Abstract: A closing plate for a sliding closure on the spout of a receptacle for molten metal, especially of a converter, includes an elongate refractory plate and a sheet metal jacket surrounding the same. The refractory plate has a sliding surface which can be braced with a sliding surface of a refractory closure plate interacting therewith or with a sliding surface of a refractory head part. The refractory plate has at least one tapering section which forms an angle with the sliding surface on at least one side delimiting the sliding surface, each tapering section being associated with a section of the refractory plate that projects beyond the sheet metal jacket. The closing plate reduces the risk of damage to the front faces of the refractory parts reduced during bracing of the parts with each other and/or during a relative adjustment of the refractory parts that are braced with each other.

Abstract: A stack of copper plates is placed in a melting chamber having a closed roof of refractory material. The stack is placed in a tilted orientation leaning against a side wall of the melting chamber, with lower edges of the copper plates resting on an inclined hearth surface. A door to the melting chamber is closed to block the infiltration of oxygen. A burner is fired into the melting chamber to heat the closed roof of refractory material, and the stack of copper plates is melted under the influence of combustion products from the burner and heat radiated from the closed roof. Molten copper is drained downward from the bottom edge of the inclined hearth surface to avoid immersing the copper plates in a molten bath.

Abstract: A vessel used for containing molten metal, e.g. a trough section for conveying molten metal from one location to another. In some embodiments, the vessel employs refractory liner units of different thermal conductivity to maximize heat penetration into the molten metal from heaters in the gap, but to minimize heat loss at the inlet and outlet of the vessel where the end units contact the housing.

Abstract: In continuous casting of steel, the flow out of the tap hole (11) in the tundish (10) is controlled by a stopper rod that is rotatable so as to give the molten steel a swirling motion. This rotation reduces the risk of deposits in the tap hole and in the discharge tube (12). A non-rotatable sleeve around the stopper rod (16) extends through the slag layer (18) and into the molten steel (17). Protective gas is supplied to the gap between the stopper rod (16) and the sleeve (30) to prevent air from being drawn through the gap and into the molten steel.

Abstract: A stopper rod positioning and control apparatus is provided for controlling the flow of a molten metal out of a bottom nozzle in a metal reservoir. The stopper rod can be aligned with the nozzle's opening by selectively rotating a pair of roller (ring) bearings that are centerline offset from each other along a first axis around which one end of an extended structural arm can pivot where the opposing end of the arm retains the stopper rod along a second axis parallel to the first axis. When the appropriate relative positions of the pair of roller bearings are located for a nozzle-centered stopper rod, the second axial position of the stopper rod is fixed by retaining the appropriate relative positions with a brake mechanism.

Abstract: Described herein is a method of melting a bulk metallic glass (BMG) feedstock, comprising: feeding the BMG feedstock into a crucible; melting a first portion of the BMG feedstock to form molten BMG, while maintaining a second portion of the BMG feedstock solid; wherein the second portion and the crucible hold the molten BMG.

Abstract: Described herein is a device comprising a crucible, a movable base and a heater; wherein the heater is configured to melt BMG to form molten BMG feedstock in the crucible; wherein the movable base configured to slide along a length of the crucible; wherein the movable base and the crucible are configured to hold the molten BMG feedstock.

Abstract: An aluminum-based material melting apparatus includes: a furnace; a melt-discharging conduit having an inner portion disposed in the furnace; a driving mechanism mounted on the furnace; a transmission mechanism connected to the driving mechanism; and a scoop member suspended in the furnace and driven by the driving mechanism through the transmission mechanism so as to be movable in the furnace between upper and lower positions and so as to be rotatable relative to the furnace about an axis between scooping and pouring positions.

Abstract: A method for treating spheroidal graphite iron includes the step: pouring molten spheroidal graphite iron into a pouring electrical furnace (1); covering the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with alkali slag (6) which is melted at high temperature and rich in alkali earth metal ion, rare earth metal ion, or mixture of them; connecting the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with the negative pole of the direct current source by one pole (7); connecting the alkali slag (6) with the positive pole of the direct current source by another pole (4), treating the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with the alkali slag (6) which is used as electrolyte. The method can prevent the spheroidized fading velocity of the spheroidal graphite iron. The pouring electrical furnace can be used for treating the molten spheroidal graphite iron.

