Dyson Technical Ceramics Zirconia Metering Nozzles, Crucibles and Slide Gate Inserts

Selection and quotation of Dyson Technical Ceramics products: ZPZ tundish metering nozzles, Zircatom atomising nozzles, slide gate inserts, crucibles and STANNEX electrodes.

ZPZ zirconia tundish metering nozzles

Metering nozzles for continuous billet production combine a zirconia insert with an alumina, zircon or bauxite body. The body is pressed directly around the insert, with no cement joint. For exchangeable systems Dyson makes upper nozzles with ZPZ, lower nozzles with ZPZ-D and blank nozzles.

ZPZ insert for upper nozzles
ZPZ-D insert for lower nozzles
No cement joint
Blank nozzles to shut a strand

Zircatom zirconia atomising nozzles

Zircatom zirconia nozzles serve water and gas atomisation of ferrous and non-ferrous melts in metal powder production. Zircatom OZA is yttria stabilised, while Zircatom MCA is ceria and magnesia stabilised for thermal shock resistance. Zircon nozzles are made mainly for iron atomisation.

Zircatom OZA: yttria stabilised
Zircatom MCA: ceria and magnesia
Melts from 800 °C to over 2000 °C
Zircon nozzles for iron

MX and MZE zirconia sliding gate plate inserts

High density zirconia inserts are used within a pressed or cast refractory sliding gate plate. Once the plate is worn, the worn material is removed and a zirconia insert is cemented in its place, extending plate life. Standard and custom insert designs are available.

MX: 95% zirconia
MZE: 96.5% zirconia
Cemented into the worn plate
Custom insert designs

Isostatically pressed zirconia crucibles

Crucibles in partially stabilised zirconia serve air and vacuum induction melting of platinum group metals, nickel and cobalt based superalloys and uranium. Calcia, magnesia or yttria act as stabilising agents, and each grade has its own thermal properties.

ISO-Zirconia M: vacuum furnaces
ISO-Zirconia C and C2: air and vacuum
ISO-Zirconia Y: yttria stabilised
PGMs and superalloys

Alumina, alumina mullite and AZ76 crucibles

Isostatically pressed alumina based crucibles melt carbon and stainless steels, palladium, and nickel and cobalt based alloys. A97 is high fired alumina, while AM88 alumina mullite is used where thermal stress is an issue. AZ76 is zirconia enriched alumina and a replacement for chrome alumina.

ISO-Alumina A97
ISO-Alumina Mullite AM88
AZ76 replaces chrome alumina
Carbon and stainless steel

Dypack backing material and zirconia filters

Dypack insulating backing, or ramming material, creates a safety barrier in the event of crucible failure and reduces temperature changes. Z65 is zircon for small installations, ZM90 is zirconia designed to prevent sintering. Zirconia filters clean steel and nickel and cobalt superalloy melts.

Z65: 65% ZrO2, 34% SiO2
ZM90: over 90% ZrO2 + HfO2
Barrier against crucible failure
Filters for steel and superalloys

PH foundry ladle nozzles

Alumina grade nozzles serve bottom pour ladles, where flow control is critical. They come in a wide variety of bore sizes with tight dimensional accuracy. PH550 is an economic grade with high thermal shock resistance, while PH820 and PH960 add erosion resistance.

PH550: 63% alumina
PH820: 81% alumina
PH960: 94.5% alumina
Bottom pour ladles

STANNEX tin oxide electrodes for glass

STANNEX electrodes are made from high purity tin oxide as an alternative to molybdenum electrodes and help avoid the discolouring molybdenum can cause. They are isostatically pressed with no recycled material, and each electrode is tested before dispatch. Glassworks Hounsell handles distribution.

Tin oxide instead of molybdenum
Isostatically pressed
No recycled material
Each electrode tested

ZPZ and ZPZ-D Inserts in Nozzle Changer Systems

An exchangeable system has an upper and a lower nozzle on each tundish strand. The upper nozzle sits within the tundish lining and must last the whole sequence, so Dyson recommends an ultra-high density ZPZ insert.

The lower nozzle is exchanged when worn or to reduce the flow rate; it must withstand cold starts and oxygen lancing, which is why the ZPZ-D insert adds thermal shock resistance. A blank nozzle with an alumina body in a metal can shuts a strand off.

Nozzles are made for Concast, Danieli, Vesuvius, Krosaki and Interstop changers.

Choosing a Crucible and Backing by Alloy

Zirconia crucibles suit platinum group metals, nickel and cobalt based superalloys and uranium: ISO-Zirconia M (magnesia) is mainly used in vacuum furnaces, C and C2 (calcia) in air and vacuum melting, and Y (yttria) where thermal shock is high.

Alumina A97 suits carbon and stainless steels and palladium, AM88 alumina mullite is chosen where thermal stress is an issue, and AZ76 replaces chrome alumina. Dypack Z65 backing suits small installations, ZM90 is designed for zirconia crucibles.

Foundry Nozzle and Slide Gate Insert Materials

Nozzles for bottom pour ladles come in three materials: PH550 (63% alumina, 31% silica) with high thermal shock resistance, PH820 (81% alumina) and PH960 (94.5% alumina) with higher erosion resistance.

Sliding gate plate inserts are made in MX (95% zirconia) with high hot strength and MZE (96.5% zirconia) with lower porosity and high abrasion resistance; the worn plate material is removed and the insert is cemented in place.

Ceramics for Glass Furnaces

STANNEX electrodes in high purity tin oxide are an alternative to molybdenum electrodes and help avoid glass discolouring; they are isostatically pressed with no recycled material.

SDS-F and SDR-F firebricks resist glass furnace carryover and are used in lower regenerator walls, upper wall back up and rider arches. SDX, with a maximum Fe2O3 content of 1.5%, is used in the safety lining of torpedo cars.

Dyson Technical Ceramics has its head office in Chesterfield and its works at West Hunwick, County Durham.

Dyson Technical Ceramics and model names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the equipment for which we source parts. SpareX is not an official dealer, distributor or representative of Dyson Technical Ceramics and is not affiliated with the trademark owner. Origin, documents and warranty are stated for each item in the quotation.