DE2418853A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING AND ROLLING OF A PRODUCT MADE OF NON-FERROUS METAL - Google Patents

Description

G 49 349 - see below

Morgan Construction Company, 15 Belmont Street, Worcester, Massachusetts (USA)

Method and apparatus for continuously casting and rolling a non-ferrous metal product

The invention relates generally to the hot working of products made of non-ferrous metal, for example an aluminum rod or similar, with a molten material initially by means of a casting drum or other corresponding device is solidified to form a continuous or continuous cast product to form, which is rolled immediately following the casting operation. Rolling is initiated while the cast product is moving is in largely the condition in which the metal solidifies. In particular, the invention relates to a method and an apparatus for continuously casting and rolling a product of non-ferrous metal, wherein the temperature of the product is controlled or regulated during rolling, especially in the finishing rolling area of the rolling train, in order to improve physical Achieve properties at optimal casting and rolling speeds.

409883/0805

ORIGINAL INSPECTED

In the hot forming of products made of non-ferrous metal, in which for example, a rolling train for producing bars or the like is operated in direct succession with a casting drum it is very desirable to use the casting drum and the rolling train to increase the production capacity of the combined plant with optimal Operate speeds. It is also desirable to roll the product at sufficiently reduced temperatures, especially on the finishing rolling area of the rolling train, in order to produce a finished product that is characterized by optimal physical Characteristics, particularly through high tensile strengths.

In the past, cooling was achieved through a somewhat indiscriminate or even spray application of liquid Coolant achieved in the work rolls and the product in the roughing and finish rolling areas of the rolling train. However, since the Casting and rolling speeds as a result of further developments ten technology have been increased, this cooling has proven to be inadequate or not suitable. For this reason and to bring the product to the lower temperatures necessary to achieve acceptable physical properties rolling, it has been found necessary to run the product at speeds lower than the optimum for the line continuously pouring and rolling, resulting in a costly reduction in overall production capacity.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating a method and a device of the type mentioned, according to which while avoiding the disadvantages described an improved and more effective operation is possible by the in the immediate As a result of a casting operation, the cast product rolled is cooled in a more expedient manner.

The method according to the invention is characterized by

a) solidification or solidification of a molten non-ferrous metal to achieve a continuous or continuous cast product,

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b) guiding the cast product to a rolling train and introducing it hot rolling of the cast product which is largely in the state in which the metal is solidified, the rolling being continued thereafter when the product passes through the roughing and finish rolling sections of the rolling train, and

c) controlling the temperature of the product while of the rolling operation, the temperature setting initially at the roughing area of the rolling train by a general Indiscriminate spray application of liquid coolant on the work rolls and the product and then on the finishing roll area the rolling train is carried out, namely by

'a continuation of the above-mentioned spray application, which was carried out on selected Intervals through a concentrated, extensive, radial application of liquid coolant to the product is enlarged.

The device according to the invention is characterized by a combination

a) a device for solidifying a molten non-ferrous metal to achieve a continuous or continuous cast product,

b) a device for guiding the cast product to a rolling train, a number of successively and alternately arranged horizontal and vertical roll stands having, which is divided into a roughing area and a finishing area are divided, with the rolling of the cast product at the roughing area of the rolling train in a solidifying State of the product initiated and then continued when the product passes through the roughing and finish rolling areas the rolling mill advances,

c) of first cooling devices for controlling or regulating the temperature of the product during rolling to the roughing and finishing rolling the rolling train, wherein the first cooling means comprises a liquid coolant in a general spray indiscriminately on the work rolls and the product, and

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d) second cooling devices at selected positions between the roll stands of the finishing rolling area of the rolling train, said second cooling means comprising a liquid coolant in a concentrated, extensive, radial manner apply to the product.

