Abstract: Improved work roll, particularly for use in closed gap rolling, has a composite structure comprising a cylindrical outer layer (14) made of steel, and providing the work surface of the roll, separated from a steel core (12) by an intermediate layer (13) of material such as aluminium or copper having a lower Young's modules than that of the layer (14). Provided that the dimensions of the outer layer (14) and intermediate layer (13) are chosen appropriately, this combination can release a work roll having an affective Young's modules which is lower than that of steel whilst at the same time retaining the advantages of a steel work surface and enabling higher rolling speeds.

Abstract: Improved work roll, particularly for use in closed gap rolling, has a composite structure comprising a cylindrical outer layer (14) made of steel, and providing the work surface of the roll, separated from a steel core (12) by an intermediate layer (13) of material such as aluminium or copper having a lower Young's modules than that of the layer (14). Provided that the dimensions of the outer layer (14) and intermediate layer (13) are chosen appropriately, this combination can release a work roll having an affective Young's modules which is lower than that of steel whilst at the same time retaining the advantages of a steel work surface and enabling higher rolling speeds.

Abstract: A method of producing a sheet article or other elongated product of solution heat treated aluminum alloy substantially free of permanent thermal distortion. The method involves subjecting an article made of a heat-treatable aluminum alloy to a solution heat treatment, cooling the article in a gas from the solutionizing temperature to an upper critical temperature below which precipitation of second phase particles of the alloy may occur, further cooling the article in a gas/liquid from the upper temperature to a lower critical temperature below which precipitation of the components may no longer occur, and optionally additionally cooling the article to a temperature below the lower critical temperature. The cooling of the article in the gas is carried out at a rate of cooling at which the yield strength of the article remains high enough to resist permanent deformation caused by thermal stress generated within the article by the cooling.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system particularly, but not exclusively, for vehicles employs a single liquid/air heat exchanger and means selectively to supply either hot liquid or cooled liquid to said heat exchanger whereby selectively to heat or cool the air passing through said heat exchanger. As applied to a motor vehicle, the system only requires a single heat exchanger on the interior side of the vehicle bulkhead.