1. Introduction

Thetundish metering nozzle is a critical refractory component in continuous casting, serving as the final flow-control element between the tundish and the mold or submerged entry nozzle. Its performance directly influences casting stability, steel cleanliness, surface quality, productivity, and operational safety. Despite continuous improvements in refractory materials and casting technology, tundish metering nozzles remain vulnerable to a range of operational, metallurgical, thermal, and mechanical problems.

1. Introduction

The monoblock stopper rod is a critical flow-control refractory component used in modern continuous casting operations. Installed in the tundish, it regulates molten steel flow into the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) by precise vertical movement. Compared with traditional multi-piece stopper systems, monoblock stopper rods offer advantages such as improved structural integrity, better sealing performance, and more stable casting control.

 tundish Stopper

However, cracking of monoblock stopper rods remains one of the most common and serious operational problems.

1. Introduction

The monoblock stopper rod is a critical flow-control refractory component used in modern continuous casting operations. Installed in the tundish, it regulates molten steel flow into the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) by precise vertical movement. Compared with traditional multi-piece stopper systems, monoblock stopper rods offer advantages such as improved structural integrity, better sealing performance, and more stable casting control.

 tundish Stopper

However, cracking of monoblock stopper rods remains one of the most common and serious operational problems.

1. Introduction

In modern continuous casting operations, the tundish nozzle plays a crucial role in regulating molten steel flow from the tundish into the Submerged Entry Nozzle (SEN) or directly into the mold. Its reliability and flow-control stability directly impact mold level fluctuation, inclusion removal, casting speed, steel cleanliness, and overall process efficiency. Among various nozzle types, the isostatic tundish nozzle—also known as the isostatically pressed tundish nozzle—has emerged as a high-performance solution due to its superior density, strength, and anti-erosion characteristics.

During the continuous casting operation of the continuous casting machine, the stable use of the ladle long nozzle, the tundish stopper rod and the immersed nozzle is the key to achieving high-reliability continuous casting. The use of the tundish stopper rod mainly causes the adhesion of inclusions and the erosion of the stopper rod head. The slag-making process optimization and calcium treatment can effectively solve the problem of inclusion adhesion. Therefore, the stopper rod erosion problem has become the key to affecting the stable continuous casting operation.

Slide gate plate is the key part in the slide gate systems. Function is to control the flow rate of molten steel.
The slide plate is exposed to high temperature molten steel repeatedly, especially the cast hole part, the erosion is serious,
this require the slide plates obtaining features of  High strength, excellent corrosion resistance, anti-stripping, to ensure no steel leak during pouring process.

Alumina-carbon, alumina-zirconia-carbon, magnesia-alumina-spinel slide gate plates and corundum, alumina-carbon, mullite, magnesia-alumina-spinel upper and down slide nozzles are made of quality materials with phenolic resin binder through pitch impregnation in vacuum and mid temperature treatment.

Operators often see cracks and damage in ladle shrouds, long nozzles, and refractory parts. This happens because of a few main reasons:

·        Fast temperature changes can cause thermal shock and peeling.

·        Mechanical stress comes from handling, hitting, or working forces.

·        Hot slag and molten steel can wear down and get into the parts.

·        Material problems like tiny holes or mistakes made during making.

·        Issues with design, how things line up, or how they fit together.