According to the invention is thus a conventional spray application of liquid coolant, preferably soluble oil, to the Work rolls and the product provided as the latter passes through the roughing and finish rolling sections of the rolling train. However the product is at the finishing rolling area, where it is moved at much higher speeds and where the degree of deformation is less strong than in the pre-rolling area, guided by a number of specially designed Kuhlführungungsanrichtungen, which are preferably are located on the outlet side of selected sets of finishing rolls. The cooling guide arrangements contain nozzles, which apply the coolant radially to the product in a concentrated, comprehensive manner, and to a large extent directly after exiting the product from a previous set of finishing rolls. Surprisingly, the casting drum and the Rolling train due to the additional temperature reduction achieved through the improved cooling of the finishing rolling area higher speeds can be operated, with the resulting product having optimal physical properties particularly high tensile strength in a product made of an aluminum-based metal. In other words the improved cooling according to the present invention leads to a given drive speed of the casting drum and the rolling train into finished products with significantly improved physical properties. It is also by regulating or setting of the coolant flow through the cooling guide arrangements possible, suitable physical properties or hardening of the to change or select the rolling product during an operation at optimal production rates.

Furthermore, by the method according to the invention and the corresponding Device the temperature of the in immediate succession

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a continuous casting device can be controlled or regulated _r whereby the casting device and the rolling train can be operated at optimal speeds, which could not previously be achieved without adversely affecting the physical properties of the product to be rolled.

+) rolled product

According to the invention, the product goes through a roughing and one Finish rolling area, for example to form a bar or the like to be processed. The temperature of the product is controlled during rolling, initially at the roughing area by spraying a liquid coolant, such as a soluble oil, onto the work rolls and the product, and then on the finishing rolling area by continued spray application, which, however, at selected intervals by a concentrated, comprehensive, radial. Application of liquid coolant to the product is supported, preferably largely immediately after the exit of the product from preceding, cooperating pairs of finishing rolls.

Further details, features and advantages emerge from the following description of exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 - an overall side view of a plant with a casting drum and a rolling train working in direct succession to produce a finished product, for example an aluminum rod, to be continuously cast and rolled, with guides for the sake of clarity, Cooling nozzles, a network of pipes etc. have been omitted from this general illustration,

FIG. 2 - an enlarged plan view of initially vertical and horizontal roll stands of a roughing area,

Figure 3 is another enlarged plan view illustrating more typical vertical and horizontal roll stands in the finishing rolling area of the rolling train,

Figure 4 - a side view of the finishing roll stands from Figure 3 and FIG. 5 - an enlarged and partially sectioned view

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a cooling guide assembly according to the present invention.

In the drawings, like parts are given like numerals proven. In FIG. 1, a plant according to the principle of the present invention is shown generally with Io. This installation includes a casting device 12 with a casting drum 14, a continuous flexible belt 16 and belt positioning rollers or rollers 18a, 18b, 18c and I8d. The flexible tape 16 cooperates with the edge or the edge of the casting drum 14, to define an arcuate casting cavity 15 which extends around the lower region of the casting drum 14. The tape positioning roller 18a operates to move the continuous belt 16 into contact with the casting drum.

A pouring pot 2o and its associated pouring mouth 22 are located directly above the casting drum 14. The pouring mouth 22 is used to deposit molten metal from the pouring pot 2o into the arcuate one Casting space 15. While the molten metal solidifies in the cavity 15, the solidified product P occurs thereafter between the casting drum 14 and the continuous flexible belt 16, whereby it by means of a guide arrangement 24 to a pair of cooperating powered execution or Pinch rollers 26a and 26b is guided. From here, the fresh cast product is by means of a fixed guide 28 through a Shearing device 3o and a loop device 32 passed. The shearing device 3o is used to shear off the unusable Leading end of the cast product and for shearing the cast product in the event of problems in downstream areas the rolling train or an associated product handling device. The loop device provides a facility for controlling the tension of the cast product as it is passed through the first horizontal roll stand 34 of the rolling train is, these in the drawings generally with the reference number 36 is occupied.

