angle of the nozzle becomes the same or smaller as the nozzle spray distance becomes large.

Abstract: A coolant nozzle (1) for cooling a metal strand in a continuous casting installation has a mouthpiece (5), which is arranged at a nozzle outlet end (4) and through which liquid coolant (6) can emerge from the coolant nozzle (1). To allow a rapid buildup of pressure at the coolant nozzle (1), it provides a feed (8), which is formed as a tube-in-tube system (9) arranged upstream of the mouthpiece (5) in the direction of through-flow (7) and has a feed outlet end (10), through the first tube (11) in which control air (13) can be brought up to the feed outlet end (10) and through the second tube (12) of which the liquid coolant (6) can be fed to the mouthpiece (5) by way of the feed outlet end (10), and also provides a control valve (14), which is integrated in the feed (8), is arranged at the feed outlet end (10), can be actuated pneumatically by using the control air (13) and is intended for controlling the feed of the liquid coolant (6) into the mouthpiece (5).

Abstract: A secondary cooling method and a secondary cooling device for a casting product casted in a continuous casting machine, the continuous casting machine including, in a secondary cooling zone below a mold, a plurality of pairs of support rolls that support the casting product from both sides of the casting product in a thickness direction, a cooling device being disposed between support rolls adjacent to each other along a casting direction of the continuous casting machine, the cooling device including a coolant pipe that supplies a coolant, and a coolant guide plate with a flat plate shape for spreading the coolant on the casting product, the coolant guide plate being disposed parallel to and spaced in a perpendicular direction from a surface of the casting product.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system including a casting pit; a mold including a reservoir and a cavity; a coolant feed operable to introduce a coolant to a periphery of a metal emerging from the mold cavity; an array of water vapor exhaust ports about at least the top periphery of the casting pit; a mechanism to introduce an inert fluid into the coolant feed. A method for a direct chill casting including, after detecting a bleed out, exhausting generated gas from the casting pit at a flow volume rate that is enhanced relative to a flow volume rate prior to detecting bleed out or run out; introducing an inert gas into the casting pit; and introducing an inert fluid into a coolant feed to the casting mold.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to hexagonal boron nitride nanosheet/ceramic nanocomposite powder including surface-modified hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets which serve as a reinforcing agent for the matrix ceramic, and a method for producing the same, and a hexagonal boron nitride nanosheet/ceramic nanocomposite material including the hexagonal boron nitride nanosheet/ceramic nanocomposite powder and a method for producing the same.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a device for the direct cooling of a mould for the vertical semicontinuous casting of rolling ingots or extrusion billets (3) with gradual quenching by double jet (4 and 5), the first at substantially 32° and second at substantially 22°, simultaneously and delivering substantially the same flow rates and speeds from a single liquid chamber (2). Another subject of the invention is a method using said device, with or without graphite insert (1) on the working faces and in association with various bottom block configurations.

Abstract: With a continuous casting method for producing preliminary profiles, in particular double T preliminary profiles, the downwardly flowing cooling water is pushed out of the internal curve of the preliminary profile strand (3) via the profile flanges and discharged using water nozzles (21, 22) aligned substantially to the crossover from the bar (4) to the respective flange (5, 6) by means of the diverting water delivered via the water nozzles (21, 22). In this way the excessive cooling caused by downwardly running cooling water is largely avoided in the internal curve of the preliminary profile strand.

Abstract: A method for continuous casting from molten metal, where metal flows vertically downward from a mold and the metal strip is then guided vertically downward along a vertical strand guide, cooling as it moves. The strip is then deflected from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction. In the terminal area of the deflection of the strip into the horizontal direction or after the deflection into the horizontal direction, a mechanical deformation of the strip is carried out. The strip is cooled at a heat-transfer coefficient of 3,000 to 10,000 W/(m2 K) in a first section downstream of the mold and upstream of the mechanical deformation of the strip. In a second section, downstream of the cooling, the surface of the strip is heated to a temperature above Ac3 or Ar3 by heat equalization in the strip, after which the mechanical deformation is carried out in a third section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for direct chill casting ingots with in-situ homogenization. Large particles of eutectic material may form in the solid ingot and the metal may exhibit macrosegregation of alloying components, especially when large ingots are cast in this way. This can be alleviated by applying a first liquid coolant to the ingot emerging from the mold, removing the first liquid coolant at a certain distance along the ingot by means of a wiper, and then applying a second liquid coolant to perform a quench at a greater distance along the ingot. The quench raises the level of the molten sump in the ingot, which helps to overcome the indicated problems, without affecting the desired temperature rebound of the ingot shell (usually at least 425° C. (797° F.)) for a time effective to cause in-situ homogenization.

