Abstract: Substantially dry, self-hardening, thermally activated refractory compositions, suitable for use to produce linings for furnaces or metallurgical vessels such as ladles, tundishes or launders, comprise particulate refractory material, an inorganic binder having associated therewith chemically or physically bound water such as sodium metasilicate pentahydrate or tribasic sodium phosphate dodecahydrate, and an element or compound, such as aluminium, which will react exothermically with the inorganic binder. The compositions may also contain an inhibitor such as a mineral oil or a vegetable oil to inhibit premature exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A mould for the production of a nodular or compacted graphite iron casting has parts comprising a treatment sprue, a runner, a slag trap, a filter chamber having an ingate and an outlet and having located therein a ceramic filter having an inlet and outlet, a casting cavity ingate, and a casting cavity, and the parts of the mould have a relationship one with another such that F2=0.8 F1 to 1.2 F1, F3=30% F4 - 100% F4, F4.gtoreq.4.5 F1, F5.gtoreq.1.3 F1, F6=2 F5 to 4 F5, F7.gtoreq.F5 and .ltoreq.F6, F8.gtoreq.F5 and .ltoreq.F6, F9=1.2 F1 to 3 F1, F10.gtoreq.

Abstract: A cavity in a body of particulate moulding material has at least one rib-like formation for gripping an object received in the cavity. In the case of a metal casting mould a riser sleeve (1) is inserted into a cavity (9) in the top part of the mould and the cavity (9) is produced by means of a tapered former (5) the exterior of which has a plurality of radially spaced apart recesses (6) extending between the top and towards the bottom of the former and which has a negative taper from bottom to top. The depth of the recesses (6) is such that circles geometrically inscribed inside the base of the recesses (6) have diameters smaller than the corresponding mean outside diameters less three times the standard deviation of the riser sleeves (1) to be used. The recesses (6) form ribs (11) from the moulding sand and the ribs (11) grip the outer surface of the sleeve (1).

Abstract: A blind feeder sleeve for use in the casting of metals comprises a sleeve body and a cover having a Williams core, and optionally an opening for ventilation, the Williams core being formed integrally with the feeder sleeve and comprising a rib extending across the inner surface of the cover and projecting downwardly from that surface in a wedge like shape. Preferably the rib is formed integrally with the inner surface of the cover at each end of the rib, and when the feeder sleeve is circular in cross-section the rib preferably extends across a diameter of the sleeve.

Abstract: A cavity in a body of particulate moulding material has at least one rib-like formation for gripping an object received in the cavity. In the case of a metal casting mould a riser sleeve (1) is inserted into a cavity (9) in the top part of the mould and the cavity (9) is produced by means of a tapered former (5) the exterior of which has a plurality of radially spaced apart recesses (6) extending between the top and towards the bottom of the former and which has a negative taper from bottom to top. The depth of the recesses (6) is such that circles geometrically inscribed inside the base of the recesses (6) have diameters smaller than the corresponding mean outside diameters less three times the standard deviation of the riser sleeves (1) to be used. The recesses (6) form ribs (11) from the moulding sand and the ribs (11) grip the outer surface of the sleeve (1).