Abstract: The invention provides a feeder for delivery of molten metal into a mold formed between confronting casting surfaces of a continuous casting machine. The feeder comprises a projecting nozzle tip having at least a lower wall provided with a molten metal-contacting inner surface, a generally flat outer surface and an end surface at an outer extremity of the tip extending between the inner and outer surface. The inner surface is generally flat and preferably slopes towards the outer surface considered in a direction moving towards the extremity of the tip at an angle of slope of no more than 8 degrees. The end surface is generally flat and extends from the inner surface to the outer surface at an acute angle of less than 88°, e.g. in the range of 15 to 80 degrees, relative to the inner surface in a direction away from the extremity of the tip. The feeder casts a metal sheet article having reduced surface defects caused by rupture of the metal oxide during casting.

Abstract: A feeder for delivery of molten metal into a mold formed between confronting casting surfaces of a continuous casting machine. The feeder comprises a projecting nozzle tip having at least a lower wall provided with a molten metal-contacting inner surface, a generally flat outer surface and an end surface at an outer extremity of the tip extending between the inner and outer surface. The inner surface is generally flat and preferably slopes towards the outer surface considered in a direction moving towards the extremity of the tip at an angle of slope of no more than 8 degrees. The end surface is generally flat and extends from the inner surface to the outer surface at an angle in the range of 15 to 80 degrees relative to the inner surface in a direction away from the extremity of the tip. The feeder casts a metal sheet article having reduced surface defects caused by rupture of the metal oxide during casting.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for continuous casting of metal strip in which a layer of liquid parting agent, and any solid detritus contained therein, is completely removed from a casting surface of a rotating belt after contact with the metal, and in which a new layer of liquid parting agent is applied to the casting surface thereafter and prior to renewed contact with the molten metal. The removal of used parting agent and the application of fresh helps to present the formation of surface blemishes and defects on the cast metal strip product. Such blemishes and defects can also be minimized by using an injector having a flexible tip used to inject the molten metal onto the casting surface and preferably one or more spacers to create a gap between the tip and the casting surface itself. The spacer is preferably a screen of wire strands orientated to minimize disruption of the new layer of liquid parting agent applied to the casting surface.

Abstract: A layer of liquid parting agent, and any solid detritus contained therein, is completely removed from a casting surface of a rotating belt after contact with molten metal. A new layer of liquid parting agent is applied to the casting surface thereafter and prior to renewed contact with the molten metal. The removal of used parting agent and the application of fresh helps to prevent the formation of surface blemishes and defects on the cast metal strip product. Such blemishes and defects can also be minimized by using an injector having a flexible tip used to inject the molten metal onto the casting surface and preferably one or more spacers to create a gap between the tip and the casting surface itself. The spacer is preferably a screen of wire strands orientated to minimize disruption of the new layer of liquid parting agent applied to the casting surface. By avoiding disruption of the new layer of liquid parting agent, surface blemishes on the cast product are minimized.

Abstract: A process is described for producing an aluminum grain refiner, such as Al-Ti-B grain refiner. Molten aluminum is continuously flowed as a bottom layer along a substantially horizontal or slightly inclined trough. Titanium or boron compounds reducible by aluminum or a mixture of such compounds is added to the surface of the aluminum layer such that a discrete separate layer of these is formed on top of the aluminum layer. Reaction between the aluminum and the titanium and/or boron compounds occurs along the interface between the layers and this reaction may, if desired, be aided by providing relative movement between the layer of molten aluminum and the layer of titanium and/or boron compounds. A surface layer of spent reaction product is removed and a stream of aluminum alloyed with titanium and boron is collected.

Abstract: A continuous process is described for the production of an aluminum master alloy, e.g. an Al-Ti-B grain refining rod, in which molten aluminum is continuously passed through a confined reaction zone. Particulate titanium and/or boron precursor compounds, e.g. salts, are continuously added to the molten aluminum in the reaction zone and the content of the reaction zone is continuously stirred to submerge the salts within the aluminum melt and form an alloy therewith. A mixture of formed molten alloy and entrained reaction products is continuously transferred from a lower region of the reaction zone into a refining zone, with reaction product slag being collected on the surface of the molten alloy in the refining zone. The molten alloy formed is continuously transferred via a transfer conduit from the refining zone to a casting station.

Abstract: Aluminum alloy sheet for use in drawn and ironed can bodies, having a content of 0.45-0.8% Mn, 1.1-2.2% Mg, 0.3-1.2% Fe, and 0.1-0.50% Si, produced by casting a continuous strip ingot of the alloy between chilled moving belts while maintaining a heat flux of at least about 40 cal./cm..sup.2 /sec. through the belts such that the as-cast ingot has a cell size ranging from about 10-15 microns at its surfaces to about 23-30 microns at the center of its thickness, and reducing the ingot by rolling operations including cold rolling to can body stock gauge, the cold-rolled product having a maximum constituent particle size of about 2 microns at the surface and about 3-4 microns at the center.

Abstract: Molten metal, such as aluminum, is held within rigid refractory lining means beneath, above and alongside the metal while heaters keep the outside of the lining means at a predetermined temperature desired for the metal, the heaters being surrounded by thermal insulation and the whole being surrounded by a fluid-cooled support. An unusually effective embodiment is pipe, with a tubular refractory liner to carry flowing metal, surrounded by sheathed heating elements controlled to keep the exterior of the tube at least at about the predetermined temperature, with the thermal insulation wrapped around the heaters and the enclosing support being a water-jacketed steel pipe. The operation is essentially adiabatic with respect to the refractory liner, delivering the molten metal essentially at its original temperature, with unusual saving of heat energy. When the heated pipeline has been drained, only easily removed, paper-thin skulls of solid metal remain.