Abstract: A casting element for a casting installation for transferring liquid metal comprises a plurality of casting elements in successive contact and forming a canal along which the metal can flow, the casting element comprising a tube, notably a ladle shroud, the axis of which corresponds to the axis of the canal. The casting element is able to make contact with an upstream element of the installation and comprises means for controlling the angular orientation of the tube about its axis with respect to the upstream element, these means being capable of giving the tube at least three distinct orientations.

Abstract: A pouring nozzle for a device for nozzle insertion and/or removal has a shape that is adapted so as to better resist the stresses imposed by their use and notably the stresses linked to the maintenance of the nozzle in the device. The pouring nozzle is provided with two exposed bearing faces forming with the pouring channel an angle ? of 20° to 80°. A pushing device applies thrust force to the nozzle. A casting installation embodies the nozzle and the pushing device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a casting element (30) for a casting installation for transferring liquid metal comprising a plurality of casting elements in successive contact and forming a canal along which the metal can flow, the casting element (30) comprising a tube, notably a ladle shroud, the axis of which corresponds to the axis of the canal. The casting element is able to make contact with an upstream element of the installation and comprises means (42) for controlling the angular orientation of the tube about its axis with respect to the upstream element, these means being capable of giving the tube at least three distinct orientations.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a molten bath comprising a) a refractory mounting sleeve (1,1?) having an outer surface (2) for contacting the molten bath and an inner cavity (3), said inner cavity having an inner surface (4), an outer opening (6) and an inner closed end (5); and b) an optical pyrometer (7) attached to the mounting sleeve and adapted to measure the thermal radiation emitted by a measurement zone (10) located inside the inner cavity of the mounting sleeve and under the molten bath level. The inner cavity outer opening (6) is adapted to receive fixedly the optical pyrometer (7). The apparatus is characterized in that the mounting plate (8) is adapted to engage in a complementary recess located at the inner cavity outer opening (6) of the mounting sleeve (1,1?). Thereby, the accuracy and reproducibility of the measure is greatly increased.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an element for the casting of a liquid metal, comprising a base body made from a refractory material, said body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface defining a pouring channel for the casting of the liquid metal. This element is characterized in that at least a part of the element inner surface is coated with an insulating coating forming, at the metal liquid contact, a gas impermeable layer. Such an element has an excellent thermal shock resistance which permits its use without preheating. Then a layer reducing advantageously the gas permeability is formed.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a mono-block stopper adapted to deliver gas during pouring of molten metal comprising a stopper body having an internal chamber (1) and a gas discharge port (2), a bore (3) connecting the internal chamber (1) to the gas discharge port (2), calibrating means (4) being provided in the bore (3) to provide a restricted path. This stopper is characterised by the fact that the calibrating means comprise a rod (4) having at least one axially-extending gas passages therealong, the gas passage(s) having a section such as to offer a predetermined resistance to flow. The stopper of the invention is far more reliable and can be easily adapted to various operational parameters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pouring nozzle (1) for a device for nozzle insertion and/or removal whose shape is adapted so as to better resist the stresses imposed by their use and notably the stresses linked to the maintain of the nozzle in the device. The pouring nozzle is provided with two bearing faces forming with the pouring channel an angle ? of 20° to 80°. The present invention also relates to a pushing device for the pouring nozzle and to a casting installation embodying said nozzle and device.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an element for the casting of a liquid metal, comprising a base body made from a refractory material, said body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface defining a pouring channel for the casting of the liquid metal. This element is characterized in that at least a part of the element inner surface is coated with an insulating coating forming, at the metal liquid contact, a gas impermeable layer. Such an element has an excellent thermal shock resistance which permits its use without preheating. Then a layer reducing advantageously the gas permeability is formed.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a molten bath comprising a) a refractory mounting sleeve (1,1?) having an outer surface (2) for contacting the molten bath and an inner cavity (3), said inner cavity having an inner surface (4), an outer opening (6) and an inner closed end (5); and b) an optical pyrometer (7) attached to the mounting sleeve and adapted to measure the thermal radiation emitted by a measurement zone (10) located inside the inner cavity of the mounting sleeve and under the molten bath level. The inner cavity outer opening (6) is adapted to receive fixedly the optical pyrometer (7). The apparatus is characterized in that the mounting plate (8) is adapted to engage in a complementary recess located at the inner cavity outer opening (6) of the mounting sleeve (1,1?). Thereby, the accuracy and reproducibility of the measure is greatly increased.

Abstract: There is provided a refractory mono-block stopper of substantially cylindrical configuration having an upper end, a lower end and an axial bore extending downwardly from the upper end, means being provided in the axial bore at a distance d from the upper end for attachment of the stopper to a lifting mechanism, the stopper being divided into three portions (A,B,C); a first portion (A) extending from the upper end towards the lower end until a distance greater than d, a second portion (B) extending from the first portion (A) towards the lower end and a third portion (C) extending from the second portion (B) and comprising a stopper nose ending at the lower end of the stopper. The stopper of the invention is characterized in that the average section of the second portion (B) is lower than the section of the first portion (A) and the highest section of the third portion (C) is higher than the lowest section of the second portion (B).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a mono-block stopper adapted to deliver gas during pouring of molten metal comprising a stopper body having an internal chamber (1) and a gas discharge port (2), a bore (3) connecting the internal chamber (1) to the gas discharge port (2), calibrating means (4) being provided in the bore (3) to provide a restricted path. This stopper is characterised by the fact that the calibrating means comprise a rod (4) having at least one axially-extending gas passages therealong, the gas passage(s) having a section such as to offer a predetermined resistance to flow. The stopper of the invention is far more reliable and can be easily adapted to various operational parameters.

