Abstract: Formation of skull in the nozzle zone (11) of a metallurgical pouring vessel base (8) is inhibited by placing in the nozzle zone (11), while that is horizontal, an elongated container (1) longer than the length of the nozzle zone (11) and extending inside the vessel (8), the container (1) being filled with anti-skulling material (14) and having a hole (3) in its sidewall (2), and moving the vessel (8) into a position with the nozzle zone (11) vertical thereby causing anti-skulling material (14) to pass through the hole (3) into the nozzle zone (11). The invention also provides a container (1) for use in the method. The invention is especially useful for ladles for pouring steel and permits easy application of optimum amount of anti-skulling material.

Abstract: The invention provides, for use in desulphurizing molten steel or iron, a desulphurizing composition in compacted form comprising lime, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal fluoride or mixture thereof and sufficient ballmill dust to facilitate the compaction of the composition. The composition is preferably added to the molten metal in a ladle.