4.1 Introduction

The previous chapter describes various continuous casting processes, the emergence of direct strip casting (DSC) and compares this and the other processes, with particular reference to the economic and environmental constraints that will affect the commercial viability of DSC. This chapter outlines some of the more important process variables associated with strip casting and shows how certain casting variables influence heat flow during casting and the solidification behaviour of the strip. A brief overview of the important area of cast strip quality is also given.