*7.2. Iso-Surfaces of Z-Component of Velocities*

The velocity vector can be resolved into three components, i.e., x, y, and z in which the z-velocity component represents a net inward flow of the molten metal. For these reasons, the isosurfaces of the z-component of the velocities were evaluated and are represented in Figure 8.

**Figure 8.** *Cont.*

**Figure 8.** (**a**) Molten metal flow in the HSBC process. (**b**) Iso-velocity (0.2 m/s) along + z-direction. (**c**) Iso-velocity (0.3 m/s) along + z-direction. (**d**) Iso-velocity (0.4 m/s) along + z-direction. (**e**) Iso-velocity (0.5 m/s) along + z-direction. (**f**) Iso-velocity (0.6 m/s) along + z-direction.

As expected, the z-component of the velocity vector is maximal during the first instants of the molten metal contacting the moving belt, owing to the fact that molten metal, while flowing over an inclined plane, continuously accelerates under the force of gravity. Furthermore, the z-component of velocity was observed to be high adjacent to the molten metal/air interface, and almost zero near the moving belt. However, further downstream, over the belt, the z-component of velocity was observed to be decreasing with distance. This is essentially true, as there is no driving force that could help the molten metal to further accelerate over a horizontal moving belt.
