Abstract: A rotary pouring nozzle comprising a stationary component having a rotatable component sealingly engaged in it for rotation relative to the stationary component, has an interlocking connection between the components inside the stationary component which retains them in their working relationship. The stationary component has a flow aperture or apertures directed laterally of the rotational axis of the rotatable component with which a nozzle outlet in the rotatable component can be moved into and out of register by rotation of the rotatable component. In one embodiment an enlarged portion of the rotatable component trapped in a complementary recessed portion of the interior of the stationary component provides the interlocked connection, and inert gas supplied by way of gas permeable ring in the stationary component provides lubrication between the components. The stationary component may have non-circular locating engagement with the vessel to which the nozzle is fitted.

Abstract: This invention concerns samplers used for sampling molten metals and comprises a metal mold which is encased in a non-reactive refractory material and located in a slot in the end of an immersion tube engaged within the encasing material, the tube having at least an outer layer of non-reactive refractory material. Further the non-reactive material will provide a glass or glass-like outer surface layer thereto during use.

Abstract: A plug for the tap hole of a metallurgical vessel includes a canister containing refractory mortar between a pair of end plates, one of which is movable toward the other to squeeze or compress the mortar through an aperture in a generally radially outward direction to seal against the tap hole wall. A plunger is provided and has axially relatively movable sleeves. One sleeve connects with the plug, while the other sleeve has a pusher head engageable against the movable end plate of the plug. The plug is connected to the plunger and inserted into the opening. The sleeves are axially displaced to cause the disks to relatively move axially toward one another, displacing the mortar into sealing engagement with the tap hole walls. Upon location and sealing of the tap hole by the plug, the plunger is unscrewed from the plug and withdrawn for later use.

Abstract: An exothermic composition comprises a particulate readily oxidizable metal such as aluminium, magnesium or silicon and an organic fluorine-containing compound, and usually an oxidizing agent for the readily oxidizable metal. The preferred organic fluorine-containing compound is polytetrafluoroethylene. The composition may also contain a binder, a particulate refractory material, refractory fibres and/or organic fibres. The composition may be used in the casting of molten metal, either in particulate form or as a preformed shape such as a sleeve or board, to cover or surround molten metal in the feeder of a casting mould or in the head or head box of an ingot mould.

Abstract: An article of refractory hollowware for use in a runner assembly for casting molten metals e.g. ferrous metals, has at least one inner surface adapted to increase the internal surface contact area of the article. The surface is so arranged as to effect at least two abrupt changes of direction of flow of molten metal flowing through the article. Use of the article minimizes the level of non-metallic inclusions in ingots and castings.

Abstract: A sealing structure is disposed between a metal-casting ingot mold bottom portion and a bottom plate to prevent the leakage of molten steel between the mold and plate. A clay rope disposed in a closed configuration corresponding to the bottom of the ingot mold is affixed to the cardboard sheet with an adhesive system. Overlapping portions of the cardboard sheet are grasped to position the clay rope directly under the ingot mold, and the mold is lowered onto the bottom plate. Hot glue (or pressure sensitive adhesive tape and/or white glue) holds the clay rope on the cardboard sheet. The clay rope is offset at a central portion of the sheet to allow folding of the sheet for transport.

Abstract: A continuous casting device comprises a hollow body having one or more side walls and a heat-destructible base portion having one or more inclined surfaces. The device is for location beneath a ladle nozzle through which a tundish is to be supplied with molten metal e.g. steel. When the device is lowered through a layer of slag floating on the surface of the metal in the tundish the slag is deflected away from the base of the device. In this way a substantially slag free zone is provided into which molten metal may pass from a ladle into a tundish virtually free from contamination.

Abstract: A method of purifying steel in a tundish, especially to remove alumina inclusions, comprises passing the steel through at least one refractory board having apertures through it and introducing inert gas into the steel at the upstream side of the foot of the board to cause a stream of bubbles to flow over the upstream side of the board. One of the boards may comprise a ceramic filter element. The boards may be non-vertical and have integral gas supply means. The apertures may taper, may have axes angled from perpendicular to the board's plane and may have high alumina content surfaces. The upstream side of the board may have an exothermic layer.

Abstract: Molten metal is cast in a mould having a feeder cavity, which may be defined by a feeder sleeve, whose surface has a plurality of elongate projections or ribs spaced apart around its perimeter, the number and dimensions of the ribs being such that the volume of the feeder cavity is reduced by at least 20% compared to a feeder cavity of generally the same size and shape but without the ribs. Preferably the ribs extend substantially the full length of the inner surface of the feeder sleeve. The sleeve may have for example four ribs whose shape and size is such that the horizontal cross-section of the feeder cavity defined by the sleeve is cruciform. The ribs may be formed of material having an exothermic, an exothermic and heat-insulating, or a heat-insulating composition. The ribs enable a given casting to be fed from a smaller quantity of feeder metal than is usual.

Abstract: A mould for use in the casting of molten ferrous metal is described comprising a mould cavity and a runner system comprising a sprue, a sprue well and a runner, and having located in the runner a ceramic filter having an open-cell foam structure. A sealed plastics container containing particles of a treatment agent, such as an inoculant for the molten ferrous metal is located in a chamber in the runner system on that side of the filter which is further from the mould cavity such that part of the container is in the sprue well.

