Abstract: The device for controlling a flow in a mold in thin-slab casting of steel has a thickness on the short side of the meniscus portion of 150 mm or less and a casting width of 2 m or less and includes a DC magnetic field generation unit and an immersion nozzle having a slit formed at the bottom so that the slit leads to the bottom of the discharge hole and opens outside, the discharge hole and the slit are present in the DC magnetic field zone, and the magnetic flux density B (T) in the DC magnetic field zone and the distance L (m) from the lower end of the immersion nozzle to the lower end of the core satisfy Formulae (1) and (2) described below: 0.35T?B?1.0T??Formula (1) L?0.

Abstract: An arrangement for a continuous casting process. The arrangement includes a vessel having a first opening for receiving molten metal in the vessel, a second opening for discharging the molten metal from the vessel, and a body extending between the first opening and the second opening, a first magnetic arrangement attached to the body, the first magnetic arrangement having a magnetic core with legs, and coils arranged around the legs, and a power system configured to provide an alternating current superimposed on a carrier current to each of the coils, each pair of alternating current and carrier current provided to a coil forming a flow control current, wherein flow control currents provided to adjacent coils are phase shifted relative each other, thereby creating a travelling magnetic field in molten metal in the vessel. A corresponding method is also presented herein.

Abstract: An arrangement for a continuous casting process. The arrangement includes a vessel having a first opening for receiving molten metal in the vessel, a second opening for discharging the molten metal from the vessel, and a body extending between the first opening and the second opening, a first magnetic arrangement attached to the body, the first magnetic arrangement having a magnetic core with legs, and coils arranged around the legs, and a power system configured to provide an alternating current superimposed on a carrier current to each of the coils, each pair of alternating current and carrier current provided to a coil forming a flow control current, wherein flow control currents provided to adjacent coils are phase shifted relative each other, thereby creating a travelling magnetic field in molten metal in the vessel. A corresponding method is also presented herein.

Abstract: Using plasma arcs generated by plasma torches, the surface of molten metal charged into a mold is heated. EMSs arranged on the lateral sides of the mold are used to stir the surface of the molten metal or the vicinity thereof electromagnetically. Thus, a slab having reduced defects can be cast.

Abstract: A continuous casting apparatus for steel includes: a casting mold for casting a molten steel with a pair of long side walls and a pair of short side walls; a submerged entry nozzle which discharges the molten steel into the casting mold; and an electromagnetic stirring device which is disposed along each external surface of each of the long side walls and stirs an upper portion of the molten steel within the casting mold. A curved portion which is convexly curved toward the electromagnetic stirring device in plan view is formed at least at a position where the curved portion faces the submerged entry nozzle on each of the long side walls, and each of the long side walls including the curved portion has a uniform thickness.

Abstract: There is provided a molding device for continuous casting equipped with an agitator that reduces the amount of generated heat, is easy to carry out maintenance, is inexpensive, and is easy to use in practice. The molding device for continuous casting equipped with an agitator of the invention receives liquid-phase melt of a conductive material, and a solid-phase cast product is taken out from the molding device through the cooling of the melt. The molding device includes a casting mold and an agitator provided so as to correspond to the casting mold. The casting mold includes a casting space that includes an inlet and an outlet at a central portion of a substantially cylindrical side wall, and a magnetic field generation device receiving chamber that is formed in the side wall and is positioned outside the casting space. The casting mold receives the liquid-phase melt from the inlet into the casting space and discharges the solid-phase cast product from the outlet through the cooling in the casting space.

Abstract: There is provided a molding device for continuous casting equipped with an agitator which receives liquid-phase melt of a conductive material and from which a solid-phase cast product is taken out through the cooling of the melt. The molding device includes a casting mold and an agitator. The casting mold receives the liquid-phase melt from an inlet side and discharges the solid-phase cast product from an outlet side by cooling. The agitator is provided outside the casting mold, and includes an electrode unit and a magnetic field generation device. The electrode unit includes first electrodes positioned at the top and a second electrode positioned therebelow, and the magnetic field generation device includes a permanent magnet for applying a magnetic field to the liquid-phase melt. The first electrodes are provided so as to conduct electricity to the liquid-phase melt, and the second electrode is provided so as to conduct electricity to the solid-phase cast product.