Abstract: A feed system for introducing semi-solid metal alloy to a die casting machine includes a first chamber for receiving a metal alloy billet and for preparing the semi-solid metal alloy billet. The first chamber includes heaters and a cutting system. The metal alloy billet is heated by the heaters and cut by the cutting system into predetermined lengths to form semi-solid metal alloy portions. The feed system also includes a second chamber connected to the first chamber by a passage to receive the semi-solid metal alloy portions. The second chamber includes a door that opens and closes the passage and a plunger system that introduces the semi-solid metal portions to a die cast machine. An atmosphere control system is in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The atmosphere control system removes oxygen from the feed system. A method using the feed system is also provided.

Abstract: An insert and system for removing molten metal from a vessel is disclosed. The insert defines an enclosed cavity, and includes a first opening in its side through which molten metal can enter the cavity, and a second opening at its top through which molten metal can exit the cavity. A trough at the top of the insert directs molten metal exiting the second opening out of the vessel. The system includes the insert and a molten metal pump that forces molten metal through the first opening and into the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a semi-solidified metal has a heating device which heats a metal material, a vessel, a cooling device which cools the vessel, and a pouring device which pours the metal material into the vessel. The vessel has a hollow member which configures a wall of the vessel and is opened at both of the upper and lower ends and into which the metal material is poured from the upper opening, and a bottom member which closes the lower opening of the hollow member and configures the bottom of the vessel. The cooling speed of the metal material by the bottom member is faster than the cooling speed of the metal material by the hollow member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nozzle for guiding molten metal flowing from a vessel into a mold. The nozzle comprises a conduit which is elongate along an axis which is orientated vertically during use. The nozzle has at least one upper inlet and towards its lower end two spaced apart baffles, the respective outer walls of the baffles partly defining two lower outlets and the respective inner walls of the baffles defining at least part of at least one outlet flow passage therebetween. Each baffle inner wall is at least partly concavely curved and arranged so that there is converging flow from said outlet flow passage or passages.

Abstract: Provided are a non-ferrous metal melt pump having a simple structure capable of tapping non-ferrous metal melt at a low cost without the help of a person, and a melting furnace system using the same. The non-ferrous metal melt pump includes: a container body which includes an inner space and a non-ferrous metal melt passageway, the non-ferrous metal melt passageway having a spiral passageway formed inside a side wall so that a lower end inlet and an upper end open portion, respectively formed in the side wall to be open to the outside, communicate with each other; a magnetic field device, which is rotatable about the vertical axis line, arranged inside the inner space, and the magnetic field device having a magnitude of a magnetic field such that lines of magnetic force moves while penetrating non-ferrous metal melt inside the spiral passageway during the rotation; and a drive device which rotationally drives the magnetic field device.

Abstract: There is provided a melt supply pipe comprising a melt supply pipe body composed of an inner ceramic pipe and an outer steel pipe, the outer steel pipe having a Ni alloy layer formed over the inner circumferential surface, and TiC particles attached to the surface of the Ni alloy layer, wherein grooves are formed at both ends of the melt supply pipe body, each groove forming an annular space overlapping the boundary between the outer circumferential surface of the inner ceramic pipe and the inner circumferential surface of the outer steel pipe, and a fibrous sheet of an inorganic material is inserted into each of the annular grooves such that the sheet extends over the entire circumference of the groove. The melt supply pipe is strong to mechanical impact owing to the use of the steel pipe in combination with the ceramic pipe and can prevent intrusion of an aluminum melt despite the difference in thermal expansion between the steel pipe and the ceramic pipe.

Abstract: A combined arc furnace, ladle metallurgical furnace and vacuum degassing system having the flexibility to produce at least non-vacuum arc remelt, vacuum arc remelt, vacuum oxygen decarburized non-vacuum arc remelt, and vacuum oxygen decarburized vacuum arc remelt steels from one off to continuous casting end uses in steady state or randomized order which utilizes only a minimum of energy attributable to preheating hot metal contacting components of the system followed by heat loss reduction of the components and use of a carryover heel in the arc furnace, in which the throughput of the system is limited solely by the melting capacity of the arc furnace.

