Continuous casting technology specialists, Rautomead Limited have recently commissioned a new RS Upwards vertical casting machine for production of 30mm diameter copper-magnesium rod at Lamifil, Belgium. This is the second similar Rautomead machine to be installed at Lamifil, who specialise in the manufacture of conductor wires and trolley wire for railway systems.
Copper-magnesium is a preferred alloyed-copper for high-speed rail applications in many countries, as it provides a balance of good electrical conductivity and high tensile strength. As well as meeting these physical property requirements, copper-magnesium is also an environmentally benign material with no toxicity hazard.
From a manufacturing point of view, copper-magnesium is not an easy alloyed-copper to produce. This is due to the light and volatile nature of magnesium, its propensity to form slag when molten and the need to maintain a very precise alloy composition in the wire rod.
The unique upwards casting process has been well proven in the production of this alloy. Special features of the Rautomead process include the use of a graphite crucible, electrical resistance heating and nitrogen gas protection of the internal hot-working parts.
Commenting on his company’s investment in a second Rautomead machine, Charly Verheyden, Managing Director of Lamifil n.v., said: “Our association with Rautomead and their upwards vertical casting technology goes back ten years when we installed our first machine at Hemiksem. Lamifil's copper-magnesium trolley wire is now widely used in Western Europe, including on the high-speed TGV line from Brussels into France, the Netherlands and Germany.


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