Abstract: A continuous casting device for steel of the present invention includes a casting mold for casting a molten steel, a submerged entry nozzle, an electromagnetic stirring device, and an electromagnetic brake device. Further, a curved portion which is curved toward the electromagnetic stirring device is formed at least at a position where the curved portion faces the submerged entry nozzle, on each of the long side walls. Moreover, the horizontal distance between a top of the curved portion and the submerged entry nozzle in plan view is equal to or more than 35 mm and less than 50 mm.

Abstract: A method of equalizing a solidification process of molten metal produced, in particular, during strip casting, includes subjecting the molten metal to an electromagnetic stirring process, with a magnetic field is applied to the molten metal located upstream of the area of the electromagnetic stirring process. The electromagnetic stirring includes applying, during the solidification process, at least one electromagnetic field to an already solidified, external region (11) of the molten metal (10).

Abstract: A split stirring roll including two half-rolls aligned at a distance from one another, each incorporating a polyphase linear inductor mounted fixedly a short distance from outer tubular bodies of each half-roll to arrange between them an annular space for circulation of a cooling fluid; each inductor can generate a traveling magnetic field sliding along the width of a cast slab. The two half-rolls are mounted externally in end rolling bearings and internally in a common intermediate rolling bearing attached between them, the inductors including narrowed-diameter hollow terminal portions to rest in the three rolling bearings and communicate with a cooling circuit including the annular spaces. The split stirring roll is configured for continuous casting of extra-wide slabs and can form a preferred tool for controlled electromagnetic stirring of molten metal for optimized exchange of material between a top and bottom of a casting machine.

Abstract: A continuous casting device includes a mould, a nozzle, and an electromagnetic stirrer provided around the nozzle above the mould, the stirrer including a core of a magnetic material that extends circumferentially around the nozzle and a plurality of windings wound around the core. The windings are wound around a cross section of the core as seen in the circumferential direction of the core.

Abstract: An electromagnetic stirrer for stirring molten steel of the liquid core in a width-wise direction of the slab includes an iron core disposed with its length-wise axis along a width-wise direction of slab, and a plurality of exciting coils wound around the outer circumference of and about a length-wise axis of the iron core, wherein two-phase or three-phase alternating current is passed through the coils. The phases of the current in the exciting coils are distributed to impart a stirring flow to the molten that includes flow from the minor sides to the center of the slab or from one minor side to the other minor side with a reversing flow at predetermined time intervals.

Abstract: Four distinct polyphased inductors for a travelling magnetic field and mounted with two inductors per large side on the large sides of the ingot mold, the inductors placed side by side on a same large side of the ingot mold and producing driving forces that push the molten metal, along the width of the ingot mold, both in the same direction, which is a direction opposite to that of the driving forces produced by the two inductors placed opposite on the other large side.

Abstract: An electromagnetic stirrer for stirring molten steel of the liquid core in a width-wise direction of the slab includes an iron core disposed with its length-wise axis along a width-wise direction of slab, and a plurality of exciting coils wound around the outer circumference of and about a length-wise axis of the iron core, wherein two-phase or three-phase alternating current is passed through the coils. The phases of the current in the exciting coils are distributed to impart a stirring flow to the molten that includes flow from the minor sides to the center of the slab or from one minor side to the other minor side with a reversing flow at predetermined time intervals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a previously unattainable compact and high thrust electromagnetic stirrer coil, that is, an electromagnetic stirrer coil for stirring molten steel in a mold by electromagnetic force, in which electromagnetic stirrer coil a space factor of the yoke sectional area (?) with respect to an inside area in a vertical cross-section of said electromagnetic stirrer coil is 0.5 to 0.9 and a yoke width B is 100 mm to 300 mm. Preferably, a magnetomotive force F of said electromagnetic stirrer coil divided by the yoke width B, that is, a value of F/B, is 800 kAT/m or more.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous casting in which an electromagnetic stirrer is installed upstream, in the casting direction, of the reduction rolling position of a slab, and in which a slab with a liquid core is reduced in thickness, wherein by imparting a collision flow forming-type stirring and a uni-directional alternating flow forming-type stirring, molten steel with concentrated segregation elements is stirred and diffused in a width-wise direction of slab, whereby a slab stabilized in center segregation qualities can be produced over long-time casting operation. Since the stirring flowing pattern is selectively imparted by means of the same electromagnetic stirrer, it is effective to decrease facility and equipment costs, improve maintainability, and extensively cope with various casting conditions.

