Abstract: The metallurgical vessel, such as a direct-current arc furnace, comprises a metal housing (1) lined on its inside with refractory material (2), at least one electrode (3) passing through the bottom of the vessel and connected to a terminal of an electrical power supply, the electrode being fastened to the metal housing by a mechanical fastening arrangement and insulated electrically from the housing. A leaktight wall (20) surrounding the fastening zone of the electrode prevents a liquid flowing over the inner surface of the housing from coming into contact with the electrode fastening arrangement, and orifices (26) are provided for discharging the liquid collected out of the housing. The invention is particularly applicable to direct-current arc furnaces and prevents the molten lead originating from the scrap metal of the charge and infiltrating through the refractory from damaging the electrical insulation of the fastening of the electrode.

Abstract: Process for secondary cooling of a metal product continuously cast on a machine in which secondary cooling is divided into n staggered independent zones, within which the flow of cooling fluid varies according to the speed of the product. An undesired change in the surface temperature of the product at a point HD of the metallurgical length of the machine, such as the straightening point, due to a foreseen or foreseeable variation starting at the time t.sub.vo, in the casting speed, is compensated for by anticipation. A determination is made, by means of the casting speed, of the time t.sub.o at which commences, at the upper part of the ingot mold, the portion of product which, at the time tvo, will reach the point HD; a further determination is made of the times t.sub.1, . . . , t.sub.1, . . . , t.sub.n at which the portion commencing at t.sub.o will emerge from the zones 1, . . . . i. . . . ,n of the secondary cooling; and, from the time t.sub.

Abstract: Energetic cooling of the product is performed during continuous casting when, at the core, the product is in a phase of pasty solidification so that the differential thermal contraction between the mushy core and the already completely solidified outer shell produces a squeezing effect of the core by the shell. To this end, means for cooling the product are arranged on the casting machine at the end section of the metallurgical length. The process makes it possible to reduce, and even to avoid, the formation of inner cracks during cooling of the cast product which would lead to the presence of segregated areas in the axial zone. It is applied advantageously to the casting of steels reputed to be difficult to cast continuously, such as steels with a long solidification range whose carbon content is from 0.25 to 1.5%.

Abstract: Process for measuring the forces between the working rolls of a roll stand, in which several extended load cells (51, 52, 53) placed between the working rolls (13, 14) are aligned in a plane passing through the axes of these rolls and distributed symmetrically with respect to the central plane of the stand, a pressing force is exerted on the balances by adjusting systems (27, 28), the value of the forces exerted simultaneously on each load cell is read and the values of the resulting pressing forces are deduced. Preferably, a device comprising two half-shell shaped pieces of malleable material such as copper is used, and this holds the load cells in alignment and serves as a bearing plate which can be cold-rolled. The process is applied to the adjustment of the gauges of a roll stand for flat products and to the precise determination of the yield curves.

Abstract: A wall electrode for a D.C. powered electric arc furnace for the processing of metals in a liquid state, especially steel. The electrode is constituted mainly (a) by a metallic bar (4) one of whose ends comes into contact with the metallic bath (6), while a portion (7) of its other end extends to the exterior of the furnace; (b) by a sleeve (8) of thermally and electrically conductive material, energy-cooled by a flow of cooling fluid, surrounding the portion (7) of the other end of the bar at a distance therefrom; (c) by a nipple (9) of good electrically conductive material extending the aforementioned portion (7) of the other end of the bar; and (d) by a connection of the nipple and the sleeve to the same bar of an electrical supply.

Abstract: Device for temperature homogenization of passing metallic products (3), housed in the bed plate of the temperature equalization zone of a reheating furnace and constituted by elongated polyphase static sliding field inductors (14) located in the extension of elements (9) supporting the metallic products in the heating zone (7) of the furnace. The device achieves efficient and rapid heating by enabling precise localization of the heating zone in a predetermined part of the metallic product to be treated, and is particularly useful for treating large dimension products, such as large slabs, in order to attenuate or eliminate skid marks (20) which are usually present upon their emergence from prior art reheating furnaces.

