Apparatus for the direct production of scale-free thin metal strip
US6588491B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC21D9/68
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the direct production, from molten metal, of scale-free thin metal strip. Hot thin metal strip exiting a continuous caster system is directed to a reducing chamber wherein a reducing gas reduces strip surface oxides while the cast metal strip is at an elevated temperature from retained heat from the molten metal. A cooling unit following the reducing chamber is used to cool the strip to a temperature below about 150° C. prior to exposing the strip to an oxidizing atmosphere. In various embodiments of the invention, strip thickness is reduced with use of hot and cold rolling mills and the scale-free surface of the strip is coated with protective coatings.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.