Abstract: A refractory pouring-assembly component for use with a tube changer mechanism, the component having a throughbore for pouring of molten metal during continuous casting from a tundish into a mould and being isostatically pressed from different heat- and wear-resisting reffactories to form a one-piece composite body having at one end a smooth, flat plate surface in which there is defined an aperture, at least the peripheral edge around said aperture being formed of a hard refractory material to provide a cutting edge around the through-bore, whilst the remainder of said body is formed from a thermal shock-resistant material to provide for pouring of melt.

Abstract: A refractory pouring-assembly component for use with a tube changer mechanism comprises an elongate tubular body having a throughbore for pouring of molten metal during continuous casting from a tundish into a mould wherein the refractory pouring component is an isostatically pressed, heat- and wear-resisting refractory one-piece composite body which is shaped to provide at one end a smooth, flat plate surface in which there is defined an aperture, the peripheral edge around said aperture being formed of a hard refractory material to provide a cutting edge around the throughbore, whilst the remainder of said body is formed to a tubular shape from a thermal shock-resistant material to provide for pouring of melt. The compositions of said component may be uniform blends of refractory material bonded by silicon nitride or silicon oxy-nitride or an annulus of selected hard materials within a graphite/alumina host body.

Abstract: A stopper comprising a monoblock refractory body having a gas duct formed longitudinally within the body wherein the said duct extends through the nose of the stopper to an intermediate region within the length of the stopper at which region the duct is sealed by a gas-impermeable plug to prevent gas leakage from the duct through the stopper beyond said region, and wherein said duct and an integral narrow gas supply channel extending from said port to a gas supply inlet on the outside surface of the stopper adjacent the opposite end of the stopper from the nose.