Sampler for hot metal

A sampler for taking samples from a molten metal bath, particularly a molten iron, the sampler comprising:

• a carrier tube having an immersion end;
• a sample chamber assembly arranged on the immersion end of the carrier tube, the sample chamber assembly comprising a cover plate and a housing,
• characterized in that the housing includes:
• an immersion end having a first opening for an inflow conduit and an opposing end having a second opening for a gas coupler;
• and
• a first face extending between the immersion end and the opposing end, the first face having a first depression proximate the immersion end and a second depression, the first depression being an analysis zone and the second depression being a ventilation zone, a portion of the analysis zone overlying a distribution zone which is in direct flow communication with the first opening and configured to receive the molten iron from the inflow conduit,
• wherein a depth of the analysis zone is 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm,
• wherein the cover plate and the housing are configured to be assembled together to form a sample cavity including the distribution zone, the analysis zone and the ventilation zone, wherein the assembled cover plate and housing are configured to chill the molten iron received therein to a solidified white structure metal sample, such that an analysis surface of the solidified white structure metal sample lies in a first plane, and
• wherein the first and second openings are spaced apart from the first plane.