Abstract: An aluminum alloy is formed by continuously casting an aluminum alloy having a magnesium concentration of at least about 4.7 percent. Controlled forming and annealing steps in conjunction with the alloy form an aluminum sheet product that is useful for forming beverage container ends and tabs.

Abstract: The strip is cast on a chilled casting surface of a rotating drum from a pool of the molten metal contained in a tundish having a graphite lip insert seated therein cooperating with, the casting surface adjacent to the tundish to form and contain the pool of the molten metal. The tundish preferably contains a feed chamber, a return chamber, and a diverting chamber, the feed chamber and the diverting chamber effectively removing turbulence from the molten feed and the return chamber having a vertically adjustable weir dividing the return chamber from the diverting chamber for controlling the surface level of the pool of molten metal in the diverting chamber and the lip insert and for diverting a flow of molten metal to the return chamber. A preferred lead alloy is a low antimony-lead alloy which is cast into strip and is subjected to a heat treatment to permit expansion and shaping in subsequent production of expanded mesh battery grids.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting and rapid solidification casting of metal alloys has a crucible for molding a metal charge. The crucible has side walls, a top and a bottom having an orifice therein. Collectively, the side walls, top and bottom define an interior of the crucible. A portion of the dimensions of the side walls of the side walls and bottom is divided by longitudinal slits into at least two segments. A nozzle is disposed partially within the crucible and extends through the orifice. The nozzle has a first end in communication with the interior of tune crucible. A second end of the nozzle has a nozzle orifice therein for defining a stream of molten metal alloy. A cooling mechanism cools the top, side walls and bottom of the crucible. The apparatus has mechanisms for inducing alternating electrical currents within the metal charge and within the nozzle, and for establishing and maintaining pressure within the interior of the crucible.

Abstract: Method for producing a magnetic steel strip having a thickness of less than 5 mm and containing, in composition by weight, more than 2% silicon, less than 0.1% carbon and a suitable amount of secondary recrystallization inhibiting elements, the balance being iron, obtained by a direct casting on one roll or between two rolls, characterized in that it comprises creating a crystallization structure comprising oriented grains {110} <001> in the skin, i.e. on the surface of a quench zone, by the sudden cooling of the steel in contact with the roll or rolls whose surface temperature is lower than 400.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of producing continuous lengths of metallic strip comprises the steps of forming a spray of molten metal particles, causing the particles to be deposited onto a surface of a hollow receptor roll, rotating and internally heating the receptor roll to form continuous lengths of metallic strip, holding the deposited particles in contact with the receptor roll surface by means of a roll positioned immediately upstream of the knife in the direction of rotation of the receptor roll, and peeling from the receptor roll surface such continuous lengths of metallic strip by means of a knife positioned adjacent to or in contact with the receptor roll surface. Apparatus for performing this process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for pneumatically controlling the velocity of flow of liquid metal from a tundish into a continuous casting machine through a nozzle. A chamber encloses the nozzle outlet, and at least a portion of the continuous casting machine, and a pressurized gas is supplied to the chamber. The flow velocity of the liquid metal at the nozzle outlet is controlled by controlling the gas pressure in the chamber in response to the level of the liquid metal in the tundish, and the measured atmospheric pressure acting on the liquid metal in the tundish.

Abstract: Apparatus consists of an articulated continuous casing machine (1) in which a mould for casting bar (18) moves endlessly from an upstream end to a downstream end of a path on the urging of an engine (15). To enable the cast bar to be fed directly into a continuous extrusion machine (2), the engine (15) engages the mould via a slipping clutch (15A) so that in operation an axial compressive force is applied to the cast bar in the mould.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the continuous manufacture of a metal strip (1) with near net shape. The metal melt (6) is fed from a melt distributor (5) through a casting nozzle (15) onto a rotating, cooled conveyor belt (2) and solidified. In the operating condition, the melt level is controlled in the melt distributor (5) as a function of the desired strip thickness d of the metal strip (1). In the melt distributor (5) there is initially adjusted a fill level (A), which corresponds at a maximum with the conveyor belt plane (E). Such a fill level (B) then is adjusted such that the melt (6) completely displaces the air from the area (11, 14) in front of the casting nozzle (15) and from the casting nozzle (15). In the operating condition, the fill level (C) is controlled some millimeters above the level (D) of the liquid metal on the conveyor belt (E) so that the melt (6) flows out of the casting nozzle (15) according to the pipette principle.