Abstract: The injection chamber (CI) includes a tubular body formed by a supply portion, having a radial supply window to receive a charge of molten metal (MF) and in which is incorporated an injection portion provided with an outlet end opened to the interior of a molding cavity. A piston is provided to be displaced in the interior of the tubular body to inject the molten metal (MF) in the molding cavity. The supply portion has its inner region, which receives the pouring impact of the charge of molten metal (MF), lined by an insert formed in a high melting point material and presenting an inner contour in the form of a circle arc coinciding with that of the supply and injection portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to control automatic pouring equipment that can pour molten metal in a desired sequence, and it also provides the system therefor.

Abstract: An iron melting furnace has a refractory lined furnace body having a top opening through which raw materials including a raw material iron source, a carbonaceous material and a slag forming material may be introduced. A heating system is provided for injecting oxygen-containing gas into the furnace body to combust the carbonaceous material, whereby combustion heat can melt the raw material iron source to generate molten iron and molten slag to form a molten iron and slag bath. A plurality of tap holes penetrate the furnace body and are provided at positions different from one another in a height direction of the furnace body, and a refractory filling which is different from the refractory liner material fills at least one of the tap holes such that molten iron or slag in the furnace is unable to flow through the tap hole being filled with the refractory material.

Abstract: An apparatus for bottom pouring into an investment cast includes a container that holds a melted casting material, where the container moves from a first container position to a second container position. In the first container position, holes on a stationary nozzle are not exposed to the interior of the container, and the melted casting material remains in the container. In the second container position, holes on the stationary nozzle are exposed to the interior of the container, and the melted casting material flows out the bottom of the container through the stationary nozzle. A temperature detection device determines the temperature of the melted casting material, and a heating device heats the melted casting material to a specified temperature.

Abstract: A submerged nozzle supporting-replacing mechanism, which is constituted to set an entire width dimension (L3) of each of clampers (20 and 21) to be smaller than a flange diameter dimension (L1) of a submerged nozzle (9) so as to position each of the clampers (20 and 21) by a positioning member (26), and so as to guide an upper surface (43) of a fresh submerged nozzle (9A) by a positioning liner (6), to thereby regulate a height position of the fresh submerged nozzle (9A) during movement in a horizontal direction thereof. The position of the clampers are regulated by setting the entire width dimension of the clampers to be smaller than the flange diameter dimension of the submerged nozzle, which can be smoothly replaced by providing the positioning liner.

Abstract: A sealing plug 1, consisting of fireproof material 10 located between the upper shaping plate 19 and the lower shaping plate 20, is used to seal the tap hole 3 of a tiltable converter 2. Said fireproof material 10 consists of bonding clay, water, oil and other constituents, particularly of 10-30% by weight hollow glass balls made of “foam glass” produced from recovered glass which have a rough surface suitable for binding large volumes of moisture. The sealing plug 1 thus retains the necessary stability even over longer periods and can thus be shaped in the tap hole 3 so that it is arrested against the wall 28, even after longer periods of storage. The hollow glass balls 11, 12, 13, 14 also entail a significant reduction in the weight of the entire sealing plug 1.

Abstract: An improved post clamp for a molten metal pump includes a support post clamp that supports the weight of a pump superstructure on the top of the support posts. The clamp preferably includes (a) a bottom flange for connecting to the pump superstructure, (b) a cavity for receiving an end of a support post, wherein the end has a top surface, and (c) a top flange for being positioned above the top surface. In operation the top flange rests on the top surface of the support post thereby supporting at least part of the weight of the superstructure. It is preferred that a plurality of support posts and post clamps according to the invention be used with a molten metal pump wherein the top surface of each support post supports some of the weight of the superstructure. Also disclosed are novel support posts that may be used with the post clamp, and a pump in which the post clamp and/or support posts may be used.

Abstract: Provided is a molten metal discharge nozzle capable of suppressing turbulence in a molten metal stream passing through an inner bore thereof, with a simple structure. A cross-sectional shape of a wall surface of the inner bore, taken along an axis of the inner bore, comprises a part or an entirety of a curved line expressed by the following formula: log(r(z))=(1/n)×log((Hc+L)/(Hc+z))+log(r(L)) (1), where: 6?n?1.

