Abstract: An apparatus for casting magnesium based alloy containing dispersed magnesium intermetallic phases comprises scraping means and shielding means to form a semi-closed chamber around a casting nozzle. Gas supply means is provided for supplying inert gas to the chamber.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting a metal and an apparatus for continuously casting a metal wherein such a metal as copper, aluminum and so on is degassed continuously by means of at least two vacuum chambers which are installed over a preserving container for preserving a molten metal before being introduced to a mould and one of which pumps up the molten metal for degassing thereof while the other of which exhausts the molten metal after degassing thereof.

Abstract: An improved integrated system is provided for horizontally-longitudinally cast-forming a continuous length of metal ingot. An ablative material is fed lengthwise and introduced as a lining on a continuous, forwardly moving, heat-resistant flexible belt. The ablative material and the belt are shaped into a composite, forwardly moving, open top, trough-like shape into which molten metal is introduced by a ladle that is rotated at a desired supplying rate. The ablative is charred by the molten metal to provide an initial cooling action on the metal as received and to thereafter protect it and the belt while the composite and the metal are forwardly advanced along a channel-shaped, longitudinally extending, metal ingot-forming, casting station.

Abstract: A gas rinsing stopper includes a stopper member having therethrough an axial gas passage, a mounting fixture extending into a first end of the gas passage, a gas feed opening at a second end of the passage, and a gas supply line extending into the gas passage. A seal member is positioned within the gas passage and forms a gas tight seal separating the gas passage into a first section including the mounting fixture and a second section leading to the gas feed opening. The gas supply line opens into the second section of the gas passage, such that rinsing gas supplied through the gas supply line is isolated from the first section of the gas passage. This prevents the supply of rinsing gas from creating a reduced pressure at the first end of the gas passage, and thereby prevents atmospheric air from being drawn into the gas passage and mixing with the rinsing gas.

Abstract: An improvement in roll casting apparatus is disclosed which comprises side edge dam means for delivering a flow of gas toward the side edges of metal as it passes, from a source of molten metal, through a pair of opposing roll casting means to thereby contain the side flow of such metal during the roll casting operation. In a preferred embodiment, the gas is directed toward the cast metal through porous side edge dam means attached to a plenum which is inserted into the nip of the roll casting means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting metal strip include a moving chill body that has a quench surface. A nozzle mechanism deposits a stream of molten metal on a quenching region of the quench surface to form the strip. The nozzle mechanism has an exit portion with a nozzle orifice. A depletion mechanism heats a gas to lower the density thereof and to produce a low-density atmosphere. The gas is supplied to a depletion region located adjacent to and upstream of the quenching region to provide the low density atmosphere within the depletion region.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a nozzle having an orifice for depositing a stream of molten metal onto a casting region of a moving chill surface. A conditioning shoe is located generally upstream from the nozzle in a direction opposite to the direction of chill surface movement to delimit a conditioning chamber. The conditioning chamber communicates directly with the nozzle orifice and borders at least three sidelines of the chill surface casting portion. A shield for minimizing an intrusion of ambient atmosphere into the conditioning chamber and for deflecting an entrained gas boundary layer carried along by the chill surface is cooperatively connected to the conditioning shoe. Gas control provides a selected, low density atmosphere, such as a partial vacuum, within the conditioning chamber.

