Mould heat flow has an important effect on direct chill (DC) cast extrusion billet surface quality. Mould temperatures were measured on a 152 mm diameter gas pressurised DC casting mould. An infrared probe was used to measure the surface temperature of the ingot shell within the mould during casting. The effects of such factors as gas pressurisation on shell temperature and mould heat flow were observed. Results showed that application of gas pressurisation reduces mould heat flow and raises shell temperatures. The technique may be used as a tool to aid understanding of mould heat flow to improve existing mould designs and for the development of advanced DC casting systems.
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