Abstract: A method for continuous casting from molten metal, where metal flows vertically downward from a mold and metal strip is then guided vertically downward along a vertical strand guide, cooling as it moves. The strip is deflected from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction. In the terminal area of the deflection of the strip into the horizontal direction or after the deflection into the horizontal direction, a mechanical deformation of the strip is carried out. The strip is cooled at a heat-transfer coefficient of 3,000 to 10,000 W/(m2 K) in a first section downstream of the mold and upstream of mechanical deformation of the strip. In a second section, downstream of the cooling, the strip surface is heated to a temperature above Ac3 or Ar3 by heat equalization in the strip. The mechanical deformation is subsequently carried out in a third section.

Abstract: Direct chill casting that allows for the continuous or serial introduction of an inert fluid into the coolant stream during casting while allowing for stoppage of the coolant flow and introduction of only inert fluid as the coolant in the event of a “bleed out” or “run out”.

Abstract: A secondary cooling apparatus capable of gradually cooling cast thin pieces and a cast apparatus that uses it are provided. A comb tooth-shaped device is arranged inside a vessel of the secondary cooling apparatus; the cast thin pieces are piled on the comb tooth-shaped device; and crushed small pieces are placed thereon. After the cast thin pieces and the crushed small pieces are gradually cooled, the cast thin pieces are crushed by a pressing device. The crushed small pieces are rapidly cooled by being in contact with a surface of a bottom wall and side faces of cooling teeth. Nd-rich phases or R-rich phases can be annealed by the gradual cooling, and after the crushed small pieces are rapidly cooled to its oxidation temperature or below, the crushed small pieces can be taken out to the air atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (100) for carrying cooling water away from the narrow sides (210) of a slab (200) passed essentially vertically through a secondary cooling device after casting in a continuous casting installation. In order to prevent partial overcooling of the slab at its edges, the apparatus (100) according to the invention comprises a plurality of water drainage devices (110-n), which are arranged such that they are distributed in a vertical direction over the length of the narrow side of the slab. This plurality of water drainage devices (110-n) is carried by a vertically arranged collecting downpipe (120). The collecting downpipe additionally serves for collecting the cooling water that is drained by the plurality of water drainage devices (110-n) and carrying it away in a decentralized manner.

Abstract: With a continuous casting method for producing preliminary profiles, in particular double T preliminary profiles, the downwardly flowing cooling water is pushed out of the internal curve of the preliminary profile strand (3) via the profile flanges and discharged using water nozzles (21, 22) aligned substantially to the crossover from the bar (4) to the respective flange (5, 6) by means of the diverting water delivered via the water nozzles (21, 22). In this way the excessive cooling caused by downwardly running cooling water is largely avoided in the internal curve of the preliminary profile strand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mold for air-slip noncircular continuous casting and a casting method of aluminum alloy using the same. The mold of the present invention includes a mold body 20 having a noncircular through hole 10 which allows molten metal 80 to move therein; a porous graphite ring 70 provided on an inner circumference of the mold body 20 to supply gas and oil to a surface of the lowering molten metal 80 metal thereby solidifying the molten metal 80 into a billet; and a conveying plate 95 provided on the inner circumference of the mold body 20 on top of the graphite ring 70 to convey the molten metal 80 downward, wherein a cooling water chamber 60 is formed in the mold body 20 to store cooling water for cooling a surface of the billet, the cooling water chamber 60 being formed in the rear of the graphite ring 70, and a gas inlet 32 and an oil inlet 34 are connected to an upper end of the graphite ring 70 to respectively supply gas and oil into the graphite ring 70 through the mold body 20.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for collecting and evacuating run-off water from the inner arc of the strand guide (8) of a beam blank casting machine, according to which the cast strand (2) is solidified and the required dissipation of heat is achieved, among other things, by sprayed water, whereby run-off water can also collect on the inner arc of the strand (2). The run-off water is collected using a suction head (1). The run-off water that is collected in the suction head is fluidized using fluidizers or momentum inhibitors. The fluidized water is sucked off and the water-air mixture is split into water and air in a separation device. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method, comprising at least one suction device that is arranged or can be driven along the strand guide (8), said suction device having an attachable suction head (1) and being equipped with fluidizers. The suction device (4) is driven along the beam blank preliminary section (9) by means of manipulators (7).

