Apparatus and method for producing a strip using a rapid solidification technology, and a metallic strip

Abstract

An apparatus for producing a strip using a rapid solidification technology is provided. The apparatus includes a rotating casting wheel with an outer surface onto which a melt is cast. The melt solidifies on the outer surface to form the metal strip. The apparatus also includes a nozzle or other means for directing a jet comprising CO 2 onto the outer surface of the casting wheel. The jet comprises CO 2 , and at least part of the CO 2 strikes the moving outer surface of the casting wheel in a solid state to work and/or clean the outer surface of the casting wheel with the jet. The apparatus further includes a nozzle system for forming the jet.

1 . An apparatus for producing a metal strip using a rapid solidification technology, comprising:
 a rotating casting wheel with an outer surface onto which the melt is cast, the melt solidifying on the outer surface and a metal strip being formed,   means for directing a jet comprising CO 2  onto the outer surface of the casting wheel, wherein this jet comprises CO 2 , wherein at least part of this CO 2  strikes the moving outer surface of the casting wheel in a solid state to work and/or clean the outer surface of the casting wheel with the jet, and   a nozzle system for forming the jet.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein CO 2  is provided in the form of liquid CO 2  and the nozzle system is a nozzle system for liquid CO 2 , wherein the nozzle system has a single-substance nozzle or a dual-substance nozzle. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein CO 2  is provided in the form of dry ice particles and is accelerated onto the outer surface of the casting wheel to form the jet of dry ice particles, and wherein the nozzle system is connectable to a carrier-gas source by means of which the dry ice particles are accelerated onto the outer surface of the casting wheel. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the nozzle system is configured to process further solid particles, wherein the other solid particles are accelerated onto the outer surface of the casting wheel with the dry ice particles. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an exhaust system for removing CO 2  gas, and/or an extraction system for removing the material detached from the outer surface of the casting wheel. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the casting wheel is movable in a direction of rotation and the means is designed such that the jet strikes the outer surface of the casting wheel at a first position which, when viewed in the direction of rotation, is arranged upstream of a second position at which the melt strikes the outer surface of the casting wheel. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising surface-working means for forming or for material-removing working the outer surface at a third position on the casting wheel, when viewed in the direction of rotation this third position being arranged upstream of the first position at which the jet strikes the outer surface but downstream of the point at which the strip detaches from the casting wheel,
 wherein the surface-working means comprises:   a rolling device that is pressed against the outer surface of the rotating casting wheel as the outer surface of the casting wheel moves and that has a rotatable roller, wherein the surface of the rotating roller is pressable against the outer surface of the rotating casting wheel with a pressure that forms and smooths the outer surface of the casting wheel, and/or   a polishing device that is pressed against the outer surface of the rotating casting wheel as the outer surface of the casting wheel moves, and/or   a polishing device that is pressed against the outer surface of the rotating casting wheel as the outer surface of the casting wheel moves, and/or   one or more brushes that are pressed against the outer surface of the rotating casting wheel as the outer surface of the casting wheel moves.   
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the surface-working means comprises: a rolling device that is pressed against the outer surface of the rotating casting wheel as the outer surface of the casting wheel moves and that has a rotatable roller, wherein the surface of the rotating roller is pressable against the outer surface of the rotating casting wheel with a pressure that forms the outer surface of the casting wheel, wherein the rotating roller is moved across the outer surface of the casting wheel parallel to the second axis of rotation of the casting wheel so as to make a spiral contact with the outer surface of the casting wheel. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for directing a CO 2 -containing jet is configured such that, when viewed in the direction of rotation of the casting wheel, the outer surface of the casting wheel is able to provide a technically clean surface that is largely free from organic and inorganic residues from the first position at which the jet strikes the casting-wheel surface to the second position at which metallic melt is cast onto the outer surface of the casting wheel.