Abstract: A manufacturing process for a remelt block containing aluminum designed for making aluminum alloy for the aircraft industry in which scrap containing mainly aluminum alloys used in the aircraft industry is supplied during a supply stage, the scrap is melted in a smelting furnace in order to obtain an initial molten metal bath during a smelting stage, the initial molten metal bath is subjected to purification by fractional crystallization in order to obtain a solidified mass and a bath of residual liquid during a segregation stage, and the solidified mass is recovered in order to obtain a remelt block during a recovery stage. The invention is particularly useful for the recycling of aluminum alloys used in the aircraft industry as it makes it possible to purify scrap of series 2XXX or series 7XXX alloys for iron and silicon, without eliminating additive elements such as zinc, copper and magnesium.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for a remelt block containing aluminum designed for making aluminum alloy for the aircraft industry in which scrap containing mainly aluminum alloys used in the aircraft industry is supplied during a supply stage, the scrap is melted in a smelting furnace in order to obtain an initial molten metal bath during a smelting stage, the initial molten metal bath is subjected to purification by fractional crystallization in order to obtain a solidified mass and a bath of residual liquid during a segregation stage, and the solidified mass is recovered in order to obtain a remelt block during a recovery stage. The invention is particularly useful for the recycling of aluminum alloys used in the aircraft industry as it makes it possible to purify scrap of series 2XXX or series 7XXX alloys for iron and silicon, without eliminating additive elements such as zinc, copper and magnesium.

Abstract: A superconducting conductor and method for its production. The conductor is formed of least one superconducting core and an aluminum based cryogenic stabilizer which is a high purity Al—Fe—Ni aluminum alloy having a composition, in % by weight: 200 ppm≦Fe+Ni≦1500 ppm; 0.20≦Fe/(Fe+Ni)≦0.65; optionally, B<100 ppm; impurities other than Fe, Ni and B<0.01% total; and remainder aluminum.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for an intermediate product made of a predetermined 7000 series alloy having a target content of at least one first anti-recrystallizing element Z1 selected from the group consisting of Zr and Cr. This process enables effective recycling of scrap, particularly machining scrap made of 7000 series alloys, in the manufacture of intermediated products with high added value.

Abstract: An aluminum bloom more than 99.95% pure is obtained by segregation of aluminum from an impure parent liquor. Heat supplied to the parent liquor during growth of the bloom is adjusted as a function of the height of the bloom.

Abstract: An aluminum bloom more than 99.95% pure is obtained by segregation of aluminum from an impure parent liquor. Heat supplied to the parent liquor during growth of the bloom is adjusted as a function of the height of the bloom.

Abstract: A manufacturing process for an intermediate product made of a predetermined 7000 series alloy having a target content of at least one first anti-recrystallizing element Z1 selected from the group consisting of Zr and Cr. The product is produced by the steps of: a) supplying machining scrap including at least one second 7000 series alloy having a target content of at least one second anti-recrystallizing element Z2 selected from the group consisting of Zr and Cr, in an amount greater than a maximum accepted content of Z2 in the predetermined alloy; b) conducting at least one refining step of said scrap to reduce the amount of Z2 to a value below the maximum accepted content of Z2 in the predetermined alloy; c) producing a batch of liquid metal having nominal composition, in part or in whole, from the refined scrap; and d) forming the product by casting the liquid metal.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cathode pulverization target characterized in that its active part, i.e. the volume of the target capable of being removed during the cathode pulverization, consists of a high purity aluminum alloy simultaneously containing copper and iron and having simultaneously a recrystallization temperature well above 20° C. and an electric resistivity less than 2.85 &mgr;&OHgr;.cm at 20° C. The use of the target for making bonding circuits reduces the frequency at which voids and hillocks appear, while maintaining the resistance of the bonding circuits at values comparable to the resistance obtained with a high purity aluminum alloy, while also providing the etching characteristics comparable to those of high purity aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A process using ultrasonic inspection for testing the internal soundness of cathode sputtering targets, whose active part is made of aluminum with a very high degree of purity or a very pure aluminum alloy, consisting, after selection of an ultrasound sensor functioning at an operating frequency greater than 5 MHz, preferably between 10 and 50 MHz, and adjusting the appropriate measurement sequence, using a target immersed in a liquid and which has ceratin artificial defects simulating decohesions in the target, taking a count in terms of size and number of the internal decohesions per unit volume and selecting, for the applications requiring a very high degree of etching fineness, the targets with a decohesion density of .ltoreq.0.1 decohesion larger than 0.1 mm/cm.sup.3 of active metal of the target, and cathode sputtering targets selected according to the process having no more than 0.1 internal decohesion larger than 0.1 mm/cm.sup.3 of active metal of the target.

Abstract: A process is provided for ultrasonic testing the internal soundness of cathode sputtering targets including an active part made of very pure aluminum or of very pure aluminum alloy. In particular, this process, after the choice of an ultrasound sensor functioning at an operating frequency greater than 5 MHZ, and preferably between 10 and 50 MHZ, and adjustment of the appropriate measurement sequence, using a target immersed in a liquid and having certain artificial defects simulating the decohesions in the target, consists of taking a count in terms of size and number of the internal decohesions per unit volume and of selecting the targets with a decohesion density of .ltoreq.0.1 decohesion larger than 0.1 mm per cm.sup.3 of active metal of the targets, and preferably less than 0.1 decohesion larger than 0.04 mm per cm.sup.3 of active metal. The process also pertains to selecting precursors of the cathode sputtering targets, containing less than 0.1 internal decohesion larger than 0.04 mm per cm.sup.3.