Abstract: A method for treating spheroidal graphite iron includes the step: pouring molten spheroidal graphite iron into a pouring electrical furnace (1); covering the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with alkali slag (6) which is melted at high temperature and rich in alkali earth metal ion, rare earth metal ion, or mixture of them; connecting the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with the negative pole of the direct current source by one pole (7); connecting the alkali slag (6) with the positive pole of the direct current source by another pole (4), treating the molten spheroidal graphite iron (5) with the alkali slag (6) which is used as electrolyte. The method can prevent the spheroidized fading velocity of the spheroidal graphite iron. The pouring electrical furnace can be used for treating the molten spheroidal graphite iron.

Abstract: In a jetting device for ejecting droplets of a relatively hot fluid, a fluid chamber body is made of a heat resistant material and an inner surface of the fluid chamber body, the inner surface defining a fluid chamber of the jetting device, is wettable by the fluid. This configuration provides that no additional force needs to be applied for forcing the fluid into an orifice, i.e. a narrow tube leading towards a nozzle.

Abstract: A high-heat-retention ladle for carrying molten aluminum includes a ladle body defining therein a storage space, which contains molten aluminum therein, the ladle body including a molten metal inlet and a molten metal outlet, which allow the storage space to communicate with outside, a cover opening and closing the inlet of the ladle body, and a stopper opening and closing the outlet of the ladle body. Each of the ladle body and the cover has an outer shell, which defines a contour thereof, and a multi-layer insulation structure inside the outer shell. The multi-layer insulation structure includes two or more refractory layers. The molten aluminum contained inside the storage space has a temperature drop rate of 5° C./min or less. It is possible to carry the molten aluminum for a long time in a heat-insulated state and cast a product by directly pouring the molten aluminum into a mold.

Abstract: An elastically interconnected cooler compressed hearth comprises a concave dished bottom lined with a sub-layer and a working layer of hearth bricks. Cylindrical walls that rise up from the rim of the concave dished bottom are constructed with one or more tiers of coolers shaped into arc segment blocks that are joined together by their flanges to form complete rings. The outer perimeter of the hearth brick within the ringed tiers is inwardly compressed toward the center to disallow any leaks from forming between the separate bricks. The coolers are elastically interconnected at their flanges by fasteners and springs. Each spring can be individually adjusted to obtain optimal working pressures on the whole of the core wall and hearth floor bricks.

Abstract: A device for exchanging tundish nozzles juxtaposed at a bottom of a tundish includes a pair of first arms and a pair of second arms. The pair of first arms presses and supports a first lower nozzle. The first lower nozzle is located at an undersurface of a first upper nozzle. The first upper nozzle us placed at the bottom of the tundish. The pair of second arms presses and supports a second lower nozzle. The second lower nozzle is located at an undersurface of a second upper nozzle. The second upper nozzle is places at the bottom of the tundish and next to the first upper nozzle. The pair of first arms and the pair of second arms are adjoined to each other, and the pairs at least partly overlap each other.

Abstract: An impact well configured to reduce the turbulence in a flowing fluid. The impact well has the shape of a frustum and includes an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a base portion. The base portion includes a domed portion that extends upwards into the intermediate portion. The upper portion, the intermediate portion and the base portion each included stepped areas configured to assist in the alignment of the portions and the assembly of the well.

Abstract: A device for interchangeable connection of a casting tube to a spout of a melt vessel with a sliding closure fastened on a melt vessel. The closure is formed by at least one stationary closure plate and a closure plate that can be displaced relative thereto, wherein the displaceable closure plate is coupled to a sliding drive system and carries the casting tube. To improve the changeover process of a casting tube and to make it safer, the displaceable closure plate carries a connecting ring for the centered accommodation of the casting tube and the displaceable closure plate carries a changing device for the casting tube. The changing device is synchronously displaceable with the displaceable plate. A tensioning device presses the casting tube onto the displaceable closure plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering platinum group elements comprises a furnace body having an interior space substantially shot off from external air, a material charging port and an exhaust port provided in an upper half of the furnace body, at least two fluid discharge ports provided in a lower half of the furnace body at different height levels. a material charging chute connected to the material charging port. an exhaust unit connected to the exhaust port; and electrodes for passing electric current through and heating material charged into the furnace. The material charging chute is equipped with a vertical two stage shutter so as to maintain airtightness when material is charged into the interior space of the furnace.

