Abstract: A method of forming an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating on a strip that includes dipping strip into a bath of molten Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy and forming a coating of the alloy on the strip, with the Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy containing in % by weight: Al: 2 to 19%, Si: 0.1 to 2%, Mg: 1 to 10%, and Zn: 80 to 97%, and with the bath having a molten metal layer and a top dross layer on the metal layer, and the method including providing Ca in the composition of the bath to minimise the top dross layer in the molten bath.

Abstract: A profiled panel (10) is disclosed. The profiled panel (10) is formed from sheet material. The panel (10) has a plurality of fixed longitudinally extending formations (12) that provide one or more base characteristics of the panel (10), and at least one variable longitudinal formation (22). The variable longitudinal formations (22) are arranged to vary from one panel to another panel. This enables the variance of a width dimension (28) of the panel (10). A profiled panel is also disclosed that includes at least one edge member which is profiled to receive and/or form part of said wall fixture.

Abstract: A method of fixing overlaying components together, comprising the step of piercing nails having a profiled shank through the components to fix those components together. Structures including metal sheet are also disclosed which utilize this fixing technique. The structures include composite wall panels used in tilt up wall panel construction.

Abstract: A method of treating an Al/Zn-based alloy coated product that includes an Al/Zn-based alloy coating on a substrate is disclosed. The method includes the steps of rapid intense heating of the alloy coating for a very short duration, and rapid cooling of the alloy coating, and forming a modified crystalline microstructure of the alloy coating.

Abstract: A channel inductor of a channel induction furnace is disclosed. The channel inductor comprises a channel liner that defines a channel for a molten metal to flow through the channel inductor. The channel liner comprises an inlet and an outlet for the molten metal and a flange for mounting the channel liner to a refractory material lining of a pot of the channel inductor furnace. The channel liner being formed from a ceramic material that is resistant to chemical attack by the molten metal in the channel, whereby in use of the channel induction furnace direct contact between the molten metal and the channel inductor is limited to contact with the channel liner (including the flange) only and molten metal does not contact other parts of the channel inductor.

Abstract: A hot dip method of forming an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating on a strip is disclosed. The method includes controlling the conditions in the molten bath to minimise the top dross layer in the molten bath. In particular, the method includes controlling top dross formation by including Ca and/or Sr in the coating alloy in the bath.

Abstract: A steel strip that has a coating of an Al—Zn—Si alloy that contains 0.3-10 wt. % Mg and 0.005-0.2 wt. % V.

Abstract: A steel strip having a metal coating on at least one surface of the strip is disclosed. The strip is characterised in that the coating includes aluminium-zinc-silicon alloy that contains magnesium and the coating has small size spangles.

Abstract: A steel strip having a metal coating on at least one surface of the strip. The coating includes an aluminum-zinc-silicon alloy containing magnesium and has small spangles. The magnesium concentration is between 1 and 5% by weight.

Abstract: An Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coated strip that has Mg2Si phase particles that are?2 ?m and have a globular shape. A method of forming an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coated strip comprises (a) heat treating a solidified coating to facilitate globularisation of Mg2Si phase particles in the coating and/or (b) changing the coating bath chemistry to form intermetallic compound phases that act as nucleation sites for Mg2Si phase particles with the result that small Mg2Si particles form on solidification of the coating.

Abstract: Red rust staining of Al/Zn coated steel strip in “acid rain” or “polluted” environments can be minimised by forming the coating as an Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coating with an OT:SDAS ratio greater than a value of 0.5:1, where OT is the overlay thickness on a surface of the strip and SDAS is the measure of the secondary dendrite arm spacing for the Al-rich alpha phase dendrites in the coating. Red rust staining in “acid rain” or “polluted” environments and corrosion at cut edges in marine environments can be minimised in Al—Zn—Si—Mg alloy coatings on steel strip by selection of the composition (principally Mg and Si) and solidification control (principally by cooling rate) and forming Mg2 Si phase particles of a particular morphology in interdendritic channels.

Abstract: A method of fixing overlaying components together, comprising the step of piercing nails having a profiled shank through the components to fix those components together. Structures including metal sheet are also disclosed which utilize this fixing technique. The structures include composite wall panels used in tilt up wall panel construction.

Abstract: A method of controlling “rough coating” and “pinhole-uncoated” surface defects on a steel strip coated with a aluminum-zinc-silicon alloy. The alloy has 50-60% wt Al, 37-46% wt Zn and 1.2-2.3% wt Si. The method includes heat treating the steel strip in a heat treatment furnace and thereafter hot-dip coating the strip in a molten bath and thereby forming a coating of the alloy on the steel strip. The method is characterized by controlling the concentration of (i) strontium or (ii) calcium or (iii) strontium and calcium in the molten bath to be at least 2 ppm.

Abstract: Hot dip coating apparatus for coating a steel strip in an Al—Zn alloy bath comprises components that are made from stainless steel containing an appreciable amount of nitrogen distributed substantially uniformly through its microstructure. The nitrogen is incorporated into the stainless steel as an alloy additive and improves the steel's corrosion resistance and minimizes pitting and thinning of the component when immersed in the metal bath for extended periods.

Abstract: A fluid storage tank having opposite upper and lower ends, a tank wall extending between the ends, and an internal tie assembly to assist the tank wall to resist hydrostatic pressure induced by fluid in the tank, the internal tie assembly comprising an elongate tie having spaced apart couplings, and a plurality of retaining formations fixed to, or integrally formed on, an inner surface of the tank wall, wherein the couplings of said tie are arranged to be received in respective ones of said retaining formations to connect said tie to said tank wall so that said tie is able to resist outward deformation of said tank wall.

Abstract: A profiled panel (10) is disclosed. The profiled panel (10) is formed from sheet material. The panel (10) has a plurality of fixed longitudinally extending formations (12) that provide one or more base characteristics of the panel (10), and at least one variable longitudinal formation (22). The variable longitudinal formations (22) are arranged to vary from one panel to another panel. This enables the variance of a width dimension (28) of the panel (10). A profiled panel is also disclosed that includes at least one edge member which is profiled to receive and/or form part of said wall fixture.

Abstract: A composite panel comprising a layer of hardened settable material, at least one element bonded to and/or embedded in the settable material, and one or more connectors fixed to the at least one element, the or each connector comprises a coupling portion that is disposed at a surface of the panel and arranged to form one part of a load bearing coupling, wherein loading induced at the coupling is arranged to be transferred through the connector to the element.

Abstract: A panel comprising one or more decking members is arranged such that a settable material can be supported thereon to form a composite panel. The panel further comprises one or more elongate strengthening elements, each element being arranged to connect to the one or more decking members in a manner such that the one or more elements increase panel strength.