Fabricated ladle for handling molten materials

Abstract

A ladle for containing molten material, particularly aluminum, and a method for forming the ladle. The ladle is formed from stainless steel, and particularly 10 gauge ASTM/ASI grade 304 stainless steel in plate form. The ladle is formed from pre-cut metal parts which are welded together using TIG welding on the inside seams and metal inert gas welding on the outside seams. The welds extend through the ladle walls and completely incorporate the ladle parts while being essentially free of cracks.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A ladle for containing and transferring molten metal, the ladle comprising a plurality of walls, including side walls and front, back and bottom walls, the front, back and bottom walls being contiguous with each other such that they form a curvilinear bottom for the ladle and in conjunction with the side walls define a container with inside and outside surfaces; the walls being formed from stainless steel having the thickness of steel plates; the side walls being joined to the bottom, front and back walls by weld material compatible with the stainless steel forming the walls, and the weld being essentially free of cracks.  
     
     
         2 . The ladle of  claim 1  wherein the walls are formed from ASTM/ASI grade 304 stainless steel.  
     
     
         3 . The ladle of  claim 1  wherein the weld is comprised of TIG welding process on the inside surfaces and metal inert gas process welding on the outside surface.  
     
     
         4 . The ladle  claim 1  wherein the ladle has a metal attachment fixedly attached across its top, the metal attachment being adapted for attachment to ladling machines which are used to transfer molten material.