Methods and systems in which a shapable mass, which is processed according to the method or in the system, has a lubricant applied thereto. As it is processed in the system, the shapable mass having the lubricant applied thereto is used to transfer lubricant to a part or parts of the system.

Methods and systems in which a shapable mass, which is processed according to the method or in the system, has a lubricant applied thereto. As it is processed in the system, the shapable mass having the lubricant applied thereto is used to transfer lubricant to a part or parts of the system.

A cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine may include an aluminum alloy material including a magnesium content of at least 0.3% by weight, a liner body having a circumferential face, and an adapter layer of silicon oxide disposed on the circumferential face. The adapter layer may include at least one of a potassium oxide content and a sodium oxide content of greater than or equal to 0% by weight.

A cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine may include an aluminum alloy material including a magnesium content of at least 0.3% by weight, a liner body having a circumferential face, and an adapter layer of silicon oxide disposed on the circumferential face. The adapter layer may include at least one of a potassium oxide content and a sodium oxide content of greater than or equal to 0% by weight.

A lining structure for a refractory vessel contains a first layer containing refractory material; a second layer, in communication with and parallel to the first layer, containing a metal layer or component; and a third layer, in communication with and parallel to the second layer, containing refractory material. The metal component in the second layer contains filled transverse passages, between the surface of the second layer in contact with the first layer and the surface of the second layer in contact with the third layer, producing support structures to maintain the structural integrity of the refractory vessel in use.

A sand casting apparatus, a method of forming a sand casting apparatus, and an automotive component are provided. The sand casting apparatus includes a sand casting base including a sand mold and/or a sand core having a base sand mixture, where the base sand mixture includes a sand material and a binder material. The sand casting apparatus further includes an outer layer disposed on the sand casting base. The outer layer includes silicon, magnesium, calcium, zirconium, manganese, carbon, aluminum, and iron. The automotive component has portions defining an aperture therein. The automotive component is formed of cast iron and has a nodular graphite structure from interior matrix to surface, where the nodular graphite structure on the surface is formed by a sand core having an outer layer that has reacted with the cast iron automotive component to form the nodular graphite structured surface.

A sand casting apparatus, a method of forming a sand casting apparatus, and an automotive component are provided. The sand casting apparatus includes a sand casting base including a sand mold and/or a sand core having a base sand mixture, where the base sand mixture includes a sand material and a binder material. The sand casting apparatus further includes an outer layer disposed on the sand casting base. The outer layer includes silicon, magnesium, calcium, zirconium, manganese, carbon, aluminum, and iron. The automotive component has portions defining an aperture therein. The automotive component is formed of cast iron and has a nodular graphite structure from interior matrix to surface, where the nodular graphite structure on the surface is formed by a sand core having an outer layer that has reacted with the cast iron automotive component to form the nodular graphite structured surface.

A mold flux is used in continuous casting of Ti-containing hypo-peritectic steel so as to prevent longitudinal cracks from forming on a surface of a slab. The mold flux contains CaO, SiO.sub.2, an alkali metal oxide and a fluorine compound as major components. f(1), f(2) and f(3), which are calculated from the initial chemical composition, are (1.10.5T) to (1.90.5T), 0.05 to 0.40 and 0 to 0.40, respectively, if the Ti content of the molten steel (mass %) is T. The TiO.sub.2 content in the melting state during the casting is no more than 20 mass % and the ratio of the first peak height of perovskite to the first peak height of cuspidine in the mold flux film is no more than 1.0.

A mold flux is used in continuous casting of Ti-containing hypo-peritectic steel so as to prevent longitudinal cracks from forming on a surface of a slab. The mold flux contains CaO, SiO.sub.2, an alkali metal oxide and a fluorine compound as major components. f(1), f(2) and f(3), which are calculated from the initial chemical composition, are (1.10.5T) to (1.90.5T), 0.05 to 0.40 and 0 to 0.40, respectively, if the Ti content of the molten steel (mass %) is T. The TiO.sub.2 content in the melting state during the casting is no more than 20 mass % and the ratio of the first peak height of perovskite to the first peak height of cuspidine in the mold flux film is no more than 1.0.

A coating liquid for preparing a needle-shaped cylinder liner, comprising the following components: 0.05-0.4 parts of an anionic surfactant; 0.05-0.5 parts of tannic acid; 0.15-0.7 parts of caustic soda; 22-38 parts of diatomite; 3-10 parts of montmorillonite; and 62-75 parts of water. A method for preparing a needle-shaped cylinder liner comprises spraying a coating liquid for preparing the needle-shaped cylinder liner onto the inner wall of a hollow cylindrical mould, and drying the coating liquid to obtain a mould with a coating attached to the surface of the inner wall; adding an inoculated iron liquid into the rotary mould, and cooling and demoulding to obtain a cylinder liner blank; and subjecting the blank to outer surface cleaning and forming machining to obtain the needle-shaped cylinder liner.