Abstract: A method, and the related implementation device, for the regulation of strip temperature in a continuous metallic strip casting plant, wherein such temperature regulation begins on the strip whilst under the casting equipment and at a certain distance from it, and then continues along the roll path. The device provides that the rolls on which the strip is transported are fitted with a cooling system.

Abstract: The secondary cooling and the strand support are matched to the cooling state of a continuously cast strand cross section. The secondary cooling and support are reduced in dependence upon the solidification profile of the cast strand along the distance traveled.

Abstract: A method for producing a steel beam blank includes continuously casting a steel beam blank strand and cooling the steel beam blank strand in a secondary cooling zone. The steel beam blank strand is guided in a vertical casting plane along a curved path having its web perpendicular to the vertical casting plane, so that each of the lateral flanges has an intrados flange tip and an extrados flange tip. The method further includes straightening the steel beam blank strand behind the secondary cooling zone. When being straightened, the intrados flange tips are selectively reheated between the secondary cooling and the straightening of the steel beam blank strand via an external energy supply focused on the intrados flange tips. In this manner, transverse cracks in the intrados flange tips may be reliably avoided.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a strand of metal by means of a continuous-casting installation which has at least one cooling device for cooling the strand, the cooling device being assigned at least one reduction stand for reducing the thickness of the strand, the strand, during the thickness reduction, having a solidified skin and a liquid core. The cooling is set, by means of a temperature and solidification model, in such a manner that the solidification boundary between the solidified skin and the liquid core when the strand enters the reduction stand corresponds to a predetermined set solidification boundary between the solidified skin and the liquid core.

Abstract: An in-line method of producing steel using a continuous caster includes forming a continuous strand of steel from the continuous caster and severing a slab from the continuous strand. An angle between a front face or a rear face of the slab and a line perpendicular to a top surface or a bottom surface of the slab is between about 10° and about 45°. Alternatively, the angle between the front face or the rear face and the line perpendicular to the top surface or the bottom surface is between about 15° and about 35° or between about 20° and about 25°. Primary scale is then removed from the slab with a descaler prior to rolling the slab to a desired thickness. A first waterjet descaler descales only one of the front and the rear faces and only one of the top and bottom surfaces, and a second waterjet descaler descales only the other of the front and the rear faces and only the other of the top and bottom surfaces.

Abstract: A method for producing a steel beam blank includes continuously casting a steel beam blank strand and cooling the steel beam blank strand in a secondary cooling zone. The steel beam blank strand is guided in a vertical casting plane along a curved path having its web perpendicular to the vertical casting plane, so that each of the lateral flanges has an intrados flange tip and an extrados flange tip. The method further includes straightening the steel beam blank strand behind the secondary cooling zone. When being straightened, the intrados flange tips are selectively reheated between the secondary cooling and the straightening of the steel beam blank strand via an external energy supply focused on the intrados flange tips. In this manner, transverse cracks in the intrados flange tips may be reliably avoided.

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: A method for continuously casting grain oriented electrical steel is disclosed. This method utilizes a controlled rapid cooling step, such as one using a water spray, to control the grain orientation in the finished product. The product formed not only has the appropriate grain orientation but also has good physical properties, for example, minimized cracking. In this process, after a continuously cast electrical steel strip is formed, the strip undergoes an initial secondary cooling to from about 1150 to about 1250° C., and finally undergoes a rapid secondary cooling (for example, by water spray) at a rate of from about 65° C./second to about 150° C./second to a temperature of no greater than about 950° C.

