Abstract: In a continuous casting plant of the wheel and belt type, the grooved casting wheel 11, and the associated belt or band 12, are tilted laterally so that the plane of rotation is inclined. As a result, the cast bar 30 emerges from the casting wheel without any horizontal surface, and passes to bar preparation machinery with this orientation, prior to being rolled.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for hot-rolling non-ferrous metal bar in a plural stage rolling mill are disclosed. Each stage of the rolling mill is provided with a plurality of work rolls which have a predetermined hardness and toughness depending on their intended use in the rolling mill to improve the uniformity of the useful life of the rolls among the various stages of the mill. A method of heat treating the work rolls and an improved forged steel work roll are also disclosed. The steel used to make the rolls is a forged chromium-molybdenum alloy steel having a chromium content in the range of 4.0 to 6.0 percent. The heat treatment process provides the working surfaces of the rolls with a dense, tightly-adhering oxide layer to protect the rolls from the high temperatures and pressures encountered during the hot-rolling operation.

Abstract: Improved metallic rod product which substantially reduces die wear in wire drawing operations, and which provides other advantages during manufacturing. The exterior surface of the rod product is intentionally provided with a predetermined rough texture having certain characteristics, rather than the smooth bright surface conventionally imparted to metallic rod product intended for subsequent drawing into wire. Certain textured surface characteristics of the rod product reduce wear on the first few wire drawing dies by entraining lubricant as the rod moves through the dies, and carry the entrained lubricant into the dies, while at the same time avoiding some common wire drawing defects such as flakes and slivers. The textured-surface rod thus reduces frictional wear of the drawing dies, so that less force is required to draw the rod product through the dies and the useful life of the drawing dies is increased.

Abstract: Improved metallic rod product which substantially reduces die wear in wire drawing operations, and which provides other advantages during manufacturing. The exterior surface of the rod product is intentionally provided with a predetermined rough texture having certain characteristics, rather than the smooth bright surface conventionally imparted to metallic rod product intended for subsequent drawing into wire. Certain textured surface characteristics of the rod product reduce wear on the first few wire drawing dies by entraining lubricant as the rod moves through the dies, and carry the entrained lubricant into the dies, while at the same time avoiding some common wire drawing defects such as flakes and slivers. The textured-surface rod thus reduces frictional wear of the drawing dies, so that less force is required to draw the rod product through the dies and the useful life of the drawing dies is increased.