Process for starting a continuous casting mold

Abstract

A method of initiating a continuous casting mold includes steps of positioning a plug inside a continuous casting mold, sealing the plug with respect to inner walls of the mold, positioning a prefabricated chill member on a top surface of the plug; and introducing molten metal into the mold. By prefabricating the chill member, valuable time is saved during the mold startup phase. The prefabricated chill member may have a compressible metallic sealing strip secured thereto to enhance sealing against the mold wall without abrading or scratching the mold wall. Another aspect of the invention involves sealing the gaps that exist between the mold surfaces and the mold plug by use of a an elongated body that defines in cross-section a broadened upper portion and a tapered lower portion that narrows into a leading edge. This construction permits the sealing element to be quickly inserted into a gap without being caught on the mold plug.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of initiating a continuous casting mold, comprising steps of: 
 (a) positioning a plug inside a continuous casting mold;    (b) sealing the plug with respect to inner walls of the continuous casting mold by a process comprising inserting, in situ within the mold, a leading edge of a sealing element downwardly into a gap between the plug and an inner wall of the continuous casting mold;    (c) positioning a prefabricated chill member on a top surface of the plug; and    (d) introducing molten metal into the mold, whereby the continuous casting process is initiated quickly and efficiently.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a step, performed prior to step (a), of fabricating said chill member into a predetermined shape out of metallic components.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said step of fabricating said chill member into a predetermined shape out of metallic components comprises fabricating said chill member out of metal scrap.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined shape includes portions that are shaped so a to be substantially complementary to the outer portion of a dummy bar head.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said predetermined shape includes portions that are shaped so a to be substantially complementary to the inner walls of the continuous casting mold.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein said prefabricated chill member comprises at least one compressible metallic sealing strip on an edge thereof, and wherein step (c) comprises compressively engaging a mold wall with the sealing strip.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , wherein said sealing strip is generally V-shaped.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , further comprising a step of pre-filling said V-shaped sealing strip with a compressible non-metallic material.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises inserting a leading edge of a sealing element downwardly into a gap between the plug and an inner wall of the continuous casting mold.  
     
     
         10 . A method of initiating a continuous casting mold, comprising steps of: 
 (a) positioning a plug inside a continuous casting mold;    (b) sealing the plug with respect to inner walls of the continuous casting mold by a process comprising inserting, in situ within the mold, a leading edge of a sealing element downwardly into a gap between the plug and an inner wall of the continuous casting mold; and    (c) introducing molten metal into the mold, whereby the continuous casting process is initiated quickly and efficiently.    
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein step (b) is performed with a sealing element that is fabricated from a material comprising board that is fabricated from heat-resistant ceramic material.