Method and apparatus for improved melt flow during continuous strip casting.

摘要

The continuous casting of metal strip (21) using the melt overflow process is improved by controlling the weir conditions in the nozzle (19) to provide a more uniform flow of molten metal (12) across the width of the nozzle (19) and reducing the tendency for freezing of metal along the interface with refractory surfaces. A weir design having a sloped rear wall (28) and tapered sidewalls (29) and critical gap controls beneath the weir (26) has resulted in the drastic reduction in edge tearing and a significant improvement in strip (21) uniformity. The floor (34) of the container vessel (18) is preferably sloped and the gap between the nozzle (19) and the rotating substrate (20) is critically controlled. The resulting flow patterns observed with the improved casting process have reduced thermal gradients in the bath, contained surface slag and eliminated undesirable solidification near the discharge area by increasing the flowrates at those points. <IMAGE>