Abstract: An important liner for use in a continuous casting machine includes the conventional hot face surface, cold face surface, and at least one coolant interface area, such as the bottom of a cooling clot that is machined into the liner. Advantageously, the coolant interface area is configured to have a shape along at least a portion of its length that differs from the simple planar shape that is usual for such areas. This shape could include a fin that projects from the coolant interface surface, a corrugation, or other shape. As a result of this configuration, the surface area of the coolant interface area is maximized, thereby promoting enhanced heat transfer through the liner at a portion of the liner that is proximate the coolant interface area. This configuration can be placed selectively at certain areas of the mold that are felt to need increased thermal conductivity, such as near the meniscus area, and in areas where premature mold wear or cracking have been observed due to thermal stresses.

Abstract: A method of introducing a denitrogenizing flux material into a container of molten metal includes steps of providing a wire-like vector that has an inner core of flux material and an outer layer that is used to contain the inner core, and using a wire feed machine to introduce the wire-like vector into a container of molten metal. In comparison with conventional top slag removal techniques, this process permits the material from which the inner core is made to be injected into the container of molten metal at a speed and direction that promotes a controlled mixing of the flux material and the molten metal.