Abstract: In this rolling mill, a rolling action is brought about by work rolls acting as opposing pairs arranged equiangularly at the periphery of rotating rolling units distributed symmetrically about the material to be rolled. The axes (10') of the work rolls (10, 11) are parallel with the axis (40) of the rotating unit that carries them, and each work roll (10) is a solid of revolution consisting of two truncated cones (12, 13) axially joined by their equal minor bases and forming a rounded "waist" in the plane V perpendicular to the axis (10') of the work rolls. The invention is applicable to non-flat metal products whatever their cross-sectional shape. With quadrangular products, the invention assures well-finished radius corners with no chance of twisting.

Abstract: Probe for determining the temperatures of the walls of coke oven flues, including an optical pyrometer suspended by a metallic rope from a manipulating device including a drum on which the rope is coiled and uncoiled. The pyrometer is contained in an insulating sleeve of refractory material, and the rope is surrounded by a sheath which is wetted before the measurement takes place, in order to prevent an unacceptable temperature rise during the brief measurement period required. Due to this arrangement, conventional cooling apparatus is eliminated.

Abstract: The device according to the invention consists mainly of:an inner part passing through the wall of the furnace and comprising a metal core 7 extended by a cooled plug 10, the free end of the core opposite to the plug being in contact with the molten mass of metal present in the furnace,a sleeve 11 made of thermally conductive material, which is cooled as a result of the circulation of a cooling fluid and which surrounds the core 7,and means 29 of connecting the metal core 7 to an electrical supply.The device according to the invention is characterized in that it also presents a separation space 12, formed between the sleeve 11 and the metal core 7, and an elastic fastening system 33, 34, 35 tending to return the said core 7 to its initial position given by assemblage.The device according to the invention is advantageously used as a hearth electrode in direct-current arc furnaces, specially for the iron and steel industry.

Abstract: A vibrating ingot mold for the continuous casting of metals, particularly of steel, comprising at least one ultrasonic transducer (8) mounted on the edge (20) of one end of the interal tubular element (14) of the mold, in an extension of that element, and oriented to transmit to that element the ultrasonic vibrations which it generates in a longitudinal direction, parallel or substantially parallel to the casting axis (A) in the mold. By reducing friction between the cast metal and the inner mold wall, the mold structure promotes lubrication and improves the quality of the surfaces of the cast products while reducing the danger of breakouts. It can be used with vertical, inclined, curved and horizontal continuous casting plants.

Abstract: Electrical connecting device to be placed in contact with a molten metallic mass, comprising an elongated metallic body (5) introduced through the wall of a container, to be placed in contact with the metallic bath by one of its ends, the other end constituting a terminal portion (8) projecting to the outside of the container wall, a sleeve (9) made of good thermal and electrical conductive material surrounding and contacting the terminal portion, the sleeve being connected to a charged electrical source and cooled by circulation of a cooling fluid. The device is used when contact between an electrode and a molten mass is required, and eliminates the risk of tapping from excessive melting of the electrode.

Abstract: Installation according to the invention comprising a desilication and dephosphorization stage (A), followed by a decarburization stage and in which the pig iron to be pre-smelted is intended to form a bath whose free surface is maintained at a predetermined level (N.sub.1).The dephosphorization comprises a reactor (1) comprising means (5, 6, 8) respectively for introducing the pig iron to be pre-smelted, for adding desilication and dephosphorization agents, and for creating an oxidizing atmosphere, as well as rabbling means (9). It also comprises a decanter (2) separated from the reactor (1) by a partition (3) having an opening (4) below the level (N.sub.1) and whose upper end is above the latter. The decanter comprises an immersed outlet opening (10) connected to the decarburization stage and an overflow (12) for evacuating the slag. The slag formed in the reactor (1) flows out in the decanter (2), overflows above the partition (3), and moves toward the overflow (12) which evacuated it.

Abstract: Process of refining of a metal bath in a crucible with oxygen blast at the top and crucible used.The invention consists essentially of providing in the bottom (15) of the crucible agitating gas injectors (15) located at least in a peripheral circular ring situated in immediate proximity to the refractory side wall. The injectors are preferably concentrated opposite the journals. Secondary injectors are, also preferably, provided in the bottom zone, intermediate between the ring and the center of the crucible.The invention makes it possible, in relation to the prior injection practice, to reduce the rate of dissolution of the agitating gas in the molten metal and then makes it possible to use a low-cost agitating gas, such as nitrogen, without risk of excessive nitridation of the bath.