Monoblock Stoppers for Tundish Flow Control

A monoblock stopper (or stopper rod) is an isostatically pressed alumina-graphite refractory rod used in continuous casting. It seats into the tundish nozzle and moves up and down to regulate the flow of molten steel into the mould. A zirconia-carbon nose insert resists erosion at the sealing point for accurate, stable flow control.

The stopper nose seats against the tundish nozzle bore. Raising or lowering the rod opens or throttles the gap, metering steel into the mould and holding a stable mould level. Automatic mould-level control systems move the stopper continuously, which prevents vortexing and slag entrainment and improves steel cleanliness.

Many stoppers have an internal argon line that purges gas through the nose. The argon flow prevents alumina build-up (clogging) at the sealing surface, critical when casting aluminium-killed steels, and helps keep the flow path clean through long sequence casts. Argon-purging stopper designs are available.

Both control steel flow but in different positions. A slide gate uses sliding refractory plates at the ladle or tundish bottom. A monoblock stopper is a rod that seats into the tundish nozzle to control flow into the mould. Many casters use a slide gate on the ladle and a stopper rod on the tundish.

Yes. Shanker Agencies supplies monoblock stoppers matched to your tundish well nozzle and caster type, including argon-purging designs for anti-clogging on aluminium-killed steels, with matching tundish nozzles and flow-control refractories.