Compositions, structures and methods are described that improve fire retardant characteristics of various material, and which can be used for protecting structures, devices, or components therein. In one example, a mixture suitable for imparting heat or cold blocking properties to an object is produced. The mixture includes a catalyst comprising particles that are 8 microns or less in diameter, a charring agent comprising particles that are 8 microns or less in diameter, and a blowing agent comprising particles that are 8 microns or less in diameter. The catalyst, the charring agent and the blowing agent are mixed together in equal portions by weight to produce the mixture suitable for imparting heat or cold blocking properties to an object.

In the mold powder, the content of F is 0.5% by mass or less (including 0% by mass), CaO and SiO.sub.2 are included as main components, the mass ratio of CaO to SiO.sub.2 (CaO/SiO.sub.2) is 0.6 to 1.4, the content of B.sub.2O.sub.3 is 0.3 to 2.8% by mass, the content of Na.sub.2O is 5.0 to 20.0% by mass, the total content of Li.sub.2O and K,0 is 0 to 4.0% by mass, the content of MgO is 0 to 3.5% by mass, the content of Al.sub.2O.sub.3 is 1.0 to 8.0% by mass, and the content of MnO is 1.0% by mass or less (including 0% by mass).

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.

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.

A product comprising recycled metal fragments and an alloying supplement, and methods and system for producing same. In some examples, the product comprises a container, shot blasted pieces of aluminum alloy wheels and an alloying supplement. In some examples, the product also comprises an indication on the container of a composition estimate of the combined shot blasted pieces and alloying supplement. In other examples, the indication and/or the alloying supplement may be provided by a company in the business of providing alloying supplements.

Continuous casting apparatus, comprising a mold and a crystallizer for the continuous casting of a metal product. The mold is provided with primary cooling means using a cooling fluid and associated with the walls of the crystallizer. A plurality of cooling members is installed downstream of the mold to perform a secondary cooling of the product, said cooling members comprising a plurality of delivery nozzles configured to deliver a liquid for cooling the product.

Continuous casting apparatus, comprising a mold and a crystallizer for the continuous casting of a metal product. The mold is provided with primary cooling means using a cooling fluid and associated with the walls of the crystallizer. A plurality of cooling members is installed downstream of the mold to perform a secondary cooling of the product, said cooling members comprising a plurality of delivery nozzles configured to deliver a liquid for cooling the product.

A method includes the production of a primary ingot, the production of a secondary ingot, and the removal of a flux layer. A CaOCaF.sub.2 flux in a content of 3-20 mass % and obtained by mixing 35-95 mass % of CaF.sub.2 with CaO is added to a TiAl alloy material including a total of at least 0.1 mass % of oxygen and at least 40 mass % of Al, and the resultant substance is melted by a melting method using a water-cooled copper container in an atmosphere having a pressure of 1.33 Pa or higher and held to produce the primary ingot. The primary ingot is continuously drawn downwards while being melted by a melting method using a bottomless water-cooled copper casting mould in an atmosphere having a pressure of 1.33 Pa or higher to produce the secondary ingot. The flux layer deposited on the surface of the secondary ingot is mechanically removed.

A method includes the production of a primary ingot, the production of a secondary ingot, and the removal of a flux layer. A CaOCaF.sub.2 flux in a content of 3-20 mass % and obtained by mixing 35-95 mass % of CaF.sub.2 with CaO is added to a TiAl alloy material including a total of at least 0.1 mass % of oxygen and at least 40 mass % of Al, and the resultant substance is melted by a melting method using a water-cooled copper container in an atmosphere having a pressure of 1.33 Pa or higher and held to produce the primary ingot. The primary ingot is continuously drawn downwards while being melted by a melting method using a bottomless water-cooled copper casting mould in an atmosphere having a pressure of 1.33 Pa or higher to produce the secondary ingot. The flux layer deposited on the surface of the secondary ingot is mechanically removed.

A manufacturing efficiency of the wire rod made of the cast alloy including the additive element having the high activity to the oxygen is improved. An apparatus of manufacturing a wire rod includes: a tundish storing a molten metal; a mold for use in continuously casting the molten metal fed from the tundish; and an additive-element feeding unit continuously feeding an additive element (wire) to a feeding port of the mold.