Abstract: A method of casting an aluminum base alloy to provide a cast product having improved hot crack resistance in the as-cast condition, the method comprising providing a melt of an aluminum base alloy comprised of 2.0 to less than 3.5 wt. % Zn, 2.5 to less than 4 wt. % Mg, a maximum of 2 wt. % total Fe and Mn in combination, max. 0.3 wt. % Si, max. 0.6 wt. % Cu, optionally up to 0.5 wt. % Cr, dissolved Ti in the range of about 0.005 to 0.1 wt. %, and an undissolved nucleating agent in the range of about 0.002 to 0.1 wt. % for grain refining, the balance comprised of aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. A nucleating agent selected from the group consisting of metal carbides, aluminides and borides is added to the melt to provide an undissolved nucleating agent therein, in the range of 0.002 to 0.1 wt. % for grain refining. The said alloy is solidified to provide a cast product having a grain size of less than 125 microns and free of hot cracks.

Abstract: A method of casting an aluminum base alloy to provide a cast product having improved hot crack resistance in the as-cast condition, the method comprising providing a melt of an aluminum base alloy comprised of 2.0 to less than 3.5 wt. % Zn, 2.5 to less than 4 wt. % Mg, a maximum of 2 wt. % total Fe and Mn in combination, max. 0.3 wt. % Si, max. 0.6 wt. % Cu, optionally up to 0.5 wt. % Cr, dissolved Ti in the range of about 0.005 to 0.1 wt. %, and an undissolved nucleating agent in the range of about 0.002 to 0.1 wt. % for grain refining, the balance comprised of aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. A nucleating agent selected from the group consisting of metal carbides, aluminides and borides is added to the melt to provide an undissolved nucleating agent therein, in the range of 0.002 to 0.1 wt. % for grain refining. The said alloy is solidified to provide a cast product having a grain size of less than 125 microns and free of hot cracks.

Abstract: An improved aluminum base alloy having improved hot crack resistance when solidified into cast products, the alloy comprised of 4 to 5.5 wt. % Cu, max. 0.5 wt. % Mn, max. 0.55 wt. % Mg, max. 0.2 wt. % Si, up to 0.5 wt. % Fe, optionally 1.13 to 1.7 wt. % Ni, 0.005 to 0.12 wt. % Ti, the balance comprised of aluminum, incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: A method of casting an aluminum base alloy to provide a cast product having improved hot crack resistance in the as-cast condition, the method comprising providing a melt of an aluminum base alloy comprised of 4 to less than 5 wt. % Cu, max. 0.1 wt. % Mn, 0.15 to 0.55 wt. % Mg, max. 0.4 wt. % Si, max. 0.2 wt. % Zn, up to 0.4 wt. % Fe, the balance comprised of aluminum, incidental elements and impurities. The dissolved Ti in the melt is maintained in the range of about 0.005 to 0.05 wt. % to improve the resistance of the alloy to hot cracking. A nucleating agent selected from the group consisting of metal carbides, aluminides and borides is added to the melt to provide an undissolved nucleating agent therein, in the range of 0.002 to 0.1 wt. % for grain refining. The alloy is solidified to provide a cast product having a grain size of less than 125 microns and free of hot cracks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a probe for determining the gas content of molten metal. The probe comprises a porous filter head permeable to gas and impermeable to the molten metal and a small diameter tube having an upper portion and a lower portion, the tube attached to the filter head at the lower portion. A device for drawing a vacuum on the tube and a device for measuring gas pressure in the tube is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a probe for determining the gas content of molten metal. The probe comprises a porous filter head permeable to gas and impermeable to the molten metal and a hollow cast iron tube or sleeve having an upper portion and a lower portion, the sleeve or tube attached to the filter head at the lower portion. A small diameter tube may be positioned in the sleeve, or the cast iron tube may be formed to provide a small diameter bore. Means for drawing a vacuum on the tube and means for measuring gas pressure in the tube is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Al-Ti-B master alloy especially designed to grain refine cast aluminum alloys containing silicon. The alloy composition goes contrary to present known art. Present commerical master alloys contain a ratio of Ti to B exceeding 2.2 to promote a mixture of TiB.sub.2 and TiAl.sub.3 crystals. This invention provides an Al-Ti-B alloy wherein the Ti to B ratio is 1. It contains a preponderance of mixed boride crystals. The optimum composition of the alloy of this invention is Al-3Ti-3B.

Abstract: An improved aluminum-titanium master alloy is provided. Such alloy contains a small but effective amount of, in weight percent, carbon about 0.005 up to 0.05 titanium 2 to 15, and the balance aluminum. After melting, the master alloy is superheated to about 1200.degree. C.-1300.degree. C. to put the element into solution, then the alloy is cast in a workable form. The master alloy in final form is substantially free of carbides, sulfides, phosphides, nitrides, or borides greater than about 5 microns in diameter. The alloy of this invention is used to refine aluminum products that may be rolled into thins sheet, foil, or fine wire and the like. Such grain refined products are also substantially free of carbides, sulfides, phosphides, nitrides, or borides.

Abstract: Provided is an improved aluminum-titanium master alloy containing carbon in a small but effective content and not more than about 0.1%. After melting, the master alloy is superheated to about 1200.degree.-1250.degree. C. to put the carbon into solution, then the alloy is cast in a workable form. The master alloy in final form is substantially free of carbides greater than about 5 microns in diameter. The alloy of this invention is used to refine aluminum products that may be rolled into thin sheet, foil, or fine wire and the like.

Abstract: An improved aluminum-titanium master alloy is provided. Such alloy contains a small be effective amount of, in weight percent, any two or more elements selected from the group consisting of carbon about 0.003 up to 0.1, sulfur about 0.03 up to 2, phosphorus about 0.03 up to 2, nitrogen about 0.03 up to 2, and boron about 0.01 up to 0.4, titanium 2 to 15, and the balance aluminum. After melting, the master alloy is superheated to about 1200.degree. C.-1300.degree. C. to put the element into solution, then the alloy is cast in a workable form. The master alloy in final form is substantially free of carbides, sulfides, phosphides, nitrides, or borides greater than about 5 microns in diameter. The alloy of this invention is used to refine aluminum products that may be rolled into thin sheet, foil, or fine wire and the like. Such grain refined products are also substantially free of carbides, sulfides, phosphides, nitrides, or borides.

Abstract: Provided is an improved aluminum-titanium master alloy containing carbon in a small but effective content and not more than about 0.1%. After melting, the master alloy is superheated to about 1200.degree.-1250.degree. C. to put the carbon into solution, then the alloy is cast in a workable form. The master alloy in final form is substantially free of carbides greater than about 5 microns in diameter. The alloy of this invention is used to refine aluminum products that may be rolled into thin sheet, foil, or fine wire and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new aluminum grain refiner alloy with a controlled, effective content of "duplex" crystals. The duplex crystals are made by (1) producing aluminides that contain boron in solution, and by (2) aging said aluminide in a manner to precipitate at least part of the boron to form the duplex crystals. The duplex crystals have been discovered to be extremely potent grain refining agents.