Abstract: A system for transferring molten metal from a vessel and into one or more of a ladle, ingot mold, launder, feed die cast machine or other structure is disclosed. The system includes at least a vessel for containing molten metal, an overflow (or dividing) wall, and a device or structure, such as a molten metal pump, for generating a stream of molten metal. The dividing wall divides the vessel into a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein part of the second chamber has a height H2. The device for generating a stream of molten metal, which is preferably a molten metal pump, is preferably positioned in the first chamber. When the device operates, it generates a stream of molten metal from the first chamber and into the second chamber. When the level of molten metal in the second chamber exceeds H2, molten metal flows out of the vessel and into another structure, such as into one or more ladles and/or one or more launders.

Abstract: There is provided a melt supply pipe for aluminum die casting which is strong to mechanical impact and is excellent in the melting loss resistance to a molten aluminum alloy and which has a significantly extended life. The melt supply pipe for connecting a melting furnace and a plunger sleeve of a die casting machine, includes an inner ceramic pipe and an outer steel pipe fitted to the inner pipe, wherein a Ni alloy layer is formed over the inner circumferential surface of the outer steel pipe, and TiC particles are bonded to the surface of the Ni alloy layer.

Abstract: A direct smelting plant for producing molten metal from a metalliferous feed material using a molten bath based direct melting process is disclosed. The plant includes a plurality of gas injection lances to inject the oxygen-containing gas into the vessel that extend downwardly through openings in a side wall of a direct smelting vessel.

Abstract: A direct smelting plant for producing molten metal from a metalliferous feed material using a molten bath based direct smelting process is disclosed. The plant includes an offgas duct assembly to facilitate flow of offgas from the vessel, the offgas duct assembly including two offgas ducts of matching diameter extending outwardly from the vessel.

Abstract: A quiescent melt handling system includes a melting furnace and a holding furnace communicating with the melting furnace for holding a molten metal melt. The holding furnace has a relatively large surface area and a relatively shallow depth, having a width to depth ratio in the range of 4-100 to 1. Also provided is structure in the holding furnace for separating inclusions from the melt in the holding furnace. A mold communicates with the holding furnace. A counter gravity casting system, which might comprise a vacuum assisted casting system, draws the melt into the mold.

Abstract: A tilting rotary furnace with a door assembly that seals against a furnace vessel. The seal between the door and the furnace vessel allows for regulation of the internal environment of the furnace and control over thermitting of the aluminum. As a result, aluminum recovery may be carried out without the use of salt. A portion of the door may rotate with the furnace vessel and a portion of the door may remain rotationally stationary with respect to the furnace vessel and the rotating portion of the door.

Abstract: A stack of copper plates is placed in a melting chamber having a closed roof of refractory material. The stack is placed in a tilted orientation leaning against a side wall of the melting chamber, with lower edges of the copper plates resting on an inclined hearth surface. A door to the melting chamber is closed to block the infiltration of oxygen. A burner is fired into the melting chamber to heat the closed roof of refractory material, and the stack of copper plates is melted under the influence of combustion products from the burner and heat radiated from the closed roof. Molten copper is drained downward from the bottom edge of the inclined hearth surface to avoid immersing the copper plates in a molten bath.

Abstract: A die casting system includes a die, a shot tube, a shot tube plunger and a melting unit. The die includes a plurality of die components that define a die cavity. The shot tube is in fluid communication with the die cavity. A shot tube plunger is moveable within the shot tube to communicate a charge of material into the die cavity. The melting unit is positioned relative to the die and includes a bottom portion having an opening for selectively releasing a charge of material through the bottom portion.

Abstract: It is intended to develop a technique of pressing and fixing a plate by a uniform force to suppress the occurrence of a crack around a nozzle hole of the plate during use, and provide a sliding nozzle device capable of improving durability of the plate, and a plate for use in the sliding nozzle device. The sliding nozzle device comprises a plate (2) and a plate-receiving metal frame (1) for fixedly holding the plate (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing fusible material onto a surface, wherein the fusible material is in molten form, is provided. The apparatus comprises a dispensing assembly comprising a seal structure. The seal structure controls dispensing of the fusible material. One or more gas injectors are coupled to the dispensing assembly. Each of the one or more gas injectors is adapted to inject at least one gas to the dispensing assembly for controlling a gas environment surrounding at least a portion of the seal structure. An oxidation rate of the fusible material is controlled as a function of at least one characteristic of the at least one gas.

