Abstract: A semicontinuous casting apparatus comprises a mould positioned above a secondary-cooling chamber which accommodates a dummy bar having a thickened portion and a body made in the form of a hydraulic cylinder intended to pull out a casting and mounted to move lengthwise of said chamber. For the dummy bar to be able to move, the apparatus is provided with alternately actuated index pins. The pins are fixed on stationary mounted legs and extend through openings in the walls of the secondary cooling chamber and cooperate with openings provided in the lateral sides of the thickened portion and body of the dummy bar.

Abstract: A dopant material, comprising metallic elements constituting alloy base metals and endogeneous high-melting-point compounds selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, tantalum, hafnium and thorium nitrides, carbides, carbonitrides, borides and oxides.The dopant material for iron- or nickel-base alloys is produced by melting a dopant base metal, whereupon the elements required for the formation of the high-melting-point compounds selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium, tantalum, hafnium, thorium nitrides, carbides, carbonitrides, borides and oxides, are taken in a stoichiometric ratio and introduced into the melt. These elements are introduced into the melt at a temperature exceeding that required for the formation therein of such compounds. After that the melt with the elements introduced therein is cooled at a rate of 10.sup.2 -10.sup.7 degrees per second until high-melting-point endogeneous dispersed compounds are formed in the solidified base metal.

Abstract: A mould for the electroslag casting of faceted metal ingots has longitudinal flutes on the internal surfaces of at least two walls thereof. The depth of these flutes decreases in a horizontal direction from the middle of the walls to the corners of the mould chamber.