A threading apparatus for transporting an electrode plate includes an oven, a first guide rail and a second guide rail, and a threading assembly. The first guide rail and the second guide rail are spaced apart from each other inside the oven in a first direction. A first opening and a second opening are respectively provided on a surface of the first guide rail and a surface of the second guide rail that face each other. Two ends of the threading assembly in the first direction are movably disposed in the first guide rail and the second guide rail through the first opening and the second opening, respectively. The threading assembly is configured to be connected to the electrode plate for transporting the electrode plate inside the oven.

A threading apparatus for transporting an electrode plate includes an oven, a first guide rail and a second guide rail, and a threading assembly. The first guide rail and the second guide rail are spaced apart from each other inside the oven in a first direction. A first opening and a second opening are respectively provided on a surface of the first guide rail and a surface of the second guide rail that face each other. Two ends of the threading assembly in the first direction are movably disposed in the first guide rail and the second guide rail through the first opening and the second opening, respectively. The threading assembly is configured to be connected to the electrode plate for transporting the electrode plate inside the oven.

A refractory article having a support structure including a first plurality of posts coupled by a first member; and a second plurality of posts substantially parallel with the first plurality of posts, the second plurality of posts coupled by a second member, wherein the support structure has a height, H, and wherein the first and second members are positioned between 0.3H and 0.7H. In another aspect, the support structure has a height to width ratio of at least 1.5, a stiffness factor of no greater than 100 mm, and a solid to open volume ratio of no greater than 5%. In another aspect, the support structure has a weight of no greater than 1200 kg, a stiffness factor of no greater than 100 mm, and a solid to open volume ratio of no greater than 5%.

A refractory article having a support structure including a first plurality of posts coupled by a first member; and a second plurality of posts substantially parallel with the first plurality of posts, the second plurality of posts coupled by a second member, wherein the support structure has a height, H, and wherein the first and second members are positioned between 0.3H and 0.7H. In another aspect, the support structure has a height to width ratio of at least 1.5, a stiffness factor of no greater than 100 mm, and a solid to open volume ratio of no greater than 5%. In another aspect, the support structure has a weight of no greater than 1200 kg, a stiffness factor of no greater than 100 mm, and a solid to open volume ratio of no greater than 5%.

Provided is a method for continuously producing a silicon nitride sintered compact for enabling a continuous production of silicon nitride sintered compacts by sintering using a silicon nitride powder having a high β-phase rate. A fired compact 1 housed in a firing jig 2 contains a silicon nitride powder having at least 80% of β-transition rate and 7 to 20 m.sup.2/g of specific surface area together with a sintering additive, where the total content of aluminum element is adjusted not to exceed 800 ppm. The firing jig 2 is supplied into a continuous firing furnace equipped with a closed-type firing container 5 having at its end portions a supplying openable door 3 and a discharging openable door 4 for supplying and discharging the firing jig, a heating mechanism 6 provided on the body periphery of the firing container 5, a conveyance mechanism for supplying/discharging the firing jig into/from the firing container, and a gas-supplying mechanism for supplying an inert gas into the firing container, so that the silicon nitride is heated to a temperature in the range of 1200 to 1800° C. in an inert gas atmosphere and at a pressure of not less than 0 MPa.Math.G and less than 0.1 MPa.Math.G so as to be sintered.

Provided is a method for continuously producing a silicon nitride sintered compact for enabling a continuous production of silicon nitride sintered compacts by sintering using a silicon nitride powder having a high β-phase rate. A fired compact 1 housed in a firing jig 2 contains a silicon nitride powder having at least 80% of β-transition rate and 7 to 20 m.sup.2/g of specific surface area together with a sintering additive, where the total content of aluminum element is adjusted not to exceed 800 ppm. The firing jig 2 is supplied into a continuous firing furnace equipped with a closed-type firing container 5 having at its end portions a supplying openable door 3 and a discharging openable door 4 for supplying and discharging the firing jig, a heating mechanism 6 provided on the body periphery of the firing container 5, a conveyance mechanism for supplying/discharging the firing jig into/from the firing container, and a gas-supplying mechanism for supplying an inert gas into the firing container, so that the silicon nitride is heated to a temperature in the range of 1200 to 1800° C. in an inert gas atmosphere and at a pressure of not less than 0 MPa.Math.G and less than 0.1 MPa.Math.G so as to be sintered.

A refractory article having a support structure including a first plurality of posts coupled by a first member; and a second plurality of posts substantially parallel with the first plurality of posts, the second plurality of posts coupled by a second member, wherein the support structure has a height, H, and wherein the first and second members are positioned between 0.3H and 0.7H. In another aspect, the support structure has a height to width ratio of at least 1.5, a stiffness factor of no greater than 100 mm, and a solid to open volume ratio of no greater than 5%. In another aspect, the support structure has a weight of no greater than 1200 kg, a stiffness factor of no greater than 100 mm, and a solid to open volume ratio of no greater than 5%.

A refractory article having a support structure including a first plurality of posts coupled by a first member; and a second plurality of posts substantially parallel with the first plurality of posts, the second plurality of posts coupled by a second member, wherein the support structure has a height, H, and wherein the first and second members are positioned between 0.3H and 0.7H. In another aspect, the support structure has a height to width ratio of at least 1.5, a stiffness factor of no greater than 100 mm, and a solid to open volume ratio of no greater than 5%. In another aspect, the support structure has a weight of no greater than 1200 kg, a stiffness factor of no greater than 100 mm, and a solid to open volume ratio of no greater than 5%.

A shell (10) acts as a transporting shoe for steel ingots, which are pushed through a preferably tubular induction furnace for inductive heating for the purpose of producing seamless tubes by the extrusion process. The shell (10) is formed in such a way that it partially reaches around the contour of the steel ingot to be heated. The shell is provided at one end leading in the pushing-through direction or transporting direction, with a shoulder (12), which extends at an angle to the transporting direction, against which the steel ingot rests in such a way that the pushed-through steel ingot takes the shell (10) along with it. A method for inductively heating steel ingots uses a shell (10) as described.

A shell (10) acts as a transporting shoe for steel ingots, which are pushed through a preferably tubular induction furnace for inductive heating for the purpose of producing seamless tubes by the extrusion process. The shell (10) is formed in such a way that it partially reaches around the contour of the steel ingot to be heated. The shell is provided at one end leading in the pushing-through direction or transporting direction, with a shoulder (12), which extends at an angle to the transporting direction, against which the steel ingot rests in such a way that the pushed-through steel ingot takes the shell (10) along with it. A method for inductively heating steel ingots uses a shell (10) as described.