Progress in Strip Casting Technologies for Steel; Technical Developments

Abstract

The present article is a sequel to the previous review on the history of near net shape strip casting facilities. The present review focuses on technical progress made in strip casting over the last three decades. Strip casting is a revolutionary technology that promises the hope for an efficient, economical and environmentally-friendly process to produce hot-rolled, steel sheets. This review provides a summary of the theory, recent research, and progress, in the developments of strip casting operations for steels, along with technical discussions regarding the characteristics and design features of steel strip casting machines. Two strip casting processes are discussed in detail; the Twin-Roll Casting (TRC) process and the Horizontal Single-Belt Casting (HSBC) process. Particular emphasis is placed on topics such as the commercial potential for strip casting technology in the steel industry, and the economic and environmental advantages of direct strip production, versus current continuous casting, fixed mold technologies.

Mathematical Modeling and Microstructure Analysis of Al–Mg–Sc–Zr Alloy Strips Produced by Horizontal Single Belt Casting (HSBC)

“…Moreover, the β-Al3Mg2 phase also forms from the α-Al matrix, at equilibrium. However, since the cooling rates of the HSBC process are higher than those in conventional casting (as high as 500 K/s in some cases), 33) instead of forming large amounts of equilibrium β-Al 3 Mg 2 phase, most of the magnesium in the alloy remains in the α-Al matrix. This is clearly demonstrated by comparing the micrographs shown in Figs.…”

Microstructures and mechanical properties of dual phase steel produced by laboratory simulated strip casting

“…It allows obtaining several millimetres thick strips directly from molten metals [17,18]. Due to this and elimination of many subsequent hot rolling stages required by conventional continuous casting and thin slab casting, the strip casting process has many advantages, such as energy saving and emission reduction, lower capital and operating costs, a smaller and more flexible operating regime, a higher tolerance to a high residual scrap and easy adjustment for different steel grades [17][18][19][20].…”

Twin Roll Casting of Steels: An Overview

“…[3][4][5] As thickness of the as-cast strip is approximately close to the final product thickness, there is the possibility of eliminating the expensive and energy-consuming downstream rolling and finishing steps which are necessary in conventional continuous casting (CCC) and thin-slab casting (TSC). Using DSC technique, casting and rolling steps are merged into a single compact, efficient and continuous operation step resulting in many economic, environmental and technical benefits in the steelmaking industries.…”

“…Using DSC technique, casting and rolling steps are merged into a single compact, efficient and continuous operation step resulting in many economic, environmental and technical benefits in the steelmaking industries. 5) Unlike conventional slab casting, strip casting is carried out without mould flux, results in direct contact between the liquid steel and the mould surface, and consequently much higher heat fluxes and solidification rates.…”