Abstract: Molten steel, normally exposed to an atmosphere of air, is protected against pick-up of impurities by placing carbon dioxide gas in such quantities and in such proximity to the surface to cause dissociation of the carbon dioxide at a rate which furnishes an atmosphere of carbon monoxide and gives off a negligible amount of oxygen to the steel, thus providing a gas barrier or shroud isolating the steel from the surrounding atmosphere and preventing pick-up therefrom of oxygen, nitrogen or hydrogen. This method may be applied to protecting steel being transferred from a ladle to a mold, or from a ladle to a tundish and from the tundish to a mold in continuous casting. In a method where a number of shrouding operations are carried out in series, carbon dioxide vapor, under pressure, is bled, in increments, from a storage vessel containing a body of liquid carbon dioxide in overlying ullage space containing vapor.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and continuously casting molten metal is described in which inert gas is applied to the moving mold surfaces and to the entering metal for the protection or shrouding of the molten metal surface within the mold cavity from oxygen and other detrimental atmospheric gases. The shrouding is by means of inert gas injected into the mold through a semi-sealing nosepiece, or directed at the mold cavity and passing through the necessary slight gaps around the nosepiece. At the same time, such inert gas is further circulated by channeling or shielding the circulated gas for blanketing and diffusing of the inert gas along the moving mold surfaces for cleansing them of undesired accompanying gases, such as atmospheric oxygen, water vapor, sulphur dioxide, carbonic acid gas, etc. as the mold surfaces approach the nosepiece before entering the mold region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting metal strip includes a moveable chill body having a quench surface thereon. A nozzle mechanism deposits a stream of molten metal onto a quenching region of the quench surface to form the strip, and a gas supply mechanism provides an initial gas mixture, which consists essentially of carbon monoxide and oxygen. An ignition mechanism ignites the initial gas mixture to create an exothermic reaction which provides a low density, reducing flame atmosphere at a depletion region located substantially adjacent to and upstream from the quenching region. A control mechanism controls the initial gas mixture to produce an adjusted reducing flame atmosphere at the depletion region in which the adjusted reducing flame has a burnt gas composition that includes substantially no free oxygen.

Abstract: A nozzle for continuous casting which is capable of uniformly supplying a required amount of gas to the inner wall surface thereof by providing a plurality of communication holes inside the nozzle body between the inner surface thereof and a gas pressure balance chamber disposed inside the nozzle body so as to communicate the chamber with the inner surface, the communication hole having a square measure corresponding to that of a circular hole having a diameter of 1.0 mm or less, and preferably between 0.03 and 0.5 mm. The nozzle body is comprised of a material having 20% or less porosity and containing 50% or more open pores, each having a diameter of 5 .mu.m or less.

Abstract: A porous layer consisting of sintered material containing metal powder or ceramics powder is provided as the inner surface of a mold for use in continuous metal casting, and a shielding plate is provided on the outside of this porous layer. A gas is supplied in a gap portion formed between the porous layer and the shielding plate and the gas is spouted out from the porous portions in the porous layer into the inside of the mold, thereby forming a gas film between the inner surface of the mold and the molten metal. Electromagnetic coils are interposed between a stiffening plate and sandwiching frames around the mold and hanger frames supporting them. An annular cylindrical partition wall surrounding a nozzle is provided between the mold and a tundish, and a water-cooled reflecting plate having an annular downward reflecting surface is also provided therebetween.

Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly quenching a metal or alloy in the molten state by projecting a jet thereof from a crucible 7 onto a cooled belt 1 moving at high speed inside a vacuum chamber 3. The crucible is mounted outside of and above the chamber, with its curved bottom, provided with a casting orifice 14, resting on the rim 5' of an opening provided in the upper cover 6 of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for screening a stream of molten metal has a bellows. An annular distribution chamber for protective gas to be blown into an area traversed by the stream of molten metal is provided inside the bellows. That annular chamber is inwardly delimited by a flexible screening shroud of heat-resistant, gas-permeable material encompassing the area traversed by the stream of molten metal and being inwardly spaced from the bellows. Corresponding ends of the bellows and shroud are gas-tightly interconnected. The screening shroud surrounding the pouring stream at a distance protects the bellows from metal splashes and screen it also from heat that is radiating from the pouring stream.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously casting a filament, such as a glassy metal filament, at high speed within a zone of preselected vacuum. A continuous extrusion mechanism and a rapidly moving quench surface are located within a casting module. A vacuum mechanism provides the preselected vacuum in the module as the filament is cast, and a transport mechanism continuously moves the resultant rapidly advancing filament across the boundary between the vacuum in the casting airlock mechanism substantially preserves the module vacuum as the cast filament is transported across the boundary and a passivator mechanism passivates the quench surface to prevent the filament from adhering thereto.

