ES350855A1 - Casting installation - Google Patents

Abstract

A refractory lined casting ladle 2 is provided with slide closure means 16 comprising a housing 14, a cover-plate 34 and an hydraulically actuated slide member 36 mounted therebetween, the slide member 36 including a slide plate 42 provided with a bore 44. In its open position bore 44 is aligned with bore 20 of stationary base-plate 18 and bore 30, 32 of sleeve 28 mounted in a bottom block 8 of the ladle, to allow metal to flow out through bore 52 of pouring member 50. Member 50 is surrounded by insulation 54, heating coil 56, and jacket part 40 of slide member 36. Screws 62 secure the cover 34 to housing 14, and also force groove 64 of cover 34 to engage with rib 68 of slide member 36 to provide positive guide and location means for member 36 as it moves to and fro. Relatively moving surfaces may be lubricated by water-powder or powder alcohol suspensions, the powder being of chrome spinel, talcum, zirconium oxide, lead ferrite and graphite or sulphide mixtures. Alternatively, the powder may be used dry. Refractory surfaces of the component parts which are to be cemented together may be provided with grooves or ribs 74 to help hold the cement mortar in place, but to prevent chemical binding between parts liable to need replacing, they may be coated with ceramic substances, metals, metal alloys, graphite or sulphides. Prior to filling the ladle with molten steel, a metal such as lead may be introduced into the bores 30, 32, 20 to prevent the steel solidifying in them. In a modification (Fig. 2, not shown) instead of a shoulder of sleeve 28 projecting into a recess 22 of base-plate 18, a shoulder of the base-plate projects up into the bottom block of the ladle to form a differently shaped discharge bore. In another modification (Fig. 4, not shown), the base-plate is secured to the housing by being undercut into it.