Method of initiating a process for casting metal strip

摘要

Method and apparatus for casting metal strip in which molten metal is introduced between a pair of parallel casting rollers (16) via a tundish (18) and metal delivery nozzle (19). Casting rollers (16) are cooled so that shells solidify on the moving roller surfaces and are brought together at the nip between them to produce a solidified strip product (20) at the roller outlet. The tundish (18), delivery nozzle (19) and a pair of side closure plates (56) to confine the pool of metal on the casting rollers are separately preheated to working temperature and then rapidly brought into an operative assembly and casting is started before detrimental uneven or localized cooling of the preheated components can develop. To this end the casting rollers are mounted on a carriage (13) movable between a first station (14) at which the preheated components are fitted and a second station (15) at which casting is carried out.