Submerged Pouring Tubes
The VESUVIUS Sub-Entry Nozzle (SEN) is a one-piece ceramic tube. The ceramic tube can be manufactured from either extruded clay graphite (VAPEX™) or isostatically pressed alumina graphite (VISO™). Each process is custom designed to meet customer requirements.
The SEN prevents re-oxidation by shrouding the steel stream and is custom designed to distribute steel in a controlled manner. When combined with the Tundish Stopper it will give consistent steel pouring control for all steel compositions and casting conditions. The VESUVIUS extruded or isostatically pressed SEN is designed to last for the casting period required by the customer.
For superior long life performance VESUVIUS offers a selection of features:
- Erosion resistance
- Seat (inlet) area offering reliable flow control in conjunction with a stopper
- Slag line materials offering mechanical and chemical resistance
- Anti-Clogging mixes to prevent alumina build up allowing longer casting times
- Argon injection with a permeable liner
- Specific anti-clogging bore geometry designed to ensure consistent flow throughout the cast
- Slag line sleeve materials designed to prevent Longitudinal Face Cracking or steel defects
VESUVIUS can now offer a new generation of SEN designed using principles learned from our technological leadership in Thin Slab Casting.
The VESUVIUS Subentry Shroud (SES) is designed to perform the functions of the Subentry nozzle from the tundish to the mould. The shroud is connected to the Tundish Nozzle or the bottom plate of a Tundish Slide Gate to form an effective seal and to protect the steel stream.
The full range of VESUVIUS materials used in the Subentry Nozzle are available for use in the Subentry Shroud to allow their use for any steel grades and casting conditions.
The connection between the refractory components needs to be tight to ensure that there is no air ingress resulting in steel re-oxidation and nitrogen pick-up with consequent steel downgrading.
This phenomenon is emphasized by the Venturi effect due to the steel flow and by the negative pressure inside the refractory components.
VESUVIUS provides a wide range of gasket types to ensure the best possible joint sealing. The gasket materials and dimensions are custom designed to suit customers' operating conditions.
The benefits from incorporating airtight VESUVIUS Gaskets are:
- Reduce nitrogen pick-up.
- Improved steel cleanliness by preventing the formation of inclusions due to re-oxidation.
- Reduced incidences of nozzle blockage due to re-oxidation and alumina formation.
- Reduce damage to collector nozzles.
- Better sealing of re-used ladle shrouds, due to the flexibility of the gasket.
- Easy application and removal after use.
Air Tight Gasket Types
- Ceramic Fibre
- Cut Fibre
- Vacuum Formed
- Impregnated for superior performance
- VG Sealbind ceramic gasket (with or without anti-stick graphite)
- Tempseal compressible refractory seals
- VG Graphite high temperature seals
Metal Tight Gaskets
VESUVIUS SEALBIND™ Metal Tight mortar gaskets are used primarily in the joint between slide gate top plates and inner nozzles. This pre-packaged mortar gasket provides an easy to use, safe, reliable gasket which is always " fresh from the packet ". There is no wastage and the joint is always the correct thickness. The gasket is made to exacting tolerances to suit the customers' gate system.