Process for starting a continuous casting mold

Abstract

A method of initiating a continuous casting mold includes steps of positioning a plug inside a continuous casting mold, sealing the plug with respect to inner walls of the mold, positioning a prefabricated chill member on a top surface of the plug; and introducing molten metal into the mold. By prefabricating the chill member, valuable time is saved during the mold startup phase. The prefabricated chill member may have a compressible metallic sealing strip secured thereto to enhance sealing against the mold wall without abrading or scratching the mold wall. Another aspect of the invention involves sealing the gaps that exist between the mold surfaces and the mold plug by use of a an elongated body that defines in cross-section a broadened upper portion and a tapered lower portion that narrows into a leading edge. This construction permits the sealing element to be quickly inserted into a gap without being caught on the mold plug.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.