The Stopper Rod is a critical functional refractory component installed inside the tundish to precisely control the flow of molten steel from the tundish to the mold during continuous casting. Working together with the upper nozzle system, the stopper rod regulates steel throughput, stabilizes casting speed, and ensures tight shut-off at the end of each casting sequence.
Xintai Refractory manufactures high-performance integral stopper rods designed to meet the demanding conditions of modern steel plants. Our stopper rods are available in alumina-carbon and magnesia-carbon compositions to accommodate different steel grades, slag environments, and casting temperatures. Through advanced numerical modeling and customized tip design, we provide optimized solutions for bloom casters, billet casters, rectangular billet casters, round billet casters, slab casters, and thin slab casters.
Technical Specifications
| Items | Alumina-Carbon Type | Magnesia-Carbon Type |
|---|---|---|
| Al₂O₃ (%) ≥ | 50 | 45 |
| C + SiC (%) ≥ | 15 | 20 |
| MgO (%) ≥ | — | 56 |
| Bulk Density (g/cm³) ≥ | 2.6 | 2.4 |
| Apparent Porosity (%) ≤ | 16 | 17 |
Key Features
- Precise Flow Control: Installed in the tundish, the stopper rod accurately regulates molten steel flow to the mold, ensuring stable casting speed and consistent mold level.
- Excellent Erosion Resistance: Optimized carbon and SiC content enhances resistance to molten steel scouring, reducing tip wear and extending service life during long casting sequences.
- Strong Corrosion Resistance: Alumina-carbon and magnesia-carbon materials effectively resist slag penetration and chemical attack, maintaining reliable performance under different steel grades.
- Superior Thermal Shock Stability: Balanced microstructure and controlled porosity minimize cracking and spalling caused by rapid temperature changes during casting.
- Reliable Tight Closure: Provides secure sealing after casting, preventing steel leakage and ensuring safe, efficient operation throughout extended casting campaigns.
Typical Applications
Xintai Stopper Rods are widely used in:
Carbon steel continuous casting
Alloy steel casting
Stainless steel casting
High-speed billet casting lines
Slab and thin slab casting machines
Long sequence casting operations
They are suitable for both medium and large-scale steel plants requiring stable performance, reduced downtime, and improved casting yield.
Production Details of Submerged Entry Nozzle
Raw Material Selection
We carefully select high-purity alumina, fused magnesia, graphite, and silicon carbide to ensure consistent chemical composition and mechanical strength.
Mixing and Forming
Precise batching and high-efficiency mixing systems guarantee uniform distribution of carbon and ceramic aggregates. Advanced isostatic pressing or vibration forming techniques are used to achieve high density and structural uniformity.
Machining and Tip Processing
After firing or resin bonding, each stopper rod undergoes precision machining to ensure accurate dimensions, smooth surface finish, and precise fit with tundish nozzles.
Packing and Shipping Details
To ensure safe delivery and prevent damage during transportation, Xintai Refractory applies professional packaging standards:
Individual protective wrapping for each stopper rod
Foam or shock-absorbing material to protect the tip
Wooden export pallets or fumigated wooden cases
Moisture-proof film wrapping
Clear product labeling for easy identification
We support sea freight, rail freight, and truck transportation according to customer requirements. Custom packaging solutions are also available upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between alumina-carbon and magnesia-carbon stopper rods?
Alumina-carbon stopper rods are generally suitable for conventional carbon steel casting conditions, offering strong erosion resistance and good thermal shock stability. Magnesia-carbon stopper rods provide superior resistance to basic slag environments and are preferred for certain alloy or special steel grades.
Q2: How do I choose the correct stopper rod for my casting machine?
Selection depends on steel grade, casting temperature, slag composition, casting speed, and caster type. Our technical team can recommend suitable material and tip design based on your operational parameters.
Q3. How long is the service life of a stopper rod?
Yes. We provide fully customized designs including rod length, diameter, tip geometry, and connection type to match your tundish and casting system.
Q4: Can you customize the size and material composition?
Service life depends on casting conditions and steel grade. Under normal operation, our stopper rods are designed to support long casting sequences with stable performance and minimal wear.
Q5: Do you provide technical support?
Yes. Xintai Refractory offers technical consultation, on-site support (when required), and continuous improvement recommendations based on plant feedback.