Abstract: A molten metal stream is fed downwardly, especially essentially vertically, into a double-ended, chilled horizontal mold where the molten metal is formed into two strands which are cooled and simultaneously bidirectionally withdrawn from opposed ends of the horizontal mold. The infed hot molten metal stream is deposited within the double-ended horizontal mold such that a so-to-speak hot wall forms at the immediate vicinity of the inflow region where the molten metal enters the horizontal mold. This hot wall precludes formation of a strand shell or skin which otherwise would undesirably interconnect the two formed strands, so that not only is the resistance to mold oscillation decreased, but the individual strands can be cleanly withdrawn from each side of the mold without the danger of undesired and uncontrolled interaction arising between the two withdrawn strands and without the need to have to rupture any such interconnecting strand shell or skin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pouring molten metal in a neutral atmosphere into an ingot mold, a trumpet funnel for bottom poured ingots or a tundish box for a continuous caster or like vessel is disclosed wherein the receiving vessel is closed about a ceramic sleeve through which the molten metal is poured and wherein the normal atmosphere is replaced by vaporized hexamethylene or cyclohexane as it is sometimes called. The closure about the ceramic sleeve through which the molten metal is introduced into the receiving vessel is positioned on top of the receiving vessel and supports the ceramic sleeve and is provided with break lines or scores that permit the edge portions of the sheet-like closure to be moved in hinged relation thereto when the sheet-like closure is pushed downwardly into the receiving vessel to a point on or near the surface of the molten metal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for removing fine cold shut cracks on a horizontally and continuously cast steel strand, using ejection of a plurality of metal shots, comprises: horizontally and intermittently withdrawing a cast steel strand from a horizontal mold by a plurality of cycles each comprising a pull and a push, cooling the cast steel strand in a cooling zone provided following the horizontal mold on the same horizontal level as that of the horizontal mold, increasing the temperature of the surface portion of the solidified shell of the cast steel strand in a heat-restoring zone provided following the cooling zone on the same horizontal level as that of the cooling zone, to soften the surface portion of the solidified shell of the cast steel strand, and then continuously ejecting a plurality of metal shots from a plurality of shooters in a shooting zone provided following the heat-restoring zone on the same horizontal level as that of the heat-restoring zone onto the cast steel strand, to weld fine cold

Abstract: The particular pipe is provided with a system of blind bores being gas conductively interconnected and an inert gas is fed to this duct and channel system to traverse the gas permeable material of which the pipe is made to emerge particularly from surfaces in contact with molten steel to thereby prevent the precipitation of deposits, particularly on the inside of the pipe, but also on the outside surface thereof where being submerged in the bath of molten steel.

Abstract: A shrouding sleeve for removable insertion between a tundish and an underlying mold to vertically enshroud a liquid stream issuing from the tundish to the mold wherein the shrouding sleeve consists of upper and lower substantially rigid sleeve portions. The upper sleeve is removably secured to the underside of the tundish and the lower sleeve is removably insertable for vertical alignment between the upper sleeve and the underlying mold. An annular flange is annularly secured to the bottom of the upper sleeve, and in a similar manner, annular flanges are also secured to the top and bottom of the lower sleeve. Another annular flange is also secured to the top of the underlying mold. At least one of these annular flanges is under continuous bias in the vertical direction so that when the lower shrouding sleeve is transversely inserted into vertical alignment between the upper sleeve and the mold, all of the annular flanges engage adjacent mating flanges to form a continuous shrouding sleeve under seal.

Abstract: A thin strip of metal or alloy is subjected to rapid solidification as it is ejected under pressure in a molten state from a crucible onto a cold, continuous band moving at high speed beneath the crucible's opening, in order to form metal strips in the vitreous state. An atmosphere under reduced pressure surrounding the zone of impact of the molten metal on the band is provided by a partially evacuated housing having opposed narrow inlet and outlet openings through which the band passes. The band is cooled and precisely positioned, and its vibration is minimized, by ejecting fluid from openings in the bottom of the housing, over which the band passes in closely parallel fashion. A pressurized gas at low temperature, ejected through these openings in the direction of the band, creates a fluid cushion between the band and the bottom of the housing.

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 a horizontal continuous casting plant having a horizontally oriented discharge duct for conveying molten metal from a container to the casting mold, a closure assembly for selectively blocking the flow of molten metal is provided in the duct. The closure assembly comprises a stationary headplate and a vertically disposed slider plate, the latter movable across the headplate between positions blocking and unblocking the flow of metal. To prevent solidification of metal around the closure when in the blocked position, gas supply means are provided in the headplate and slider plate to create a flow of gas at the closure that inhibits solidification and keeps the molten metal from penetrating between the fixed and movable parts of the closure assembly. The gas supply means comprises a plurality of nozzle openings in either the headplate or slider plate or both, connected with a source of gaseous media, and oriented substantially tangentially of and at an angle to the juncture of the headplate and slider plate.

