BUOYANT PLUGS FOR LIQUID METAL CONTROL

摘要

A method of initiating a pour of a liquid alloy comprises the steps of filling an interior of a crucible with a displacement plunger and the liquid alloy until a metal head of the liquid alloy exceeds a critical height. The crucible has a bottom pour opening with a plug inserted therein. The plug is configured to be buoyant within the liquid alloy when the liquid alloy is below the critical height. Pour is initiated by at least partially withdrawing the displacement plunger until the metal head drops below the critical height.