Abstract: A method and strand guide for supporting, guiding and cooling casting strands (1) made of steel, especially preliminary sections (2) for girders, which are cooled by injected water (29) and are drawn, serve to prevent cracks, especially surface cracks, from appearing in the microstructure by adapting the cooling conditions of the surface of the strand in the region of the secondary cooling, and serve to prevent undercooling of the strand shell, wherein in order to avoid an undesirable solidification structure on the upper flange edges or in other cross-sectional areas, the cooling and support of the beam blank format are so adapted to the solidification range that cooling and support are provided exclusively where a crater is formed.

Abstract: A casting system and method for producing a metal casting is provided. The metal casting can comprise a fine-grain, homogeneous microstructure that is essentially oxide- and sulfide-free, segregation defect free, and essentially free of voids caused by air entrapped during solidification of the metal from a liquidus state to a solid state. The casting system can comprise an electroslag refining system; a nucleated casting system; and a cooling system that cools the metal casting so as to cool a liquidus portion of the metal casting. The metal casting is cooled in a manner sufficient to provide a microstructure that comprises a fine-grain, homogeneous microstructure that is essentially oxide- and sulfide-free, segregation defect free, and essentially free of voids caused by air entrapped during solidification from a liquidus state to a solid state.

Abstract: A method for cooling a cast product in the essentially vertical continuous casting of metals, taking place in an upward direction, in particular in the continuous casting of wires, rods and tubes of non-ferrous metals, in which method the casting nozzle and primary cooler are at least partially inserted in the melt inside the furnace and the metal is cast through them, whereby the product to be cast is first cooled inside the casting nozzle as the primary cooling. In addition to primary cooling, the product to be cast (3, 3′) is cooled outside the furnace (1) walls at least in one another cooling stage by a jet (6) of cooling agent directed onto the surface of the product to be cast, in such a way that the passage of cooling agent into the melt within the furnace is prevented.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement for the rolling stand of a continuous casting system for heavy supports is provided with spraying nozzles which can be acted upon by cooling liquid and compressed air through supply pipes laid laterally in a longitudinal direction of the rolling stand. Only two supply pipes for cooling liquid and compressed air respectively are assigned to each side of the rolling stand. The supply pipes are laid parallel to one another and are equipped with connection flanges on which connection plates can be mounted in a simple manner and, in turn, are fixedly connected with spraying nozzles. This further development permits a simple mounting and demounting of the spraying nozzles and ensures a precise alignment of the spraying jets with respect to the billet to be processed.

Abstract: Surface defects in rolled steel are remedied by quenching a surface layer of the steel product downstream of the caster and upstream of the reheat furnace by transversely differentiated quenching to match the transverse temperature profile of the steel product. The flow rate of the quench spray is differentially adjustable across the width and optionally the length of the steel product. An array of spray nozzles controlled in transversely or longitudinally arranged groups provides the quench spray.

Abstract: A method for continuously casting grain oriented electrical steel is disclosed. This method utilizes a controlled rapid cooling step, such as one using a water spray, to control the grain orientation in the finished product. The product formed not only has the appropriate grain orientation but also has good physical properties, for example, minimized cracking. In this process, after a continuously cast electrical steel strip is formed, the strip undergoes an initial secondary cooling to from about 1150 to about 1250° C., and finally undergoes a rapid secondary cooling (for example, by water spray) at a rate of from about 65° C./second to about 150° C./second to a temperature of no greater than about 950° C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for continuously casting a metal strip. A casting pool of molten metal is formed, and a metal strip is solidified onto a casting surface. The temperature of the casting surface is maintained above a predetermined critical value. By maintaining the surface temperature above the predetermined critical value, either the heat transfer uniformity or the heat transfer capacity or both are improved.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preventing undesirable intensive cooling particularly of the strip edge areas of a cast strand resulting from running water emerging from the bottom opening of a secondary cooling chamber, wherein high-energy spray jets of a deflection medium are produced and directed against the emerging running water transversely of the strip edge areas of the cast strand, such that the running water is deflected from the strip edge areas and is discharged through outlet openings of the secondary cooling chamber arranged on both sides of the cast strand.