Abstract: Metal is spray cast onto a moving substrate using at least two sprays, the first of which has a solid fraction greater than 20% at the time the spray contacts the substrate, but less than the solid fraction of the second spray.

Abstract: A continuous block caster is provided with a mold block assembly having an internal anchor pin which is insulated. One end of a support pin, many of which are used to support each block, is threaded into the anchor pin, the other end is demountably secured in a fastening member in turn fastened to a carriage block. All the fastening members except only one at the center, are y- or x-y slides, so termed because they permit lateral movement of the support pin. A stepped lock-down key which provides a camming means, allows an entire mold block assembly and supporting pin assembly to be connected and disconnected quickly from the carriage block by rotating the key. Insulating the support pin in this manner allows the planarity of a casting face to be maintained in a lateral plane within 5 mils (127 micrometers) of vertical movement. Such limited distortion does not adversely affect the planarity of the upper and lower faces of the cast slab.

Abstract: A method of casting metal material wherein metallic metal is deposited on a foil moving underneath the feeding means for the molten metal and is supported on a supporting substrate. The foil is formed with side edges before receiving a deposit of molten metal to contain the flow of molten metal thereon in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the foil.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the casting of metal onto a moving horizontal surface in which the solidification of the casting occurs from the top to the bottom. The surface on which the metal is cast comprises a material having a low thermal conductivity of 10 or less watts/meter.degree. Kelvin. If desired, the casting may be cooled by cooling the top of the casting at a point downstream of the feeding system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for direct casting molten metal to continuous strip of crystalline material by controlling the supply of molten metal to a casting vessel substantially horizontal to an adjacent moving casting roll surface, the molten metal level in the exit end being near the crest of the casting roll, separating a semi-solid cast strip substantially horizontally from near the crest of the casting roll and providing secondary cooling while transporting the separated strip to solidify the strip.

Abstract: A start-up method and apparatus for continuous casting of molten metal into a cast strip product includes initially casting a start-up alloy having sufficient strength, flexibility and casting surface release properties to achieve steady state casting conditions. A target alloy follows the start-up alloy being cast to produce a cast strip product of the target alloy composition. A start-up alloying vessel is disposed between the source of the target alloy and the casting apparatus to facilitate introduction of a start-up alloy into the casting process or formulation of a particular start-up alloy for initiation of the continuous casting operation.

Abstract: A method of casting metal wherein molten metal is deposited on a moving planar substrate to form a strip thereon. The strip is removed from the moving substrate onto an open mesh support prior to the strip becoming completely solidified throughout its thickness. Ideally, the strip is removed as soon as it forms a solidified shell on its bottom which is thick enough not to fracture under the weight of the remaining molten metal. This arrangement overcomes the problem of cooling the bottom surface of the cast metal due to an air gap forming between a solid supporting substrate and the cast metal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously casting metal includes a tundish having edge seals and risers positioned at an outlet portion thereof . The edge seals and risers are configured to reduce the depth of molten metal adjacent the tundish sidewalls such that a lesser volume of molten metal contacts a driven casting surface to permit rapid solidification of edge portions of a cast strip. The edge seals and risers also are configured to form a meniscus between the seals and casting surface to effectively seal a gap between the tundish sidewall and continuous casting surface to prevent molten metal leakage therethrough. Preventing molten metal flow through the gap between the casting surface and sidewalls eliminates the requirement for a mechanical seal during continuous casting of molten metals.

Abstract: A molten metal gas-atomizing spray-depositing apparatus has an atomizer which employs a pressurized gas flow for atomizing a stream of molten metal into a spray pattern of metal particles being initially hotter than the solidus temperature of the metal. The apparatus also has a substrate system which includes an outer substrate of metallic foil and an inner substrate for supporting the outer substrate. The outer foil substrate is movable relative to the metal particles in the spray pattern thereof and disposed below the atomizer for receiving on a surface of the foil a deposit of the particles in the spray pattern to form a product on the outer foil substrate. The outer foil substrate is of a thickness which is less than a predefined maximum thickness at which the capacity of the foil to absorb heat from the deposit is equal to the latent heat and super heat, if present, of the deposit.