In the embodiment shown as an example, the rolling

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Line 36 is divided into a roughing area and a finishing area. The roughing area includes the aforementioned first horizontal roll stand 34, a second vertical roll stand 38, a third horizontal roll stand 40 and a fourth vertical roll stand 42. The finishing rolling area of the rolling train includes horizontal and vertical roll stands 44a-44j arranged alternately at a narrow spacing. The initial horizontal and vertical roughing stands 34 and 38 are through a common High performance motor 46 driven. The remaining vertical and horizontal roll stands of the roughing area and all vertical and horizontal roll stands of the finishing rolling area are via upper and lower intermediate drive shafts 48 and 5o as well as one common gear reduction 52 driven. The latter is driven via a main drive shaft 54 by tandem motors (not shown).

It is best seen in Figure 2 that the roll stands 34 and 38 of the roughing area each suitably equipped with spray nozzles 56 for supplying a liquid coolant to the surfaces of the work rolls 58 and the product P passing through them are provided. The roll stands 34 and 38 each have entry guides 6o and outlet guides 62 for guiding the product P from one roll stand to the next. Preferably is the liquid coolant is a soluble oil with a mixture suitable for the product to be rolled. The coolant is initially cooled as well as by means of a suitable drive, not shown filtered and then through a pipeline labeled 64 system is pumped to the nozzles 56. After spraying on the product as well as the work rolls, the coolant is recovered and returned in a known manner through the aforementioned cooling and filtering device.

It should be noted that the aforementioned arrangement of entry and outlet guides, cooling nozzles and piping for each of the horizontal and vertical roll stands 34 and 42 of the roughing section is typical.

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Vertical and horizontal roll stands 44a and 44b, which are typical for the roll stands over the entire finishing rolling area are shown in FIGS. The roll stands of the finishing rolling area are each provided with entry guides 66 for guiding the product into the roller grooves, those of each set being more horizontal and vertical high speed; -finishing rollers 68a and 68b. The product is received by standard outlet guides 71 and faces as it exits the horizontal finishing rollers 6 8a has an oval cross-section. Specially designed cooling guide arrangements 7o, which are explained below, embody both wiper guides and cooling nozzles, receive the product emerging from the vertical finishing rollers 68b (the one has round cross-section) and lead it to the inlet guide of the subsequent horizontal finishing roll stand.

With additional reference to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the cooling duct ungs arrangement 7o has a base or base plate 72 in any suitable manner and for example with screws 74 is fixed on the roller housing 76. A tubular outer Sleeve or housing 78 is carried by the base or baseplate. A generally tubular nose portion 8o extends from the housing 78 to a point in the immediate vicinity of the work rolls 6 8b to the front. The nasal area 8o serves as a stripping guide for picking up the product emerging from the vertical finishing rollers 68b. A rear tubular Area 82 is inserted into housing 78 and cooperates with it to delimit an annular chamber 84. The front one The end of the tubular portion 82 cooperates with the rearward end of the nose portion 8o to form a circular one Form nozzle 86. The outer housing 78 is connected at 88 to a coolant supply line 9o, which is part of the previously mentioned line system 64 represents. Liquid coolant, again preferably soluble oil, enters through line 9o the annular chamber 84 and leaves it through the nozzle 86 in order to be concentrated radially on the through the aligned guide areas 8o and 82 reaching product P to be guided. The coolant is preferably distributed in a countercurrent direction.

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brought, that is, in one direction substantially opposite to the direction of movement of the product through the rolling line. In this way, the coolant reaches the product in one stream upward location largely immediately upon exiting the vertical finishing rolls 68b. If the coolant is out of the Exiting the front end of the nose region 80, it also comes into contact with the vertical finishing rollers 68b in order to have a cooling effect suspend. The horizontal and vertical finishing rolls 68a and 68b are also somewhat indiscriminate conventional spray application of liquid coolant exiting from nozzles 72 attached to roller housing 76. The nozzles are supplied by supply lines (not shown) which also represent parts of the pipeline system 64. If a cooling duct arrangement is upstream of a particular roll stand is arranged, its nozzle is designed for cocurrent flow rather than countercurrent flow.

