Method of thin strip casting

Abstract

A method of casting thin strip to reduce casting defects is disclosed. The method includes assembling a pair of side dams adjacent end portions of counter-rotating casting rolls through which a strip of metal can be cast to permit a casting pool of molten metal to be formed supported by the casting surfaces of the casting rolls, assembling a metal delivery system above the casting rolls delivering molten metal to form a casting pool supported on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip and confined by the pair of side dams, assembling a vibrator device to vibrate the pair of side dams at 200-400 Hz. to inhibit the formation of snake eggs in the casting pool, and counter-rotating the casting rolls such that the casting surfaces of the casting rolls each travel inwardly toward the nip to produce a cast strip downwardly from the nip.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of casting thin strip comprising the steps of:
 assembling a pair of counter-rotating casting rolls laterally forming a nip between circumferential casting surfaces of the rolls through which metal strip can be cast,   assembling a pair of side dams adjacent end portions of the casting roll to permit a casting pool of molten metal to be formed supported by the casting surfaces of the casting rolls,   assembling a metal delivery system above the casting rolls delivering molten metal to form a casting pool supported on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip and confined by the pair of side dams,   assembling a vibrator device to vibrate the pair of side dams at frequencies between 200 and 400 hertz to inhibit the formation of snake eggs in the casting pool, and   counter-rotating the casting rolls such that the casting surfaces of the casting rolls each travel inwardly toward the nip to produce a cast strip downwardly from the nip.   
     
     
         2 . The method of casting thin strip as claimed in  claim 1  where in addition hydraulic cylinders are laterally positioned adjacent to the side dams to urge each side dam toward one of the end portions of the casting roll and a vibration device is assembled adjacent of the hydraulic cylinders. 
     
     
         3 . The method of casting thin strip as claimed in  claim 1  where the vibration device has a frequency range between 260 and 300 hertz.