Abstract: An adjustable flow control device for use in a metal strip continuous casting apparatus comprises a tundish for directing molten metal onto a moving chill surface and a plurality of individually and vertically adjustable flow control plates which extend across the width of the tundish. Each of the individual and vertically adjustable flow control plates define a flow passageway between the plate bottom edge and the tundish floor for controlling molten metal flow in the tundish. By providing individually adjustable flow control plates, flow of molten metal can be controlled in discrete width portions of the tundish to improve cast strip thickness and cross-sectional profile. The adjustable flow control device may be responsive to sensed casting parameters to permit automatic and precise control over cast strip thickness and cross-sectional profile during continuous casting of metal, in particular, aluminum alloys.

Abstract: Bulk rapidly solidified magnetic materials having a density of greater than 90%, a thickness of at least 250 microns, and preferably a low oxygen content, are produced by a liquid dynamic compaction process which, depending upon the chosen operating conditions, can yield materials ranging from crystalline to partially crystalline to amorphous. The materials so produced are directly useful, i.e. without having to be reduced to a powder and consolidated into a shape, to produce permanent magnets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a casting wheel having an interchangeable casting ring 8. The casting ring 8 is secured on an inner member 7 of the casting wheel 1 by adjustable radially and outwardly acting pressure members 17, 18 engaging with the edges of the casting ring 8. The pressure members 17, 18 center the casting ring 8, which they secure axially. The casting ring can be mounted in a problem-free manner when the pressure members are relieved of pressure.

Abstract: A method for making a polymer laminated drag cast aluminum alloy container stock material includes, in a preferred embodiment, drag casting an aluminum alloy suitable for forming into beverage containers into a sheet. The sheet is then cold rolled, at least one of the sheet's surfaces is cleaned and pretreated and a polymer material is laminated thereto. The polymer laminate on the drag cast aluminum alloy surface permits the use of drag cast aluminum alloy sheet material to be utilized, for example, as aluminum beverage container stock material.

Abstract: A chill block melt spinning apparatus produces flake-type powder of the smallest magnitude by centrifugal disintegration of molten metals and alloys. Molten metal or alloy is delivered to a rotating cup which centrifugally forces the metal to exit the cup tangentially in a sheet which breaks up into streams and then into a series of droplets. Rotating chill cylinders are radially spaced from the rotating cup. The cylinders receive the streams or droplets of semi-solidified metal and provide a fresh surface for each droplet to chill the droplets, forming ultra fine flakes while deflecting the flakes downward into a collecting area. The cylinders have a concave outer surface which corresponds to the shape of the rotating cup to provide an equidistant travel path from the rotating cup to a deflection contact surface for the radially travelling droplets.

Abstract: An electromagnetic process and apparatus for continuous casting of a thin strip of electrically conductive material on a cooled roll. The free surface of the material in the liquid state in the casting feed injector is subjected to the action of an alternating magnetic field generated by a single phase electrical current. The magnetic field can be generated by means of an inductor from tubular elements within which cooling water circulates.

Abstract: The device for casting thin metal products comprises one or two rolls (1) driven in rotation and having cooled walls, and side walls (3) defining a casting space (4). The surface of each roll is divided into at least three circumferential zones, at least one (5) of said zones having a roughness greater than the roughness of the other zones (6). This device permits carrying out the process according to the invention in which solely certain longitudinal zones of the skins of cast metal solidified on contact with the cooled walls of the rolls are preferentially driven along.

Abstract: A casting system for casting molten metal into a continuous solidified strip. A source of molten metal is fed onto a tundish which is interposed between the source of molten metal and a continuous substrate system preferably in the form of a continuous belt. The tundish directs the molten metal onto the moving belt in a direction toward the upstream end thereof so that it is moving in a direction opposed to the direction of the belt. This method of feeding the melt onto the belt results in less turbulance, a dampening of the molten metal and a spreading of the material across the width of the belt.

Abstract: A method of casting metal wherein the molten metal is deposited on a moving planar substrate formed from an insulating refractory material. The deposited liquid metal is maintained as a liquid until the turbulence induced by the pouring of the metal onto the substrate is minimized.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for spray casting a spray of molten metal on a moving substrate. The leading edge of the spray pattern is deflected away from or into the spray pattern to eliminate the cooler and less dense particles of the leading edge from contacting the substrate. The deflector preferably has a surface of non-wetting material to prevent the build up of material thereon.