Abstract: A process for continuous casting of slabs or other metal products of elongate cross section, for example made of steel, in which a molten metal is poured into a cooled mold, and the externally solidified product is continuously extracted from the mold and guided in a secondary cooling zone downstream of the mold. To obtain a cast product exhibiting predominantly equiaxed solidification, the product extracted from the mold is subjected to electromagnetic stirring in segment zero of the secondary cooling zone by at least two stirrer-rolls incorporated into the segment zero.

Abstract: A continuous casting device for steel of the present invention includes a casting mold for casting a molten steel, a submerged entry nozzle, an electromagnetic stirring device, and an electromagnetic brake device. Further, a curved portion which is curved toward the electromagnetic stirring device is formed at least at a position where the curved portion faces the submerged entry nozzle, on each of the long side walls. Moreover, the horizontal distance between a top of the curved portion and the submerged entry nozzle in plan view is equal to or more than 35 mm and less than 50 mm.

Abstract: Method for controlling a flow of molten steel in a mould by applying at least one magnetic field to the molten steel in a continuous slab casting machine. Controlling a molten steel flow velocity on a molten steel bath surface to a predetermined molten steel flow velocity by applying a static magnetic field to impart a stabilizing and braking force to a discharge flow from an immersion nozzle when the molten steel flow velocity on the meniscus is higher than a mould powder entrainment critical flow velocity. Controlling the molten steel flow velocity on the meniscus to a range of from an inclusion adherence critical flow velocity or more to a mould powder entrainment critical flow velocity or less by applying a shifting magnetic field to increase the molten steel flow when the molten steel flow velocity on the meniscus is lower than the inclusion-adherence critical flow velocity.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of a molten steel in a mold, the apparatus including: a casting-condition acquiring unit for acquiring at least five casting conditions; a calculating unit for calculating a molten steel flow velocity on a molten steel bath surface in accordance with the acquired casting conditions; a determining unit for determining whether the acquired molten steel flow velocity is higher or lower than a mold-powder entrainment critical flow velocity; a control unit for applying a shifting magnetic field to impart a braking force to a discharge flow from an immersion nozzle and applying a shifting magnetic field to rotate the molten steel in a horizontal direction; and a shifting magnetic field generating apparatus.

Abstract: In the continuous casting of flat metal products with a submerged nozzle having lateral outlets, a mold is equipped on each of its long sides with a pair of linear inductors that generate a magnetic field that travels horizontally over a width of the long sides and are placed on sides of the nozzle. The inductors are mounted in pairs to slide vertically over the height of the mold, and by being moved, pass from a low stirring position, located level with the outlets of the nozzle, to a high stirring position, located level with a meniscus of the liquid metal in the mold, and vice versa. Also, on passing from one position to the other, the connections for the inductors to the phases of the power supply are modified to reverse the direction of travel of the magnetic field of only one of the two inductors of each pair.

