Mononozzle
A combination of tundish nozzle and sliding-gate-type stationary plate as one item, through which steel pours from tundish to mould, and the sliding surface of which facilitates the tube change. All mononozzles have argon protection to the sliding surface and the majority have argon supply to the stopper seating area, although “solid” nozzles are available for use with e.g. CaSi treated steels if necessary.
Safety Blank Plate
Blind sliding-gate-type plate used in emergency, and at the end of cast, to stem the flow of steel from the mononozzle.
Preheat
Sliding-gate-type plate with a hole the same diameter as the mononozzle, used for setting-up the tube change mechanism and, if appropriate, preheating the nozzle well area and stopper with a vertically firing burner.
Bubbler Housing & Well Blocks
High wear-resistant pre-cast product that manages localised turbulence and maintains uniform dimensional control, enabling seating of the purge plug.
Ladle Upper Nozzle
Part of the ladle gate system mounted into the Well Block above the lower nozzle (alternatively upper & lower sometimes as one piece).
Purge Plug
Enables the introduction of purging gas through a heat of molten metal in a ladle.