Abstract: A method for continuously casting lithium-containing alloys by a direct chill process includes cooling the alloy to form a continuous ingot having a solid shell, further cooling the ingot by direct chill with an organic coolant, and inhibiting fire by covering the coolant with fire retardant atmosphere.

Abstract: The cooling of a continuously cast ingot as it emerges from the mold, during casting, is carried out by applying coolant directly to the ingot around its circumference. In order to reduce the extent of doming, which occurs to the ingot base when cooling is too strong, the coolant is applied, at least at the start of the drop, to zones via streams of coolant. The process can be realized in practice particularly simply with an electromagnetic continuous casting mold which has a cooling device featuring a nozzle, with a ring shaped opening for liquid coolant, directed at the surface of the ingot. A deflecting sheet with turret shaped tongues separated by openings is provided projecting into the path of the coolant emerging from the ring shaped gap. The deflecting sheet is positioned parallel to the main ingot axis and can be moved parallel to that axis.

Abstract: A method and system for continuously or semicontinuously casting a composite metal article, such as a structurally composite ingot or the like, wherein one of the principal structural components of the ingot comprises an aluminum-lithium alloy. During such casting by a D.C. (direct chill) conventional tubular mold or electromagnetic process, the aluminum-lithium structural component of a structurally composite ingot is encircled or peripherally encased by a further outer metal cladding component that can be cast simultaneously with the aluminum-lithium component such as another outer aluminous alloy from which lithium is absent as a constituent or impurity, although it may be present and tolerated as a trace element. In this arrangement the aluminum-lithium structural component is prevented during casting from coming into direct contact with the chilling coolant, normally water, with which lithium can react violently.

Abstract: A method of continuously or semi-continuously casting an ingot of rectangular cross section in a vertical open-ended direct chill mold having a coolant passageway, wherein a flow of coolant is circulated and discharged from the bottom of the mold, and molten metal poured into the mold is solidified by applying the discharged flow of coolant directly to the peripheral surface of the metal emerging from the bottom of the mold. The method comprises a step of preventing a direct contact of the poured molten metal with an upper part of inner walls of the mold and controlling the cooling of the molten metal by the flow of coolant circulating in the passageway via the inner walls. The above step comprises interposing heat-insulating sheets between the upper part of the inner walls of the mold and the peripheral surface of the poured molten metal within the mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for electromagnetic casting of metal and alloy ingots of rectangular or other desired shape having corners or portions of small radius of curvature. A coolant application system is provided which lessens the severity of the rounding off or radius of the corners of the electromagnetically cast ingots by contouring the coolant application rate and/or elevation so that the rate and/or elevation is a minimum at the corners of the ingot.

Abstract: The cooling of a continuously cast ingot of metal as it emerges from the mold is carried out by applying coolant directly to the ingot surface. In order to reduce the amount of curvature at the foot of the ingot due to too rapid cooling, a substance which releases a gas as a product of decomposition on striking the hot ingot surface is added to the coolant at least during the initial phase of casting. This gas forms an insulating film on the ingot surface thus reducing the rate of heat extraction. Particularly suitable for this purpose are substances which produce carbon dioxide or nitrogen as decomposition product.

Abstract: Molten aluminum, magnesium, or their alloys, or other metal is solidified in a mold or casting device from which an ingot is continuously and progressively withdrawn. The ingot as initially formed has a solid shell and a liquid core which progressively solidifies as the ingot is withdrawn through and from the casting device. As the ingot emerges from the casting device it is contacted directly with water or other coolant referred to as direct chill. Improved casting rates can be achieved without cracking the ingot where the direct chill cooling effects are divided into three successive zones. In the first direct chill zone a relatively high chill rate is employed, after which a retarded chill rate is employed in a second direct chill zone followed by a higher chill rate in a third direct chill zone. Thus, the ingot is drawn through a high direct chill rate zone then a lower direct chill rate zone and then a higher direct chill rate zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electromagnetic continuous or semicontinuous casting of metals and alloys. A variable coolant application system is used to control the rate of heat extraction from the casting to properly position the solidification front at the surface of the casting without otherwise influencing the containment process through modification of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A composite metal sheet or plate is manufactured by completely immersing an assembly of parallel or substantially parallel metal core sheets in molten metal at a lower melting point than the metal of the core sheets, and after the molten metal has solidified reducing the thickness of the ingot by hot rolling in a direction generally normal to the planes of the core sheets. The method has a particularly useful but by no means exclusive application in the production of reinforced aluminium alloy sheets and plates.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the direct chill casting of non-ferrous metals comprising varying the chill depth of the mould independently of the level or quantity of liquid metal in the mould by relatively moving the mould and a "hot-top" which may be a sleeve of refractory material during casting. The invention also provides for semi-automatic and automatic casting.

Abstract: A mold for electromagnetic continuous casting has a supporting frame for an induction coil and a cooling device which features at least one nozzle for directing a liquid coolant onto the surface of the ingot being cast. A section (15) is provided in line with the stream of liquid coolant emerging from at least one nozzle such that it provides an impacting surface for deflecting the stream of coolant onto the surface of the ingot.

Abstract: An improved cooling system for continuous casting through means of a hollow cylindrical die through the top of which molten metal is poured and from the bottom of which emerges a continuously cast bar conforming to the internal configuration of the die. The cooling system includes a cooling sleeve surrounding and continuously engaging the external surface of the die to withdraw heat from the die. The external surface of the cooling sleeve is provided with a series of grooves arranged in a continuous spiral or helix to increase the surface contact with a coolant which is circulated from an inlet upwardly along the cooling sleeve, as well as downwardly along the cooling sleeve to also contact the bar which is cast as it emerges from the die. Surrounding the cooling sleeve is a jacket and the space between the cooling sleeve and the jacket is divided by a partition to direct cool water which may be used as the coolant.