An electromagnetic device for laterally containing a liquid metal, having a first electrical conductivity, at one open side end of a passage defined between two counter-rotating casting rolls, at least the surfaces of which are made of a ferromagnetic material, said device comprising a magnetic yoke made of a further ferromagnetic material having a second electrical conductivity either lower than or equal to said first electrical conductivity of the liquid metal and ending with two mutually proximal wedge-shaped ends, said wedge-shaped ends having respective inner surfaces, facing each other and defining a gap, and respective outer surfaces, arranged one on one side and the other on the other side with respect to a plane lying in said gap and shaped so as to be able to insert both said wedge-shaped ends at least partially between the two casting rolls; at least one coil wound on at least one stretch of the magnetic yoke and adapted to be supplied by electric current; at least one plate, made of a material having a third electrical conductivity either greater than or equal to said first electrical conductivity, said at least one plate being inserted in said gap so as to shield said inner surfaces with respect to each other.

An electromagnetic device for laterally containing a liquid metal, having a first electrical conductivity, at one open side end of a passage defined between two counter-rotating casting rolls, at least the surfaces of which are made of a ferromagnetic material, said device comprising a magnetic yoke made of a further ferromagnetic material having a second electrical conductivity either lower than or equal to said first electrical conductivity of the liquid metal and ending with two mutually proximal wedge-shaped ends, said wedge-shaped ends having respective inner surfaces, facing each other and defining a gap, and respective outer surfaces, arranged one on one side and the other on the other side with respect to a plane lying in said gap and shaped so as to be able to insert both said wedge-shaped ends at least partially between the two casting rolls; at least one coil wound on at least one stretch of the magnetic yoke and adapted to be supplied by electric current; at least one plate, made of a material having a third electrical conductivity either greater than or equal to said first electrical conductivity, said at least one plate being inserted in said gap so as to shield said inner surfaces with respect to each other.

Apparatus and methods for casting a metal strip with a cross sectional form which varies along the length of the strip. One embodiment of the apparatus includes opposing cooling systems, a positionable molten metal feed system between the opposing cooling systems, and a form adjustment system. The form adjustment system may include at least one dam to determine, at least in part, the cross sectional form of a molten metal feed to the opposing cooling systems. In this way, it is possible to determine the cross sectional form of the solidified metal strip. The dam is moveable during operation of the apparatus to vary the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the opposing cooling systems.

A continuous casting apparatus and method is disclosed for casting a metal strip with a cross sectional form which varies along the length of the strip. The apparatus comprises: opposing cooling means; a molten metal feed system positionable to provide a molten metal feed for solidification between the opposing cooling means to form a solidified metal strip along a length direction; and a form adjustment system. The form adjustment system comprises at least one dam to determine, at least in part, the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the opposing cooling means. In this way, it is possible to determine the cross sectional form of the solidified metal strip. The dam is moveable during operation of the apparatus to vary the cross sectional form of the molten metal feed to the opposing cooling means. The apparatus further comprises a molten metal pressure control system, operable to control the pressure of the molten metal in the molten metal feed during operation of the apparatus in coordination with movement of the dam. Optionally, the dam acts as a diverter, operational to divert the flow of molten metal to form an opening in the cast strip.