Starting with the pouring device 12, the result is that molten Metal passed from a furnace (not shown) to the pouring pot 2o and then passed through the pouring spout 22 to the curved chamber 15 which is delimited by the casting drum 14 and the continuous belt 16 cooperating with it. The melted one Metal is solidified to form a continuous cast product P which is then passed through a guide assembly 24 through a Pinch roller assembly 26 and a central guide 28, through a shear device 3o and a loop device 32 in FIGS Pre-rolling area of the rolling train is performed. Therefore, the rolling process is initiated while the cast product is in largely that State in which the metal solidifies. The rolling of the product at the roughing and finishing areas of the rolling train is carried out with the spray application of a liquid coolant, preferably a soluble oil, through the appropriately arranged Spray nozzles 56 and 92 is applied, which largely indiscriminately apply the coolant to the work rolls and / or the product spray. At selected points along the finishing rolling area of the rolling train, the product is conveyed by specially designed cooling guide arrangements 7o led. These contain nozzles 86 for radial

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len application of liquid coolant in concentrated form the product as soon as it emerges from the finishing rollers.

Typically, the cooling guide assemblies 7o are downstream from the vertical finishing stands 44b, 44d, 44f and 44h, where the exiting product has a round cross-section has, which simplifies the radial application of the coolant. However, if the cooling requirements dictate it, it goes without saying that the present invention also allows for the addition of similar guide assemblies downstream of the horizontal ones Finishing stands includes where the exiting product has an oval cross-section. The cooling guide arrangements can also located on the upstream sides of the finishing stands rather than on the downstream sides be.

The advantages that can be achieved according to the present invention emerge clearly from the following example:

example

A comparison between a conventional continuous casting and subsequent rolling operation without controlling or adjusting the Temperature of the product to be rolled at the finishing rolling area of the rolling train by using cooling guide arrangements 7o A continuous GLeß and subsequent rolling operation in accordance with the present invention results from the following two Trial runs, with the following data in both cases were complied with:

a) finished product: 9.53 mm (3/8 ¹¹ ) diameter, 61%

Aluminum, redraw rod

b) Heat number: 6794

c) Chemical analysis: Si 0.031%; Fe o, 165%; Cu 0.02%;

Mn 0.02%; Mg 0.07%; Cr 0.02%; Ni 0.02%; Zn o, ol 2%; Ti 0.02%; Ga o, oo8%; V ο, οΐο%; B o, oo8%;

N / A ; Compensation by Al

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d) Main roller motor speed: 1300 revolutions per minute

e) Bar finishing speed:

f) coolant liquid:

approx. 13 m / sec (26oo F.P.M.) soluble oil

Test 1:

Without the operation of cooling guide arrangements in the finishing rolling area

The temperature of the cast product continuously entering the rolling train was assumed to be about 53o ° C (98o F) and the The finished bar exiting the mill train temperature was similarly estimated to be about 382 ° C (72o ° F). The temperature of the soluble oil prior to application by the spray nozzles was 56 and 92 at the roughing and finish rolling areas about 57 ° C (134 ° F) while the temperature of the soluble oil after application was about 60 ° C (14o ° F). It Samples were taken from the finished bar with the following results:

Conductivity: sample

Conductivity% IACS

tensile strenght
kg / cm (PSI) 61.81
61.78
61.85 strain 1
2
3 Io4o (148oo) % Physical Properties: Io9o (155oo) Stretch limit
kg / cin (PSI) 8th sample lllo (158oo) Io2o (145oo) 9 Ilo3 (157OO) Io75 (153OO) 2o 1 Ilo3 (157oo) Io53 (15,000) 22nd 2 Io9o (155OO) Io75 (153OO) 22nd 3 Io8o (154oo) Io68 (152OO) Io 4th : Io9o (155oo) Io53 (I5ooo) 11 5 Io47 (I49oo) 6th Io53 (I5ooo) 7th Middle:

