Abstract: Method and apparatus for supporting a steel slab and protecting the bottom surface of the slab as the slab is advanced over a skid bar system through a slab heating furnace and which includes at least a first member for supporting the weight of the steel slab and protecting the slab's bottom surface, and a second member for contacting an edge portion of the steel slab. The second member of the apparatus is comprised of a material which is substantially non-consumable, or may be coated or lined with a material which renders it non-consumable, at the operating temperatures of a slab heating furnace and which inhibits the movement of carbon from the rider into the steel slab. In the alternative, the method may include coating the slab edge with a layer having high temperature stability and low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A submerged nozzle for use in introducing molten metal below the surface of a molten metal pool in a flow-through continuous casting mold. The nozzle is tubular and has an upper end connected to a source of molten metal to be introduced to the mold for casting. The lower end of the nozzle is closed and adjacent this end are two molten metal outlet ports of equal diameter and in opposed relation with each being axially inclined upwardly at an angle of about 15.degree.. Four additional equal diameter molten metal outlet ports with a diameter of each being larger than the diameter of the said two molten metal outlet ports are positioned adjacent said lower end of the nozzle in diametrically opposed pairs with each pair being nonradial at an included angle of 30.degree. and inclined upwardly at an angle of about 15.degree..