Described herein are techniques for improving the grain structure of a metal product by applying ultrasonic energy to a continuously cast metal product at a position downstream from the casting region and allowing the ultrasonic energy to propagate through the metal product to the solidification region. At the solidification region, the ultrasonic energy can interact with the growing metal grains, such as to deagglomerate and disperse nucleating particles and to disrupt and fragment dendrites as they grow, which can promote additional nucleation and result in smaller grain sizes.

A continuous casting apparatus includes a first belt carried by a first upstream pulley and a first downstream pulley, a second belt carried by a second upstream pulley and a second downstream pulley, and a mold region defined by a first mold support section arranged behind the first belt and a second mold support section arranged behind the second belt. The first mold support section supports the first belt and defines a shape of the first belt in the mold region and the second mold support section supports the second belt and defines a shape of the second belt in the mold region. At least one of the first mold support section and the second mold support section includes a transition portion and a generally planar portion downstream from the transition portion. The transition portion has a variable radius configured to receive molten metal from a metal feeding device.

A method for reducing target surface features in continuously cast articles is described. The method can remove a target surface feature, such as a compositional variation or casting defect, from the continuously cast article by removing, before cold rolling, material from the continuously cast article surface.

A method for reducing target surface features in continuously cast articles is described. The method can remove a target surface feature, such as a compositional variation or casting defect, from the continuously cast article by removing, before cold rolling, material from the continuously cast article surface.

Provided herein are continuously cast aluminum alloy products exhibiting uniform surface characteristics. The aluminum alloy products have a first surface comprising a width, wherein the first surface comprises an average of 50 exudates or less per square centimeter across the width of the first surface. Also provided herein are methods of making aluminum alloy products having improved surface characteristics. Further provided are methods and systems for manufacturing aluminum alloy products, such as sheets, having reduced surface defects.

[Object] There are provided a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus that obtain a high-quality conductive metal sheet in a short time. [Solution] The invention includes: applying a magnetic field to the raw material or the pre-product in a thickness direction by a magnetic field unit including permanent magnets; making alternating current flow in at least one of the raw material and molten metal of the pre-product so that the alternating current intersects the magnetic field in at least the front and the rear of a lengthwise direction of the magnetic field unit; and applying vibration to at least one of the raw material and the molten metal of the pre-product by an electromagnetic force generated due to the intersection to modify the molten metal and form the conductive metal sheet in which all of the molten metal is solidified.

A machine for manufacturing continuous bars of nonferrous metal by continuous casting includes a movable casting shell, composed of segments arranged in succession, each one having a portion defined, with a bottom and flanks, of the casting shell, and open on the sides directed toward the contiguous segments. The contiguous segments are movable along a closed path that has a substantially rectilinear portion at the casting region. Along the portion, the segments are substantially aligned and define a portion of the casting shell, with bottom and flanks, which is continuous, substantially rectilinear and closed, for at least one portion of the path downstream of the casting region, by a closure component.

Described are nosetips for continuous casting of a metal alloy. The nosetip may include a first portion having a first surface parallel to a second surface opposite the first surface. The nosetip may include a second portion having a third surface directed toward an extended first surface. The extended first surface may be in a common plane with the first surface. The nosetip may include a third portion having an arcuate surface connecting the third surface to the extended first surface. The arcuate surface may include a point of curvature at a vertical distance from the extended first surface. The vertical distance may be configured to limit a maximum meniscus height for liquid metal, cast using the nosetip, between the nosetip and a continuous casting surface. Also described are methods of continuous casting a metal alloy at a casting speed of greater than 12 m/min.

A side dam for a continuous metal casting apparatus includes an insulator and a belt system having an endless belt. The endless belt includes a belt surface, and the endless belt is movable relative to the insulator such that a portion of the belt surface is configured to face a casting cavity of the continuous metal casting apparatus as the endless belt is moved. In some examples, the endless belt is movable in a plane of motion that is perpendicular to the belt surface.

Provided herein are continuously cast aluminum alloy products exhibiting uniform surface characteristics. The aluminum alloy products have a first surface comprising a width, wherein the first surface comprises an average of 50 exudates or less per square centimeter across the width of the first surface. Also provided herein are methods of making aluminum alloy products having improved surface characteristics. Further provided are methods and systems for manufacturing aluminum alloy products, such as sheets, having reduced surface defects.