Abstract: A casting tube 8 of a refractory material comprises at its upper end a series of openings for the injection of a protective gas, for example argon, to create an atmosphere which protects the incoming molten metal against oxidation and cools the walls of the casting tube. The injection openings are grooves 11 formed in an upper frustoconical part of the casting tube, whose outer surface defines a fixing collar. These grooves are interconnected by an annular passage 12.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method of and apparatus for continuously casting metal rods wherein the metal is forced to pass; through an elongate tube while in a molten state, a cooling medium is circulated about the tube and the rod as it emerges from the tube in order to form a continuous cast rod, and the rod is passed through a bath of another metal whose temperature is sufficiently lower than the melting point of the rod to cool the rod below its critical temperature.

Abstract: A continuous steel casting apparatus includes a casting nozzle, a mold surrounding the casting nozzle and having moving mold walls together defining a rectangular casting cross section and being formed of oppositely located, parallel-extending endless casting belts and oppositely located, parallel-extending endless lateral dams. A sealing assembly provides a seal between the casting nozzle and the mold walls. The sealing assembly includes sealing levers situated between the casting nozzle and the casting belts. The sealing levers are movably mounted on the casting nozzle. Each sealing lever has a sealing face oriented towards a respective casting belt and extending parallel to the width thereof. Further, each sealing lever is resiliently urged into a sealing engagement with the casting belts. Side surfaces of the sealing levers sealingly engage the dams.

Abstract: A nozzle is provided having an elongated conduit extending therethrough for delivering molten metal below the surface of a pool of molten material. The nozzle includes facilities for passing a fluid medium, e.g., argon, through its wall members transverse to the direction of molten metal flow into the elongated conduit to retard the accumulation of undesirable formations, e.g., metal oxides, on the inner wall surfaces of the conduit during molten metal flow. In a first embodiment, gas permeable wall members define portions of the conduit through which the fluid medium percolates. In a second embodiment, a plurality of small ports are provided in the wall members defining the conduit through which the fluid medium is emitted in the conduit. Preferably, the nozzle also includes a base portion that directs the molten metal flow in an upwardly direction and which has facilities for retarding the accumulation of undesirable formations thereon.

Abstract: A process for casting a material comprising a coolant application device comprising a fluidized bed cooling system. A control system for the fluidized bed cooling system determines the most upstream position at which the fluidized bed contacts the material being cast. The control system is adapted to adjust the pressure differential between the gas used to fluidized the bed of particles and an opposing gas flow. The casting system may be a continuous or semi-continuous one and preferably employs an electromagnetic mold.

Abstract: In submerged teeming operations the extended pouring tube which receives molten metal from a vessel via a nozzle has gas admitted thereto for protecting it against molten metal attack. A union block is sandwiched between the nozzle and pouring tube, block being surrounded by a metal jacket spaced therefrom to form a gas manifold to be fed with gas via a gas supply pipe. Gas admitted to the manifold is ejected, around the lower end of the union block, by a surrounding annular orifice into the pouring tube and flows downwardly along the wall thereof as a protective gas film.

Abstract: A protection arrangement for a casting jet emerging from a metallurgical vessel includes a protective tube enveloping the casting jet and fastened to an articulation-rod assembly that is pivotable into any space direction. In order to be able to follow any desired position of the casting jet with the protective tube, the articulation-rod assembly includes a first, vertically extending, four-bar linkage parallelogram which is mounted with its vertically arranged web so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis. To its coupler, an extension arm carrying the protective tube is hinged, forming the oscillating crank of a second four-bar linkage. The web of the second four-bar linkage is formed by an oscillating crank of the first four-bar linkage parallelogram.

Abstract: Aluminum pellets are ejected from the nozzle of an elongated tube into a stream of liquid steel flowing from a tundish into a continuous casting mold. Protective gas is utilized to propel the pellets of aluminum from the elongated tube into the molten stream. A special nozzle structure for the elongated tube insures that the aluminum pellets will properly impinge upon and mix with the molten stream. The elongated tube is retained within a larger cylindrical tube that directs low velocity, protective gas at the molten stream. The protective gas, such as nitrogen or argon, provides essentially nonreactive atmosphere that envelops the molten stream of steel.

