Abstract: A case according to the present invention is used in a sintering process to produce a rare-earth magnet. The case includes: a body with an opening; a door for opening or closing the opening of the body; and supporting rods for horizontally sliding a sintering plate, on which green compacts of rare-earth magnetic alloy powder are placed. The supporting rods are secured inside the body. At least the body and the door are made of molybdenum.

Abstract: A mechanism for supporting an elongated hollow workpiece during a heat treatment process in which the workpiece is rapidly heated and cooled, such as by a induction coil and a quenching ring through which the workpiece is moved. The support mechanism includes a driver member and at least one chuck, but preferably a plurality of chucks, positioned around the driver member. The chucks are movable relative to the driver member in a lateral direction with respect to an axis defined by the elongated workpiece between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the disengaged position, contact surfaces of the chucks are spaced apart from an inner surface of the workpiece. In the engaged position, the contact surfaces frictionally engage the inner surface of the workpiece, thereby supporting the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for guiding bands in a suspended manner and for stabilizing bands, preferably wide metal bands, for the purpose of heat treating the same. In the device, the band is blown on both sides with the aid of suspended nozzle sections, and two respective radial ventilators with 360° spiral casings are arranged on the side walls of the device in the vicinity of both sides of the band. The intake openings of the radial ventilators point toward the middle of the device. The axes of the radial ventilators are vertical in relation to the side walls, and the radial ventilators are arranged in such a way that they deliver air into air delivery channels (6) of the length of at least one hydraulic diameter in a manner parallel to the longitudinal direction of the device, that is, in a direction of movement of the band. The air delivery channels (6) are adjacent to the upper casing (8) or the lower casing of the device via a side wall.

Abstract: A heat treat fixture is provided for supporting thin sheet-like work pieces, such as metal gasket layers, during heat treatment to achieve uniform hardness and properties of the work piece while preventing warpage. The fixture has porous, planar support walls that engage the opposite sides of the work piece. The walls include a coarse porous exoskeleton of expanded metal and an inner liner of wire mesh panels that are considerably finer than the coarse exoskeleton. The porous walls permit liquid heating and cooling media during heat treatment to flow freely through the walls for intimate contact with the work piece to achieve rapid uniform heating and cooling. The work piece is supported by the porous walls against movement out of its plane while being permitted to expand and contract within its plane to minimize warpage.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus to apply a corrosion protection in the form of a zinc (or other sacrificial anodic material) tape to a tubular member such as pipe or coiled tubing to used as an underground or underwater pipeline or flow line is disclosed. The zinc tape is applied with sufficient heat and pressure to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and underlying metal pipe. This allows the zinc tape to act simultaneously as a continuous protective metal barrier to the normal scrapes and nicks the pipe experiences during installation and as a sacrificial anode. The novel apparatus preheats the zinc tape with a nozzle containing heated gas such as nitrogen as it approaches the pipe surface. At the point of contact with the pipe surface, the nozzle continues heating the tape and pipe surface while a plurality of pressure rollers exert sufficient force on the zinc tape to form a metallurgical bond between the zinc tape and the pipe surface.

Abstract: Diffusion bonding techniques are extended to the simultaneous bonding of an array of multilevel piece parts. The problems of uneven expansion and contraction of different levels of different piece parts in the array are obviated by positioning each level of the array within a frame. The stack of frames is pinned in one corner. The opposite corner of the array has a slot at a 45° angle with respect to the x and y axes of the array. The slot engages a pin and allows the entire array to expand and contract along the slot in a manner to maintain the registration of features between respective levels of each piece part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making arcuate coil springs from straight coil springs and particularly includes a phase of bending the straight springs during a heat treatment, which method provides exceptional results in that for the bending, a lasting arcuate shape is imparted to the springs substantially by giving the springs the shape of a portion of a turn to provide the spring with a counter-defect prior to the subsequent finishing steps. The invention also relates to a spring manufactured according to such a method and to devices for carrying out the method which include devices for holding at least the end coils of the springs in staggered positions, which devices may include a holder provided with fastening devices.

Abstract: An in-line material handling system wherein workpieces (P) are transported through the system in pallet baskets (10). The handling system includes a loading station (55, 208) a processing station (84, 210) for treating the workpieces (P) and a discharge station (124, 212) for receiving the treated workpieces (P) from the processing station (84, 210).

