Abstract: A composition for insulating or coating tundish materials useful in casting steel which comprises two forms:______________________________________ Broad Medium Preferred (%) (%) (%) ______________________________________ (a) a troweling mix Celite 300 (diatomaceous earth) 5-50 5-25 10.0 200M Mullite (refractory silica-alumina filler) 5-50 10-30 27.0 M&D clay (refractory filler) 2-20 2-15 7.5 Goulac (wood glue) 0.2-5 0.2-2.5 0.5 Cerafiber 312 (silica- alumina fiber) 5-25 5-15 7.5 3216 Graphite (graphite) 1-25 5-20 10.0 Nalgun #2 Binder (colloidal silica binder) 1-30 5-15 7.5 Water 15-50 20-40 30.0 (b) a gunning mix Celite 300 (diatomaceous earth) 5-50 5-25 15.0 200M Mullite (refractory silica-alumina filler) 5-50 10-30 36.8 M&D clay (refractory filler) 2-20 5-15 10.0 Goulac (wood glue) 0.5-5 0.5-2.5 0.7 Cerafiber 312 (silica alumina fiber) 5-25 5-15 10.0 3216 Graphite (graphite) 1-25 5-20 15.0 Nalgun #2 Binder (colloidal silica binder) 1-30 5-15 10.0 Water 1-10 1-5 2.

Abstract: A novel mold coating comprising humic acid, and/or humic acid salts, and graphite in a liquid suspension containing organic bonding agents is disclosed as well as a method of forming ingots in which molten steel is poured into molds which are covered by the coating.