Abstract: A method of quenching a metal object having steps of: (a) providing a liquid coolant having a temperature from about 100.degree. F. to about 180.degree. F. and containing about 0.01 to about 0.1 standard cubic feet of carbon dioxide gas per gallon of water dissolved therein; and (b) spraying the liquid coolant on the metal object to quench the metal object.

Abstract: A method of quenching a metal object comprising: (a) providing a reservoir of liquid coolant containing gas that has been dissolved therein; and (b) immersing the metal object in the reservoir to quench the metal. The gas is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen and carbon dioxide and is preferably carbon dioxide. The gas is preferably maintained within the range of 0.001 to 0.2 standard cubic feet of gas per gallon of coolant. The liquid coolant is preferably water. In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir of liquid coolant is open to ambient pressure and temperature.

Abstract: Continuously-cast lithium-containing alloy ingots are produced by a direct chill process including cooling the alloy to form a continuous ingot having a solid shell and further cooling the ingot by direct chill with an organic coolant. The organic coolant in one aspect includes a modified hydrocarbon fluid, e.g., ethylene glycol, having less than a predetermined moisture content. The method includes recirculating coolant while controlling moisture content. An ingot formed by the present invention provides small dendrite arm spacing in a relatively large size ingot. Aircraft plate or sheet is produced from the ingot of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for continuously casting lithium-containing alloys by a direct chill process includes cooling the alloy to form a continuous ingot having a solid shell and further cooling the ingot by direct chill with an organic coolant. The organic coolant in one aspect includes a modified hydrocarbon fluid, e.g., ethylene glycol, having less than a predetermined moisture content. The method includes recirculating coolant while controlling moisture content. An ingot formed by the present invention provides small dendrite arm spacing in a relatively large size ingot.

Abstract: A method for continuously casting lithium-containing alloys by a direct chill process includes cooling the alloy to form a continuous ingot having a solid shell and further cooling the ingot by direct chill with an organic coolant. The organic coolant in one aspect includes a modified hydrocarbon fluid, e.g., ethylene glycol, having less than a predetermined moisture content. The method includes recirculating coolant while controlling moisture content. An ingot formed by the present invention provides small dendrite arm spacing in a relatively large size ingot.

Abstract: A method for continuously casting lithium-containing alloys by a direct chill process includes cooling the alloy to form a continuous ingot having a solid shell and further cooling the ingot by direct chill with an organic coolant. The organic coolant in one aspect includes a modified hydrocarbon fluid, e.g., ethylene glycol, having less than a predetermined moisture content. The method includes recirculating coolant while controlling moisture content. An ingot formed by the disclosed method provides small dendrite arm spacing in a relatively large size ingot.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the production of particulate metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a containment vessel having a sidewall and an endwall, a source of metal external to the vessel, nozzle means carried by the endwall and providing communication between the vessel and the external source of metal, and release means associated with the sidewall to inhibit deposition of the particulate metal on the sidewall.

Abstract: A method for continuously casting lithium-containing alloys by a direct chill process includes cooling the alloy to form a continuous ingot having a solid shell, further cooling the ingot by direct chill with an organic coolant, and inhibiting fire by adding non-aqueous fire retardant liquid to the coolant.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, apparatus for the production of atomized metal is provided comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall terminating in an end wall through which atomizing gas and molten metal from a molten metal source enter the vessel through nozzle means sealed thereto. A restricted air ingress port is provided in the vessel spaced from the end plate, the sidewall and the end plate cooperating with the nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal. The source of molten metal includes a reservoir having at least a portion above the nozzle means whereby the metal level in the reservoir provides an adjustable pressure head for the metal entering the vessel through the nozzle means which is adjusted by varying the level of the molten metal in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for continuously casting lithium-containing alloys by a direct chill process includes cooling the alloy to form a continuous ingot having a solid shell, further cooling the ingot by direct chill with an organic coolant, and inhibiting fire by covering the coolant with fire retardant atmosphere.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the production of atomized metal comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall terminating in a bottom plate through which atomizing gas and molten metal from a molten metal source external to said vessel enter said vessel through nozzle means sealed thereto. An air ingress port is provided in the vessel spaced from said bottom plate; the sidewall and bottom plate cooperating with said nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal; thereby providing an essentially closed vessel, particularly with respect to the area in which the nozzle means are mounted.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for the production of particulate metal is disclosed. The apparatus includes a containment vessel having a sidewall and a bottom plate, a source of metal external to the vessel, nozzle means carried by the bottom plate and providing communication between the vessel and the external source of metal, and release means associated with the sidewall to inhibit deposition of the particulate metal on the sidewall.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for the production of atomized metal comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall terminating in a bottom plate through which atomizing gas and molten metal from a molten metal source external to said vessel enter said vessel through nozzle means sealed thereto. An air ingress port is provided in the vessel spaced from said bottom plate; the sidewall and bottom plate cooperating with said nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal; thereby providing an essentially closed vessel, particularly with respect to the area in which the nozzle means are mounted.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, apparatus for the production of atomized metal is provided comprising a containment vessel having a sidewall terminating in an end wall through which atomizing gas and molten metal from a molten metal source enter the vessel through nozzle means sealed thereto. A restricted air ingress port is provided in the vessel spaced from the end plate, the sidewall and the end plate cooperating with the nozzle means to seal off the interior of the vessel and the metal particles therein from the area adjacent the source of molten metal. The source of molten metal includes a reservoir having at least a portion above the nozzle means whereby the metal level in the reservoir provides an adjustable pressure head for the metal entering the vessel through the nozzle means which is adjusted by varying the level of the molten metal in the reservoir.