Abstract: A protector for a molten metal casting stream includes first and second pipes telescopically connected to each other to form a pipe assembly, and an urging means mounted about the pipe assembly so as to force it to extend in the lengthwise direction.

Abstract: Elongated members of reactive metals and alloys thereof, for example, uranium and alloys thereof, are cast from a crucible containing the molten metal blanketed with an inert gas and non-reactive prepared molten slag, directly into a mould protruding from the crucible. The cast metal is spray cooled with inert gas, which may be liquefied, as it emerges from an outlet end of the mould and is pulled, for example by rollers, into and possibly through an inert gas flushed container directly connected to the mould outlet end.

Abstract: An aluminum wire feeder consisting of a flexible conduit and positioning tube are connected to a removable shroud by a tube holder. A feed mechanism provides a continuous source of aluminum wire for feeding the same to a continuous casting mold, only during shrouding conditions.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a metal ribbon has a rotary roll. Molten metal is poured from a heated nozzle onto the outer peripheral surface of the roll to form a solidified metal ribbon on the roll surface. To facilitate easy separation of the metal ribbon from the roll surface, a jet of a non-oxidizing gas is directed to the point of separation of the ribbon from the roll surface. The roll surface just upstream of the metal-pouring nozzle is enclosed by a cover the inside of which is evacuated to assure intimate contact of the poured metal with the roll surface and thus improve cooling of the poured metal. A heater is provided in the cover to heat the roll surface just upstream of the metal-pouring nozzle for thereby removing dew droplets and ambient gases from the roll surface whereby the formation of depressions or recesses in the roll-containing ribbon surface is prevented.

Abstract: A metal stream is protected from atmospheric contamination during casting by shrouding it with an inert gas from a gas source at the pour nozzle. The gas is supplied to a low turbulence zone at the nozzle which has a width at least one third of the length of the poured metal stream. The gas source may be an annulas surrounding the nozzle and having its inwardly and downwardly facing surfaces of perforated metal sheet and the outermost surfaces may be disposable in order to tolerate metal splashing. The need for a tube to enclose the protective gas is avoided.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a molten metal pouring stream between a teeming vessel and a hot metal receiving mold beneath the vessel, including a heat resistant metal shroud tube, carrying at its lower extremity a replaceable, flexible, high temperature, heat resistant cloth tube extending downwardly therefrom.

Abstract: An extrusion mold for growing crystalline silicon in any desired size at a very high purity level. The mold is formed of molybdenum with any desired width, length and depth. The major portion of its length is immersed in a temperature-controlled environment. A high temperature receiving end of the mold is located in a controlled atmosphere containing an inert gas such as nitrogen. Molten silicon is poured from a crucible into the open end of the mold in the controlled atmosphere. The extrusion mold is at an incline to permit the molten silicon to flow through the mold until it contacts a seed crystal of silicon. The seed crystal is located at the point where the silicon solidifies. The molten silicon begins to form a crystalline structure oriented according to the seed crystal. As crystallization takes place, the seed is slowly pulled out of the other end of the extrusion mold which is open to the atmosphere bringing the crystalline silicon structure with it.

Abstract: A shrouding apparatus, suspended from a bottom pour vessel carries a vertical shroud tube at one end for surrounding a molten metal pouring stream and a counterweight at its other end to force the shroud tube against the bottom of the pouring vessel. The apparatus includes means for introducing a protective atmosphere to the interior of the shroud.

Abstract: An apparatus for shielding a stream of molten metal during teeming consisting of a pair of cylinders aligned on a common axis by means adapted to position one cylinder against a ladle around the pouring spout and the second cylinder proximate a tundish, ingot mold or pouring trumpet. Also included are means to form a gas barrier between the cylinders to contain a shielding (inert) gas around the molten metal stream to protect the stream from contact by the ambient atmosphere and means to mount the apparatus on a pouring ladle carriage.

