Continuous casting of metals (also referred to as strand casting or CCM – Continuous Casting Machine) is a highly efficient metallurgical process whereby molten metal is solidified into a continuous
Continuous casting of metals (also referred to as strand casting or CCM – Continuous Casting Machine) is a highly efficient metallurgical process whereby molten metal is solidified into a continuous, semi-finished strand (slab, bloom, billet, or beam blank) of a constant cross-section. The technology was developed to bypass the traditional ingot casting route, which requires labor-intensive ingot stripping, reheating in soaking pits, and primary breakdown rolling (slabbing or blooming mills).
The kinematic design of a continuous caster defines the path of the solidifying strand from the vertical mold to the horizontal discharge area. Casters are classified into four main configurations:
The mold, containment guide, secondary cooling spray racks, and cut-off stations are arranged in a strictly vertical column.
Casting tooling includes highly specialized components designed to withstand intense heat flux, friction, and chemical corrosion.
The mold acts as the primary heat exchanger. It is manufactured from high-purity copper alloys:
Casting process stability and prevention of breakout events rely on the precise tuning and optimization of key process variables.
The linear withdrawal speed is determined by section size and steel grade chemistry:
| Category | Formative Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Library | CNC machining |
Engineer, author of The Big Book of 3D Printing and additive manufacturing expert