The Ladle Shroud manufactured by Xintai Refractory is a key flow control refractory used between the ladle and tundish in continuous casting. Its primary function is to protect the molten steel stream from re-oxidation, minimize nitrogen pick-up, prevent temperature loss, and ensure a stable and safe steel transfer process.
Produced using ISO-pressed Al₂O₃–C (graphite–alumina) materials, Xintai ladle shrouds offer excellent resistance to erosion, corrosion, oxidation, and thermal shock. With more than 20 years of manufacturing and application experience, we are able to design and supply customized ladle shroud solutions tailored to different steel grades, tundish practices, and casting conditions.
Technical Specifications
| Item | LST-45 | LSZ-55 |
|---|---|---|
| Application Zone | Body / Slag Line | Body / Slag Line |
| Al₂O₃ (%) ≥ | 45 (Typical: 53.34) | 55 (Typical: 60.5) |
| SiO₂ (%) ≤ | 20 (Typical: 14.82) | 10 (Typical: 5.2) |
| C (%) ≥ | 20 (Typical: 25.81) | 22 (Typical: 25.6) |
| ZrO₂ (%) ≥ | – | 3 (Typical: 4.98) |
| Cold Rupture Strength (MPa) ≥ | 6 (Typical: 9.6) | 4 |
| Apparent Porosity (%) ≤ | 18 (Typical: 15.5) | 19 |
| Bulk Density (g/cm³) ≥ | 2.35 (Typical: 2.41) | 2.35 (Typical: 2.54) |
| Refractoriness (℃) | 1580–1770 | 1580–1770 |
| Shape | Pipe | Pipe |
Key Features
Excellent Protection Against Re-oxidation: Fully shrouds the molten steel stream, preventing contact with air and minimizing oxygen and nitrogen absorption.
Superior Thermal Shock Resistance: The graphite–alumina composition withstands rapid temperature fluctuations during ladle opening and casting.
Long Service Life: High resistance to erosion, corrosion, and oxidation ensures extended casting sequences and reduced replacement frequency.
Stable and Streamlined Steel Flow: Optimized bore designs reduce turbulence, splashing, and powder entrapment in the tundish.
Argon Injection Compatibility: Can be equipped with argon sealing and injection systems to prevent air ingress, remove inclusions, and reduce alumina build-up.
Easy Installation: ISO-pressed structure allows quick installation with no mandatory preheating required.
Typical Applications
Continuous casting of:
Alloy steel
Low-carbon and ultra-low-carbon steel
Clean steel grades with strict inclusion control
Used between ladle and tundish in:
Billet casting machines
Bloom casting machines
Slab casting machines
Operations requiring:
Submerged opening practice
Extended pouring time
High cleanliness steel production
Production Details
Manufacturing Process: ISO pressing
Material System: Al₂O₃–C (Graphite–Alumina), optional ZrO₂ reinforcement
Bore Design Options:
Direct taper shroud
Reverse taper shroud
Bell-shaped (flared) shroud for submerged opening
Optional Enhancements:
Erosion-resistant inner liner
Specialized slag-line formulations (acid or basic flux)
Argon sealing groove and injection channels
Each ladle shroud is designed based on the customer’s continuous casting machine layout, steel grade, pouring time, and operating practice to ensure optimal performance.
Packing and Shipping Details
Packing Method:
Individual protective wrapping
Packed in fumigated wooden crates or steel-framed pallets
Internal Protection:
Shock-absorbing materials to prevent cracking during transport
Shipping Methods:
Sea freight (FCL / LCL)
Land transport
Standard Lead Time:
Approximately 45 working days for bulk orders
Custom designs subject to confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the typical service life of a ladle shroud?
Service life depends on steel grade, pouring temperature, and casting duration. Under normal operating conditions, our ladle shrouds provide stable performance over extended casting sequences.
Q2: Can ladle shrouds be customized?
Yes. Length, bore diameter, taper design, material composition, and argon injection features can all be customized to match specific casting equipment.
Q3. Is preheating required before use?
Preheating is not mandatory. However, gradual preheating is recommended to further enhance thermal shock resistance and service life.
Q4: Can the ladle shroud be used with argon sealing systems?
Absolutely. Our ladle shrouds are designed to work seamlessly with argon sealing and argon injection technologies to prevent air infiltration and improve steel cleanliness.
Q5: What steel grades are suitable for graphite–alumina ladle shrouds?
They are suitable for most steel grades, including clean steel applications requiring low oxygen and nitrogen content.