So it turns out that with a bar production speed of 13 m / sec (26oo F.P.M.) and a temperature drop of about 127 ° C (26o ° F) during rolling results in a product that has an average tensile strength of about Io9o kg / cm

(155oo psi). - 12 -

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Test 2:

With an operation of cooling guide arrangements on the finishing rolling area

The temperature of the product entering the cooling mill train was estimated to be about 52o ° C (97o ° F) during the temperature of the completed and exiting mill train Rod was similarly estimated at about 354 ° C (67o ° F). The temperature of the soluble oil before application through the nozzles 56 and 92 and the cooling guide assemblies 7o about 57 ° C (134 ° F). The temperature of the soluble oil after application was about 6o C (1.4o F). There were again samples removed from the completed rod with the following result:

Conductivity: sample

Conductivity% IACS

Zugfe: 1
2
3 kg / cm Eigenc Physical 1343 sturdiness sample 133o ² (PSI) 137o (191OO) 1 133o (189OO) 2 13oo (195oo) 3 1316 (189OO) 4th 1316 (185OO) 5 : 133o (187OO) 6th (I87oo) 7th (189OO) Middle:

(185OO) 61.75
61.56
61.67 (177OO) Stretch limit
kg / cm ² (PSI) (I84oo) I3oo (186OO) 1246 (174OO) 1295 (175OO) 131o (175OO) 1225 (179OO) 1232 1232 I26o

Elongation %

4 4 4

Break in the clamping head 4

4 4

A comparison of the results of the above experiment clearly shows that under almost identical operating conditions and with the same heat of the aluminum, the concentrated radial application of the additional soluble oil by means of the cooling guide arrangements 7o significantly increases the tensile strength of the finished rod by approx. 24o kg / cm ² ( 34oo psi). The rod shafts according to experiment 1 correspond to a hardness of H 14

2 a tensile stress range of 986/1198 kg / cm (14 / 17ooo psi), while

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The properties according to test 2 have a hardness of H 16

to match with a to <.

with a tensile strength range of 1127/1410 kg / cm (16/2000 psi

Other attempts have shown that the use of cooling guide arrangements 7o in the finishing rolling area of the rolling train a significant increase in the production capacity of the entire casting and rolling process enables. For example, in a system of the type described without cooling guide arrangements 7o it was necessary to have a Triple E aluminum redraw rod at about o, 2o3 / o, 224 m / sec (4o / 44 f.p.m.) to cast a To produce finished bar with the required hardness. When using Kuhlführungungsanrichtungen 7o for applying additional However, with coolant it was possible to achieve the required hardness when pouring at o.244 / o.254 m / sec (48 / 5o f.p.m.), whereby there is a significant increase in production capacity of 17%. The operator can also follow the rolling mill? of the present invention, the physical properties or hardening by regulating the flow of coolant through the coolant duct assemblies change or select while the casting drum and rolling train operate at optimal production rates.

From the foregoing, those of ordinary skill in the art can see that refer to the present invention to significant improvements in the operation of a continuous casting / rolling mill installation as well as in the physical properties of the product produced thereby These improvements depend primarily on the way in which the coolant is fed onto the product at the finishing rolling area of the rolling train.

Changes and modifications of the embodiment described by way of example are possible within the scope of the invention. For example i the number, the position and / or the special design of the cooling guide arrangements can be adapted to a specific rolling mill system to be changed.

