Abstract: A spout-filling mass for casting ladles has a particulate filling mass for filling the pouring spout which consists essentially of 50 to 70% by weight of chromium ore sand, 0.03 to 0.2% by weight iron oxide and the balance quartz sand intimately mixed together.
Abstract: A spout-filling mass which is retained in place by a slider in the pouring spout of a metal-casting ladle consists essentially of 35 to 65% by weight chromite, (chromium ore with 42 to 45% Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3), 3 to 25% by weight carbon and the balance quartz sand. The mass, which fills the cylindrical portion of the spout, is formed into a pile on the floor of the ladle above the spout and upon contact with the molten metal fuses into a thin shell which, upon movement of the slider to bring its opening into registry with the spout, is ruptured by the molten metal after the underlying support for the shell is discharged through the spout.