Abstract: A method for deoxidizing steel to effect exceptional cleanliness wherein a relatively high amount of aluminum is added to the tap ladle before the first one-third volume of steel is tapped, and then adding conventional deoxidizers while the final two-thirds volume of steel is tapped. Argon is subsequently blown through the steel at a rate not exceeding 10 scfm for a period of about nine to twenty minutes.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating the rate at which molten metal is supplied from a receiving vessel, through a pouring tube, to the mold of a continuous casting apparatus or the like. The described apparatus is particularly adapted to overcome irregularities that occur in the molten metal as it flows through the pouring tube, such irregularities being known as "superspeed effect". A method is also described for effectively using the disclosed apparatus.

Abstract: A pour passage of particular configuration for controlling the flow of aluminum-killed steels, or the like, is described which is effective for preventing the accumulation of oxide inclusions in an orifice opening disposed in the pour passage. The described pour passage configuration may be formed in a replaceable nozzle insert that is mountable in the pour opening of a molten metal teeming vessel or in the slidable panel of a sliding gate valve operably associated with the vessel. A method of preventing inclusion accumulation in a control orifice opening when pouring aluminum-killed steels or the like is also described.

Abstract: A pour passage of particular configuration for controlling the flow of aluminum-killed steels, or the like, is described which is effective for preventing the accumulation of oxide inclusions in an orifice opening disposed in the pour passage. The described pour passage configuration may be formed in a replaceable nozzle insert that is mountable in the pour opening of a molten metal teeming vessel or in the slidable panel of a sliding gate valve operably associated with the vessel. A method of preventing inclusion accumulation in a control orifice opening when pouring aluminum-killed steels or the like is also described.