-Patent claims-

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Claims (12)

Patent claims 1. A method for continuously casting and rolling a product made of non-ferrous metal, characterized by a) solidification or solidification of a molten non-ferrous metal to achieve a continuous or continuous cast product, b) guiding the cast product to a rolling train and a Initiating hot rolling of the cast product which is largely in the same state as the metal becomes solid, with the rolling being continued thereafter when the product passes through the roughing and finishing areas of the Rolling mill arrives, and cT a controlling or regulating the temperature of the product during of the rolling operation, the temperature setting initially at the roughing area of the rolling train by a general indiscriminate spray application of liquid coolant to the work rolls and product and thereafter is carried out on the finishing area of the rolling train by a continuation of the above Spray application performed at selected intervals through a concentrated, extensive, radial application of liquid coolant is enlarged on the product. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the concentrated, comprehensive, radial application of liquid Coolant largely immediately after product exited a preceding, cooperating pair of Finish rolling takes place. 3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid coolant is soluble oil, while the non-ferrous metal is an aluminum based metal. 4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the The finishing rolling area of the rolling train has an alternating sequence of horizontal and vertical roll stands, the from - 15 - 409883/0805 the product emerging from the horizontal roller stands has an oval cross-section and the product emerging from the vertical roller stands Product has a round cross-section. 5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the concentrated, comprehensive, radial application of liquid coolant at points immediately behind the vertical roll stands he follows. 6. · The method according to claim 5, characterized in that for the radial Applying the liquid to the product axially through a tubular guide arrangement with a circular or ring-shaped Nozzle is passed through which the liquid coolant is guided radially. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the liquid coolant flows through the nozzle in the countercurrent direction, to touch the product largely immediately after it exits the previous pair of finishing rollers. 8. The method according to claim 7, further characterized by a concentrated, comprehensive, radial application of liquid coolant to the horizontal roll stands of the finishing rolling area leaking product. 9. Apparatus for continuously pouring and rolling a product of non-ferrous metal according to a method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by a combination a) a device (1.2) for solidifying a molten Non-ferrous metal to achieve a continuous or continuous cast product (P), b) a device for guiding the cast product to a rolling train (3.6) which has a number of successive and alternately arranged horizontal and vertical roll stands, which in a roughing area and a finish rolling area are divided, wherein the -16- 409883/0805 Rolling the cast product in the roughing area of the rolling train initiated in a solidifying state of the product and then continued when the product through the roughing and finish rolling areas of the rolling train are progressing, c) first cooling means (56, 92) for controlling the temperature of the product during rolling at the roughing and finish rolling areas of the rolling train, the first cooling devices being a liquid coolant spray on the work rolls and product in a generally indiscriminate manner, and d) second cooling devices (7o) at selected positions between the roll stands of the finishing rolling area the rolling train, wherein the second cooling devices a liquid coolant in a concentrated, comprehensive, Apply radially to the product. 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the second cooling devices (7o) due to their position the liquid coolant largely directly on the product apply if this comes from a previous, interacting Pair of finishing rollers exits. 11. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the second cooling device consists of at least one cooling guide arrangement (7o) consists of a tubular outer housing (78), a tubular and extending from the outer housing to the front Nose area (8o) to a stripping guide for an axial pick-up of the product largely directly at the latter Exiting to form a preceding set of cooperating finishing rolls, and a rear tubular Region (82) supported by the outer housing and axially aligned with the nose region, wherein the nose portion and the rear tubular portion cooperate with the outer housing to define an annular chamber (84) and wherein the front end of the rear tubular portion (82) with the rear end of the Na- - 17 - 409883/0805 work together senbereich (8.0) to form an opening (86), which is in communication with the annular chamber (84) and the path of movement of the product (P). through the cooling guide arrangement (7o) surrounds that, furthermore, with the outer housing, a device for introducing liquid coolant into the annular chamber (84) is connected, from which the liquid coolant exits through the opening (86) to be in more concentrated, comprehensive, to be guided radially to the product passing through the cooling guide arrangement. 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that the opening (86) with respect to the direction of movement of the product (P) is inclined by the cooling guide arrangement (7o) to the Direct flow of the liquid coolant in a countercurrent direction. 409883 / 080S