Abstract: A transition plate for use in a direct chill (DC) casting system comprises a substantially annular body having an upper face and a lower face. At least a lower part of the body adjacent the lower face is made of a gas permeable refractory material, whereby gas can pass through the gas permeable refractory material and escape from the transition plate through at least the lower face.

Abstract: A castable refractory material for use in the manufacture of refractory products including fused silica, ceramic fibre, microsilica and a bonding material comprising colloidal silica.

Abstract: A metal transfer device (1) includes a cast trough body (2) for receiving liquid metal, a heater (4) for heating the trough body, and a filler layer (6) between the trough body and the heater. The filler layer (6) comprises a cast refractory material having a high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A continuous casting installation includes a furnace (2) for heating metal to a first liquid metal temperature, a degassing unit (4), a filter (6), a heating unit (8) and a casting machine (10). The casting machine (10) includes a pair of casting rollers and a nozzle arranged to deliver liquid metal into a nip between the casting rollers, such that the metal solidifies as it passes through the nip. The heating unit (8) is located between the furnace and the casting machine, and is thermostatically controlled to heat the liquid metal to a second liquid metal temperature.

Abstract: A casting ladle has a body (2) with a base (3) and walls (4, 6, 8) made of a laminated composite ceramic material that includes multiple layers of a woven fiber reinforcing fabric embedded in a ceramic matrix. A rigid support element (20) for attaching the ladle to a handling device is embedded within the composite ceramic material. In a preferred form, the reinforcing fabric is made of woven glass and the matrix material includes calcium silicate and silica.

Abstract: A distributor device for use in aluminium casting includes a rigid, substantially bowl-shaped receptacle (2) of a refractory material having a base member (4) and a peripheral wall (6) that extends upwards from the base. The receptacle has an inlet opening (8) towards the upper end thereof and a pair of outlet openings (14) towards the base thereof. The device is constructed and arranged such that, in use, molten aluminium poured into the distributor device through the inlet opening (8) is redirected by the distributor device and flows outwards into the mould through the outlet openings (14).

Abstract: A distributor device for use in aluminium casting includes a rigid, substantially bowl-shaped receptacle (2) of a refractory material having a base member (4) and a peripheral wall (6) that extends upwards from the base. The receptacle has an inlet opening (8) towards the upper end thereof and a pair of outlet openings (14) towards the base thereof. The device is constructed and arranged such that, in use, molten aluminium poured into the distributor device through the inlet opening (8) is redirected by the distributor device and flows outwards into the mould through the outlet openings (14).

Abstract: A distributor device for use in aluminium casting includes a rigid, substantially bowl-shaped receptacle (2) of a refractory material having a base member (4) and a peripheral wall (6) that extends upwards from the base. The receptacle has an inlet opening (8) towards the upper end thereof and a pair of outlet openings (14) towards the base thereof. The device is constructed and arranged such that, in use, molten aluminium poured into the distributor device through the inlet opening (8) is redirected by the distributor device and flows outwards into the mould through the outlet openings (14).