Method and apparatus for starting the continuous casting of a metal

Method of starting the continuous casting of a first metal having a particular melting point in a continuous casting machine having a mold therein, comprising the steps of:

• A. introducing a molten second metal having a melting point lower than the melting point of said first metal into said mold at a temperature substantially lower than the molten temperature of said first metal;
• B. cooling said mold containing said second metal;
• C. terminating introduction of said second metal when a cross-section of said mold is filled by solidified second metal;
• D. introducing molten first metal into said mold while continuing to cool said mold.

A method of starting the continuous casting of a first metal in a mold formed by engaging the peripheral groove of a rotatable casting wheel with a continuous flexible band, said first metal having a melting point higher than the melting point of said mold, comprising the steps of:

• A. introducing into said mold a molten second metal having a melting point lower than the melting point of said mold at a temperature substantially lower than the molten temperature of said first metal;
• B. immediately cooling said mold at a rate sufficient to prevent said mold from melting on contact with said first metal;
• C. terminating the introduction of second metal when said mold has filled to the point of introduction of said molten metal;
• D. immediately introducing molten first metal into said mold while continuing to cool said mold.

Method for starting the continuous casting of a first metal having a particular melting point in a mold formed by engaging the peripheral groove of a rotatable casting wheel with a continuous flexible band, comprising the steps of:

• A. introducing into said mold a molten second metal having a melting point below the melting point of said first metal;
• B. immediately cooling said mold;
• C. filling said mold with molten second metal to the point of introduction of said second metal;
• and
• D. immediately and approximately simultaneously
• 1. rotating said casting wheel;
• 2. terminating introduction of second metal;
• and
• 3. introducing molten first metal while continuing to cool said mold.

A method of starting the continuous casting of steel in a mold formed by engaging the peripheral groove of a rotatable casting wheel with a continuous flexible band, comprising the steps of:

• A. introducing molten lead into said mold;
• B. immediately cooling said mold;
• C. terminating the introduction of said lead when solidified lead fills the cross-section of said mold;
• D. rotating said casting wheel;
• and
• E. immediately introducing molten steel into said mold while continuing to cool said mold.

Apparatus for starting the continuous casting of a first metal having a particular melting point comprising:

• a mold formed by engaging the peripheral groove of a rotatable casting wheel with a continuous flexible band;
• means for introducing a molten second metal having a melting point lower than the melting point of said first metal into said mold at a temperature substantially lower than the molten temperature of said first metal so as to fill the cross-section of the mold;
• means for cooling said mold at a particular rate;
• means for terminating introduction of said second metal when a cross-section of said mold is filled by solidified second metal;
• and
• means for introducing molten first metal into said mold while said rate of cooling of said mold is maintained.