Abstract: An electromagnetic stirrer arrangement includes a housing having a bottom opening and a top opening. An electromagnetic stirrer is positioned inside the housing. A modular mold assembly includes a mold, a water jacket, a top plate, a bottom plate and a plurality of rods connecting the top and bottom plates. The mold has an open top and an open bottom. The top plate is positioned proximate to the open top of the mold and the bottom plate is positioned proximate to the open bottom of the mold. The connecting rods extend between and securing together the top and bottom plate. The modular mold assembly can easily be replaced by inserting it into or removing from the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous casting in which an electromagnetic stirrer is installed upstream, in the casting direction, of the reduction rolling position of a slab, and in which a slab with a liquid core is reduced in thickness, wherein by imparting a collision flow forming-type stirring and a uni-directional alternating flow forming-type stirring, molten steel with concentrated segregation elements is stirred and diffused in a width-wise direction of slab, whereby a slab stabilized in center segregation qualities can be produced over long-time casting operation. Since the stirring flowing pattern is selectively imparted by means of the same electromagnetic stirrer, it is effective to decrease facility and equipment costs, improve maintainability, and extensively cope with various casting conditions.

Abstract: Four distinct polyphased inductors (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) for a travelling magnetic field and mounted with two inductors per large side (12, 12?) on the large sides of the ingot mould, the inductors (10a, 10b) placed side by side on a same large side (12) of the ingot mould and producing driving forces that push the molten metal, along the width of the ingot mould, both in the same direction, which is a direction opposite to that of the driving forces produced by the two inductors (10c, 10d) placed opposite on the other large side (12?), the intensity of the driving forces are adjusted in a differential manner between them such that in proximity to a large side, if there the flow of the metal is higher “towards the interior” than “towards the exterior”, greater intensities are applied to the two forces that push the metal “towards the exterior”, and conversely, if said flow is less strong “towards the interior” than “towards the exterior”, greater forces are applied to the forces that push the metal “towards th

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous casting method of steel preventing alumina and other nonmetallic inclusions becoming causes of slivers and argon bubbles becoming causes of blowholes from being entrained and thereby enabling the production of a cast slab superior in surface and internal quality, that is, one giving an inside bore 21 of an immersion nozzle 21 a horizontal sectional shape of an elliptical shape or oblong shape with a length ratio DL/DS of that long axis DL and short axis DS of 1.2 to 3.8, making a direction of that long axis substantially parallel to a long side direction of the casting mold 3, and making the sliding direction of the sliding nozzle 1 a direction perpendicular to said long axis to supply the molten steel in the casting mold 3. Note that a ratio S1/S0 of a sectional area S1 at a smallest sectional area part 23 of the inside bore 21 and a sectional area S0 of a nozzle hole 11 of the sliding nozzle 1 is made 0.5 to 0.

Abstract: A method for controlling a flow of molten steel in a slab continuous casting machine including controlling a molten steel flow velocity on a molten steel bath surface to a predetermined flow velocity by applying a shifting magnetic field; controlling the molten steel flow velocity on the molten steel bath surface from an inclusion-adherence critical flow velocity or more to a mold-powder entrainment critical flow velocity or less by applying a shifting magnetic field; and controlling the molten steel flow velocity on the molten steel bath surface from the inclusion-adherence critical flow velocity or more to the mold-powder entrainment critical flow velocity or less by applying a shifting magnetic field.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for electromagnetic stirring during a continuous casting process, especially for casting a billet and bloom of medium and high carbon steels. The method and apparatus provide a higher surface quality of the ingot, reduce the entrapping of nonmetallic inclusions into the ingot, and suppress issues regarding central segregation and central porosity. The method provides an improvement in the stirring process from the meniscus to the crater end—and relates to in-mold stirring and stirring in a zone of secondary cooling and up to the crater end. The in-mold stirring is geared towards the suppression of meniscus disturbance, for submerged casting, in particular, the reducing of helical and axial velocity components of the molten steel, the lowering of the initial solidification point to avoid the touching of a shell edge with the slag ring, and a decrease of oscillation marks.

Abstract: A control system for regulating the flow of liquid metal in a device for casting a metal. A detector measures a process variable. A control unit evaluates data from the detector. At least one process parameter is automatically varied in order to optimize casting conditions. The detector measures a characteristic of the meniscus at at least two points on the meniscus instantaneously throughout the casting process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for eliminating axial porosity accompanied by impurity segregation arising at bulk crystallization of the axial zone of the liquid core of a continuous ingot.

