The device for controlling a flow in a mold in thin-slab casting of steel has a thickness on the short side of the meniscus portion of 150 mm or less and a casting width of 2 m or less and includes a DC magnetic field generation unit and an immersion nozzle having a slit formed at the bottom so that the slit leads to the bottom of the discharge hole and opens outside, the discharge hole and the slit are present in the DC magnetic field zone, and the magnetic flux density B (T) in the DC magnetic field zone and the distance L (m) from the lower end of the immersion nozzle to the lower end of the core satisfy Formulae (1) and (2) described below:

0.35TB1.0TFormula (1)

L0.06 mFormula (2)

The device for controlling a flow in a mold in thin-slab casting of steel has a thickness on the short side of the meniscus portion of 150 mm or less and a casting width of 2 m or less and includes a DC magnetic field generation unit and an immersion nozzle having a slit formed at the bottom so that the slit leads to the bottom of the discharge hole and opens outside, the discharge hole and the slit are present in the DC magnetic field zone, and the magnetic flux density B (T) in the DC magnetic field zone and the distance L (m) from the lower end of the immersion nozzle to the lower end of the core satisfy Formulae (1) and (2) described below:

0.35TB1.0TFormula (1)

L0.06 mFormula (2)

A casting apparatus for continuous or semi-continuous casting having a reservoir for supplying liquid metal, a direct chill casting mold having a mold cavity for at least temporarily holding liquid metal and to at least partially solidify the liquid metal into a cast product, and a pump disposed on the flow path between the reservoir and the mold cavity, wherein the pump is operable to generate a force in the liquid metal that is acting against the tendency of the liquid metal to flow along the flow path from the reservoir into the mold cavity by gravity to control a flow of the liquid metal from the reservoir into the mold cavity, wherein the pump is a direct current electromagnetic pump.

A casting apparatus for continuous or semi-continuous casting having a reservoir for supplying liquid metal, a direct chill casting mold having a mold cavity for at least temporarily holding liquid metal and to at least partially solidify the liquid metal into a cast product, and a pump disposed on the flow path between the reservoir and the mold cavity, wherein the pump is operable to generate a force in the liquid metal that is acting against the tendency of the liquid metal to flow along the flow path from the reservoir into the mold cavity by gravity to control a flow of the liquid metal from the reservoir into the mold cavity, wherein the pump is a direct current electromagnetic pump.

A method and apparatus for continuous Near Net Shape casting of a liquid metal (10) into a metal strip are described. Liquid metal is transferred in a velocity adjusted manner from a headbox (50) to a chilled substrate (36), via a meniscus gap (69). The headbox (50) has a slot nozzle (68) defined in a bottom portion (66) for the headbox (50) above the chilled substrate (36). The slot nozzle (68) defines a smooth elongated cavity with a slot width (67) and the slot length (65) of the metal strip (34). The generation of some turbulence at the outlet of the apparatus promotes stable Near Net Shape Continuous Casting. The present method and apparatus increase the level of turbulence in the liquid metal of the outlet nozzle upstream of the chilled substrate (36) to minimize premature metal freezing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the slot nozzle is adjustable.

A method and apparatus for continuous Near Net Shape casting of a liquid metal (10) into a metal strip are described. Liquid metal is transferred in a velocity adjusted manner from a headbox (50) to a chilled substrate (36), via a meniscus gap (69). The headbox (50) has a slot nozzle (68) defined in a bottom portion (66) for the headbox (50) above the chilled substrate (36). The slot nozzle (68) defines a smooth elongated cavity with a slot width (67) and the slot length (65) of the metal strip (34). The generation of some turbulence at the outlet of the apparatus promotes stable Near Net Shape Continuous Casting. The present method and apparatus increase the level of turbulence in the liquid metal of the outlet nozzle upstream of the chilled substrate (36) to minimize premature metal freezing. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the slot nozzle is adjustable.

Techniques are disclosed for reducing macrosegregation in cast metals. Techniques include providing an eductor nozzle capable of increasing mixing in the fluid region of an ingot being cast. Techniques also include providing a non-contacting flow control device to mix and/or apply pressure to the molten metal that is being introduced to the mold cavity. The non-contacting flow control device can be permanent magnet or electromagnet based. Techniques additionally can include actively cooling and mixing the molten metal before introducing the molten metal to the mold cavity.

Techniques are disclosed for reducing macrosegregation in cast metals. Techniques include providing an eductor nozzle capable of increasing mixing in the fluid region of an ingot being cast. Techniques also include providing a non-contacting flow control device to mix and/or apply pressure to the molten metal that is being introduced to the mold cavity. The non-contacting flow control device can be permanent magnet or electromagnet based. Techniques additionally can include actively cooling and mixing the molten metal before introducing the molten metal to the mold cavity.

A tooling for producing a metal product by feed casting, including a mold having a preheater, an ingot mold (10), a movable bottom that moves in a main direction X and a transition ring interposed between the preheater and the ingot mold (10). The tooling has a clamping ring (12) transmitting a clamping force (F1) to the transition ring (11) oriented towards the ingot mold (10), a holding mechanism that positively locks the clamping ring (12), and an axial relief mechanism configured to vary between an inactive state in which the holding mechanism exerts a holding force (F2) on the clamping ring (12) such that the clamping ring (12) exerts the clamping force (F1) on the transition ring (11) and an active state in which the axial relief mechanism resists the action applied by the holding mechanism on the clamping ring in the inactive state.

A tooling for producing a metal product by feed casting, including a mold having a preheater, an ingot mold (10), a movable bottom that moves in a main direction X and a transition ring interposed between the preheater and the ingot mold (10). The tooling has a clamping ring (12) transmitting a clamping force (F1) to the transition ring (11) oriented towards the ingot mold (10), a holding mechanism that positively locks the clamping ring (12), and an axial relief mechanism configured to vary between an inactive state in which the holding mechanism exerts a holding force (F2) on the clamping ring (12) such that the clamping ring (12) exerts the clamping force (F1) on the transition ring (11) and an active state in which the axial relief mechanism resists the action applied by the holding mechanism on the clamping ring in the inactive state.