A method for semi-continuous casting of a strand (1) of steel in a strand casting machine and a strand casting machine for such casting. The strand has little segregation of the center and porosity. Yet it is castable rapidly. The method steps are: at a casting start of the strand casting machine, pouring liquid steel into an open-ended mold (2). The mold is closed by a cold strand (6). The liquid steel forms, together with the cold strand, a completely solidified strand start (1a) and subsequently forms a semi-solidified strand (1b). Then extracting the semi-solidified strand (1b) from the open-ended mold (2). Supporting and guiding the semi-solidified strand (1b) in a strand guide (3). Cooling the semi-solidified strand (1b) by secondary cooling (4) at the casting end of the strand casting machine, ending the pouring of liquid steel into the open-ended mold (2) and forming a strand end (1c). Extracting the strand end (1c) from the open-ended mold (2). Ending the extraction such that the strand end (1c) lies outside the open-ended mold (2). Ending the secondary cooling (4). Controlling or regulating cooling of the semi-solidified strand (1b) until complete solidification of the strand (1) in a tertiary cooling zone (5) of the strand casting machine. The cooling effect is stronger at the strand start (1a) and decreases towards the strand end (1c). Discharging the strand (1) from the strand casting machine.

A method includes: sensing a defect on a cast strip surface, the cast strip being cast from molten metal or alloy by a casting system, determining an adjustment amount and/or direction of a casting system component based on the identified surface defect, and providing the adjustment amount and/or direction to an operator for adjustment of the casting system component and/or commanding that the casting system component be adjusted by the adjustment amount and/or direction.

A method includes: sensing a defect on a cast strip surface, the cast strip being cast from molten metal or alloy by a casting system, determining an adjustment amount and/or direction of a casting system component based on the identified surface defect, and providing the adjustment amount and/or direction to an operator for adjustment of the casting system component and/or commanding that the casting system component be adjusted by the adjustment amount and/or direction.

A computer determines a thickness and/or a temperature of a metal strip. The computer determines the temperatures occurring along a respective rotation part of the respective surface elements of the rotary elements and a rotary element shape which forms in the region of a draw-off point on the respective surface element, by a respective rotary element model and using an exchanged enthalpy quantity, the respective contact time with a metal and a respective cycle time exchanged per time unit of a respective rotary element of a casting device with the environment thereof. The temperature of the metal situated in the die region, and the heat flow from the metal to the respective surface element, are determined by a respective metallurgical solidification model and using a metal temperature, the temperatures of the surface elements, the rotary element shape and characteristic metal values.

A computer determines a thickness and/or a temperature of a metal strip. The computer determines the temperatures occurring along a respective rotation part of the respective surface elements of the rotary elements and a rotary element shape which forms in the region of a draw-off point on the respective surface element, by a respective rotary element model and using an exchanged enthalpy quantity, the respective contact time with a metal and a respective cycle time exchanged per time unit of a respective rotary element of a casting device with the environment thereof. The temperature of the metal situated in the die region, and the heat flow from the metal to the respective surface element, are determined by a respective metallurgical solidification model and using a metal temperature, the temperatures of the surface elements, the rotary element shape and characteristic metal values.

Methods and systems are provided for continuously producing cast metal components. An exemplary method includes feeding molten metal into a first mold at a fill station; maintaining a pressurized chamber at an elevated pressure; moving the first mold into the pressurized chamber, wherein the molten metal solidifies in the first mold under the elevated pressure; and removing the first mold from the pressurized chamber.

In a first cooling zone (21) on an upper side of a vertical section (20), an air-water ratio A.sub.1/R.sub.1 defined by an amount of water R.sub.1 (L/min) and an amount of air A.sub.1 (L/min) per one cooling spray nozzle is set to 10 or more, an impinging pressure of cooling water colliding with the surface of a slab (1) from the cooling spray nozzle is set to 12 gf/cm.sup.2 or more, a cooling intensity W.sub.1×t.sub.1 defined by a cooling water density (W.sub.1) (L/min/m.sup.2) and a passing time t.sub.1 (min) of the first cooling zone (21) is 350 or more, and a recuperating time from having passed through the first cooling zone (21) until reaching a bent section (30) is set to 0.5 min or more.

In a first cooling zone (21) on an upper side of a vertical section (20), an air-water ratio A.sub.1/R.sub.1 defined by an amount of water R.sub.1 (L/min) and an amount of air A.sub.1 (L/min) per one cooling spray nozzle is set to 10 or more, an impinging pressure of cooling water colliding with the surface of a slab (1) from the cooling spray nozzle is set to 12 gf/cm.sup.2 or more, a cooling intensity W.sub.1×t.sub.1 defined by a cooling water density (W.sub.1) (L/min/m.sup.2) and a passing time t.sub.1 (min) of the first cooling zone (21) is 350 or more, and a recuperating time from having passed through the first cooling zone (21) until reaching a bent section (30) is set to 0.5 min or more.

A method for improving center segregation and surface crack of continuous casting medium-thick slab of peritectic steel reduces the cooling intensity at the earlier stage of solidification and enhancing the cooling intensity at the final stage of solidification. For example, the cooling water amount of the wide face of the mould is 3400-3600 L/min, and the cooling water amount of the narrow face of the mould is 480-530 L/min. The cooling water amount of the wide face of the foot roller section is 239-298 L/min, and the cooling water amount of the narrow face of the foot roller section is 61-65 L/min. The total cooling water amount of the sector segment is 1517-2166 L/min.

A method for improving center segregation and surface crack of continuous casting medium-thick slab of peritectic steel reduces the cooling intensity at the earlier stage of solidification and enhancing the cooling intensity at the final stage of solidification. For example, the cooling water amount of the wide face of the mould is 3400-3600 L/min, and the cooling water amount of the narrow face of the mould is 480-530 L/min. The cooling water amount of the wide face of the foot roller section is 239-298 L/min, and the cooling water amount of the narrow face of the foot roller section is 61-65 L/min. The total cooling water amount of the sector segment is 1517-2166 L/min.