A slab nozzle for use in a continuous slab casting installation is characterized by a specific geometry of the outer wall of a downstream portion thereof which is inserted in a slab mould cavity. The specific geometry promotes a round-about effect whereby converging opposite streams of molten metal flowing towards two opposite flanks of the slab nozzle are each preferentially deviated towards one side of the slab nozzle where they can freely flow through the narrow channels formed between the slab nozzle and the slab mould cavity wall without impinging with one another. This prolongs the service life of the slab nozzle by substantially reducing the erosion rate of the outer wall thereof.

A continuous casting machine is provided that includes a refractory tundish funnel. The tundish funnel has a tapered shape and is designed to sit on a tundish lid in order to channel steel from the ladle to the tundish bath. A collector can also be provided to channel the steel from the ladle. The collector has an opening with a cross-section that transitions from a cylindrical shape to a cross-shape.

A continuous casting machine is provided that includes a refractory tundish funnel. The tundish funnel has a tapered shape and is designed to sit on a tundish lid in order to channel steel from the ladle to the tundish bath. A collector can also be provided to channel the steel from the ladle. The collector has an opening with a cross-section that transitions from a cylindrical shape to a cross-shape.

A submerged nozzle for casting molten metal into a mould, is provided that includes an erosion resistant sleeve (2) made of a material resistant to erosion provided over a tubular portion and extending along a longitudinal axis (Z). The erosion resistant sleeve includes at least one annular protrusion (2p), extending radially outwards beyond a recessed portion (2r) of the erosion resistant sleeve over the whole circumference of the erosion resistant sleeve (2), the at least one annular protrusion (2p) follows a periodic wavy trajectory oscillating between one or more tip-points situated closest to the first end and a corresponding number of one or more valley-points situated closest to the second end, the periodic wavy trajectory being defined by an amplitude (A) greater than 5 mm and a periodicity (P) comprised between 1 and 20 tip to valley to tip periods per 2 rad.

A submerged nozzle for casting molten metal into a mould, is provided that includes an erosion resistant sleeve (2) made of a material resistant to erosion provided over a tubular portion and extending along a longitudinal axis (Z). The erosion resistant sleeve includes at least one annular protrusion (2p), extending radially outwards beyond a recessed portion (2r) of the erosion resistant sleeve over the whole circumference of the erosion resistant sleeve (2), the at least one annular protrusion (2p) follows a periodic wavy trajectory oscillating between one or more tip-points situated closest to the first end and a corresponding number of one or more valley-points situated closest to the second end, the periodic wavy trajectory being defined by an amplitude (A) greater than 5 mm and a periodicity (P) comprised between 1 and 20 tip to valley to tip periods per 2 rad.