Abstract: A method for measuring the melt temperature in a melt vessel, where the vessel wall, at least partially, is made of a material transparent for infrared light; said material, at the interior of the vessel, is coated with a material having a high and stable emission factor (e>0.5; de/dT<0.001); the temperature of the inside of the vessel wall is used as a measure of the melt temperature close to the wall; and said temperature at the inside of the vessel wall is measured by use of optical pyrometry applied from the outside of the melt vessel.

Abstract: A method for controlling the composition of a cast iron melt is presented. A cast iron melt is prepared which has added to it a structure modifying agent and a nucleating agent in amounts selected to produce a fully compacted graphite iron upon solidification of the melt. A sample vessel, having an inner wall having an active portion coated with a material which will lower the concentration of dissolved modifying agent and an inert portion, is used to extract a sample of the melt. Three temperature measuring devices are used to measure temperatures at three locations within the melt. One measuring device measures the temperature at the center of the vessel, one measures the temperature at the inert portion of the vessel's inner surface and one measures the temperature at the active portion of the vessel's inner surface. In another aspect of the invention, two sample vessels are used, one having an active surface and the other having an inert surface.

Abstract: A sampling device for use when performing a thermal analysis of a sample of molten metal solidifying from a melt, includes a double-walled container having an upwardly opening mouth and a part-spherically curved bottom, A closed space between the walls is thermally insulated. A tubular holder is supported to extend from the mouth substantially to the bottom of the container, for receiving a temperature sensor. By preference at least one wall of the container is treated or coated to reduce thermal emissivity.