Pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus and pulling-up-type continuous casting method

Abstract

A pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a holding furnace that holds molten metal, a shape defining member configured to define a cross-sectional shape of a cast-metal article to be cast by a molten-metal passage section through which the molten metal passes, and a nozzle that blows a cooling gas on the cast-metal article, the cast-metal article being formed as the molten metal that has passed through the molten-metal passage section. The shape defining member includes cooling means for cooling the molten metal on an outlet side of the molten-metal passage section, and temperature-maintaining means for maintaining a temperature of the molten metal on an inlet side of the molten-metal passage section. An end face shape of the molten-metal passage section is curved to conform to a surface shape of the molten metal pulled up from the molten-metal surface.

1 . A pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus comprising:
 a holding furnace that holds molten metal;   a shape defining member disposed near a molten-metal surface of the molten metal held in the holding furnace, the shape defining member being configured to define a cross-sectional shape of a cast-metal article to be cast by a molten-metal passage section through which the molten metal passes; and   a nozzle that blows a cooling gas on the cast-metal article, the cast-metal article being formed as the molten metal that has passed through the molten-metal passage section solidifies, wherein   the shape defining member comprises:
 cooling means for cooling the molten metal on an outlet side of the molten-metal passage section; and 
 temperature-maintaining means for maintaining a temperature of the molten metal on an inlet side of the molten-metal passage section, and 
   an end face shape of the molten-metal passage section is curved to conform to a surface shape of the molten metal pulled up from the molten-metal surface.   
     
     
         2 . The pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature-maintaining means comprises a heat-insulating film formed on an undersurface of the shape defining means. 
     
     
         3 . The pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the temperature-maintaining means comprises a heater formed on the inlet side of the molten-metal passage section. 
     
     
         4 . A pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus comprising:
 a holding furnace that holds molten metal;   a shape defining member disposed near a molten-metal surface of the molten metal held in the holding furnace, the shape defining member being configured to define a cross-sectional shape of a cast-metal article to be cast as the molten metal passes through the shape defining member; and   a nozzle that blows a cooling gas on the cast-metal article, the cast-metal article being formed as the molten metal that has passed through the shape defining member solidifies, wherein   the shape defining member comprises:
 a lower-part shape defining member in contact with the molten metal held in the holding furnace; and 
 an upper-part shape defining member disposed above the lower-part shape defining member, the upper-part shape defining member comprising cooling means for cooling the molten metal that passes through the upper-part shape defining member. 
   
     
     
         5 . The pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling means is a channel through which a refrigerant flows. 
     
     
         6 . The pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the refrigerant is a gas. 
     
     
         7 . The pulling-up-type continuous casting apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the refrigerant is the same gas as the cooling gas. 
     
     
         8 . A pulling-up-type continuous casting method comprising:
 a step of pulling up molten metal held in a holding furnace while making the molten metal pass through a molten-metal passage section of a shape defining member, the shape defining member being configured to define a cross-sectional shape of a cast-metal article to be cast; and   a step of blowing a cooling gas on the cast-metal article, the cast-metal article being formed from the molten metal that has passed through the molten-metal passage section, wherein   the shape defining member comprises:
 cooling means for cooling the molten metal on an outlet side of the molten-metal passage section; and 
 temperature-maintaining means for maintaining a temperature of the molten metal on an inlet side of the molten-metal passage section, and 
   an end face shape of the molten-metal passage section is curved to conform to a surface shape of the molten metal pulled up from the molten-metal surface.   
     
     
         9 . The pulling-up-type continuous casting method according to  claim 8 , wherein a heat-insulating film formed on an undersurface of the shape defining means is used as the temperature-maintaining means. 
     
     
         10 . The pulling-up-type continuous casting method according to  claim 8 , wherein a heater formed on the inlet side of the molten-metal passage section is used as the temperature-maintaining means. 
     
     
         11 . A pulling-up-type continuous casting method comprising:
 a step of pulling up molten metal held in a holding furnace while making the molten metal pass through a shape defining member, the shape defining member being configured to define a cross-sectional shape of a cast-metal article to be cast; and   a step of blowing a cooling gas on the cast-metal article, the cast-metal article being formed from the molten metal that has passed through the shape defining member, wherein   the shape defining member comprises:
 a lower-part shape defining member in contact with the molten metal held in the holding furnace; and 
 an upper-part shape defining member disposed above the lower-part shape defining member, and 
   the upper-part shape defining member comprises cooling means for cooling the molten metal that passes through the upper-part shape defining member.   
     
     
         12 . The pulling-up-type continuous casting method according to  claim 8 , wherein a channel through which a refrigerant flows is used as the cooling means. 
     
     
         13 . The pulling-up-type continuous casting method according to  claim 12 , wherein a gas is used as the refrigerant. 
     
     
         14 . The pulling-up-type continuous casting method according to  claim 13 , wherein the same gas as the cooling gas is used as the refrigerant.