Abstract: A metallic material is passed through a heating mold having a melting zone to produce a metallic member having a unidirectionally solidified structure.

Abstract: In a continuous casting process, molten metal is supplied into a generally open top horizontal mold having an inner wall maintained at a temperature which is higher than the solidification temperature of the molten metal, while the molten metal is maintained under generally zero pressure at the outlet opening of the mold. A dummy bar is drawn horizontally away from the outlet opening of the mold to cause the molten metal to be drawn out of the mold opening and undergo solidification at the surfaces thereof directly proximate to the outlet opening. The exposed surface of the molten metal in the mold is heated through the open mold top by a heater spaced out of contact with the molten metal surface.

Abstract: Molten metal is supplied into a mold having an inlet and an outlet opening in such a manner that the molten metal may have a substantially zero pressure at the outlet opening of the mold, while the inner wall of the mold is maintained at a temperature sufficiently higher than the solidifying temperature of the molten metal so that the contiguous surface of the metal remains liquid until it has left the molten outlet. A dummy bar having a temperature lower than the solidifying temperature of the molten metal is brought into contact with the molten metal at the outlet opening of the mold, and moved away from the outlet opening, whereby a solidified body of the metal is formed continuously on the end of the dummy bar.