Abstract: The invention relates to a cored wire for introducing additives into a molten metal bath comprising a metallic sheath (5) containing an additive (6), which metallic sheath is covered by a wrapping (7) which, being combustible without leaving harmful residues, momentarily retards the propagation of heat to the core of the cored wire, this cored wire being characterized in that on top of this combustible wrapping, a protective metallic casing encloses the assembly thus constituted by the additive, the metallic sheath and the combustible wrapping.

Abstract: The invention concerns an agent for treating metal melts in the form of a cored wire comprising a metallic sheath of steel or iron and a filling which contains a compound that splits off gas at the temperature of the metal melt and is based on an organic polymer in amounts of 0.2 to 20 g per meter cored wire. The invention also concerns the use of the agent for homogenizing, refining and homogeneously cooling as well as alloying metal melts.