Abstract: A continuous casting device includes a mould, a nozzle, and an electromagnetic stirrer provided around the nozzle above the mould, the stirrer including a core of a magnetic material that extends circumferentially around the nozzle and a plurality of windings wound around the core. The windings are wound around a cross section of the core as seen in the circumferential direction of the core.

Abstract: When a molten steel flow velocity (u) on a bath surface is higher than a mold-powder entrainment critical flow velocity of 0.32 m/sec, the molten steel flow velocity (u) is controlled to a predetermined molten steel flow velocity by applying a shifting magnetic field to impart a braking force to a discharge flow from an immersion nozzle. When the molten steel flow velocity (u) is lower than an inclusion-adherence critical flow velocity of 0.20 m/sec and is higher than or equal to a bath-surface skinning critical flow velocity of 0.10 m/sec, the molten steel flow velocity (u) is controlled to the range of 0.20-0.32 m/sec by applying a shifting magnetic field to rotate the intra-mold molten steel in a horizontal direction. When the molten steel flow velocity (u) is lower than the inclusion-adherence critical flow velocity, the molten steel flow velocity (u) is controlled to the range of 0.20-0.

Abstract: At least three electromagnets are disposed along the longitudinal direction of a mold. While the electromagnets generate a vibrating magnetic field, peak positions of the vibrating magnetic field is shifted in the longitudinal direction of the mold.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the continuous casting of preliminary steel sections, the liquid or molten steel is introduced substantially vertically into an open-ended die. The cross section of the cavity of the die is made up of a web part and one or more flange parts, for example, such as in preliminary double-T sections. The liquid core of the strand of the preliminary section is set in agitating motions transversely to the direction of continuous casting by selectively using electromagnetically-induced forces in the regions of the flange parts and/or of the web part. The agitating motions have the effect of exchanging the liquid steel in the molten crater of the strand of the preliminary section in and between flange parts and the web part.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous casting of magnesium billets or slabs using an electromagnetic field, and a method thereof compensates small solidification latent heat of magnesium, controls a solidification speed, and stirs molten metal within a mold via an electromagnetic field, thereby enabling continuous casting. The apparatus comprises a mold for continuous casting an as-cast billet or slab, a coil positioned outside the mold and adapted to allow electric current to be applied thereto, and a cooling nozzle positioned outside the mold and the as-cast billet or slab. During casting, electric current having a frequency of 2˜1,000 D or electric current of 50˜10,000 A having a frequency of 200˜200,000 D is applied to the coil. A magnesium billet or slab having enhanced inner quality can be produced at a high casting speed without surface defects by applying a low frequency or high frequency electromagnetic field to the mold during continuous casting of magnesium.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for electromagnetic stirring during a continuous casting process, especially for casting a billet and bloom of medium and high carbon steels. The method and apparatus provide a higher surface quality of the ingot, reduce the entrapping of nonmetallic inclusions into the ingot, and suppress issues regarding central segregation and central porosity. The method provides an improvement in the stirring process from the meniscus to the crater end—and relates to in-mold stirring and stirring in a zone of secondary cooling and up to the crater end. The in-mold stirring is geared towards the suppression of meniscus disturbance, for submerged casting, in particular, the reducing of helical and axial velocity components of the molten steel, the lowering of the initial solidification point to avoid the touching of a shell edge with the slag ring, and a decrease of oscillation marks.

Abstract: A device for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metals, comprising a casting mold (1) which is open in both ends in the casting direction, means (2) for supplying melt to the mold (1), a first electromagnetic induction coil (4) energized by A.C. current and adapted to induce a stirring motion to the melt (7) in the mold (1), and a second electromagnetic induction coil (3) arranged upstream of the first induction coil (4) and adapted to control the stirring motion of the melt in the region adjacent to the upper free surface (5) of the melt. The second induction coil (3) is arranged to be interchangeably energized by either D.C. or A.C. current. The invention also relates to methods for control of stirring motion in a casting mold (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic braking device for the steel melt running within the continuous casting ingot in a continuous casting unit. The electromagnetic brake device comprises at least one coil (3) with a ferromagnetic core (5), arranged on the broad side of the ingot and at least one yoke (7) provided on the above. In order to reduce the oscillating masses on the ingot components and to permit the retro-fitting of electromagnetic brakes to conventional continuous casting machines, the electromagnetic brake, comprising yoke (7), coil (3) and ferromagnetic core (5), is embodied such as to pivot inwards or outwards, preferably by means of two unequal length, non-parallel levers in or on the continuous casting ingot, using an actuator (6).

