Abstract: A disposable hot top board includes a compressible seal positioned along the outer surface of the board to form a seal between the bottom of the board and the mold wall. In a preferred form, the disposable hot top board comprises an insulating or exothermic material having a reticulated metal mesh embedded therein. A metal plate extends along at least a portion of the outer surface and a ceramic fiber strip extends along a bottom portion of the board. A perforated metal retention strip with a first end interwoven with the mesh and a second end extending outward from the board, is used with a big end up mold having a pair of slots. In addition to the standard internal wedge system, the board is forcibly retained against the ingot mold to compress the fiber strip into a seal by a rod which engages the metal retention strip in a wedging type relationship with the mold exterior.

Abstract: The adjustable suspension system for suspending the hot top sideboard in an ingot mold comprises a bent hanger rod having one end positioned within the sideboard and adapted to be frictionally slidable along its vertical axis for vertical adjustment. The hanger is held in the desired fixed position by means associated with the sideboard which lock the hanger rod in place. The rod is normally L-shaped, but it may also be double bent. The means for locking the rod in the desired position can be strips such as metal strapping ridgily fixed in the hot top board and extending outwardly therefrom to lock the hanger rod in the desired position by wrapping the strips about the rod, extending the rod through the strips in appropriately positioned holes, hooking the rod to the strips by S-shaped hooks, or the like.