Casting a Small-diameter Tin Wire by the OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) Process

Abstract

Tin wires of 2 mm dia have been cast by the horizontal OCC process at speeds between 0.02 m/min and 4.2 m/min. It was found that unlike the casting of larger diameter rods, it was possible to continue casting, even if the solid-liquid interface existed outside the mould. If the mould exit temperature and the mould-cooler distance were maintained at 267°C and 2 mm respectively, the solid-liquid interface was located at the mould exit when the casting speed was 0.35 m/mln. However, when the casting speed exceeded about 1.2 m/min, the cast surface of the wire deteriorated and exhibited a matted appearance due to the formation of ridges. With a casting speed of 4.2 m/min, the solid-liquid interface location was estimated to be about 4 mm outside the mould. A calculated temperature distribution within the solidifying strand revealed that the solid-liquid interface entered the cooling water when the casting speed was 1.2 m/min. Thus, in order to obtain a cast wire with a high surface finish, the strand should be solidified outside the cooling water. Casting parameter values corresponding to the condition where the solid-liquid interface reaches the mould exit were considered to be critical co-ordinates for runout (breakout). When the solid-liquid interface is located between the mould and the cooling water, tight control of the casting process, and in particular control of the metal head, is essential in order to avoid dimensional instability and runout of the liquid metal.