Abstract: A method of controlling the flow of molten metal in non-solidified portions of a strand (3) during continuous casting, and a device for application of the method. The device comprises a two-phase or plural-phase stirrer (1) arranged around a mould (6) that is open in opposite ends and that surrounds the strand (3), said stirrer (1) being arranged to generate a moving magnetic field in the melt, and at least one magnetic flow-conducting body (15) being placed between an inner periphery of said stirrer (1) and the outer periphery of the mould (6).

Abstract: An ingot I made of a light alloy is produced using a continuous casting apparatus including a cylindrical water-cooled casting mold which is disposed immediately below a spout having an upward-turned molten metal receiving port and a downward-turned molten metal outlet, and which has an inside radius r1 larger than an inside radius r2 of the molten metal outlet, and lubricating oil discharge passages provided below the spout to supply a lubricating oil to between the water-cooled casting mold 13 and a molten metal m brought into contact with the water-cooled casting mold. In this production, a lubricating oil having a vaporization rate of 30% or more at 300° is used, and an annular gas accumulation for spacing the molten metal apart from outlets of the lubricating oil discharge passages is defined below an annular protrusion of the spout by vaporization of the lubricating oil.

Abstract: During continuous casting of metals, a non-moving, vibrating magnetic field is applied to a molten metal in a casting mold to impose only vibration on the molten metal. This continuous casting method can produce a cast slab much less susceptible to flux entrainment, capture of bubbles and non-metal inclusions near the surface of the molten metal, and surface segregation. The magnetic field is preferably produced by arranging electromagnets in an opposing relation on both sides of the mold to lie side by side in the direction of longitudinal width of the mold, and supplying a single-phase AC current to each coil. The single-phase AC current preferably has frequency of 0.10 to 60 Hz. A static magnetic field can be applied intermittently in the direction of thickness of a cast slab. This technique can produce a cast slab substantially free from the flux entrainment and the surface segregation. Preferably, the static magnetic field is intermittently applied under setting of an on-time t1=0.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stirring a molten thixotropic aluminum alloy comprising a first solid particulate phase suspended in a second liquid phase so as to maintain its thixotropic character by degenerating forming dendritic particles into spheroidal particles while simultaneously equilibrating the melt temperature by quickly transferring heat between the melt and its surroundings. The melt is stirred by a magnetomotive force field generated by a stacked stator assembly. The stacked stator assembly includes a stator ring adapted to generate a linear/longitudinal magnetic field positioned between two stator rings adapted to generate a rotational magnetic field. The stacked stator rings generate a substantially spiral magnetomotive mixing force and define a substantially cylindrical mixing region therein.

Abstract: A method of controlling the flow of molten metal in non-solidified portions of a strand (3) during continuous casting, and a device for application of the method. The device comprises a two-phase or plural-phase stirrer (1) arranged around a mould (6) that is open in opposite ends and that surrounds the strand (3), said stirrer (1) being arranged to generate a moving magnetic field in the melt, and at least one magnetic flow-conducting body (15) being placed between an inner periphery of said stirrer (1) and the outer periphery of the mould (6).

Abstract: A device for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metals, comprising a casting mold (1) which is open in both ends in the casting direction, means (2) for supplying melt to the mold (1), a first electromagnetic induction coil (4) energized by A.C. current and adapted to induce a stirring motion to the melt (7) in the mold (1), and a second electromagnetic induction coil (3) arranged upstream of the first induction coil (4) and adapted to control the stirring motion of the melt in the region adjacent to the upper free surface (5) of the melt. The second induction coil (3) is arranged to be interchangeably energized by either D.C. or A.C. current. The invention also relates to methods for control of stirring motion in a casting mold (1).