Abstract: A process for shielding molten metal of a casting stream in a casting apparatus from oxidation by the ambient atmosphere which comprises enclosing the casting stream in an atmosphere which consists essentially of a mixture of an inert gas such as nitrogen as a carrier and a reactive gas, such as a hydrocarbon, capable of reacting with oxygen in the melt. The gas atmosphere preferably consists of a mixture containing 5 to 20% by volume of the reducing gas, namely, the hydrocarbon, the balance being the carrier gas namely nitrogen. Any conventional technique can be used to ensure that the gas mixture covers the casting stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the rate at which molten metal is supplied from a receiving vessel, through a pouring tube, to the mold of a continuous casting apparatus or the like. The described apparatus is particularly adapted to overcome irregularities that occur in the molten metal as it flows through the pouring tube, such irregularities being known as "superspeed effect". A method is also described for effectively using the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: The process includes the delivery of molten metal for solidification in stepped flow and the blowing of a gas through the flow at a step located at the level of the surface of that portion of the flow which is directly fed for solidification, or at a level exceeding said level by as much as 300 mm.The apparatus for realizing said process comprises a tundish with a stepped bottom. A means for blowing the gas through the flow of metal is provided within that portion of the tundish which is located level with the upper generatrix of the outlet from the tundish or preferably, at a level about 300 mm above said generatrix.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for horizontal continuous casting of metal alloys, such as brass, which tend to have a component thereof separate therefrom, in vapor form, during and immediately after solidification of the metal. The molten metal alloy progresses from the entrance end toward the discharge end of a horizontal tubular mold, with the metal solidifying at least next to the inner surface of the mold before reaching the discharge end thereof. The solidified metal in the mold shrinks inwardly away from the mold surface to form a shrinkage gap therewith, so that the above component of the alloy in vapor form enters into this shrinkage gap. In accordance with the invention this shrinkage gap is maintained filled with a gas which is inert to the above vapor so that the latter cannot oxidize in the shrinkage gap. In this way it is possible to avoid formation of undesirable deposits at the inner surface of the mold.

Abstract: A phase-separating member of annular form supplies a liquid phase, which converges towards a molten stream of metal. The liquid phase is distributed in the form of at least two layers, the upper layer meeting the metal stream at a distance h which is not greater than 300 mm from the bottom of the upper supply container, each layer forming an angle .gamma. greater than 30.degree. with the said stream and being intended to protect a proportion of the vertical extent of the stream h not greater than 600 mm. The invention is applicable to protecting casting streams of large diameter and considerable height, in particular between the ladle and the tundish in the continuous casting of slabs.

Abstract: An installation for the manufacture of wire by projecting a jet of liquid metal or metal alloy into a cooling fluid and having a crucible for containing the liquid metal or metal alloy and provided with at least one nozzle, means for exerting a pressure on the liquid metal or metal alloy sufficient to project it in the form of a jet through the nozzle into the cooling fluid, and a cooling enclosure for containing the cooling fluid and arranged at the outlet of the nozzle, is characterized by the fact that the cooling enclosure comprises, in the portion thereof adjacent to the nozzle, means for imparting to the cooling fluid a flow which is substantially transverse to the jet, at least over a length approximately equal to the length of the jet.

Abstract: A casting apparatus in which a stream of molten metal is cast into a casting mold (e.g., an ingot mold) is provided along the stream with a porous refractory body to which supplied droplets of the metal do not adhere. A protective gas, usually nitrogen, is forced through the body to form a curtain or shield around the stream of the melt.

Abstract: A shrouding apparatus protects a molten metal stream from atmospheric contamination by establishing a protective atmosphere around the molten metal stream. The apparatus is held tightly against the vessel from which the stream is poured. The apparatus includes means for elevating and lowering the shroud, means for aligning the shroud with the pouring stream, and means for introducing a protective atmosphere to the interior of the shroud.

Abstract: A shroud for enshrouding, in a shield of anti-oxidation gas, the molten stream which flows from the tundish into the mold and/or from the ladle into the tundish of continuous casting apparatus. The shroud includes a platform from which there extends a projection having the shape of a frustrum of a circular cone terminating in a circular opening. The shroud is formed from a plate having an opening therein by hydraulically deep drawing the material around the opening. A nipple is provided in the projection for injecting the anti-oxidation gas. In contrast to the flow of the gas in the use of prior-art shrouds, the gas, in the practice of this invention, flows in a helical or cyclonic path about the molten stream and effectively protects the stream against oxidation.