T-Ply products are insulating sand-based specialty products used to line the inside and top of steel ingot molds. These products are more commonly known as hot-tops and cap boards.

Thermatex exothermic/insulating cap boards are used in place of more traditional powders to control the solidification of the hot top or feeder head of ingots.

Cap boards can either be designed to be preset in the mold prior to teeming, or placed on the rising metal at the end of the mold fill.

Thoroughly tested and field proven, Thermatex’s T-Ply insulating hot-tops and exothermic cap boards are engineered and designed to improve existing hot topping operations by maintaining the steel temperature in the head of the ingot mold during solidification.

Thermatex hot-tops and cap boards prevent heat loss to the mold, allowing the liquid molten steel to fill the body of the mold as solidification occurs during the cooling stage. This results in improved segregation pattern, pipe reduction, and elimination of smoke and fume difficulties, all of which reduce hot topping costs and improving performance and quality.

Thermatex products are designed to maximize the yield of sound metal through uniform mold coverage, resulting in a consistent and high purity steel that is mandatory for products such as valves, valve bodies, and bearing steels.

How it Works

The adequate feeding of an ingot is accomplished by the use of a hot top (feeder head) assembly coupled with the use of a suitable anti-piping compound cover. The former prevents lateral heat losses of the feed material to the mold wall, and the latter minimizes the otherwise substantial heat losses to the atmosphere. This combination provides the required liquid reservoir of molten metal to feed the body of the ingot as solidification/liquid contraction occurs during the cooling period.

Cap boards, placed on top of the molten metal as it rises up the ingot mold during casting, are an alternative to more traditional anti-piping hot topping powders. During use, a cap board will expand from 3 to 5 times its original volume to form an insulating powder which protects the peripheral edge gaps of the ingot surface.

Benefits

Improved hygiene, as the dust resulting from the application of powdered compounds is avoided.
Consistency in material makeup eliminates the possibility of ingredient segregation.
Uniform and constant coverage is achieved.
Powder spillage and wastage are avoided.
Peripheral edge gaps are covered, as the cap board expands during the exothermic reaction.
Reduced fumes with lower toxicity.
Cost competitive with powders, particularly with larger ingots.

How to Order

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