Abstract: An automatic plant for thermal treatments of metal materials, in particular steel materials, is provided which comprises work stations (3, 4, 5, 6) having chambers (4a, 5a, 6a) with a well-shaped conformation, a flat bearing structure (7) in superposed relationship with the work stations, a movable assembly (8) provided with a slidable plate-like base (9) close to the bearing structure (7), at least one bell-shaped region (10) formed in the plate-like base (9) and adapted to house a charge-holding basket (18), and at least one vertical-movement device (12) adapted to move the basket (18) from an inner position to an outer position relative to the bell-shaped region itself (10).

Abstract: A quench hardening jig for a cylindrical work piece comprises a flat shaped base member(1), a plurality of taper plates(2) and an inversely tapered block(4), the plurality of the taper plates being disposed radiantly on the base member retractably relative to a center of the base member while each taper plate being formed such that it is substantially L shaped in its front view and an internal surface thereof is tapered, the inversely tapered block having an inversely tapered surface(4a) fitting to the tapered surface(2a) of the taper plate and being mounted on the tapered surface of the taper plate such that a progress of the inversely tapered block(4) in a vertical direction contracts/expands an external diameter formed by the respective taper plates(2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high-temperature precision sintering applications are disclosed wherein a flowable bed of a refractory particulate material is used to support an article during sintering to minimize distortions caused by shrinkage.

Abstract: Holding device for inductive heating of billets of metal alloys having thixotropic properties, and for holding and transporting the billets until casting. The holding device is a dish and the dish exhibits a body in the shape of a tub and a wall at each end, at least the body being out of a high melting point metal, for example steel.

Abstract: An electric cylinder to reduce shock and damage to itself and a body to be transferred. The electric cylinder includes a rod head having a flange mounted on the distal end of a hollow piston rod, a circular polyurethane rubber plate mounted on a circular front surface of the flange, and a protection plate mounted on the front surface of the polyurethane rubber plate.

Abstract: Furnace for storing, reheating and holding ferrometallurgical products, in which the products travel along a displacement path on members placed so as to connect, in the tranverse direction, a charging zone and a discharging zone, the reheating and holding zones including, on the one hand, product-supporting members and transporting members placed at a certain distance from the supporting members and being able to perform a rising movement with respect to these and a horizontal displacement movement making the product advance step by step.

Abstract: An insert for use with a cooling bed plate transfer grid including a plurality of longitudinal side grid members and a plurality of transverse cross grid members extending between the side grid members and coacting therewith to define a plurality of grid pockets, each sized to removably receive an insert. The insert includes a housing sized to fit in the pocket and including front and rear end flange portions adapted to seat on successive cross members. The housing is fixedly secured to the successive cross members by J bolts which extend downwardly and beneath the respective cross members for clamping engagement with the respective cross members. The housing further defines a central slot in which a roller is mounted. The roller is mounted on the central journal portion of a pin and the pin further includes rectangular end portions slidably received in vertical slots defined by the housing at opposite sides of the roller.

Abstract: Cooled rollers for handling and conveying metallurgical and ferro-metallurgical products, moving inside a furnace, each of these rollers being formed by a water-cooled central shaft on which discs are mounted perpendicularly to the said central shaft in order to serve as a support for the ferro-metallurgical products, wherein the said central shaft are provided with thermal insulation shields for avoiding radiative heat transfer between the atmosphere in the furnace and the cooled shaft of the said roller.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supporting a steel slab and protecting the bottom surface of the slab as the slab is advanced over a skid bar system through a slab heating furnace and which includes at least a first member for supporting the weight of the steel slab and protecting the slab's bottom surface, and a second member for contacting an edge portion of the steel slab. The second member of the apparatus is comprised of a material which is substantially non-consumable, or may be coated or lined with a material which renders it non-consumable, at the operating temperatures of a slab heating furnace and which inhibits the movement of carbon from the rider into the steel slab. In the alternative, the method may include coating the slab edge with a layer having high temperature stability and low thermal conductivity.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment of this invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in FIGS. 5 and 6, an annealing tray coil support pad 24 is formed of a woven cloth high temperature resistant fabric layer 26 and a similar bottom layer 28. The woven cloth is made of high tensile strength fibers. An intermediate layer 34 composed of a high density matted fiberboard insulative material of a thickness of between 0.75 inches and 3 inches is positioned between the top layer 26 and the bottom layer 28 for providing sufficient support to aluminum sheet coil 10 to minimize its peripheral deformation while the coil is being processed through one or more annealing furnaces. Pad 24 substantially reduces the amount of deformation and therefore the amount of waste material from each aluminum sheet coil 10.

