LONG WEAR SIDE DAMS

Abstract

The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting having a side dam assembly. The side dam assembly includes a side dam having opposite outer surfaces, one surface contacting molten metal and the opposite outer surface having fastening portions capable of attaching the side dam to a side dam holder, to hold the side dam in place during casting without exposed portions of the side dam holder extending substantially, beyond the opposite outer surface toward the outer surface for contacting molten metal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1G illustrate various aspects of an exemplary continuous twin roll caster system in which embodiments of the present invention are used, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a side dam holder, used in the system of FIGS. 1A-1G, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a side dam, used in the system of FIGS. 1A-1G and held in place by the side dam holder of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a side dam assembly comprising the side dam holder of FIG. 2 and the side dam of FIGS. 3A-3B and used in the system of FIGS. 1A-1G, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a continuous twin roll caster system, a side dam assembly comprising: a side dam having a first portion capable of contacting molten metal and a second portion opposite the first portion having fastening portions capable of attaching said side dam to a side dam holder to hold the side dam in place during casting; anda side dam holder having attachment portions capable of receiving and supporting said side dam at said fastening portions, without circumferentially exposed portions of said side dam holder extending substantially beyond said second portion toward the first portion capable of contacting molten metal.

2. The continuous twin roll caster system having a side dam assembly as claimed in claim 1 where said fastening portions of said side dam comprise refractory fasteners extending from said second portion adjacent to said side dam holder.

3. The continuous twin roll caster system having a side dam assembly as claimed in claim 2 where said refractory fasteners of said side dam and said attachment portions of said side dam holder interact to position said side dam for casting.

4. The continuous twin roll caster system having a side dam assembly as claimed in claim 1 where said fastening portions of said side dam comprise at least three refractory pins which are attached into the side dam at said second portion of said side dam.

5. The continuous twin roll caster system having a side dam assembly as claimed in claim 1 where said attachment portions of said side dam holder comprise notches or troughs in which said fastening portions of said side dam rest when said side dam is attached to said side dam holder.

6. The continuous twin roll caster system having a side dam assembly as claimed in claim 1 where the attachment portions of the side dam holder extend into fastening portions which are openings in the side dam, to provide the circumferentially exposed portions of the side dam holder do not extend substantially beyond said second portion toward the first portion capable of contacting the molten metal.

7. The continuous twin roll caster system having a side dam assembly as claimed in claim 6 where said attachment portions of the side dam holder extending into the side dam are ceramic.

8. In a continuous twin roll caster system, a side dam assembly comprising: a side dam having a first portion capable of contacting molten metal and a second portion opposite the first portion having refractory pins extending outward from said second portion and capable of attaching said side dam to a side dam holder to position and hold said side dam in place during casting; anda side dam holder notches capable of receiving and supporting said side dam by said refractory pins, without circumferentially exposed portions of said side dam holder extending substantially beyond said second portion in the direction of the first portion capable of contacting molten metal.

9. The continuous twin roll caster system having a side dam assembly as claimed in claim 8 where at least three refractory pins of said side dam and at least three notches or troughs of said side dam holder interact to position and support said side dam during casting.

10. The continuous twin roll caster system having a side dam assembly as claimed in claim 8 where refractory pins are refractory glued into said second portion of said side dam.

11. The continuous twin roll caster system having a side dam assembly as claimed in claim 8 where said refractory pins of said side dam rest on said notches of said side dam holder when said side dam is attached to said side dam holder.

12. The continuous twin roll caster system having a side dam assembly as claimed in claim 8 where at least some of the refractory pins of said side dam include an extension to assist holding said side dam in place with respect to said side dam holder.

13. A side dam for use in a continuous twin roll caster system, said side dam having a first portion capable of contacting molten metal and casting rolls and a second portion opposite the first portion surface having fastening portions extending outward from said second portion and capable of attaching said side dam to a side dam holder to hold said side dam in place during casting.

14. The side dam for use in a continuous twin roll caster system as claimed in claim 13 where said fastening portions of said side dam are capable of interacting with attachment portions of said side dam holder to position and support the side dam when said side dam is positioned during casting.

15. The side dam for use in a continuous twin roll caster system as claimed in claim 13 where said fastening portions of said side dam comprise refractory pins which are refractory glued into said second portion of said side dam.

16. The side dam for use in a continuous twin roll caster system as claimed in claim 13 where said fastening portions of said side dam are capable of resting in notches of said side dam holder when said side dam is attached to said side dam holder.

17. A side dam holder for use in a continuous twin roll caster system, said side dam holder having attachment portions capable of receiving and supporting a side dam at fastening portions of said side dam, and without circumferentially exposed portions of said side dam holder extending substantially in a direction toward a first portion of said side dam capable of contacting molten metal.

18. The side dam holder for use in a continuous twin roll caster system as claimed in claim 17 where said attachment portions of said side dam holder are capable of interacting with said fastening portions of said side dam to position said side dam for casting.

19. The side dam holder for use in a continuous twin roll caster system as claimed in claim 17 where said attachment portions of said side dam holder comprise notches capable of receiving said fastening portions of said side dam when said side dam is attached to said side dam holder.

20. A method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting comprising the steps of: a) assembling a pair of casting rolls having a nip therebetween;b) assembling a metal delivery system comprising side dams adjacent the ends of the nip to confine a casting pool of molten metal supported on casting surfaces of the casting rolls, where each side dam has opposite outer surfaces, one surface contacting the molten metal and the opposite surface having fastening portions capable of attaching the side dam to a side dam holder to hold said side dams in place during casting, without a substantial exposed portion of said side dam holder extending beyond said opposite outer surface of said side dam;c) introducing molten steel between the pair of casting rolls to form a casting pool supported on casting surfaces of the casting rolls confined by said side dams; andd) counter-rotating the casting rolls to form solidified metal shells on the surfaces of the casting rolls and cast thin steel strip through the nip between the casting rolls from said solidified shells

21. The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting as claimed in claim 20 where said fastening portions of each side dam comprise refractory fasteners extending beyond said opposite outer surface adjacent to a side dam holder.

22. The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting as claimed in claim 21 where said refractory portions of each side dam and attachment portions of each side dam holder interact to position the side dam for casting.

23. The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting as claimed in claim 20 where said fastening portions of each side dam comprises refractory pins attached into said opposite outer surface portion of each side dam.

24. The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting as claimed in claim 20 where each side dam holder has attachment portions comprising notches on which said fastening portions of a corresponding side dam can seat when the side dam is attached to the side dam holder.

25. The method of producing thin cast strip by continuous casting as claimed in claim 20 where the side dam holder has attachment portions that extend into the fastening portions which are openings in the side dam, to provide the exposed portions of the side dam holder do not extend substantially beyond the opposite outer surface of the side dam toward the outer surface contacting the molten metal.