Abstract: Fluidized bed apparatus 1 for use in heat treating metal articles in a bed of fluidized particles 6 includes a heat insulated structure 2 and a removable module 4. The module is a metallic assembly integrating a vessel 5 for receiving the fluidizable particles, a bottom plate 8 of the vessel having a plurality of gas inlet nozzles 9, and a gas plenum chamber 11 fed by a gas admission conduit comprising a gas duct 12 and an entry pipe 13. Each nozzle 9 comprises a vertical inlet pipe 25 and a distinct cap 26 of specific channel design mounted on top of the pipe for deflecting a fluidizing gas flow into the particle bed 6.

Abstract: The process controls the cooling of a metal sheet so as to impart thereto a predetermined crystalline structure. The sheet to be cooled is passed through a case containing a mass of regularly renewed cooling fluid. The flow of the cooling fluid is controlled as a function of the inlet temperature of this fluid, in accordance with the thickness of the sheet to be cooled and the desired cooling rate.

Abstract: A base for a heat treating furnace for annealing coils of steel strip. The base supports the coils in a sealed compartment through which an inert gas is circulated, and defines the bottom of the sealed compartment. The base comprises a top plate assembly, a floor, and side walls that define therein a sealed enclosure. The top plate assembly is supported on a plurality of upright, annular, concentric bearing partitions located in the enclosure that slidingly engage the bottom surfaces of the top plate assembly in a manner to accommodate radial thermal expansion and contraction. The spaces between the upright partitions are filled with a lightweight thermal insulating material. The top plate assembly comprises at least two coplanar plate sections located one-within-the-other and joined by an annular expansion joint. The joint has a "U" shape when viewed in cross section and accommodates radial thermal expansion and contraction of the top plate sections relative to one another.

Abstract: A superalloy which is to be solution heat treated is first coated with a vapor barrier, so as to reduce the loss of surface material during the heat treatment step. The advantage gained is the maintenance of an etchable surface for grain boundary inspection purposes.

Abstract: Starting from a temperature at or above the A.sub.3 transformation point of the steel of the rail, the head of the rail is cooled to a temperature not lower than the Ms point at a rate lower than the critical quenching rate so that the head acquires a fine perlitic structure. Simultaneously the web is superficially cooled to the Ms point or below, at a rate greater than the head, so as to obtain a surface layer of martensite and/or bainite, and the surface cooling is controlled so that, at the end of controlled cooling, internal portions of the web not transformed to martensite and/or bainite retain sufficient heat to temper the surface layer during subsequent cooling to ambient temperature. At the same time the flange of the rail is cooled at a rate ensuring straightness of the rail.

Abstract: A method of gas carburizing and hardening a steel article and a continuous furnace therefor. The method includes the steps of carburizing the article in a carburizing atmosphere at atmospheric pressure, heating the article in a vacuum for a predetermined period of time, and hardening the article.

Abstract: Ferrous workpieces are surface-hardened in two stages the first of which involves confinement in a boron-containing pulverulent or pasty treating medium and heating to a temperature at which the workpiece develops a surface layer of iron boride. The thus treated workpiece is thereupon inserted into a vacuum furnace onto a cathode and is heated to a temperature of between 600.degree.and 950.degree. C. After heating up of the workpiece, the furnace receives a stream of nitrogen-containing gas while the heated workpiece is maintained in the plasma that develops as a result of glow discharge between the cathode and an anode so that the workpiece is nitrided. If the workpiece is to be carburized in lieu of nitriding, the temperature in the vacuum furnace can be raised to 1050.degree. C. and the nitrogen-containing gas is replaced with methane or another suitable gaseous fluid.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for quenching elongated steel pipe in a liquid cooling medium substantially improves the straightness of the finished product. After being heated to an initial temperature higher than the austenite transformation temperature, the pipe is positioned within an enclosure formed by mating semi-cylindrical shell members. Two streams of coolant are introduced to flow through the interior of the pipe, and over the exterior of the pipe, respectively, the relative volumes of flow of the two streams of coolant being regulated to ensure substantially uniform rates of cooling as between the interior and exterior surfaces of the pipe.

Abstract: Steel tubulars are deposited into an insulated container shortly after the steel tubulars are formed in a seamless hot rolling machine. The tubulars are covered by an insulating blanket and allowed to cool at a selected rate to form desired microstructure in the steel of the tubulars. No external energy supply or controls are necessary to achieve the desired microstructure. The side walls of the container taper outwardly and are made of a sandwiched structure, having spaced apart sheet metal members with a layer of insulation there between. The end walls are similarly constructed. The bottom of the container is lined with granular insulating material to cushion the shock of the tubulars being dropped into the container and to insulate the bottom of the container. Stainless steel mesh is used as a sling and embraces the tubulars to facilitate removing the tubulars from the container after the desired amount of cooling.

Abstract: A steel strip which has been cooled through a cooling zone in a continuous heat treating line is finally cooled by immersing in cooling water in a cooling tank under the controlling in accordance with the following formula:- ##EQU1## With such controlling of cooling, any dirt adhesion on the surface of the strip caused by contacting with a sink-roll is prevented.