Abstract: A continuous casting machine ("block caster") is provided with chain-wise interlinking of mold block assemblies. Such chain-wise interlinking maintains the mold block assemblies essentially contiguous and is essential to provide operation of a continuous casting machine essentially free of mechanical noise. Each mold block assembly is elastically independently hinged by dual parallel hingepins, spaced-apart in the casting direction (x-axis), as the mold block assembly is carried between opposed, transversely (y-axis) spaced-apart guide rails of each carriage track. The elastic hinge means compensates for variation in block-to-block (centerline) distance caused by kinematic phenomena, including thermally induced variations in the dimensions of individual blocks as a function of their position in each track during operation. Guide rollers guided in generally horizontal guide roller-ways are afforded no measurable tolerance relative to their vertical displacement, when the roller-ways are off-set.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the casting of metals in which a molten stream of metal is atomized into a spray of highly liquid droplets. The droplets are deposited on a moving substrate such as an endless belt provided with side dams. The droplets flow in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the substrate and are contained by the side dams. The droplets may have an average size of 300 microns and the spray may have a liquid to solid ratio of at least 50%. This arrangement overcomes the problems of splashing and turbulence caused by the relative flow between the melt and the belt in regular belt casting and overcomes porosity problems associated with spray casting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for starting a device for the continuous casting of molten metal, particularly steel, on a cooled roll (1) rotating about its horizontal axis. An adjacent container (4) contains the metal to be cast and has a front wall (5) whose free upper edge (11) is lowered in order to permit the exit of the metal to be cast, and which is swept by the cooled surface of the roll (1). According to the invention, casting is started with a relatively large lead angle (A) and, when casting has started, the container is displaced by pivoting about a horizontal axis, which can be the axis of rotation of the roll, so as to reduce the lead angle in order to arrive at a nominal working position (4') in which the container is held stationary.

Abstract: The continuous casting of metal strip using the melt overflow process is improved by controlling the weir conditions in the nozzle to provide a more uniform flow of molten metal across the width of the nozzle and reducing the tendency for freezing of metal along the interface with refractory surfaces. A weir design having a sloped rear wall and tapered sidewalls and critical gap controls beneath the weir has resulted in the drastic reduction in edge tearing and a significant improvement in strip uniformity. The floor of the container vessel is preferably sloped and the gap between the nozzle and the rotating substrate is critically controlled. The resulting flow patterns observed with the improved casting process have reduced thermal gradients in the bath, contained surface slag and eliminated undesirable solidification near the discharge area by increasing the flow rates at those points.

Abstract: The continuous casting of strip, ribbon and wire is improved by using a free jet nozzle which provides a fluid that follows a rotating substrate surface to the separation point. The nozzle includes an inclined surface having a ratio of its length to the gap between the substrate and the nozzle edge of 5:1 to 15:1. The inclined surface improves the ability of the jet to tangentially follow the substrate in a direction opposite to its rotation to the separation point. This also allows a close positioning of the nozzle to the substrate which serves to provide a back-up mechanical separation means by using the edge of nozzle lip. The nozzle may be rotated from its operating position for cleaning of the substrate and the nozzle.

Abstract: The flow control of molten alloy material in a tundish is improved by the design of a perpendicular turn in the path of flow of the molten alloy material as the flow leaves an intermediate section of the tundish or casting receptacle and overflows transversely an exit lip to thereby contact a heat-extracting substrate. The perpendicular turn in the flow achieves improved control of the molten alloy material's velocity profile, cooling rate, and depth and flow uniformity of the molten alloy material in the casting receptacle. The essentially perpendicular turn in the path of the molten alloy material from the intermediate section causes the molten alloy material to approach the exit lip in a transverse direction unlike conventional laminar or direct delivery molten flow.

Abstract: The flow control of molten material in a tundish is improved by the design of a perpendicular turn in the path of flow of the molten material as the flow leaves an intermediate section of the tundish or casting receptacle and overflows transversely an exit lip to thereby contact a heat-extracting substrate. The perpendicular turn in the flow achieves improved control of the molten material's velocity profile, cooling rate, and depth and flow uniformity of the molten material in the casting receptacle. The essentially perpendicular turn in the path of the molten material from the intermediate section causes the molten material to approach the exit lip in a transverse direction unlike conventional laminar or direct delivery molten flow. The transverse flow relative to the direction of the exit overflow toward the casting or cooling surface facilitates improved mixing of the molten material, improved control of the depth gradient, and improved control of the velocity into the exit lip.

