1.When the ladle is used for the first time:

First, conduct a comprehensive inspection of all parts of the ladle, especially the gantry hook, various protective devices, and safety components. If any damage is found, replace them immediately. Before initial use, perform a double load test on the ladle.

2.Repair of ladle lining

The material of refractory materials (including refractory bricks, refractory mud, and refractory slurry) should be appropriately selected according to the type of molten steel. For example, ordinary carbon steel uses silicon refractory materials; ordinary alloy steel uses aluminum refractory materials; and manganese steel uses magnesium refractory materials.

1.The following sequence must be followed when using a plug rod type ladle: the steel nozzle and refractory layer must be constructed;

(1) Install the casting brick at the bottom of the ladle. The casting brick should be ground with the plug brick before installation.

(2) Install the seat brick.

(3) Lining the bottom and wall of the ladle with refractory bricks. The bottom part of the ladle should be repaired with a slope of 1/20 in the direction of the nozzle. For a used ladle, if the refractory layer erosion is not large, only the refractory bricks of the nozzle can be replaced to repair the partial refractory layer.

(4) Before using the plug rod, the refractory material must be constructed in the following sequence: Pass the plug rod through the ground plug brick and fix it with it. Put the sleeve brick on the plug rod and fill the space between the sleeve brick hole and the plug rod with dry fine sand or asbestos powder. The plug brick and the contact surface of the sleeve brick should be coated with refractory mud. Add a pressure cap to the end of the sleeve brick and press the sleeve brick tightly with a nut through the pressure cap.

2.Sliding nozzle type: First install the sliding nozzle seat brick, and then build the refractory material according to the specified refractory material thickness.

3.Ladle baking

Install the plug rod, after installing the refractory material, on the cross arm. During installation, be sure to adjust the concentricity between the plug head brick and the casting mouth brick to ensure a tight seal. After adjustment, securely secure the plug rod to the cross arm with a nut.
After assembly, a newly repaired refractory ladle should be thoroughly baked six hours before use. The baking temperature should be gradually increased from low to high (800°C, constant temperature for 1 hour).
Lower the hanger during the baking of the ladle. The ladle can be baked using coal or natural gas. The baking time for used ladles can be shortened, but the baking time should be at least 2 hours and the baking temperature should be at least 800°C.

4.When using ladle casting

Before pouring, first check that the safety latch is secure.
Align the ladle’s spout with the mold’s cup opening.
Before pouring, use a lever to compress the stopper rod. At the same time, loosen the locking bolts to position the ladle for pouring. During pouring, slowly lift the stopper rod. The molten metal will flow out from the bottom nozzle. The greater the distance the stopper rod is lifted, the greater the flow rate. Therefore, levers can be used to control the pouring speed.
After pouring, inspect the nozzle brick, plug brick, and sleeve brick at the nozzle for severe corrosion, cracks, or other damage. If damaged, replace them. If not, clean any adhering metal debris or other debris and continue using the ladle. (Generally, the casting mouth bricks, plug bricks, and sleeve bricks are replaced after each ladle of molten steel.)
When using a sliding-gate ladle, pay attention to the drainage sand in the nozzle. When pouring castings, first open the sliding-gate mechanism to release some molten steel (to remove the drainage sand) to prevent the drainage sand from entering the casting and affecting its quality.

After the ladle is used, the damaged refractory material should be removed and the refractory material should be rebuilt. At the same time, the ladle should be inspected, including the hanger, lifting rings, beams, safety devices, plug rod and plug rod drive device and sliding nozzle device.