Abstract: In the heat treatment in the field of a thermite weld between rail ends, the rail ends and the weld are enclosed within a containment filled with an aluminothermic material mixture. The mixture is ignited and the rail ends and the thermite weld are heat-treated for a given period. After the given period, the aluminothermic reaction products and the containment are removed, and an air quench unit is placed about the weld and rail ends and compressed air is directed at the weld and rail ends for a given time period. After the removal of the air quench unit, the weld is allowed to cool to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A pressure pad comprises a plenum chamber, adapted to be conneceted to a pressurized-fluid supply means, having a pair of parallel slit nozzles formed in a top wall, and the chamber is arranged underneath a path of a strip. The plenum chamber is provided with holes in the top wall and at least two obstructions on the top wall. The holes are arranged on imaginary lines that extend between the nozzles on both sides of the top wall and central portions thereof point to adjacent edges of the path. Each of the obstructions comprises at least one obstructing wall arranged on either side of one of the imaginary lines. The lines may have V-, Arch- or Bracket-shaped configurations.

Abstract: Spaced apart packs of closely spaced steel or other metallic rods, tubes or other elongate articles are annealed or otherwise heat treated by advancing them step by step by a walking beam mechanism through a chamber having a series of independently temperature controlled zones along the path of travel, the articles being disposed horizontally and transversely of the path of travel. The atmosphere within each zone is recirculated therein independently of the recirculation of atmosphere within adjacent zones and without substantial mixing of the atmosphere within adjacent zones.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for rolling hot wide strips from continuously cast thin slabs in successive steps of operation of a rolling line which includes a continuous finishing train. One or more casting lines and individual thin slabs are severed from the cast strand. The thin slabs are homogenized and adjusted to rolling temperature in an equalizing furnace and the thin slabs are transferred from the equalizing furnace to the rolling line. Roller-type turning furnaces provided in each of the casting lines and in the rolling line are use by turning the roller-type turning furnaces toward each other into positions which are inclined relative to the casting and rolling lines in the manner of switches for alternatingly conveying thin slabs from one of the casting lines through the roller-type turning furnaces into the rolling line.

Abstract: A crosshead shoe for the sliding transport on rails of a material to be annealed has, for the lateral guiding on the rails, an approximately U-shaped cross section with downwardly projecting legs. Special glide elements are provided on the side of the glide shoe which faces the glide plane, and/or the rail, which glide elements are designed so that as little wear and friction as possible occur during the movement of the crosshead shoes. The glide elements have glide surfaces for this purpose, the side surfaces of which glide surfaces are rounded and/or downwardly inclined, and/or the peripheral edges of which are associated with one another in obtuse angles or have a shape which is at least partially circular. These conditions exist, for example, in glide elements with polygonal or circular surfaces, which can be arranged in one or several rows or in a honeycomb pattern.

Abstract: A high temperature heat-treating jig characterized by forming a tungsten layer or a tungsten alloy layer on the surface of a heat-resistant base to avoid discoloration and color shading during the heat treatment at a high temperature.

Abstract: A skidrail system for a reheat furnace including a first skidrail extending within the reheat furnace, a second skidrail extending within the reheat furnace in a skewed relationship with the first skidrail, a plurality of pipe members extending upwardly from the first and second skidrails, and a skid button positioned on an end of each of the pipe members opposite the first and second skidrails. The pipe members have an interior in fluid communication with an interior of the first and second skidrails. The skid button supports a product thereon. A fluid circulation system is positioned in the first and second skidrails and in the plurality of pipe members. This fluid circulation system delivers a cooling fluid in heat exchange relationship with the pipe members. The skid button is supported at least four inches above the first and second skidrail.

Abstract: Thermal insulation members for water cooling pipes in slab furnaces are provided which eliminate the need for welded attachment of the insulation to the pipes. The refractory material is formed for cooperative axial engagement such that a single U-shaped member and a pair of plugs encircles the pipe while in an integrated self-supporting interlock while leaving the upper skid rail unobstructed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metal-ceramic composite for use in a high temperature and a abrasion-resisting member such as a supporting member of a heating furnace having a construction, in which ceramic particles having superior abrasion resistance and heat resistance are dispersed in a metallic matrix having superior toughness or ceramic blocks are buried in a metallic surface, whereby the characteristics of a ceramic and a metal are simultaneously utilized. A metal-ceramic composite superior in physical characteristic, such as abrasion resistance and heat resistance, and a method of producing the same are provided.

