CONTINUOUS-CASTING AND RAPID SOLIDIFICATION OF WIRES PRODUCED BY A NEWLY DEVELOPED SHAPE FLOW CASTING TECHNIQUE

The shape flow casting (SFC) process was developed for continuous cast ing of wires with diameters ranging from 1 to 3 mm possessing a refine d microstructure achieved by rapid substrate quenching. An instrumente d and computerized meltspin facility was designed for a quantitative s tudy of the process parameters including process modelling in order to optimize the casting process under high cooling conditions. The micro structural parameters were correlated with the governing process varia bles, such as superheat of the melt, velocity of the melt jet, nozzle geometry, and its adjustment. The present paper describes the process principles of the SFC-technology, which enables a flexible production of steel, nickel, or aluminium wires and other novel materials. The mi crostructural features are quantitatively correlated to the process pa rameters. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.