Method of adjusting the elemental inhomogeneity of a continuous cast metal

A method of adjusting the elemental inhomogeneity of a continuously cast metal, comprising the steps of

• casting a metal through a mould with one or more casting parameters,
• determining the elemental inhomogeneity of the solidified cast metal, thereby determining if the metal cast is homogeneous or inhomogeneous, and
• maintaining the casting parameters to the present state when it is determined that the metal cast is homogeneous and adjusting one or more casting parameters when it is determined that the metal cast is inhomogeneous, thereby adjusting the metal cast to be more homogeneous,
• wherein the elemental inhomogeneity of the continuously cast metal is determined online by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, comprising the steps of providing a cross-section of the continuously cast metal, agitating a plurality of spots within the cross-section with a laser thereby generating a plasma and analysing the radiation emitted by the plasma of each spot to determine the elemental composition of each spot and deduce the deviation from the aimed elemental composition, and
• wherein the one or more casting parameters comprise primary and secondary cooling profiles, fluid flow, casting speed, superheat, mechanical changes.