Abstract: A process of casting a molten metal to form a cast metal strip ingot while controlling heat flux from the cast metal. The process comprises continuously supplying molten metal to a casting cavity formed between a pair of moving continuous casting surfaces that withdraw heat from the molten metal to cause metal solidification, and continuously withdrawing a resulting cast strip ingot from the casting cavity. A gas (e.g. air) containing water vapour substantially without liquid water (i.e. a moist gas) is supplied to the inlet of the casting cavity in a region containing the meniscus formed where the molten metal first contacts the casting surfaces. The moist gas has the effect of adjusting the heat withdrawal by the casting surfaces to minimize surface defects in the cast strip ingot and to avoid undesired distortion of the casting cavity. Furthermore, in those cases where a parting agent is applied to the casting surfaces, the amount of parting agent applied to the casting surfaces may be reduced.

Abstract: In a continuous casting of a molten aluminum bearing alloy, a casting space is defined between substantially parallel opposed portions of a pair of traveling endless belts and the molten aluminum bearing alloy is supplied into the casting space to be continuously cast into the shape of a plate. A cooling rate AT during solidification of the aluminum bearing alloy is controlled so that the cooling rate &Dgr;T ranges between 3 and 6° C./sec. where &Dgr;T=(T−500) /t, T is a temperature when the casting of the aluminum bearing alloy starts, and t is a cooling time in sec. between start of casting and the time when the temperature of the aluminum bearing alloy decreases to 500° C.

Abstract: A twin roil caster (11) produces thin steel strip (12) which passes through a first enclosure (37) to a pinch roil stand (14) including pinch rolls (50) through which the strip passes into a second enclosure (61). The strip passes horizontally through enclosure (61) to an in-line hot rolling mill (16) which closes the exit end of enclosure (61) and hot rolls the strip as it exits that enclosure. Enclosures (37) and (61) are sealed against ingress of atmospheric air and both maintain oxygen levels less than the surrounding atmosphere to reduce formation of scale on the strip. The second chamber (61) is fitted with water spray nozzles (67, 68) operable to spray fine mist of water droplets onto the upper face of the strip as it passes through that enclosure thereby to generate steam producing a superatmospheric pressure within the enclosure preventing ingress of atmospheric air.

Abstract: A casting system with auxiliary cooling onto a liquidus portion of the casting can produce a metal casting that comprises a fine-grain, homogeneous microstructure. The microstructure is essentially oxide- and sulfide-free, segregation defect free, and essentially free of voids caused by air entrapped during solidification of the metal from a liquidus state to a solid state. The casting system with auxiliary cooling onto a liquidus portion of the casting can comprises an electroslag refining system as a source of liquid metal; a nucleated casting system; and at least one cooling system that supplies coolant onto a liquidus portion of the casting. The liquidus portion of the casting is cooled in a manner sufficient to provide a casting microstructure that comprises a fine-grain, homogeneous microstructure that is essentially oxide- and sulfide-free, segregation defect free, and essentially free of voids caused by air entrapped during solidification from a liquidus state to a solid state.

Abstract: A gradient material molded body, obtained in continuous casting from at least one metal alloy solidified in an outer shell of the molded body, outside the thermodynamic equilibrium.

Abstract: A billet continuous casting machine comprises, and a billet continuous casting method uses, a jacket for cooling an outer wall of a quadrangular tubular mold with cooling water, electromagnetic brakes disposed outside the mold for decelerating the flow speed of poured molten metal in the mold, an X ray-based level sensor for detecting the level of molten metal in the mold, notched portions formed at the corners of a quadrangular lower part of the mold, spray nozzles for spraying a cooling liquid directly onto the notched portions, and elastically pushing means for imparting a pushing force corresponding to the static pressure of the molten metal to unnotched portions of the quadrangular lower part of the mold to push the unnotched portions inwardly of the mold, whereby molten metal is continuously poured into the cooled mold to solidify the molten metal so that a cast piece quadrangular in cross section is continuously produced.

