Continuous casting apparatus and a method of using the same

A subentry nozzle for conducting a molten metal from a tundish into a continuous casting mold comprising:

• a gas permeable tubular member for carrying a vertical stream of molten metal from a tundish into a continuous casting mold, said tubular member extending from the tundish and having lateral output ports located at lower end portions, said lateral output ports being disposed below the level of molten metal in said mold;
• a base portion for diverting the vertical stream of molten metal through said lateral output ports;
• and
• gas passageways located internally within said gas permeable tubular member and extending into said base portion, said passageways conducting a gas through inner surface portions of said tubular member and said base portion to retard metal oxide accumulations on said inner surface portions as molten metal is delivered to said mold through the tubular member.

A method of delivering molten material below the surface of a body of molten material comprising the steps of:

• A. proviing a tubular member having a molten material conduit therethrough with porous inner wall portions for delivering a flow of molten material downwardly to below an upper surface of a body of molten material and a base portion for diverting the direction of flow of said molten material at the lower end of said conduit, said tubular member and said base portion having porous inner wall portions;
• B. passing a selected fluid medium through a passageway formed in wall members of said tubular member and base portion to said porous inner wall portions;
• and
• C. percolating said selected fluid medium through said porous inner wall portions of said tubular member and said base portion to retard accumulation of material on the molten material conduit and said base portion as said flow of molten material is delivered downwardly through said tubular member.