A method of controlling an electromagnetic stirrer arranged around a submerged entry nozzle (SEN) of a tundish provided with a stopper rod to control throughput of the tundish, the SEN being configured to provide tapping of molten metal from the tundish and the electromagnetic stirrer being configured to generate a rotating magnetic field in the SEN, wherein the method includes controlling the electromagnetic stirrer to operate only when a gas flow rate through the stopper rod is in a first range of 1.5 NL/min to 20 NL/min.

A casting apparatus for producing castings using molds each having a sprue, comprising a mold-conveying means for conveying molds each containing a melt poured through the sprue; nozzles each having a gas-introducing opening attachable to and detachable from the sprue; nozzle-attaching/detaching means each moving each nozzle to attach and detach the gas-introducing opening to and from the sprue; moving means for moving the nozzle-attaching/detaching means, such that the nozzle-attaching/detaching means moves following a mold conveyed by the mold-conveying means, while keeping the connection of the gas-introducing opening to the sprue by the nozzle-attaching/detaching means; and a gas supply means connected to each nozzle for supplying a gas to the gas-introducing opening.

A casting apparatus for producing castings using molds each having a sprue, comprising a mold-conveying means for conveying molds each containing a melt poured through the sprue; nozzles each having a gas-introducing opening attachable to and detachable from the sprue; nozzle-attaching/detaching means each moving each nozzle to attach and detach the gas-introducing opening to and from the sprue; moving means for moving the nozzle-attaching/detaching means, such that the nozzle-attaching/detaching means moves following a mold conveyed by the mold-conveying means, while keeping the connection of the gas-introducing opening to the sprue by the nozzle-attaching/detaching means; and a gas supply means connected to each nozzle for supplying a gas to the gas-introducing opening.

A socket installation structure of a refractory article is designed to prevent gas leakage therein. A first flange is provided between an outward end and an inward end of a socket, and a face of the first flange on the side of an inward end thereof is bonded to an article body of the refractory article through a sealing material. Further, a face of the first flange on the side of an outward end thereof faces a metal plate disposed around the outward end or a second flange provided on the side of the outward end, through a low thermally-conductive material layer made of a low thermally-conductive material having a thermal conductivity at room temperature of 40 (W/(m.Math.K)) or less.

A socket installation structure of a refractory article is designed to prevent gas leakage therein. A first flange is provided between an outward end and an inward end of a socket, and a face of the first flange on the side of an inward end thereof is bonded to an article body of the refractory article through a sealing material. Further, a face of the first flange on the side of an outward end thereof faces a metal plate disposed around the outward end or a second flange provided on the side of the outward end, through a low thermally-conductive material layer made of a low thermally-conductive material having a thermal conductivity at room temperature of 40 (W/(m.Math.K)) or less.

A method of controlling an electromagnetic stirrer arranged around a submerged entry nozzle (SEN) of a tundish provided with a stopper rod to control throughput of the tundish, the SEN being configured to provide tapping of molten metal from the tundish and the electromagnetic stirrer being configured to generate a rotating magnetic field in the SEN, wherein the method includes controlling the electromagnetic stirrer to operate only when a gas flow rate through the stopper rod is in a first range of 1.5 NL/min to 20 NL/min.

A method of controlling an electromagnetic stirrer arranged around a submerged entry nozzle (SEN) of a tundish provided with a stopper rod to control throughput of the tundish, the SEN being configured to provide tapping of molten metal from the tundish and the electromagnetic stirrer being configured to generate a rotating magnetic field in the SEN, wherein the method includes controlling the electromagnetic stirrer to operate only when a gas flow rate through the stopper rod is in a first range of 1.5 NL/min to 20 NL/min.

Disclosed is a casting nozzle intended to suppress or prevent breaking of a nozzle body thereof. The casting nozzle comprises: a nozzle body; a metal casing disposed to surround an upper end of the nozzle body to form a gas pool between an outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the nozzle body and an inner peripheral surface of the metal casing; and a bridging segment provided in at least a part of the gas pool to bridge between the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the nozzle body and the inner peripheral surface of the metal casing.

Disclosed is a casting nozzle intended to suppress or prevent breaking of a nozzle body thereof. The casting nozzle comprises: a nozzle body; a metal casing disposed to surround an upper end of the nozzle body to form a gas pool between an outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the nozzle body and an inner peripheral surface of the metal casing; and a bridging segment provided in at least a part of the gas pool to bridge between the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the nozzle body and the inner peripheral surface of the metal casing.

A casting apparatus for producing castings using molds each having a sprue, comprising a mold-conveying means for conveying molds each containing a melt poured through the sprue; nozzles each having a gas-introducing opening attachable to and detachable from the sprue; nozzle-attaching/detaching means each moving each nozzle to attach and detach the gas-introducing opening to and from the sprue; moving means for moving the nozzle-attaching/detaching means, such that the nozzle-attaching/detaching means moves following a mold conveyed by the mold-conveying means, while keeping the connection of the gas-introducing opening to the sprue by the nozzle-attaching/detaching means; and a gas supply means connected to each nozzle for supplying a gas to the gas-introducing opening.