REFRACTORY COATING OF EDGE-DAM BLOCKS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREVENTING LONGITUDINAL BANDS OF SINKAGE IN THE PRODUCT OF A CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE

摘要

S P E C I F I C A T I O N TITLE: REFRACTORY COATING OF EDGE-DAM BLOCKS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PREVENTING LONGITUDINAL BANDS OF SINKAGE IN THE PRODUCT OF A CONTINUOUS CASTING MACHINE INVENTORS: STANLEY W. PLATEK S. JERRY DESAUTELS WOJTEK SZCZYPIORSKI Continuous casting methods and apparatus are described wherein a defect in the cast surfaces consisting of longitudinal bands of sinkage, sometimes called "sinks", which are spaced relatively far inwardly from the edges of wide, relatively thin slab or strip,usually being spaced inwardly away from the edges by a distance of 3 to 7 times (sometimes up to 9 times) the thickness of the cast slab, is practically eliminated by means of a coating or covering of non-wettable refractory ceramic material of low heat conductivity applied to the inner faces of the edge-dam blocks for reducing heat flow out of the edges of the slab or strip being cast. Numerous such blocks are strung onto a flexible metal band or cable to constitute each of the two edge dams which define the edges of the mold space. Alternative methods for reducing heat flow from the edges of the slab or strip being cast are disclosed -- notably the breaking of thermal contact by means of jiggling by rocking individual edge-dam blocks back and forth; also the use of sintered edgedam blocks, and the heating of the edge-dam blocks along the casting region. One or more of these alternative methods may be used in conjunction with the coating of refractory material on the inner faces of the edge-dam blocks for further reducing or controlling the flow of heat out of the margins of the metal being cast into the edge-dam blocks.