Vesuvius Crucible Company

Vesuvius France S.a.

Vesuvius Group, S.a.

Eric Hanse

Pascal Dubois

François-Noël Richard

Phillipe Dumas

Johan Richaud

Quentin K Robinson

Paul M Benson

Duane L DeBastiani

Stéphane Taburiaux

Francois-Noel Richard

David Stephenson

Gilbert Rancoulle

Frederic Caillaud

Brendan Mortimer Moriarty

Philippe Laval

François Delvoye

Paul Van Der Maat

Stephane Taburiaux

François-No¬l Richard

A casting element for a casting installation for transferring liquid metal comprises a plurality of casting elements in successive contact and forming a canal along which the metal can flow, the casting element comprising a tube, notably a ladle shroud, the axis of which corresponds to the axis of the canal. The casting element is able to make contact with an upstream element of the installation and comprises means for controlling the angular orientation of the tube about its axis with respect to the upstream element, these means being capable of giving the tube at least three distinct orientations.

Reusable casting member

A pouring nozzle for a device for nozzle insertion and/or removal has a shape that is adapted so as to better resist the stresses imposed by their use and notably the stresses linked to the maintenance of the nozzle in the device. The pouring nozzle is provided with two exposed bearing faces forming with the pouring channel an angle &#x3b2; of 20&#xb0; to 80&#xb0;. A pushing device applies thrust force to the nozzle. A casting installation embodies the nozzle and the pushing device.

Pouring nozzle, pushing device for a pouring nozzle and casting installation

The invention provides an apparatus for measuring the temperature of a molten bath comprising a) a refractory mounting sleeve (') having an outer surface () for contacting the molten bath and an inner cavity (), said inner cavity having an inner surface (), an outer opening () and an inner closed end (); and b) an optical pyrometer () attached to the mounting sleeve and adapted to measure the thermal radiation emitted by a measurement zone () located inside the inner cavity of the mounting sleeve and under the molten bath level. The inner cavity outer opening () is adapted to receive fixedly the optical pyrometer (). The apparatus is characterized in that the mounting plate () is adapted to engage in a complementary recess located at the inner cavity outer opening () of the mounting sleeve (&#x2032;). Thereby, the accuracy and reproducibility of the measure is greatly increased.

Pyrometer

The present invention concerns an element for the casting of a liquid metal, comprising a base body made from a refractory material, said body comprising an outer surface and an inner surface defining a pouring channel for the casting of the liquid metal. This element is characterized in that at least a part of the element inner surface is coated with an insulating coating forming, at the metal liquid contact, a gas impermeable layer. Such an element has an excellent thermal shock resistance which permits its use without preheating. Then a layer reducing advantageously the gas permeability is formed.

Thermal shock resistant casting element and manufacturing process thereof

The present invention concerns a mono-block stopper adapted to deliver gas during pouring of molten metal comprising a stopper body having an internal chamber () and a gas discharge port (), a bore () connecting the internal chamber () to the gas discharge port (), calibrating means () being provided in the bore () to provide a restricted path. This stopper is characterised by the fact that the calibrating means comprise a rod () having at least one axially-extending gas passages therealong, the gas passage(s) having a section such as to offer a predetermined resistance to flow. The stopper of the invention is far more reliable and can be easily adapted to various operational parameters.

Stopper for reliable gas injection

There is provided a refractory mono-block stopper of substantially cylindrical configuration having an upper end, a lower end and an axial bore extending downwardly from the upper end, means being provided in the axial bore at a distance d from the upper end for attachment of the stopper to a lifting mechanism, the stopper being divided into three portions (A,B,C); a first portion (A) extending from the upper end towards the lower end until a distance greater than d, a second portion (B) extending from the first portion (A) towards the lower end and a third portion (C) extending from the second portion (B) and comprising a stopper nose ending at the lower end of the stopper. The stopper of the invention is characterized in that the average section of the second portion (B) is lower than the section of the first portion (A) and the highest section of the third portion (C) is higher than the lowest section of the second portion (B). The stopper of the invention has a significantly reduced weight without any observable loss of strength. It is also noted that since the profile of the stopper can be kept symmetrical around its axis, the stopper does not require extra handwork to be removed from the mold.

Stopper rod

A thermal shock-resistant ceramic article and a method of manufacturing the article include alternating layers of a first material ( ) comprising a fusible, particulate ceramic composition and a second material ( ), typically comprising a porous, pyrolyzable material. The layered structure increases the article's work of fracture and toughness, and may lead to improved thermal shock-resistance. The method advantageously uses a sheet, film or sleeve to prepare the article for firing. The composition, thickness, and porosity of the second material ( ) will affect the desired properties. The method is particularly adapted for manufacturing cylindrical articles, including stopper rods, nozzles, and pouring tubes for the metal casting industry.

Thermal shock-resistant ceramic article

The present invention concerns a stopper rod whose gas tightness and rigidity are improved. In particular, the stopper rod of the present. invention has means for maintaining the compression of the sealing gasket ( &prime;) in contact with the annular sealing surface ( ) of the body of refractory material when the stopper rod is brought to a high temperature. According to one embodiment of the invention, these means are furnished by a sleeve ( ) comprised of a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, the dilatation of which maintains the sealing gasket under compression when the stopper rod is brought to a high temperature.

The present invention concerns a one-piece stopper rod whose gas tightness is improved. In particular, the stopper rod of the present invention has a body of refractory material comprised at least partially of a refractory material relatively impermeable to gases.

The invention concerns a pouring spout for the transfer of a molten metal from a tundish into a continuous-casting mold. The pouring spout includes a body comprising a tubular part defining an essentially vertical pouring channel and an essentially horizontal part defining a distribution channel. The tubular and horizontal parts are assembled together, notably by screwing. The vertical pouring channel has an upper end adapted to connect with a tundish and a lower end emptying into the distribution channel. The distribution channel includes at least two outlets adapted to distribute molten metal into the mold. An obstacle is located between the two channels and together with the lower part of the tubular part retains the molten metal in the pouring channel until transfer to the distribution channel.

Pouring spout for a continuous-casting mold

Molten steel transfer element and its manufacturing

Process for refusing slide gate plates and plate for this closure

The invention concerns a component for the pouring of steel that has a body (2) of a refractory material containing carbon. It has a layer (10) that covers the body partially or completely and is capable of forming a surface layer (10a) that is oxidized and densified and is impermeable to gases when it is brought to a temperature above 1000.degree. C. The layer (10) is comprised of a refractory material containing sintering precursors chosen in the group consisting of calcined alumina, reactive calcined alumina, silica fumes and clays.

Refractory shape having an external layer capable of forming a layer

A dense carbon free surface is provided on a carbon bonded refractory shape which is particularly useful as a pouring tube liner to prevent the formation and build-up of alumina particles which may cause blockage of the tube. The carbon free, dense layer is also hard and erosion resistant making it ideal for use in other applications such as stopper rod noses. The material comprises a refractory mix having a major component of refractory oxides such as alumina and zirconia-mullite. Less than 10 wt. % carbon in the form of graphite and binder is in the mix plus about 2-5 wt. % of a metal such as silicon and an effective mount of sintering aids is also present. The pressed shape is preheated to a temperature of 1000.degree. -1400.degree. C. in air to oxidize the exposed surface of the shape and then to sinter the oxidized surface to form the desired dense, carbon free surface over the entire shape or on selected surface portions thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Feignies, France

Eric Hanse