Fast replacement of submersible tundish nozzles in a continuous slab-casting machine

Abstract

The prospects for fast replacement of submersible tundish nozzles in a continuous slab-casting machine are assessed. It is shown that further improvement is required so as to increase the reliability. The operational forces in the drives of the submersible nozzles are studied experimentally, with different supporting structures in the casting system so as to ensure slipping friction and rolling friction between the supporting surface of the metal housing in the protective refractory component and the clamping elements. When flat sprung elements are replaced by rollers, the total drag on the submersible nozzles during fast replacement may be reduced from 0.6–1.3 to 0.4–1.0. That reduces the load on the hydraulic drive of the tundish casting system by a factor of 1.2–1.3 and also increases its fault-free life in long continuous-casting runs. The results are used in the design of an improved system for fast replacement of the submersible nozzles.