Semi-continuous casting of a steel strip

The present invention relates to a method for the semi-continuous casting of a strand (1) of steel in a continuous casting machine and the continuous casting machine itself. The aim of the invention is to devise a method for the semi-continuous casting of a strand (1) of steel, the strand having little segregation of the center and porosity, yet being castable rapidly. For this purpose, the following method steps are used: - casting start of the continuous casting machine, liquid steel being poured into the open-ended mold (2) which is closed by a cold strand (6) and the liquid steel forming, together with the cold strand, a completely solidified strand start (1a) and subsequently a semi-solidified strand (1b); - extraction of the semi-solidified strand (1b) from the open-ended mold (2); - support and guidance of the semi-solidified strand (1b) in the strand guide (3), the semi-solidified strand (1b) being cooled by secondary cooling (4); - casting end of the continuous casting machine, the pouring of liquid