BASIC RESEARCH INTO THE DOUBLE-ROLLER CAS TING PROCESS AT MAX-PLANCK-INSTITUT FUR EISENFORSCHUNG

Objective. This article presents an overview of the research activitie s on twin-roller strip casting at Max-Plack-Institut fur Eisenforschun g. The thin strip, casting process approaches the state of industrial application. Changes in classical steel production routes and importan t economic effects are expected. The purpose of research at MPI is to support this technical development through newly acquired basic knowle dge. Summary. The experimental equipment available at MPI is presented . Feeding systems are studied because the surface of the strip must be formed with a minimum of disturbance; free falling flat jets as well as combinations of round jets have been investigated. Surface cracks m ay have various causes. a crack formation mechanism was analyzed in mo re detail, where cracking occurs as a result of non-uniform strip temp erature; increased roll surface roughness as well as ceramic coatings were found to favourably influence temperature distributions and crack ing. Rapid in-line cooling of the strip by an additional pair of rolls was studied. First results of current investigations on the mechanica l properties of deep drawing steels are presented.