Abstract: There is provided a refractory mono-block stopper of substantially cylindrical configuration having an upper end, a lower end and an axial bore extending downwardly from the upper end, means being provided in the axial bore at a distance d from the upper end for attachment of the stopper to a lifting mechanism, the stopper being divided into three portions (A,B,C); a first portion (A) extending from the upper end towards the lower end until a distance greater than d, a second portion (B) extending from the first portion (A) towards the lower end and a third portion (C) extending from the second portion (B) and comprising a stopper nose ending at the lower end of the stopper. The stopper of the invention is characterized in that the average section of the second portion (B) is lower than the section of the first portion (A) and the highest section of the third portion (C) is higher than the lowest section of the second portion (B).

Abstract: A thermal shock-resistant ceramic article and a method of manufacturing the article include alternating layers of a first material (2) comprising a fusible, particulate ceramic composition and a second material (3), typically comprising a porous, pyrolyzable material. The layered structure increases the article's work of fracture and toughness, and may lead to improved thermal shock-resistance. The method advantageously uses a sheet, film or sleeve to prepare the article for firing. The composition, thickness, and porosity of the second material (3) will affect the desired properties. The method is particularly adapted for manufacturing cylindrical articles, including stopper rods, nozzles, and pouring tubes for the metal casting industry.

Abstract: The invention describes a refractory component (1, 4) provided with means of injecting or conveying (5, 16) gas and means of delivering said gas from an external wall of the component to said means of injection (5, 16), the means of delivery of the gas comprising a part of enlarged cross-section (7, 17) extending from an external wall of the component and a part of reduced cross-section (8, 18) communicating, at one end, with the inner end of the part of enlarged cross-section (7, 17) and, at the other end, with the means of injecting or conveying gas (5, 16), the said component also comprising a seal (12, 22) fitted against the inner end of the part of enlarged cross-section, said seal (12, 22), comprising an orifice at least partially in register with the communicating orifice (11, 21) between the parts of enlarged and reduced cross-section, which is characterised in that the seal (12, 22) presents a cross-section substantially similar to the cross-section of the enlarged part (7, 17).

Abstract: The present invention concerns a stopper rod whose gas tightness and rigidity are improved. In particular, the stopper rod of the present. invention has means for maintaining the compression of the sealing gasket (11, 11′) in contact with the annular sealing surface (10) of the body of refractory material when the stopper rod is brought to a high temperature. According to one embodiment of the invention, these means are furnished by a sleeve (12) comprised of a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, the dilatation of which maintains the sealing gasket under compression when the stopper rod is brought to a high temperature.

Abstract: A thermal shock-resistant ceramic article and a method of manufacturing the article include alternating layers of a first material (2) comprising a fusible, particulate ceramic composition and a second material (3), typically comprising a porous, pyrolyzable material. The layered structure increases the article's work of fracture and toughness, and may lead to improved thermal shock-resistance. The method advantageously uses a sheet, film or sleeve to prepare the article for firing. The composition, thickness, and porosity of the second material (3) will affect the desired properties. The method is particularly adapted for manufacturing cylindrical articles, including stopper rods, nozzles, and pouring tubes for the metal casting industry.

Abstract: A thermal shock-resistant ceramic article and a method of manufacturing the article include alternating layers of a first material (2) comprising a fusible, particulate ceramic composition and a second material (3), typically comprising a porous, pyrolyzable material. The layered structure increases the article's work of fracture and toughness, and may lead to improved thermal shock-resistance. The method advantageously uses a sheet, film or sleeve to prepare the article for firing. The composition, thickness, and porosity of the second material (3) will affect the desired properties. The method is particularly adapted for manufacturing cylindrical articles, including stopper rods, nozzles, and pouring tubes for the metal casting industry.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a one-piece stopper rod whose gas tightness is improved. In particular, the stopper rod of the present invention has a body of refractory material comprised at least partially of a refractory material relatively impermeable to gases.

Abstract: The invention concerns a pouring spout for the transfer of a molten metal from a tundish into a continuous-casting mold. The pouring spout includes a body comprising a tubular part defining an essentially vertical pouring channel and an essentially horizontal part defining a distribution channel. The tubular and horizontal parts are assembled together, notably by screwing. The vertical pouring channel has an upper end adapted to connect with a tundish and a lower end emptying into the distribution channel. The distribution channel includes at least two outlets adapted to distribute molten metal into the mold. An obstacle is located between the two channels and together with the lower part of the tubular part retains the molten metal in the pouring channel until transfer to the distribution channel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a transfer element for transferring molten steel between an upstream container such as a tundish and a downstream vessel such as a continuous casting mold. this element is comprised of a body (4) that delimits a steel entrance zone, a channel (6) and a steel exit zone (9). It has at least one divider (16) in its exit zone (9) for dividing the steel flux into at least two jets. The divider is comprised of two parts of complementary form (19) solid with the body (4), located opposite each other and separated by an interstice (18).