Abstract: A method and device for interconnecting stacked semiconducting plates, in which each of the plates has an integrated circuit. The semiconducting plates (P) are stacked and made solid with each other. In one embodiment, their connecting contacts are connected by a wire (F) to any one of the faces of the stack except one (B), which is to be in contact with a printed circuit. Connections of the plates together and with the printed circuit is made on the faces (F.sub.V, F.sub.S, F.sub.L) of the stack.

Abstract: This invention relates to dual-sided multi-ribbed power transmission belts having a plurality of longitudinally extending, transversely spaced alternating ribs and grooves with the ribs having a distance between their midpoints of a pitch P on both sides of the belt. The grooves on opposite sides of the belt are transversely offset from each by a distance of P/2.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy containing at least one alloying metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, cadmium, indium and lead in a quantity greater than the maximum solubility of the metal in solid aluminum. More than 80% by weight of the alloying metals are finely dispersed in a solid aluminum matrix in the form of globules or crystals with a size of less than 5 micrometers. The alloy can be obtained by means of mechanical or electromagnetic agitation of the alloy in the course of solidifying, and in the case of continuously casting a liquid alloy, the agitation can be accomplished by means of an alternating magnetic field which is coaxial to the continuous casting axis.

Abstract: A process for obtaining aluminum of purity above 99.998%. A liquid aluminum raw material is subjected to a fractional crystallization to obtain prepurified aluminum crystals in a yield of between 50 and 80% and a liquid aluminum portion of lesser purity. The prepurified aluminum crystals are subjected to a three-layer electrolysis process in which the uppermost layer comprises a cathodic purified aluminum layer. The aluminum of purity above 99.998% is removed from the uppermost layer at a yield of above 90%, the aluminum having a total rare earth content of less than 100 ppb and a total content of U+Th of less than 20 ppb.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention the discrete or integrated electronic components are encapsulated, each in a package, for example a plastic one; the packages are then mounted on a printed circuit board, for example an epoxy one. The components and board as a whole are covered with a relatively thick first layer consisting of an organic compound and ensuring a levelling function, followed by a second layer such as an inorganic metal compound, the function of which is to ensure the hermetic sealing of the whole.

Abstract: A method of and a plant for recovering liquid hydrocarbons in a gaseous batch, the plant comprising a compressor for the gaseous batch, a column for absorbing C5 and heavier hydrocarbons associated with a debutanization column; a column for absorbing C3 and heavier hydrocarbons associated with a de-ethanization column and with a heat exchange system connected to a refrigeration cycle, the plant providing from a gaseous batch issuing from a catalytic cracking unit a debutanized gasoline, a liquefied gas cut (C3 and C4-hydrocarbons) and a gaseous cut (C2 and lighter hydrocarbons) wherein the losses of C3 and higher C-hydrocarbons are much smaller than that occurring with existing plants.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and apparatus for electrochemical measurement of the concentration of oxide ions dissolved in a bath based on molten halides. The process is based on impedance measurement at a low current and a low overvoltage, between an indicator electrode, a reference electrode and a counter electrodes. The real value Z.sub.r of the impedance is determined for two frequencies, a low frequency Zr(B) (such as 15-25 Hz) and a high frequency Zr(H) (such as 10-100 kHz); the inverse of the concentration of oxide ions is a linear function of the difference between Zr(B) and Zr(H). This method has a high level of accuracy in the low ranges of concentration of oxide ions.

Abstract: The invention concerns a superstructure for a tank for the production of aluminum using the Hall-Heroult process by the electrolysis of alumina in molten cryolite, the tank being formed by a rigid metal heat-insulated casing of elongate parallelepipedic shape, the two ends of which are referred to as heads, and a superstructure formed by at least one rigid beam disposed along the long length of the casing, supporting in particular the anodic bus and the anodes and resting at its two ends on supports disposed at the two head ends of the tank, said superstructure being characterized in that each rigid beam is supported on at least one intermediate gantry in the central part thereof. The gantry may comprise four legs so as to constitute an inherently stable structure or it may be formed by two half-elements each provided with two legs. Preferably, each rigid beam is divided into two equal portions, the central ends of which are supported on the gantry.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit for electrical connection between two successive cells of a series or row, designed for the production of aluminium by electrolysis of alumina dissolved in molten cryolite by the Hall-Heroult process at an intensity of at least 150 kA and possibly attaining from 500 to 600 kA. The circuit for the electrical supply of the cells comprises, in addition to the circuit 8 for the supply of electrolysis current, a distinct circuit 17 for correcting and balancing the magnetic fields which is formed by conductors which are substantially parallel to the axis of the series and are traversed by a direct current in the same direction as the electrolysis current which creates, in the cells, a vertical correcting magnetic field directed downwards close to the left-hand heads of the cells and directed upwards close to the right-hand heads of the cells.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for accurately maintaining a low alumina content of between 1 and 4.5% in a cell for the production of aluminum by electrolysis in the Hall-Heroult process. According to the invention, a control parameter P=-1/D(dR.sub.1 /dt), is determined, wherein D is the variation in the alumina content of the electrolytic bath in % weight per hour, R.sub.1 is the internal resistance of the cell, and t is the time. A series of operations is then carried out in a repeated cycle, starting with the cell being fed alumina at a nominal rate which is substantially equal to the quantity consumed by electrolysis. At periodic intervals, an over-supply of alumina is added in order to enrich the bath, and the over-supply is continued for a preset time during which dR.sub.1 dt is negative. The feed rate is then reduced to less than the nominal feed rate, during which time dR.sub.1 dt passes through zero to become positive and the regulation parameter P, the value of which tends to rise, is measured often.