Apparatus for the manufacture of metal strip and process for manufacturing continuous metal strip on or close to the desired final thickness

摘要

Metal strip is continuously cast using a primary solidification zone (245) in the form of a chamber for molten metal (224), the chamber being defined in part by an oscillating cooling wall (228) upon which solidification of the molten metal can take place, creating one face of the ultimate strip. Heat is withdrawn from the cooling wall (228) to promote solidification of the metal. A secondary solidification zone (247) adjoins the primary solidification zone and receives the solidified metal from the primary zone. The secondary zone is defined in part by a further cooling wall (268) facing oppositely from the oscillating cooling wall in the primary zone. Solidification of the molten metal takes place against the further cooling wall (268) in the second zone to create a second face of the metal strip. The metal in the secondary solidification zone is maintained against the further cooling wall to prevent liquid breakout. Heat is also withdrawn from the further cooling wall (268). The formed metal strip (273) is withdrawn from the primary zone (245) through the secondary zone (247).