An integral molten metal casting device comprising: a crossfeeder having
an interior surface defining a partial cylinder of a first diameter; a
generally cylindrical thimble having an interior surface of a second
smaller diameter; and back-up insulation; all formed as a single
monolithic structure with the crossfeeder interior surface and the
thimble interior surface comprising a continuous, joint free and
uninterrupted cylinder insert surface of a thin layer or multiple layers
of fiber reinforced low thermal expansion coefficient, high wear
resistant material. According to certain preferred embodiments, the thin
layer or layers comprise fused silica, alumina or zirconia, and mixtures
of these materials with other similar materials such as silicon carbide.
Monolithic integrally formed molten metal handling systems of similar
structure are also described.