Abstract: Thin metal tapes are cast using a casting wheel (2) having a substantially vertical axis of rotation (3) and a metal supply line (4) comprising a casting nozzle (6) which has a metal discharge opening (7) directed towards a rotating cooling surface (8) of the casting wheel. The discharge opening (7) of the casting nozzle 6) is directed towards a substantially vertical drum surface (8) of the casting wheel (2) and a gap (A) of less than 1 mm is provided between the drum surface (8) and the metal discharge opening (7) of the casting nozzle (6).

Abstract: Metal strip 9 cast directly from the melt onto a cylindrical casting drum 20 is made more uniform in thickness and in structure by making the temperature of the casting surface and, therefore, heat transfer more uniform, thus reducing distortion of the casting surface. This is accomplished by a novel arrangement of helical coolant channels 25 extending below the casting surface 10 and in heat transfer relationship with the casting surface and being at an angle of between about 15.degree. and 75.degree. (and preferably between about 45.degree. and 75.degree.) to the drum axis. At least one coolant inlet 21 and one coolant outlet 22 supply and withdraw coolant to each channel. In one embodiment, inlets (21a, 21b) are alternated on the same side of the shell with outlets (22a and 22b) of adjacent channels so that the cooler regions around inlets and alternated with higher temperature outlet regions to balance the temperature around the surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to the continuous casting of metals into moulds with movable walls. According to the method of producing metal filament, a fraction of molten metal is continuously fed onto an additional chill surface which is contiguous to a main chill surface and displaces relative thereto so that an additional metal filament is formed on the additional chill surface before being separated from this surface and coiled. The apparatus materializing the method incorporates a means (1) of forming metal filament an additional closed chill surface (4) whereof is coupled to an individual drive (9) and to a means (31) of coiling the additional metal filament (32) and is located next to and in contact with the main closed chill surface (2). A feeder (15) is disposed above a zone of contact between the main and additional chill surfaces.

Abstract: A method of direct casting crystalline metal sheet in continuous strip form from a melt of metal having a melting point below about 900.degree. C. on a continuously driven substantially smooth chill surface cooled to extract heat from the strip being cast avoids gas pockets between the strip and chill surface by applying heat from an external source to the chill surface prior to the chill reentering the melt whereby vaporizable condensates and deposits on the chill surface are eliminated prior to contact with the melt.

Abstract: Disclosed are process and apparatus for use in the direct casting of metal strip from molten metal deposited on a moving chill surface from a tundish having a floor, opposed upwardly extending sidewalls, an end wall, an open outlet opposite the end wall with the open outlet extending substantially the full width of the tundish between the sidewalls, and an inlet for providing a flow of molten metal into the tundish from a source of molten metal. Flow distribution and diffusers within the tundish control and diffuse the flow of molten metal to provide molten metal of substantially uniform temperature across the width of the tundish at the outlet.

Abstract: A melt drag metal strip casting system of the type wherein molten metal is delivered from a supply of the molten metal into contact with a grooved chill surface at a casting station and the chill surface is driven for movement in a path past the casting station at a predetermined linear rate to quench and withdraw a continuous strip of metal from the molten metal supply, the grooves in the chill surface being gradually parallel and spaced from one another to provide land regions between adjacent grooves and the strip having a bottom surface adhering to the land regions of the chill surface and an unsolidified top surface as it is withdrawn from the molten metal supply, including a top roll adjustable mounted above the chill surface and spaced therefrom by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the strip desired with the top roll in contact only with the unsolidified top surface of the strip, with the temperature of the top roll surface in contact with the unsolidified top surface of the strip bein

Abstract: Continuous production of metal fiber is provided by delivering molten metal at low pressure to a multi-edged, rotating casting drum. The metal is delivered through a wide orifice in a tundish frontwall in close proximity to the casting edges. The flow to the orifice is controlled by means of a constrictive channel upstream of the orifice communicating with the source of molten metal.

Abstract: A molten metal gas-atomizing spray-depositing apparatus has an atomizer which employs a pressurized gas flow for atomizing a stream of molten metal into a spray pattern of metal particles and for producing a flow of the particles in the pattern thereof along with the pressurized gas flow in a generally downward direction. The apparatus also has a substrate, such as composed of stainless steel, disposed in spaced relation below the atomizer with at least an upper surface layer of a glass thereon, being thermally softenable over a broad predetermined temperature range. The pressurized gas flow impinges on the glass surface layer of the substrate which receives a deposit of the particles in the spray pattern to form a product thereon.

