Introduction

Primarily continuous casting of copper is a heat extraction process. The conversion of molten copper into a solid copper rod involves removal of superheat and latent heat of fusion. One of the most critical and essential components of the continuous casting equipment is the mould.

Being the primary heat extraction device, it is required to solidify the molten copper. Heat transfer in the mould sets the limits for maximum productivity and thus great influences the final quality of a copper product.

upcasting machine consisted of a furnace, a cooler, a withdrawal machine and a coiler. Cooler of the casting machine consists of primary (mould) and secondary cooling parts. The primary cooling consists basically of a graphite die which is partly submerged in molten metal. The upper portion of the die is surrounded by a water-cooled copper jacket which solidifies the molten metal as it passes through the die.

The cooler is located above the furnace and the lower end of the cooler is submerged into the melt. The entire machine can be moved up and down according to the melt level in the furnace, so that the die is always at the same depth in the melt. This means also a constant metallostatic pressure during the casting. The rod was pulled from the die by tandem pinch rolls and was then guided to the coiler.