Further results from strip casting with the single-belt process

The integrated single-belt casting/hot rolling process operated at Clausthal Technical University is described with emphasis on the machine operation. Automatic control of the relevant parameters is very important in strip casting with high linear velocities involving the additional process steps of hot rolling and coiling. The following quantities are measured, controlled and/or stored as process data by a computer system: (a) the temperatures of the liquid steel in the furnace/ladle and in the dispenser and of the strand at the entrance to the rolls, (b) the flow rate of the liquid steel discharged from the ladle into the dispenser, (c) the velocities of the belt, of the strand and of the rolled strip, (d) the roll gap, (e) the lateral position of the belt, and (f) the oxygen content of the gas in the strand encasing. The various controls are described and examples of the time records of the controlled quantities are given. The second part of the paper deals with the feeding system. At present two argon rakes make up from a row of little argon jets are used to enhance the lateral distribution of the melt on the belt. In the third part of the paper the materials properties of the product are discussed. It is shown that the internal porosity can be removed securely by hot rolling with a reduction degree of approx1. Some results are given on the inclusion distribution in the as-cast material.