A stopper rod and a method for providing a uniform gas curtain around a stopper rod

Stopper rod (100) for controlling the flow of molten metal and for supplying gas during casting of molten metal, said stopper rod (100) comprising:

• 1.1 a rod-shaped stopper body (101), said rod-shaped stopper body (101)
• 1.1.1 extending along a central longitudinal axis (L) from a first end (105) to a second end (107),
• 1.1.2 said rod-shaped stopper body (101) defining a nose (103) adjacent to said second end (107), wherein
• 1.1.3 said nose (103) provides an exterior surface;
• 1.2 a chamber (109), said chamber (109)
• 1.2.1 extending along said central longitudinal axis (L) into said stopper body (101) from said first end (105) towards said second end (107) and ending at a distance from said second end (107);
• 1.3 a channel (111), said channel (111)
• 1.3.1 being provided on said exterior surface of said nose (103), and
• 1.3.2 running around said longitudinal axis (L);
• 1.4 gas supply means (123), said gas supply means (123)
• 1.4.1 leading from said chamber (109) and through said rod-shaped stopper body (101) into said channel (111).