Abstract: Substantially dry, self-hardening, thermally activated refractory compositions, suitable for use to produce linings for furnaces or metallurgical vessels such as ladles, tundishes or launders, comprise particulate refractory material, an inorganic binder having associated therewith chemically or physically bound water such as sodium metasilicate pentahydrate or tribasic sodium phosphate dodecahydrate, and an element or compound, such as aluminium, which will react exothermically with the inorganic binder. The compositions may also contain an inhibitor such as a mineral oil or a vegetable oil to inhibit premature exothermic reaction.

Abstract: A method for producing nodular or compacted graphite iron castings in a mould having a sprue, an ingate and a mould cavity, having a first part below and a second part above the level of the ingate, comprises delivering particulate magnesium-containing and silicon-containing treatment agent from a dispenser into a stream of molten metal entering the sprue such that the treatment agent is added at a constant rate of addition while the first part of the mould cavity is filled with iron, and at a decreasing rate while the second part is filled. The addition of the treatment agent is controlled by means of apparatus comprising a container, a measuring and data capture device connected via signal transforming means to a control means, conveyor means located below the container and connected to the signal transforming means, and means for injecting the particulate treatment agent into the metal stream.

Abstract: A mould for the production of a nodular or compacted graphite iron casting has parts comprising a treatment sprue, a runner, a slag trap, a filter chamber having an ingate and an outlet and having located therein a ceramic filter having an inlet and outlet, a casting cavity ingate, and a casting cavity, and the parts of the mould have a relationship one with another such that F2=0.8 F1 to 1.2 F1, F3=30% F4 - 100% F4, F4.gtoreq.4.5 F1, F5.gtoreq.1.3 F1, F6=2 F5 to 4 F5, F7.gtoreq.F5 and .ltoreq.F6, F8.gtoreq.F5 and .ltoreq.F6, F9=1.2 F1 to 3 F1, F10.gtoreq.

Abstract: Treatment agents are described for use in nodularizing cast iron in the production of ductile iron and also useful in deoxidizing steel and desulphurizing cast iron. The agents take the form of a compacted mixture comprising particulate iron, magnesium and calcium, and are distinguished by(a) a magnesium content of 5 to 15% by weight(b) a weight ratio of magnesium to calcium in the range of from 1:1 to 8:1(c) the iron having a purity of at least 95% by weight and a particle size of all less than 0.5 mm and(d) being compacted into a body of density at least 4.3 gm/cm.sup.3.The high density allows the agent to be used effectively by a simple overpour technique.