Multi-alloy vertical semi-continuous casting method
First Claim
1. A semi-continuous vertical direct chill casting process for manufacturing a rolling slab and/or extrusion billet, in which a separator and two liquid metal supply systems, optionally spouts or troughs or tundishes, arranged on either side of the separator, are used, and wherein said process comprises:
- a) One aluminium alloy is cast through a first liquid metal supply system, optionally a spout or trough or tundish, into a semi-continuous vertical casting mould,b) The separator, made of metal and/or a refractory material, is introduced into the mould, in contact with the solidification front,c) A second aluminium alloy is cast into the semi-continuous vertical casting mould, on the other side of the separator, via a second liquid metal supply system, optionally a spout or trough or tundish,d) The separator is raised simultaneously with the end of casting of the alloys, or before the end of casting of the alloys, in which case, the alloys may mix together in a zone in which slab and/or billet casting ended,e) The solidified slab and/or billet is removed from the semi-continuous casting mould,wherein a vibrator, and/or a vibratory motion is applied to the separator, at least while said separator is in contact with the solidification front, to prevent said separator from becoming trapped and/or entrained by solidified metal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for the vertical semi-continuous direct chill casting of composite billets or plates comprising at least two layers of aluminum alloys, using a separator which is in contact with the solidification front and which provides a seal between the two alloys during casting, said separator being vibrated while it is in contact with the solidification front, so that the separator is not frozen in and entrained by the solid metal. The invention also relates to a device that can be used to carry out said method.
19 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A semi-continuous vertical direct chill casting process for manufacturing a rolling slab and/or extrusion billet, in which a separator and two liquid metal supply systems, optionally spouts or troughs or tundishes, arranged on either side of the separator, are used, and wherein said process comprises:
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a) One aluminium alloy is cast through a first liquid metal supply system, optionally a spout or trough or tundish, into a semi-continuous vertical casting mould, b) The separator, made of metal and/or a refractory material, is introduced into the mould, in contact with the solidification front, c) A second aluminium alloy is cast into the semi-continuous vertical casting mould, on the other side of the separator, via a second liquid metal supply system, optionally a spout or trough or tundish, d) The separator is raised simultaneously with the end of casting of the alloys, or before the end of casting of the alloys, in which case, the alloys may mix together in a zone in which slab and/or billet casting ended, e) The solidified slab and/or billet is removed from the semi-continuous casting mould, wherein a vibrator, and/or a vibratory motion is applied to the separator, at least while said separator is in contact with the solidification front, to prevent said separator from becoming trapped and/or entrained by solidified metal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A semi-continuous direct chill vertical slab and/or billet casting device comprising a tubular cylindrical and/or rectangular semi-continuous vertical casting mould that is open-ended except for a bottom end, which is sealed at a start of casting by a bottom block, and wherein a lowering mechanism moves said bottom block downwards as the slab and/or billet is cast and solidified by water in direct contact with a product, and wherein liquid metal is poured into a top of the mould, and the slab and/or billet exits from a bottom end, and wherein a top opening is equipped with two metal supply devices, optionally spouts or troughs or tundishes, and a separator designed to be inserted into a sump of liquid metal in contact with a solidification front inside the mould, thereby dividing the sump into two separate zones, and further wherein the separator is connected to a vibrator device that enables a multidirectional vibratory motion to be imparted to the separator, at least throughout a period in which said separator is in contact with the solidification front, and wherein said vibrations have an amplitude from 100 to 200 μ
- m, and are delivered at a frequency in a range from approximately 100 Hz up to ultrasonic frequency.
- View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
Specification