Abstract: Cold-rolled, non-microalloyed carbon manganese steel (0.04% to 0.15% C, 0.25% to 0.70% Mn) is preheated at 700.degree. to 1000.degree. F., heated to 1625.degree. to 1725.degree. F., and quenched to 650.degree. to 750.degree. F. in a continuous process to develop minimum yield strength of 40,000 psi, minimum tensile strength of 50,000 psi, and 22% minimum elongation.

Abstract: Cold-rolled, non-microalloyed carbon manganese steel (0.11% to 0.18% C, 1.20% to 1.40% Mn) is preheated at 700.degree. to 1000.degree. F., heated to 1500.degree. to 1575.degree. F., and quenched to 800.degree. to 950.degree. F. in a continuous process to develop minimum yield strength of 70,000 psi, minimum tensile strength of 85,000 psi, and 14% minimum elongation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for subjecting a steel component made of a non-alloy or fine grained steel to a hardening treatment. An epsilon iron nitride surface layer of high surface area resistance is formed on the steel component by gas nitriding or nitrocarburizing and includes the preliminary step of heating the component to the nitriding temperature in an atmosphere which is inert to the metal of the component.

Abstract: A method for introducing grain refiners into molten media, such as molten aluminum, utilizes a chamber having a discharge immersed in the molten media and having a plasma therein extending from the molten media at the chamber discharge to a site above the discharge. Grain refiner is provided to said site and converted into a superheated spray for introduction into the media. An alternate embodiment includes supplying one or more constituents of a grain refiner compound to the plasma for reaction to form the grain refiner. A gas exits the chamber and enhances introduction into the media.

Abstract: A method of producing intermetallic particles such as TiAl.sub.3, NiAl.sub.3 and others utilizes a chamber having a discharge immersed in molten media such as molten metal and having a plasma therein extending from the molten media at the chamber discharge to a site above the discharge. One or more constituents of the desired compound are provided to said site and converted into a superheated spray. The constituents react with each other or with one or more constituents in the aforesaid media to produce the desired compound. A gas exits the chamber and enhances contact and reaction and also transfer to the media.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing high tensile-high toughness steel plate, which the first step 15 preparing a steel slab or ingot consisting essentially, by weight, of0.03 to 0.20% C0.01 to 0.70% Si0.50 to 1.80% Mnlesser concentrations of titanium, zirconium, and mobium, and balac iron.The second step is rolling the slab or ingot with an accumulated rolling reduction of at least 30% in a temperature range between (Ar.sub.3 +150.degree. C.) and Ar.sub.3 in a cooling after casting, or in another cooling after reheating a cold steel slab in a temperature range between 1000.degree. C. and 1300.degree. C.The third step is quenching the rolled steel from a temperature not less than (Ar.sub.3 -30.degree. C.) within a period of time in which neither recovering nor recrystallization substantially occur.The fourth step is tempering at a temperature of not higher than Ac.sub.1.

Abstract: Salt bath techniques are used to heat treat and quench a metal component. The component is first heated to the required heat treatment temperature while disposed within a sealed, first salt bath. Then, while still within the first salt bath, the component is quenched into a second salt bath. Heat is rapidly and uniformly transferred from the hot, first salt bath to the cool, second salt bath, and from the component to the first salt bath. The uniform rate of heat transfer minimizes any undesired stresses on the component, and permits components having complex geometries to be heat treated and quenched without distortion or cracking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing cast composite materials of nonmetallic particles in a metallic matrix, wherein particles are mixed into a molten metallic alloy to wet the molten metal to the particles, and the particles and metal are sheared past each other to promote wetting of the particles by the metal. The mixing occurs while minimizing the introduction of gas into the mixture, and while minimizing the retention of gas at the particle-liquid interface. Mixing is done at a maximum temperature whereat the particles do not substantially chemically degrade in the molten metal during the time required for processing, and casting is done at a temperature sufficiently high that there is no solid metal present in the melt. Mixing is preferably accomplished with a dispersing impeller, or a dispersing impeller used with a sweeping impeller.

Abstract: Steel hot-rolled to the desired diameter and allowed to travel forward is quenched with cooling water to a temperature below the bainite transformation temperature chosen from within the following range:145.multidot.t/r.sup.2 +130.ltoreq.T.ltoreq.152.multidot.t/r.sup.2 +240whereT=surface temperature of the rolled steel at a point 1 m to 2 m away form the point where quenching ends (.degree.C.)t=time required by the rolled steel for travelling from the quenching ending point to the temperature measuring point (hr)r=radius of the rolled steel (m).Then, the surface area of the rolled steel is subsequently automatically recovered by the heat of the core.

Abstract: A contact material for a vacuum circuit breaker of excellent current breaking property and voltage withstand capability can be made from an alloy composed of copper and boride of tantalum, or an alloy composed of copper, boride of tantalum and titanium, or an alloy composed of copper, chromium, and boride of tantalum.