Abstract: A method of direct casting molten metal into strip by providing a melt of the metal to be cast, providing a continuously driven metal chill surface, flowing a layer of the melt onto the moving chill surface and extracting heat from the layer of melt to solidify and temporarily bond the layer of melt to the chill surface and to shrink the solidified layer and cause it to be released from the chill surface, withdrawing the released solidified layer as a continuous metal strip, establishing a natural oxide layer on said chill surface to provide an interface between said layer of melt and said chill surface, and maintaining said natural oxide in a smooth layer of substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: A heat extracting substrate is moved along a melt front formed at the edge of the surface of a molten material so that a layer of molten material is deposited on the substrate, cooled and removed from the substrate to form ribbon, filaments, fiber or film directly from the molten material. The edge may be formed by providing an upper edge upon a portion of the wall of a receptacle lower than the top of the receptacle. The molten material may be overflowed over this relatively horizontal edge and against the moving substrate surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuous casting includes a tundish for containing molten metal and delivering the metal to a work zone where the metal solidifies as it is moved through the work zone in a continuous casting process. The tundish contains molten metal and includes an outlet and a pervious flow restricting element is positioned in the outlet. The element causes the flow of the metal to be distributed as it flows through the outlet and into the work zone to engage a growing shell of solid metal carried through the work zone by a chilled substrate. The molten metal acts to apply a pressure on the shell and to lubricate the moving shell. The arrangement minimizes exposure of liquid to air and minimizes opportunity for turbulence in the liquid contained in the work zone. A method of continuous casting is also described.

Abstract: A molten metal gas-atomizing spray-depositing apparatus has an atomizer which employs a pressurized gas flow for atomizing a stream of molten metal into a spray pattern of semi-solid metal particles. The apparatus also has a movable non-preheated substrate composed of a material having a predetermined thermal conductivity of about one or less (W/M-K) being disposed below the atomizeer. The substrate receives thereon a deposit of the particles in the spray pattern. The pressurized gas flow also impinges thereon for cooling the deposit on the substrate to form a product thereon. The predetermined thermal conductivity of the substrate of one or less precludes extraction of heat by the substrate from, and thus solidification of, the deposit upon initial contact with the substrate whereby a reduction of porosity is achieved in the deposit.

Abstract: In a process for casting strip and foil, a melt from a casting slit (4) of a casting nozzle (3) is applied to a moving cooling body (6). The melt is thereby diverted in a gap (A) from the flow-out direction out of the casting slit into the strip removal direction. In order to improve the casting conditions and the strip quality, but also to be able to produce larger cast formats, especially a multiplication of the produceable strip width and a simplification and cheapening of the melt feed device to the cooling body, the melt is fed in the casting nozzle (3) up as far as the entry into the casting slit (4) perpendicular to the casting direction and perpendicular to the strip removal direction (21). In the region of the casting slit within the casting nozzle, a diversion of the melt into the flow-out direction is provided for.

Abstract: A melt drag metal strip casting system of the type wherein molten metal is delivered from a supply of the molten metal into contact with a chill surface at a casting station and the chill surface is driven for movement in a path past the casting station at a predetermined linear rate to quench and withdraw a continuous strip of metal from the molten metal supply, the strip having a bottom surface adhering to the chill surface and an unsolidified top surface as it is withdrawn from the molten metal supply, includes a top roll adjustably mounted above the chill surface and spaced therefrom by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the strip desired with the top roll in contact with the unsolidified top surface of the strip, with the temperature of the top roll surface in contact with the unsolidified top surface of the strip being maintained at a level which will not solidify the top surface of the metal being cast.

Abstract: Metal strip may be directly cast by deposit of a melt layer onto a chill surface. Quality of both the upper and lower surfaces of strip case in this manner may be substantially improved according to the invention by casting on a chill roll having fine, circumferential, surface grooving of a particular geometry.

Abstract: A method of preparing alloy of a transition metal and lanthanide comprising the steps of alloying a transition metal, boron, at least one lower-weight lanthanide having none or few stable compounds with iron, optionally one or more higher-weight lanthanides, a glass former, and optionally the pseudo lanthanide, yttrium; forming an amorphous or nearly amorphous metastable microstructure in the alloy; and heating the amorphous alloy to form a polycrystalline, multiphase, fine-grain single-domain structure.