Abstract: A roller assembly for a roller furnace for heat treating slabs is provided with thermal insulation. A metal roller has carrier rings spaced at intervals thereon for carrying a slab to be treated. A needled first fiber mat surrounds the metal roller between the carrier rings and has a fibrous spraying compound sprayed thereon. A binder in the fibrous spraying compound joins the fiber spraying compound with the first fiber mat. A precompressed second fiber mat is laterally disposed between the carrier rings and the fibrous spraying compound. The result is a thermal insulation arrangement which withstands the dynamic stresses of the roller assembly as well as the chemical stresses due to the presence of a hot slab.

Abstract: A strand annealing furnace is provided with a tube assembly to shield or protect the strand being annealed from the hot furnace atmosphere. The tube assembly includes a long, outer, oxidation-resistant pipe and a shorter, inner easily removable, insert, protecting at least the entrance end of the tube, so that any residue from drawing lubricants will deposit within the insert rather than block and/or corrode the pipe.

Abstract: The coring probe is constructed in the form of a tube (1) whose front part is capable of being disassembled into at least two parts (2,3), for example an upper element (2) which is fixed in use to a lower element (3) by members (4) and screws (6). This probe may be employed several times and consequently permits achieving a marked saving relative to known probes.

Abstract: Plant (10) to roll flat products which is fed in line by at least one continuous casting line (11) equipped with a shears (12) upstream of a temperature equalization furnace (13), the outlet of which is in the immediate vicinity of and in cooperation with the intake of a rolling train (10), the temperature equalization furnace (13) comprising within itself three walking beams (22-23-24), of which a first walking beam (22) cooperates with an intake roller conveyor (16) of the temperature equalization furnace (13) and is able to take continuously slabs (18) arriving from the at least one continuous casting line (11) and arranged on the intake roller conveyor (16) and to place them on a second intermediate walking beam (23), which is able to transfer these slabs (18) onto a third walking beam (24), which in turn can transfer the slabs (18) onto an outlet roller conveyor (15).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of floatingly supporting a metallic strip in a direct firing type continuous heat treating furnace accommodating a plurality of floater nozzles. In this method, furnace gas is initially supplied to and pressurized by a plurality of multistage booster fans. The temperature of the furnace gas to be supplied to the booster fans is less than a critical temperature of the fans. When the temperature of the furnace gas is less than the temperature of the material of the strip, the temperature of the furnace gas is raised to a temperature near the material temperature in combustion chambers provided with respective direct firing type burners. The furnace gas is then supplied to the floater nozzles, the internal pressure of which is controlled prior to being jetted.

Abstract: An oven for the partial heat treatment of tools, for example, twist drills, omprises a first section, which contains the heating chamber that is constantly at the desired operating temperature. A second section for the loading and unloading and the quenching is provided. Between the two sections there is arranged a transport device for the charges of tools. The oven may be in the form of a one-chamber or three-chamber vacuum oven. The oven provides a high heat transfer rate, because the heating chamber is constantly at the desired operating temperature and the heat transfer by heat radiation under vacuum is started immediately when the charge is at its final position inside the heating chamber.

Abstract: A device for heat treatment of shafts or like members in a vertical position comprises a unitary construction tray. This includes an upper deck formed with support holes, optionally on a plurality of alternate levels. These holes support and center a lower end of the shafts or like members. Horizontal ribs join the holes. A lower deck of the tray also comprises holes and ribs, and pillars join the ribs of the upper and lower decks in such a way as to leave large gaps for fluid to circulate through.

Abstract: A rapid thermochemical treatment automatic installation for a charge constituted by parts, intended particularly for the mechanical industry, which includes a plurality of treatment modules such as an induction preheating module, thermochemical treatment modules, a quenching module, a device for carrying out the loading and unloading of the parts stacked in columns and a transfer device of the columns of parts between the various treatment modules.

Abstract: A holder for work tools to be heat treated in a furnace which holder device is formed of a good heat-conductive metallic material in which are blind holes for the insertion of tools and which is unitary and which is surrounded by a layer of thermal insulation.

