Abstract: A continuous casting machine is provided that includes a refractory tundish funnel. The tundish funnel has a tapered shape and is designed to sit on a tundish lid in order to channel steel from the ladle to the tundish bath. A collector can also be provided to channel the steel from the ladle. The collector has an opening with a cross-section that transitions from a cylindrical shape to a cross-shape.

Abstract: A submerged entry nozzle for a continuous casting process includes a pair of triangular shaped ports that narrow from a top portion to a bottom portion of the ports. These triangular shaped ports may improve fluid flow at the discharge of the ports by increasing the velocity of the liquid steel exiting the nozzle and into the mold.

Abstract: A continuous casting nozzle includes a deflector at a bottom portion of the nozzle having a bore extending through the deflector from an open end to a closed end along a longitudinal axis and a pair of ports extending through the deflector from the bore to an outer surface of the deflector. A diameter of the bore substantially rapidly decreases along the longitudinal axis above the pair of ports such that a portion of a flow of fluid through the deflector becomes detached from a surface of the bore to thereby redirect the flow of fluid toward the longitudinal axis prior to exiting through the pair of ports.

Abstract: A submerged entry nozzle for a continuous casting process includes a pair of triangular shaped ports that narrow from a top portion to a bottom portion of the ports. These triangular shaped ports may improve fluid flow at the discharge of the ports by increasing the velocity of the liquid steel exiting the nozzle and into the mold.

Abstract: A skid rider button is provided for use in a steel reheating furnace to reduce gouge-type damage of a steel slab heated in the reheating furnace. The button includes a top surface defining an interface surface area to receive the steel slab to be reheated, a bottom surface couplable with a skid assembly of the reheating furnace, a front surface, a rear surface, and two opposing side surfaces positioned between the front surface and the rear surface. An overall height of the button between the bottom surface and the top surface may be reduced to lower the interface temperature of the button. The interface surface area may be increased to lower the interface temperature of the button. The button may include rounded edges between each of the surfaces to reduce the mechanical impact between the button and the steel slab.

Abstract: A continuous casting nozzle includes a deflector at a bottom portion of the nozzle having a bore extending through the deflector from an open end to a closed end along a longitudinal axis and a pair of ports extending through the deflector from the bore to an outer surface of the deflector. A diameter of the bore substantially rapidly decreases along the longitudinal axis above the pair of ports such that a portion of a flow of fluid through the deflector becomes detached from a surface of the bore to thereby redirect the flow of fluid toward the longitudinal axis prior to exiting through the pair of ports.

Abstract: A continuous casting machine is provided that includes a refractory tundish funnel. The tundish funnel has a tapered shape and is designed to sit on a tundish lid in order to channel steel from the ladle to the tundish bath. A collector can also be provided to channel the steel from the ladle. The collector has an opening with a cross-section that transitions from a cylindrical shape to a cross-shape.