Abstract: The invention concerns a magazine for storing test elements (1) with one or several test zones (3) which are attached adjacent to one another on a rectangular support, wherein the magazine has at least one pair of guide grooves (18a, b) located opposite to one another into which the test elements are inserted in such a way that they lie directly adjacent to one another and the edges of adjacent supports abut one another. A further subject matter of the invention is a system which comprises a slide (14, 31) in addition to the magazine according to the invention which is used to push a layer of test elements along the guide grooves towards the oppofite end of the layer to remove test elements from the magazine.

Abstract: A method and a device for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metal, where hot melt is supplied to a cooled continuous casting mold and the melt is cooled and formed to a at least partly solidified strand as it passes through the mold. An inductive coil is arranged at the top end of the mold to, when supplied with an alternating electric high frequency current, generate a high frequency magnetic field to act upon the melt in the mold, whereby heat is developed in the melt and compressive forces acting to separate the melt from the mold wall are generated. The coil is supplied with the high frequency current from a power supply unit with a current control to supply an alternating electric high frequency current having a base frequency of 50 Hz or more to the inductive coil. The current control has modulation means for modulating and controlling the supplied current is controlled in a pulsed, amplitude modulated manner with an amplitude modulated modulation frequency of 10 Hz.

Abstract: When a continuous casting is carried out while applying an electromagnetic agitating force to a molten metal of an aluminum alloy composition, the molten metal of the aluminum alloy composition has an Fe content in a range of 0.75% by weight ≦Fe<2% by weight. Thus, a hard Fe-based intermetallic compound can be crystallized as a primary crystallized product, and an acicular intermetallic compound can be pulverized and finely divided by cooperation of the hard Fe-based intermetallic compound with the electromagnetic agitating force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous casting method in which vibration is given to molten metal by a shifting magnetic field so that the equi-axed crystal ratio can be enhanced and the equi-axed crystals can be made fine without generating surface defects caused by powder trapping. Further, the present invention provides an apparatus to which the continuous casting method is applied. Furthermore, the present invention provides a cast slab produced by the above method and apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stirring a molten thixotropic aluminum alloy comprising a first solid particulate phase suspended in a second liquid phase so as to maintain its thixotropic character by degenerating forming dendritic particles into spheroidal particles while simultaneously equilibrating the melt temperature by quickly transferring heat between the melt and its surroundings. The melt is stirred by a magnetomotive force field generated by a stacked stator assembly. The stacked stator assembly includes a stator ring adapted to generate a linear/longitudinal magnetic field positioned between two stator rings adapted to generate a rotational magnetic field. The stacked stator rings generate a substantially spiral magnetomotive mixing force and define a substantially cylindrical mixing region therein.

Abstract: An agitated continuous casting apparatus includes a spout having an upward-turned molten metal receiving port and a downward-turned molten metal outlet, a cylindrical water-cooled casting mold disposed immediately below the spout, and an agitator for applying an electromagnetic agitating force to the molten metal in the spout. The agitator has a function to form, in the spout, an upper area for moving the molten metal in a substantially radiate direction, and a lower area for rotating the molten metal in a circumferential direction. An upper area forming portion of an inner peripheral surface of the spout is formed into a tapered shape with its inside diameter gradually increased from its upper peripheral edge toward its lower peripheral edge.

Abstract: When a continuous casting is carried out while applying an electromagnetic agitating force to a molten metal of an aluminum alloy composition, the molten metal of the aluminum alloy composition, which is used, has an Fe content in a range of 0.75% by weight ≦Fe<2% by weight. Thus, a hard Fe-based intermetallic compound can be crystallized as a primary crystallized product, and an acicular intermetallic compound can be pulverized and finely divided by cooperation of the hard Fe-based intermetallic compound with the electromagnetic agitating force.