Effect of Roll Material on Strip Solidification between the Rolls of a Vertical-Type High-Speed Twin-Roll Caster

Tool steel for hot working is usually used for the rolls of conventional twin-roll casters for aluminum alloys. In a vertical high-speed twin-roll caster, copper rolls are used to rapidly solidify the aluminum alloys and to increase the casting speed, since the thermal conductivity of copper is higher than that of tool steel. However, the degree of superiority of copper rolls over steel rolls is not clear. In the present study, the effect of the roll material on strip solidification between the rolls of a vertical high-speed twin-roll caster was investigated by inserting a thermocouple in the strip during casting. The Al-4.8%Mg alloy was used, since it does not stick to the steel rolls in the absence of a parting material. Both copper rolls and mild steel rolls were used. The cooling rate, the supercooling of the liquidus temperature, and the temperature of the strip cast using the copper rolls were superior to those of that cast using the mild steel rolls. The copper rolls were better than the steel rolls in terms of achieving high-speed roll casting, rapid solidification of the strip, and high productivity.