Abstract: Water-cooling slabs by dipping to yield steel sheets with a minimum of scabs and uneven gloss, with their larger faces upside and underside, by water injection at a flow rate of 10-150 L/m2·min perpendicular or oblique to the underside of the slabs, with the position of water injection 30-500 mm away from the underside of the slabs.

Abstract: When the starter block commences reciprocating along the axis of an open ended mold cavity, with a body of start up material in tandem with it, successive layers of molten metal are relatively superimposed on the body of start up material, and layers thereof are confined to a first cross sectional area of the cavity but permitted to distend relatively peripherally outwardly from the circumferential outline of the first cross sectional area at relatively peripherally outwardly inclined angles to the axis while thermal contraction forces are generated in the respective layers and the magnitude of the forces is controlled so that the thermal contraction forces counterbalance the splaying forces in the respective layers and confer a free-formed circumferential outline on the resulting body of metal as it becomes form-sustaining.

Abstract: A billet continuous casting machine comprises, a jacket for cooling an outer wall of a quadrangular tubular mold with cooling water, electromagnetic brakes disposed outside the mold and decelerating the flow of poured molten metal in the mold, an X ray-based level sensor for detecting the level of molten metal in the mold, notched portions formed at the corners of a quadrangular lower part of the mold, spray nozzles for spraying a cooling liquid directly onto the notched portions, and elastically pushing unit for imparting a pushing force corresponding to the static pressure of the molten metal to unnotched portions of the quadrangular lower part of the mold to push the unnotched portions inwardly of the mold, whereby molten metal is continuously poured into the cooled mold to solidify the molten metal so that a cast piece quadrangular in cross section is continuously produced. Delay in solidification at sites near the corners of the cast piece is eliminated, and high quality, high speed casting is realized.

Abstract: A process for operating a continuous casting plant with a continuous casting machine that has a stationary mold and is connected via a roller table to an equalizing furnace. After establishment of the slab format at the mold outlet, at least the casting parameter of casting speed is set so that the slab, upon entry into the equalizing furnace, has the desired roll temperature of the hot strip to be produced, and the lowest point of the liquid pool is always located in the mouth region of the continuous casting machine. Measures are taken to influence the heat energy content of the slab after it leaves the continuous casting machine.

Abstract: In producing thin slabs by continuous casting, a method is developed in which internal defects are reduced to improve a production yield. Narrow sides of cast slabs are cooled in a controlled manner to produce cast slabs having a projection in a center of each of the narrow sides to a height of 5-10 mm above the level of the edge portions, and squeeze reduction with a reduction of 10-45% is carried out while an unsolidified portion of the narrow sides of the slab is within 50-80% of the thickness of the cast slab.

Abstract: A process for cooling molten steel, in particular by continuous casting of hoop-steel. At least part of the molten mass that leaves a metallurgical vessel through a metal nozzle solidifies when contacting a cooling surface. A gaseous stream that forms a reducing atmosphere is directed onto the surface of the freely accessible liquid hoop-steel immediately after it leaves the metal nozzle and the surface of the hoop-steel is exposed to this gaseous atmosphere at least until it is completely solidified.

Abstract: To suppress generation of scales on surfaces of a strip and to reduce the amount of non-oxidising gas consumed in the casting of strip in a twin roll caster there is provided downstream apparatus comprising pinch rolls 17a and 17b for pinching a strip 4 continuously cast by a pair of casting rolls 1a and 1b, a coiler 8 for coiling the strip 4 delivered from the pinch rolls 17a and 17b, an upstream chamber 19 for enclosing a travelling path of the strip 4 from the casting rolls 1a and 1b to the pinch rolls 17a and 17b, a downstream chamber 24 for enclosing a travelling path of the strip 4 from the pinch rolls 17a and 17b to a position before the coiler, a shutter on an end of the downstream chamber closer to the coiler and a gas supply source for supplying non-oxidising and reducing gases to the upstream and downstream chambers 19 and 24 and quenching means within the downstream chamber to cool the strip so that it leaves the chamber at a temperature of 300.degree. C. or below.