Process for direct cooled metal casting

The mold (2) has a first chamber (38) defined by a pair of inner (10) and outer (8) peripheral walls circumposed about the axis of the cavity and spaced apart from one another transverse the axis. The first chamber (38) has oppositely disposed end walls (16) that extend transverse the axis and an inlet for the supply of liquid coolant under pressure. The inner peripheral wall has a step (28) which projects into the first chamber (38). The step (28) has a first surface that extends transverse the axis and a second surface that extends parallel to the axis and coterminates with the first surface to form a corner. A second chamber is formed in the inner peripheral wall at the step (28). A series of holes (78) open into the first chamber (38) at one of the surfaces of the step (28) to permit coolant to discharge into the second chamber at a reduced pressure. A passage (68) opening discharges the reduced pressure coolant onto a body of metal emerging from the discharge end opening of the cavity.