Abstract: Apparatus and method is disclosed for on-line monitoring for early detection of diagonal distortion in a moving cast product ideally having a rectangular cross-section. A pair of contact rollers is supported on respective guide arms at a location along the casting path and biased to resiliently impinge on opposite edges of the moving cast product. A detector continuously senses the amount of separation between the contact elements to detect diagonal distortion in casting cross-section. A recorder is used to provide a tangible record of such variation. Optionally, both diagonals can be measured, and their sum or difference continuously monitored as well. A fixed support member carries the arms on slidable linear motion bearing structure to facilitate translational motion of the contact elements relative to the casting path, to minimize the effect of casting motion waver on contact separation.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for alloying continuously cast steel products wherein a wire of alloying material, e.g. lead, is fed through the center of the stopper rod to its nose where the wire melts and dissolves into the stream of liquid steel flowing out of the tundish. The guide passage for the wire and a cooperating hole in the nose of the stopper rod are temporarily closed by heat meltable means which prevents steel from entering and clogging the hole in the passage before a steady-state flow condition is achieved.

Abstract: In continuous casting of metal in an open-ended mold through which the metal is advanced in a first direction while undergoing peripheral solidification, and to which molten metal is supplied by a shroud that opens beneath the metal level, the provision of electromagnetically produced metal circulation in the mold causing laminar flow of molten metal, in a second direction opposite to the first direction and at a rate not above 35 cm./sec., along the solid-liquid interface within the mold for preventing entrapment of inclusions at the interface.

Abstract: In continuous casting of metal in an open-ended mold through which the metal is advanced in a first direction while undergoing peripheral solidification, and to which molten metal is supplied by a shroud that opens beneath the metal level, use of a shroud having an axial nozzle and terminating in a well beyond the nozzle, with lateral discharge ports between the well and the nozzle oriented to discharge the supplied metal at an obtuse angle to the first direction, assists in reducing the incidence of entrapped inclusions. Injection of inert gas into the flow of molten metal within the shroud promotes transport of inclusions in the second direction within the mold. The shroud and/or inert gas injection may be employed in combination with the provision of electromagnetically produced metal circulation in the mold causing flow of molten metal, in a second direction opposite to the first direction, along the solid-liquid interface within the mold for preventing entrapment of inclusions at the interface.