Production of Al-12%Si alloy strip in higher roll speed by melt drag process equipped with a forming belt

In this study, a forming belt was attached on the free solidified surface side of melt drag process which is a kind of single roll process. The purpose of the equipment of forming belt is the improvement of strip production in higher roll speed than conventional strip casters. The effects of some factors, such as, the forming belt position, the forming belt contacting angle, the roll speed and the puddle form type on the continuity of the strip casting, the microstructure and surface quality were investigated. Al-12 mass%Si alloy was used as the experimental material. As the result, the secondary cooling effect by the equipment of the forming belt was proved. Producing rapidly solidified strips in high roll speed up to 200 m/min became possible. And it became clear that puddle form type affects the surface quality and microstructure type. Without puddle, the forming belt forms the free solidified surface in semi-solid state and free solidified surface was improved.