Control of heat flux in continuous metal casters

Abstract

A process of casting a molten metal to form a cast metal strip ingot while controlling heat flux from the cast metal. The process comprises continuously supplying molten metal to a casting cavity formed between a pair of moving continuous casting surfaces that withdraw heat from the molten metal to cause metal solidification, and continuously withdrawing a resulting cast strip ingot from the casting cavity. A gas (e.g. air) containing water vapour substantially without liquid water (i.e. a moist gas) is supplied to the inlet of the casting cavity in a region containing the meniscus formed where the molten metal first contacts the casting surfaces. The moist gas has the effect of adjusting the heat withdrawal by the casting surfaces to minimize surface defects in the cast strip ingot and to avoid undesired distortion of the casting cavity. Furthermore, in those cases where a parting agent is applied to the casting surfaces, the amount of parting agent applied to the casting surfaces may be reduced. The invention also relates to equipment provided for the delivery and dewpoint control of the moist gas.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.