Method and plant for continuous direct casting of a metal strip

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for continuous direct casting of a metal strip, whereby said strip is cast by solidification of liquid metal in an ingot mould with cooled moving walls and a hot rolling of said strip is carried out in line, characterised in that a product is applied to the surface of the strip on exit from the ingot, which leaves a layer of lubricant on the surface when the strip is hot rolled and which causes a gas to be given off which contributes to the protection of said surface from oxidation. The invention further relates to a continuous direct casting plant for a thin metal strip, of the type comprising an ingot mould with moving cooled walls, where the solidification of said strip takes place and an in-line hot rolling unit for said solidified strip, characterised in comprising means for application of a product to the surface of said strip at the exit from the ingot, which leaves a layer of lubricant on the surface at the entry to the hot rolling unit.

1 .- 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . Method for continuous direct casting of a metal strip according to which said strip is cast by solidification of liquid metal in an ingot mould with cooled, moving walls, said strip is then given in-line hot rolling, wherein a product is applied to the surface of the strip as it exits the ingot mould, which leaves a lubricant layer on said surface subsisting during the time the strip is hot rolled and causing release of gases contributing towards the protection of said surface from oxidation.  
   
   
       13 . Method as in  claim 12 , wherein said lubricant layer is a carbonaceous material.  
   
   
       14 . Method as in  claim 13 , wherein said product leaving a lubricant layer to subsist is graphite.  
   
   
       15 . Method as in  claim 13 , wherein said product leaving a lubricant layer to subsist is a grease containing calcium carbonate.  
   
   
       16 . Method as in  claim 13 , wherein said product leaving a lubricant layer to subsist is acetylene.  
   
   
       17 . Method as in  claim 12 , wherein hot rolling is conducted with a reduction rate of at least 50%.  
   
   
       18 . Method as in  claim 12 , wherein said liquid metal is a ferrous alloy.  
   
   
       19 . Plant for the continuous direct casting of a thin metal strip, of the type comprising an ingot mould with cooled, moving walls in which solidification of said strip occurs, and an in-line hot rolling unit for said solidified strip, wherein it comprises means for applying a product to the surface of said strip as it exits the ingot mould which leaves a lubricant layer subsisting on said surface as it enters the hot rolling unit.  
   
   
       20 . Plant as in  claim 19 , wherein said moving walls are the side walls of two rolls rotating in opposite directions.  
   
   
       21 . Plant as in  claim 19 , wherein said moving walls are two moving belts.  
   
   
       22 . Plant as in  claim 19 , comprising an inertization chamber for said strip between its exit from the ingot mould and its entry into the hot rolling unit.