Technical Data
Reference data for engineers and buyers specifying continuous casting copper mould tubes and mould components: material properties, taper design, chrome plating, tolerances, cooling, inspection and an ordering checklist. Values are typical unless a customer standard is agreed.
Copper Material Properties
Typical values for the three copper grades used in our mould tubes. Exact figures depend on material condition, heat treatment and the applicable standard; certified values are supplied with the material certificate.
| Property | TP2 / Cu-DHP | CuAg0.1 | CuCrZr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Phosphorus deoxidized copper (C12200 / CW024A) | Silver-bearing copper (C10700-type) | Chromium zirconium copper (C18150 / CW106C) |
| Main alloying element | P 0.015–0.040 % | Ag 0.08–0.12 %, P 0.004–0.012 % | Cr 0.30–1.20 %, Zr 0.03–0.30 % |
| Thermal conductivity (20 °C), typical | ≈ 330–350 W/m·K | ≈ 360–380 W/m·K | ≈ 300–330 W/m·K |
| Electrical conductivity, typical | ≈ 85–90 % IACS | ≈ 95–98 % IACS | ≈ 75–85 % IACS |
| Softening / recrystallization temperature | ≈ 250–320 °C | ≈ 330–380 °C | ≈ 450–500 °C |
| Hardness (working condition), typical | ≈ 80–110 HB | ≈ 85–115 HB | ≈ 120–160 HB |
| Tensile strength, typical | ≈ 250–320 MPa | ≈ 260–330 MPa | ≈ 400–500 MPa |
| Density | 8.9 g/cm³ | 8.9 g/cm³ | 8.9 g/cm³ |
| Strengthening | Cold work | Cold work + Ag solid solution | Precipitation hardening (Cr, Zr) |
| Typical use | Standard billet casting | High casting speed, higher thermal load | Bloom moulds, long campaigns, mould plates |
Ranges compiled from published copper alloy data; not a guarantee. Specify your required standard (GB, EN, ASTM) in the order.
Internal Taper Design
The steel shell shrinks as it moves down the mould. The tube's inner profile follows that shrinkage so the shell stays in contact with the copper; too little taper reduces heat transfer, too much causes friction and sticking. The taper is machined to your caster's casting speed, section and steel grade.
Single taper
Constant taper, typically 0.6–1.0 %/m. Simple, for lower casting speeds.
Double taper
Steeper near the meniscus, flatter below. Common on billet casters.
Multi-taper
Three or more segments approximating the shell shrinkage curve.
Parabolic
Continuous curve matching shrinkage; best for high-speed casting.
Convex / custom
Convex walls or OEM-specific profiles reproduced from your drawing.
| Parameter | Typical range / note |
|---|---|
| Total taper (top to exit) | 0.6–1.2 %/m depending on section and speed; larger for small sections and high speed |
| Corner radius | R3–R12 mm typical for billet; to drawing |
| Casting radius | R3000–R15000 mm; tube curvature must equal machine radius exactly |
| Meniscus level | Typically 80–120 mm below tube top; affects taper start |
Inner Surface Plating
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Standard coating | Hard chrome, electrodeposited |
| Thickness | 0.08–0.12 mm (80–120 µm), our standard; 0.06–0.20 mm on request |
| Hardness | ≈ 800–1000 HV |
| Alternative | Nickel-chrome (Ni underlayer + Cr) for longer life and better adhesion |
| Surface finish before plating | Ra ≤ 0.8 µm, polished |
| Coverage | Full working surface, uniform along the tube length |
| Re-plating | Worn tubes can be stripped, re-machined and re-plated |
Dimensional Tolerances
| Dimension | Typical tolerance |
|---|---|
| Inner section (top / exit) | ±0.10 mm |
| Wall thickness | ±0.20 mm |
| Length | ±0.5 mm |
| Taper | ±0.05 %/m |
| Casting radius | Deviation ≤ 0.3 mm over tube length |
| Straightness / twist | ≤ 0.2 mm |
| Corner radius | ±0.5 mm |
| Inner surface roughness | Ra ≤ 0.4 µm after plating |
Tighter tolerances available to drawing. Tolerances are verified on a CMM and reported per tube.
Cooling & Water Slots
| Item | Typical |
|---|---|
| Water gap (tube to jacket) | 3–5 mm annular gap, or machined water slots |
| Water velocity | 6–12 m/s along the tube wall |
| Water flow, billet mould | ≈ 80–150 m³/h depending on section |
| Inlet water temperature | ≤ 40 °C; ΔT typically 5–10 °C |
| Water pressure | 0.6–1.0 MPa at the mould |
| Water slots | Number, depth and position machined to caster drawing |
Cooling parameters belong to the caster design; we machine the tube and water jacket to match them.
Inspection & Documentation
| Item | Method / document |
|---|---|
| Material | Mill certificate; spectrometer check of Cu, P, Ag, Cr, Zr |
| Inner section & taper | CMM measurement at 5+ levels, report per tube |
| Casting radius | Radius gauge / CMM |
| Wall thickness | Ultrasonic or micrometer at 8 points |
| Chrome thickness | Eddy-current / XRF gauge, min. 6 points |
| Surface | Visual + roughness tester (Ra) |
| Hardness | Brinell / Vickers on sample or tube end |
| Water jacket / assembly | Pressure and leakage test, fit check |
| Documents | Inspection report, material certificate, packing list, photos before packing |
Ordering Checklist
What we need to quote and manufacture a copper mould tube correctly. The marking on your old tube (e.g. "150×150×900 R6000") or the caster drawing usually covers most of it.
- Cast section (mm or inch) and corner radius
- Casting machine radius (R4000 / R5000 / R6000 / R9000 …)
- Tube length and meniscus position
- Wall thickness
- Taper type and values, or "as per drawing"
- Copper grade: TP2 / Cu-DHP, CuAg0.1 or CuCrZr
- Plating: hard chrome (thickness) or Ni-Cr
- Water slots: number, size, position (or water jacket drawing)
- Top / bottom flange or fixing details
- Casting speed, steel grades, caster OEM and model
- Quantity and required delivery date
- Destination port and Incoterm (FOB / CIF / DAP)
Unit Conversion
100 mm = 3.94 in · 130 mm = 5.12 in · 150 mm = 5.91 in
800 mm = 31.5 in · 812 mm = 32.0 in · 900 mm = 35.4 in
R6000 = 236.2 in (19.7 ft) · R9000 = 354.3 in (29.5 ft)
R10000 = 393.7 in (32.8 ft)
1 W/m·K = 0.578 BTU/(h·ft·°F) · 1 µm = 0.00004 in
°F = °C × 1.8 + 32
Send Your Specification
Fill in what you have from the checklist; send drawings to sales@coppermouldtube.com or WhatsApp. Our engineer confirms the remaining parameters and quotes within one working day.