A diffusion component for impregnating molten steel with a gas includes a barrier having a first side and a second side, a through-hole formed within the barrier, the through-hole connecting the first side to the second side, and a porous element arranged within the through-hole such that the flow of molten steel passes over the porous element. At least one flow disrupter is arranged relative to the porous element and configured to promote non-laminar flow of molten steel passing through the through-hole.

A diffusion component for impregnating molten steel with a gas includes a barrier having a first side and a second side, a through-hole formed within the barrier, the through-hole connecting the first side to the second side, and a porous element arranged within the through-hole such that the flow of molten steel passes over the porous element. At least one flow disrupter is arranged relative to the porous element and configured to promote non-laminar flow of molten steel passing through the through-hole.

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 for producing an ultra-low carbon steel product having a carbon concentration of 0.005% by mass or less includes, at least, a step of adjusting a carbon concentration of molten iron to obtain molten steel, a step of casting the molten steel into a slab, and a step of hot rolling the slab to obtain a hot-rolled steel sheet, in which the method further includes a width reduction step of performing width reduction on the slab with a reduction amount which is predetermined in accordance with the slab width in a direction orthogonal to the rolling direction of the slab.

A diffusion component for impregnating molten steel with a gas includes a barrier having a first side and a second side, a through-hole formed within the barrier, the through-hole connecting the first side to the second side, and a porous element arranged within the through-hole such that the flow of molten steel passes over the porous element. At least one flow disrupter is arranged relative to the porous element and configured to promote non-laminar flow of molten steel passing through the through-hole.

A diffusion component for impregnating molten steel with a gas includes a barrier having a first side and a second side, a through-hole formed within the barrier, the through-hole connecting the first side to the second side, and a porous element arranged within the through-hole such that the flow of molten steel passes over the porous element. At least one flow disrupter is arranged relative to the porous element and configured to promote non-laminar flow of molten steel passing through the through-hole.

A method and apparatus for direct chill casting of metals and metal alloys which includes application of vibrational energy to the molten material in an open-ended mold and at the outlet of the mold are provided. In an aspect, the method is directed to the production of cast aluminum alloys.

A method and apparatus for direct chill casting of metals and metal alloys which includes application of vibrational energy to the molten material in an open-ended mold and at the outlet of the mold are provided. In an aspect, the method is directed to the production of cast aluminum alloys.

Apparatus to control continuous casting, comprising a mold provided with at least one entrance end through which liquid metal is introduced. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the apparatus to control continuous casting comprises at least one electromagnetic brake associated with the mold, configured to induce in the liquid metal recirculation flows, and a control and command unit connected at least to the electromagnetic brake and configured to manage the functioning thereof.