Abstract: A device for holding hot top lining slab (1) in ingot mould head comprises strap-receiving portion (4) and strap (3), either being securable to the slab, in which the portion (4) includes latch part (11) extending towards path of movement of the strap (3) when receiving in the portion (4) and the strap (3) has disposed on a side thereof a plurality of spaced apart latching parts (8) complementary to the latch part (11) of the portion (4), with another side of the strap (3) being free of such latching parts, whereby when a side of the strap (3) free of latching parts is presented to the latch part (11) of the portion (4), the strap (3) is free to move through that portion and when the strap (3) is moved to present a side having the latching parts (8) to the latch part (11) of the portion (4), the strap (3) is caused to engage with the portion (4).

Abstract: A casting riser including a top support member and an internal support member to receive the high pressure molding forces to enable the casting riser to withstand the high pressure molding forces.

Abstract: In a hot top mounting method for mounting hot top insulation boards to the inside upper surface of a metal ingot mold, a plurality of spaced parallel metal straps are first affixed to a surface of each board, and each board is then fastened to the mold inner wall by setting a plurality of headed fasteners through the strap and into the mold wall using an air operated, magazine-type fastener driving tool. The straps are preferably of channel cross-section which then act as guides to locate the tool for the fastening operation. The channel straps when disposed vertically can have a row of spaced apertures in one edge which selectively receive a U-shaped hanger for suspending the board from the mold top edge for the fastening operation, the hanger being removed once fastening is complete. The straps can be disposed in other orientations such as horizontal depending upon the fastening pattern required. The tool is provided with an elongated handle to permit it to be used down in the mold from above the mold.

Abstract: A device and method for temporarily supporting a metallurgical side board in a predetermined position against a vertical surface of an ingot mold, comprising an attachment member, adapted for releasable attachment to a side board, connected to a counterbalance body by a chain. The point of attachment of the chain to the attachment member is offset, relative to the center of gravity of a side board attached thereto, whereby a component of the gravitational force acting on the side board presses the same against the vertical surface of the mold.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for producing ingots of unalloyed and alloyed steels having an improved primary crystallization, reduced ingot segregation and a reduced content of non-metallic inclusions, molten steel is poured into a mould, a slag mixture is supplied onto said steel, energy is supplied to the slag mixture while the steel is solidifying in the mould, and the upper rim zone of the molten steel bordering on the slag mixture is cooled.

Abstract: This invention relates to an end cap to be fitted to an end edge of a hot top lining slab to receive a wedge member whereby in use the slab can be urged against the wall of an ingot mould, the end cap comprising a first portion to abut an end edge of the slab, and a second portion arranged to lie, when the first portion abuts the slab edge, against one major face of the slab, the second portion including a shoulder against which a wedge can be engaged, the shoulder being located spaced from the first portion and one end of the shoulder being more remote from the first portion than the other end of the shoulder.

Abstract: A self adjusting consumable hot top is formed of a pair of bendable shape adjusting sections of a combustible consumable material capable of being wedged into opposed relation in an ingot mold so that the hot top conforms with the shape of the cavity in the ingot mold and when ignited by molten metal poured therein adds heat to the molten metal to maintain a pool of molten metal for filling pipes and cracks in the cooling ingot.

Abstract: A suspension system for a metallurgical article such as a sideboard or hot top used to control solidification of molten metal in an ingot mold. The hanging device is partially embedded in the article and cooperates with slotted apertures in the article to support it against the ingot mold wall. The slotted apertures are arranged so that in combination with a cooperating hanger the article can be positioned at different depths within the mold. A further feature of the invention resides in the shape and location of the hanger so that during shipment, the hanger lies in essentially the plane defined by that portion of the article in which it is embedded.

Abstract: The adjustable suspension system for suspending the hot top sideboard in an ingot mold comprises a bent hanger rod having one end positioned within the sideboard and adapted to be frictionally slidable along its vertical axis for vertical adjustment. The hanger is held in the desired fixed position by means associated with the sideboard which lock the hanger rod in place. The rod is normally L-shaped, but it may also be double bent. The means for locking the rod in the desired position can be strips such as metal strapping ridgily fixed in the hot top board and extending outwardly therefrom to lock the hanger rod in the desired position by wrapping the strips about the rod, extending the rod through the strips in appropriately positioned holes, hooking the rod to the strips by S-shaped hooks, or the like.

Abstract: This invention provides a novel sideboard construction, which includes at least one hanger rod of which a portion is embedded in the material of the sideboard, the sideboard also having a plate member equipped with a non-circular opening through which the hanger rod passes. The hanger rod section is also non-circular in the region of the plate member, and the relative dimensions of these two are such that the rod is rotatable within the opening between a first position in which it binds against edge portions of the opening, and a second position in which it does not so bind. The rod in the second position can be moved lengthwise through the opening, and in the first position is "jammed" or caught in the opening, and thus capable of supporting the weight of the sideboard as the latter is suspended inside the top of an open-topped metal ingot mold. The material of the rod is softer than the material defining the opening.