Abstract: Certain embodiments of a melting and casting apparatus comprising includes a melting hearth; a refining hearth fluidly communicating with the melting hearth; a receiving receptacle fluidly communicating with the refining hearth, the receiving receptacle including a first outflow region defining a first molten material pathway, and a second outflow region defining a second molten material pathway; and at least one melting power source oriented to direct energy toward the receiving receptacle and regulate a direction of flow of molten material along the first molten material pathway and the second molten material pathway. Methods for casting a metallic material also are disclosed.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of a melting and casting apparatus comprising includes a melting hearth; a refining hearth fluidly communicating with the melting hearth; a receiving receptacle fluidly communicating with the refining hearth, the receiving receptacle including a first outflow region defining a first molten material pathway, and a second outflow region defining a second molten material pathway; and at least one melting power source oriented to direct energy toward the receiving receptacle and regulate a direction of flow of molten material along the first molten material pathway and the second molten material pathway. Methods for casting a metallic material also are disclosed.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of a melting and casting apparatus comprising includes a melting hearth; a refining hearth fluidly communicating with the melting hearth; a receiving receptacle fluidly communicating with the refining hearth, the receiving receptacle including a first outflow region defining a first molten material pathway, and a second outflow region defining a second molten material pathway; and at least one melting power source oriented to direct energy toward the receiving receptacle and regulate a direction of flow of molten material along the first molten material pathway and the second molten material pathway. Methods for casting a metallic material also are disclosed.

Abstract: A formed article for making alloying additions to metal melts includes particles of at least one master alloy and a binder material binding the particles of the master alloy in the formed article. The binder material changes form and frees the master alloy particles when the formed article is heated to a predetermined temperature, preferably a temperature greater than 500° F. A method for making an alloy also is provided. The method includes preparing a melt comprising a predetermined quantity of a master alloy wherein the master alloy is added to the melt or the melt starting materials in the form of particles of the master alloy bound into at least one formed article by a binder material that decomposes at a predetermined temperature, preferably a temperature greater than 500° F., and releases the particles of master alloy.