A molten metal scrap submergence system comprising a furnace and a vortexing scrap submergence well. The vortexing scrap submergence well includes a diverter suspended above the well and oriented for immersion in a bath of molten metal circulating within the well. The system, or an alternative scrap submergence system, can include a hood element disposed in an overlapping position with regard to a top opening of the scrap submergence well. The hood at least substantially seals the top opening. The hood element includes a scrap piece feed chute and a burner allowing carbon containing vapor evaporated from the surface of the molten scrap pieces to combust and form predominantly water. The system, or an alternative scrap submergence system can include internal side walls of the well with a first diameter portion adjacent and above said ramp and a second, larger diameter portion above said first portion.

A molten metal scrap submergence system comprising a furnace and a vortexing scrap submergence well. The vortexing scrap submergence well includes a diverter suspended above the well and oriented for immersion in a bath of molten metal circulating within the well. The system, or an alternative scrap submergence system, can include a hood element disposed in an overlapping position with regard to a top opening of the scrap submergence well. The hood at least substantially seals the top opening. The hood element includes a scrap piece feed chute and a burner allowing carbon containing vapor evaporated from the surface of the molten scrap pieces to combust and form predominantly water. The system, or an alternative scrap submergence system can include internal side walls of the well with a first diameter portion adjacent and above said ramp and a second, larger diameter portion above said first portion.

A method of containing molten aluminum using non-wetting materials comprising depositing MgAl.sub.2O.sub.4, or one selected from an oxide, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, nitride, AlN, BN, carbide, and SiC, onto a crucible. An apparatus for containment of molten aluminum using non-wetting materials comprising a layer of MgAl.sub.2O.sub.4, or one selected from an oxide, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, nitride, AlN, BN, carbide, and SiC, deposited onto a crucible.

A method of containing molten aluminum using non-wetting materials comprising depositing MgAl.sub.2O.sub.4, or one selected from an oxide, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, nitride, AlN, BN, carbide, and SiC, onto a crucible. An apparatus for containment of molten aluminum using non-wetting materials comprising a layer of MgAl.sub.2O.sub.4, or one selected from an oxide, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, nitride, AlN, BN, carbide, and SiC, deposited onto a crucible.

A thermal shielding system for thermally shielding a batch space of high-temperature furnaces includes at least one shielding element. The shielding element has an encasing wall formed of refractory metal sheet(s) and a ceramic material accommodated in the wall. The ceramic material is present in a particulate and/or fibrous structure and it is based on zirconium oxide (ZrO.sub.2)

A thermal shielding system for thermally shielding a batch space of high-temperature furnaces includes at least one shielding element. The shielding element has an encasing wall formed of refractory metal sheet(s) and a ceramic material accommodated in the wall. The ceramic material is present in a particulate and/or fibrous structure and it is based on zirconium oxide (ZrO.sub.2)

Crucible compositions and methods of using the crucible compositions to melt titanium and titanium alloys. More specifically, crucible compositions having extrinsic facecoats comprising a rare earth oxide that are effective for melting titanium and titanium alloys for use in casting titanium-containing articles. Further embodiments are titanium-containing articles made from the titanium and titanium alloys melted in the crucible compositions. Another embodiment is a crucible curing device and methods of use thereof.

Crucible compositions and methods of using the crucible compositions to melt titanium and titanium alloys. More specifically, crucible compositions having extrinsic facecoats comprising a rare earth oxide that are effective for melting titanium and titanium alloys for use in casting titanium-containing articles. Further embodiments are titanium-containing articles made from the titanium and titanium alloys melted in the crucible compositions. Another embodiment is a crucible curing device and methods of use thereof.

Casting of iron or steel is performed by assembling a charge (1) of plate-like charge elements (1a, 1b, 1c . . . ) with known compositions and dimensions by placing them on top of each other, and of an alloying component entity (2) with known composition, such as alloying component pieces or an alloying component cartridge, by means of which the composition of the charge is balanced to the desired precise composition. The charge is melted in a furnace (5) and cast to form a casting with an exactly known composition.

Casting of iron or steel is performed by assembling a charge (1) of plate-like charge elements (1a, 1b, 1c . . . ) with known compositions and dimensions by placing them on top of each other, and of an alloying component entity (2) with known composition, such as alloying component pieces or an alloying component cartridge, by means of which the composition of the charge is balanced to the desired precise composition. The charge is melted in a furnace (5) and cast to form a casting with an exactly known composition.