A tooling for producing a metal product by feed casting, comprising a mold comprising a preheater, an ingot mold (10), a movable bottom that moves in a main direction X and a transition ring interposed between the preheater and the ingot mold (10). The tooling has a clamping ring (12) transmitting a clamping force (F1) to the transition ring (11) oriented towards the ingot mold (10), a holding mechanism that positively locks the clamping ring (12), and an axial relief mechanism configured so as to vary between an inactive state in which the holding mechanism exerts said holding force (F2) on the clamping ring (12) such that the clamping ring (12) exerts said clamping force (F1) on the transition ring (11) and an active state in which the axial relief mechanism resists the action applied by the holding mechanism on the clamping ring in the inactive state.

A tooling for producing a metal product by feed casting, comprising a mold comprising a preheater, an ingot mold (10), a movable bottom that moves in a main direction X and a transition ring interposed between the preheater and the ingot mold (10). The tooling has a clamping ring (12) transmitting a clamping force (F1) to the transition ring (11) oriented towards the ingot mold (10), a holding mechanism that positively locks the clamping ring (12), and an axial relief mechanism configured so as to vary between an inactive state in which the holding mechanism exerts said holding force (F2) on the clamping ring (12) such that the clamping ring (12) exerts said clamping force (F1) on the transition ring (11) and an active state in which the axial relief mechanism resists the action applied by the holding mechanism on the clamping ring in the inactive state.

A slab continuous casting apparatus according to this invention is configured to supply molten metal from a tundish to a slab water-cooled mold through at least an upper nozzle, a stopper, and an immersion nozzle and solidify the molten metal, and is provided with an immersion nozzle quick replacement mechanism. The slab continuous casting apparatus includes a discharge direction change mechanism that is provided between the stopper and the immersion nozzle and is capable of freely changing a discharge angle of the molten metal in a horizontal cross-section during casting.

A slab continuous casting apparatus according to this invention is configured to supply molten metal from a tundish to a slab water-cooled mold through at least an upper nozzle, a stopper, and an immersion nozzle and solidify the molten metal, and is provided with an immersion nozzle quick replacement mechanism. The slab continuous casting apparatus includes a discharge direction change mechanism that is provided between the stopper and the immersion nozzle and is capable of freely changing a discharge angle of the molten metal in a horizontal cross-section during casting.

Techniques are disclosed for reducing macrosegregation in cast metals. Techniques include providing an eductor nozzle capable of increasing mixing in the fluid region of an ingot being cast. Techniques also include providing a non-contacting flow control device to mix and/or apply pressure to the molten metal that is being introduced to the mold cavity. The non-contacting flow control device can be permanent magnet or electromagnet based. Techniques additionally can include actively cooling and mixing the molten metal before introducing the molten metal to the mold cavity.

Techniques are disclosed for reducing macrosegregation in cast metals. Techniques include providing an eductor nozzle capable of increasing mixing in the fluid region of an ingot being cast. Techniques also include providing a non-contacting flow control device to mix and/or apply pressure to the molten metal that is being introduced to the mold cavity. The non-contacting flow control device can be permanent magnet or electromagnet based. Techniques additionally can include actively cooling and mixing the molten metal before introducing the molten metal to the mold cavity.

A continuous casting apparatus for a multilayered slab includes a ladle having a molten steel supply nozzle; a tundish having a first retention portion that receives supply of the molten steel from the ladle through the molten steel supply nozzle and has a first immersion nozzle and a second retention portion that is adjacent to the first retention portion with a flow path interposed therebetween and has a second immersion nozzle; an addition mechanism that adds a predetermined element to the molten steel in the second retention portion; and a casting mold that receives supply of the molten steel from the tundish.

The invention provides a fluoride-free continuous casting mold flux for low-carbon steel, comprising, based on weight, Na.sub.2O 5-10%, MgO 3-10%, MnO 3-10%, B.sub.2O.sub.3 3-10%, Al.sub.2O.sub.36%, Li.sub.2O<3%, C 1-3%, and the balance of CaO and SiO.sub.2 as well as inevitable impurities, wherein the ratio of CaO/SiO.sub.2 is 0.81.3. The mold flux has a melting point of 951150 C., a viscosity at 1300 C. of 0.1-0.3 Pa.Math.s, and a crystallization rate of 10-50% as determined according to the method described in the specification for examining crystallization property. The boron-containing, fluoride-free flux developed according to the invention has a moderate crystallization rate, can be used in a crystallizer to control transfer of heat from molten steel effectively, and has been applied successfully in a low-carbon steel slab conticaster with a metallurgical effect that arrives at the level of a traditional fluoride-containing flux to full extent.

The invention provides a fluoride-free continuous casting mold flux for low-carbon steel, comprising, based on weight, Na.sub.2O 5-10%, MgO 3-10%, MnO 3-10%, B.sub.2O.sub.3 3-10%, Al.sub.2O.sub.36%, Li.sub.2O<3%, C 1-3%, and the balance of CaO and SiO.sub.2 as well as inevitable impurities, wherein the ratio of CaO/SiO.sub.2 is 0.81.3. The mold flux has a melting point of 951150 C., a viscosity at 1300 C. of 0.1-0.3 Pa.Math.s, and a crystallization rate of 10-50% as determined according to the method described in the specification for examining crystallization property. The boron-containing, fluoride-free flux developed according to the invention has a moderate crystallization rate, can be used in a crystallizer to control transfer of heat from molten steel effectively, and has been applied successfully in a low-carbon steel slab conticaster with a metallurgical effect that arrives at the level of a traditional fluoride-containing flux to full extent.

A continuous casting process of a steel semi-product is provided. The process includes a step of casting using a hollow jet nozzle located between a tundish and a continuous casting mould. The nozzle includes, in its upper part, a dome for deflecting the liquid metal arriving at the inlet of the nozzle towards the internal wall of the nozzle, defining an internal volume with no liquid metal. A simultaneous step of injecting powder through a hole of the dome occurs. The powder has a particle size of 200 ?m or less. The dome includes a first device to inject the powder without any contact with the dome and a second device to avoid sticking or sintering of the powder onto the first device.