Abstract: A rotary device for dispersing a gas in molten metal, for example argon in molten aluminium, contained in a vessel, comprises a hollow shaft and a hollow rotor fixedly attached to the shaft, the rotor having a plurality of vanes each extending from the shaft, or a location adjacent the shaft, towards the periphery of the rotor whereby the hollow interior of the rotor is divided into a plurality of compartments, at least one aperture in the top or bottom of the rotor adjacent the shaft and at least one aperture in the peripheral surface of the rotor such that when the rotor rotates molten metal can enter each of the compartments through the aperture or apertures in the top or bottom, and flow outwardly through the peripheral aperture or apertures and at least one duct for the passage of the gas extending from the hollow interior of the shaft to each of said compartments.

Abstract: A method of purifying steel in a tundish, especially to remove alumina inclusions, comprises passing the steel through at least one refractory board having apertures through it and introducing inert gas into the steel at the upstream side of the foot of the board to cause a stream of bubbles to flow over the upstream side of the board. One of the boards may comprise a ceramic filter element. The boards may be non-vertical and have integral gas supply means. The apertures may taper, may have axes angled from perpendicular to the board's plane and may have high alumina content surfaces. The upstream side of the board may have an exothermic layer.

Abstract: A riser sleeve has at its end which is uppermost when the sleeve is located in the mould a holding member which can be engaged by a mechanical holding device so as to adapt the sleeve to automatic handling. The holding member may be for example a disc, ring or solid or hollow cylinder and may be formed integrally with the sleeve or formed separately and fixed to the sleeve. By adopting a standard shape and size for the holding member for a wide range of sleeve shapes and sizes the same holding device can be used to handle the whole range of sleeves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for the determination of the rate-of-rise of the level of a liquid, such as molten metal in a mold, in a reliable, accurate, and flexible manner. Molten metal passes from a container through an adjustable valve in an orifice to a mold. A microwave generator is connected to a microwave antenna located above the mold for transmitting microwaves to the surface of the molten metal in the mold. A mixer/detector is operatively connected to the antenna, and a computer is operatively connected to the mixer/detector. The computer processes the mixed signal received from the mixer/detector after it is converted to a digital signal. This digital signal is responsive to the Doppler signal caused by change in the level of the metal in the mold. The rate-of-rise of the surface of the molten metal is calculated in response to the digital signal, and is displayed on a monitor.

Abstract: A rotary device for dispersing a gas in molten metal, for example argon in molten aluminum, contained in a vessel, comprises a hollow shaft and a hollow rotor fixedly attached to the shaft, the rotor having a plurality of vanes each extending from the shaft, or a location adjacent the shaft, towards the periphery of the rotor whereby the hollow interior of the rotor is divided into a plurality of compartments, at least one aperture in the top or bottom of the rotor adjacent the shaft and at least one aperture in the peripheral surface of the rotor such that when the rotor rotates molten metal can enter each of the compartments through the aperture or apertures in the top or bottom, and flow outwardly through the peripheral aperture or apertures and at least one duct for the passage of the gas extending from the hollow interior of the shaft to each of said compartments.

Abstract: A cavity in a body of particulate moulding material has at least one rib-like formation for gripping an object received in the cavity. In the case of a metal casting mould a riser sleeve (1) is inserted into a cavity (9) in the top part of the mould and the cavity (9) is produced by means of a tapered former (5) the exterior of which has a plurality of radially spaced apart recesses (6) extending between the top and towards the bottom of the former and which has a negative taper from bottom to top. The depth of the recesses (6) is such that circles geometrically inscribed inside the base of the recesses (6) have diameters smaller than the corresponding mean outside diameters less three times the standard deviation of the riser sleeves (1) to be used. The recesses (6) form ribs (11) from the moulding sand and the ribs (11) grip the outer surface of the sleeve (1).

Abstract: A particulate flux composition suitable for desulphurizing and/or dephosphorizing molten ferrous metals and for use as a mould flux comprises prefused particles comprising calcium oxide and at least one other component, such as alumina, iron oxide, calcium fluoride, magnesium fluoride, sodium fluoride, silica, sodium oxide, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide or sodium borate, and in which each particle has a substantially vitreous amorphous structure. The composition is highly resistant to hydration and does not introduce hydrogen into the molten metal.

Abstract: Fluxes for use in the casting of metals e.g. steel comprise granules containing carbonaceous powder in which the proportion of carbonaceous powder in the surface of the granules is greater than the overall proportion of carbonaceous powder in the granules. The fluxes are particularly suitable for use in the continuous casting of steel.

Abstract: A binder composition in aqueous solution, suitable for use in the production of foundry sand moulds and cores is obtained by mixing an alkali metal silicate, glycosylated polyhydric alcohols produced by acid catalyzed condensation of a carbohydrate having a reducing group and an alcohol having two or more hydroxyl groups, and optionally an oxyanion salt such as a borate.

Abstract: A blind feeder sleeve for use in the casting of metals comprises a sleeve body and a cover having a Williams core, and optionally an opening for ventilation, the Williams core being formed integrally with the feeder sleeve and comprising a rib extending across the inner surface of the cover and projecting downwardly from that surface in a wedge like shape. Preferably the rib is formed integrally with the inner surface of the cover at each end of the rib, and when the feeder sleeve is circular in cross-section the rib preferably extends across a diameter of the sleeve.