The invention relates to an induction crucible furnace and to a magnetic return element for an induction crucible furnace. The induction crucible furnace has a corresponding coil and a plurality of magnetic return elements, which are designed in the form of individual units arranged on the outer lateral surface of the coil with peripheral spacing. In order to guide the magnetic flux produced by the coil, the magnetic return elements each have an assembly consisting of a plurality of elongate individual elements of magnetically permeable material that are electrically insulated from each other and extend parallel to the furnace axis. Said individual elements consist at least partially of bars, which are electrically insulated from each other and the longitudinal axes of which extend parallel to the furnace axis. In this way, both eddy currents that hit the assembly from the radial direction and eddy currents that hit the assembly with a transverse component are minimized.

The invention relates to an induction crucible furnace and to a magnetic return element for an induction crucible furnace. The induction crucible furnace has a corresponding coil and a plurality of magnetic return elements, which are designed in the form of individual units arranged on the outer lateral surface of the coil with peripheral spacing. In order to guide the magnetic flux produced by the coil, the magnetic return elements each have an assembly consisting of a plurality of elongate individual elements of magnetically permeable material that are electrically insulated from each other and extend parallel to the furnace axis. Said individual elements consist at least partially of bars, which are electrically insulated from each other and the longitudinal axes of which extend parallel to the furnace axis. In this way, both eddy currents that hit the assembly from the radial direction and eddy currents that hit the assembly with a transverse component are minimized.

A method and device for treating a metal or a molten metal alloy using an addition agent, wherein the addition agent is deposited in a local cavity arranged at the bottom of a treatment ladle and surrounded by a protruding wall, and a closing member connected to movement means is able to form, with the bottom of the treatment ladle, in a low insulating position, a chamber including said local cavity and comprising an intermediate annular space around the small wall. Application to the treatment of a molten cast iron using pure magnesium or magnesium alloy.

A cold crucible may include a plurality of fingers extending in an axial direction and arranged in a circumferential direction, and a slit between each pair of adjacent fingers. The cold crucible may also include at least one insert in each of the slits. The at least one insert may include a first component made of a soft magnetic composite material, and a second component made of a soft magnetic component.