Abstract: The molten metal-transferring ladle including a ladle body having a storage space for melted metal, and an opening on the top; a large lid having an inlet in the middle, and covering an upper opening of the ladle body; an openable small lid covering the inlet; a tapping portion communicating the interior with the exterior of the storage space; and a pressurizing gas supplying means supplying a pressurizing gas to the storage space; the large lid having a supplying means installing hole communicating the interior with the exterior of the storage space; and the pressurizing gas supplying means being detachably mounted to the supplying means installing hole.

Abstract: Techniques for dispensing fusible material onto a surface, wherein the fusible material is in molten form, are provided. In accordance with aspects of the invention, a dispensing assembly dispenses the fusible material and a gas environment surrounding a portion of a seal structure of the dispensing assembly is controlled to regulate an oxidation rate of the fusible material.

Abstract: A refractory bottom for a metallurgical vessel comprised of a bottom lining having a bottom surface that is dimensioned to overlay a bottom of a metallurgical vessel and an upper surface. The upper surface is comprised of a plurality of discrete sections that include an uppermost section, an intermediate section and a lowermost section. Each section has an upper surface at a discrete elevation such that the upper surface of the uppermost section has a highest elevation and the upper surface of the lowermost section has a lowest elevation. The upper surface of the uppermost section, the intermediate section and the lowermost section comprise a series of successive stepped sections that define a stepped path from the uppermost section downward to the lowermost section. Each successive section of the upper surface is lower than a preceding section.

Abstract: An impact well configured to reduce the turbulence in a flowing fluid. The impact well has the shape of a frustum and includes an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a base portion. The base portion includes a domed portion that extends upwards into the intermediate portion. The upper portion, the intermediate portion and the base portion each included stepped areas configured to assist in the alignment of the portions and the assembly of the well.

Abstract: A fill tube assembly is for a casting mold. The fill tube assembly includes a fill tube having a tubular member with a receiving end, a mold-engaging end and an intermediate portion. The mold-engaging end has a tapered flange radially extending therefrom, the remainder of the tubular member has a substantially, uniform cross-section. A clamping assembly is structured to maintain a substantially leakproof seal at the fill tube, casting mold interface while accommodating dimensional variations. The clamping assembly includes a gasket, a load ring, a clamping plate and a pre-load gap between the clamping plate and the casting mold and optionally includes a dimensional compensating ring. When tightened, the clamping plate biases the load ring against the flange thereby distributing a uniform load against the casting mold, compressing the gasket therebetween while narrowing the pre-load gap to accommodate dimensional variations. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing aluminum alloy strip for a lithographic printing plate supports includes a filter, a launder connected to the filter, a liquid level controller connected to the launder, and a melt feed nozzle connected to the liquid level controller. The liquid level controller includes a step to trap settled particles within an aluminum melt which forms the alloy strip. The launder has a length L (m) which satisfies the condition 4?L?V×270×1.2×D, where V is the flow velocity in meters per second of the aluminum melt in the launder and D is the depth in meters of the aluminum melt in the launder.

Abstract: A copper anode furnace comprises a furnace drum (2), which can be pivoted about a horizontal axis and in which copper melt is refined into anode copper by means of fire refining. Said furnace drum (2) is provided with a spout (10) for pouring out the refined copper. A sliding closure (20) is arranged on the spout (10) of the furnace drum (2). Said sliding closure comprises at least one stationary, fireproof closing plate (21) and a fireproof sliding plate (22) which can be displaced relative to said closing plate. Through the displacement of the sliding plate (22), the outflow out the furnace drum (2) can be regulated or closed and therefore the outflow amount of the copper can be controlled. A drawing of slag into the casting, which reduces the anode quality, can be prevented using said sliding closure (20).

Abstract: A ceramic seating stone is provided for use in or on a metallurgical vessel for holding molten metal. The stone is formed as a whole or in parts of ceramic fibers, hollow ceramic spheres and/or foam ceramics.