System and method for continuous casting

A mold section for supporting a moving belt of a continuous casting apparatus, comprising:

• a transition portion configured to receive molten metal from a metal feeding device of the continuous casting apparatus;
• and
• a downstream portion configured to maintain contact with a metal strip as it cools and shrinks;
• wherein the transition portion is located upstream from the downstream portion and has a radius that increases progressively throughout its extent from an upstream end of the transition portion to the downstream portion.

A continuous casting apparatus for casting a metal strip, comprising:

• a first belt carried by a first upstream pulley and a first downstream pulley;
• a second belt carried by a second upstream pulley and a second downstream pulley;
• and
• a mold region defined by a first mold support section arranged behind the first belt intermediate the first upstream pulley and the first downstream pulley and a second mold support section arranged behind the second belt intermediate the second upstream pulley and the second downstream pulley;
• wherein the first mold support section and the second mold support section each include a transition portion defining therebetween a second zone of the mold region, and a downstream portion defining therebetween a third zone of the mold region;
• wherein the second zone is configured to receive molten metal from a metal feeding device, and the third zone is configured to maintain contact with the metal strip as it cools;
• and
• wherein the transition portion of each of the first mold support section and the second mold support section is located upstream from the third zone and has a radius that increases progressively throughout its extent from an upstream end of the second zone to the third zone.