Abstract: An improved layout of the hearth rolls in an annealing furnace comprises a plurality of ceramic coated rolls and a plated rolls. The ceramic coated rolls are arranged in a region in the annealing furnace, where the temperature is higher than 450.degree. C. On the other hand, the plated rolls are arranged in a region where the temperature is lower than or equal to 450.degree. C. The hearth roll is provided a wear resistant coating of chrome plate or sprayed on ceramic of a thickness greater than or equal to 1 .mu.m and less than or equal to 100 .mu.m. In addition, according to the invention, the hearth roll is provided a surface roughness Ra in the range of 4.5 .mu.m to 20 .mu.m.

Abstract: A bell furnace (2) and hardening vat (3) arrangement comprises charge (4) supporting means (14, resp. 29, 32, 33) connected to the bell and extending toward the center of the bell. It comprises means (18, 18', resp. 28) for imparting solely to the bell either a vertical and rotary movement or only solely a vertical movement, while the vat (3) is under the furnace (1), in such a way that the bell can be brought against the top plane of the vat, the bell/vat unit forming a tight enclosure at the time of hardening. A lift can introduce into the bell, and the means (18, 18;, resp. 31, 34, 37) co-operate at the same time in the release of the charge and in the placing of the latter on the supporting means (14).

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for quenching elongated steel pipe in a liquid cooling medium substantially improves the straightness of the finished product. After being heated to an initial temperature higher than the austenite transformation temperature, the pipe is positioned within an enclosure formed by mating semi-cylindrical shell members. Two streams of coolant are introduced to flow through the interior of the pipe, and over the exterior of the pipe, respectively, the relative volumes of flow of the two streams of coolant being regulated to ensure substantially uniform rates of cooling as between the interior and exterior surfaces of the pipe.

Abstract: A nitride layer is formed on the surface of a shaped article of titanium by a method which comprises bringing nitrogen gas into contact with the shaped article of titanium in a heated state. The nitrogen gas, en route to the site of contact with the shaped article of titanium, is preparatorily caused to come into contact and react with small particles of titanium so as to be deprived of such extraneous components as hydrogen and oxygen and consequently converted into pure nitrogen gas. This pure nitrogen gas is introduced into contact with the shaped article of titanium in a heated state to effect the nitriding of the surface of the shaped article. An apparatus to be used in effecting the nitriding treatment by the method of this invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for setting and resetting a portion of a shape-memory alloy part, the apparatus including an enclosing chamber having openings for the portion, a body of solid particles in the chamber, a pressure member connected to the chamber to immobilize the particles and the portion and a mechanism for heating the portion to a resetting temperature while immobilized, is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for scribing grain-oriented silicon steel to improve core losses and which can be used at typical strip line speeds. The method and apparatus provide for moving the strip and forming the strip about an axis parallel to the strip movement, rotating a body having scribing means mounted at or about the periphery and scribing the strip at selected spaced-apart intervals substantially transverse to the strip direction.

Abstract: Disclosed in a jig unit for heat treatment of a metal workpiece such as, e.g., a hollow hemispherical work as a part of a rocket motor case. The jig unit includes a constraining templet member which is made of a metal having a greater coefficient of expansion than the material of the work and has an outer surface shaped correspondingly to the inner surface of the workpiece. A base of the jig unit holds the templet member and the workpiece such that the outer surface of the templet member is slightly spaced from the inner surface of the workpiece. The work is heated together with the templet member while introducing an inactive gas into the gap between the workpiece and the templet member. By thermal expansion the templet member comes into close contact with the inner surface of the workpiece and serves as a constraining means, whereby strains in the work are remedied. Cooling of the heated workpiece is carried out while the templet member is still in close contact with the inner surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: An improved tilting lug assembly for a metallurgical ladle includes an elongated hooking link having one end portion pivotally mounted on the sidewall of the ladle by a rigid support bracket positioned substantially 90.degree. circumferentially from the ladle trunion axis, with an open eye on the other end of the hooking link. The hooking link is normally biased to a substantially horizontal position with the open eye projecting outwardly from the ladle sidewall in position to be easily engaged by the lifting hook of a crane for tilting the ladle, with the link being freely pivotable in an upward direction on application on an upwardly directed force and being pivoted downward from the normal horizontal position against the biasing means upon application of a downward force whereby engagement of the hooking link with an obstruction during raising or lowering the crane will not result in inadvertent tilting of the ladle.

Abstract: A tool for supporting a composite camshaft having a steel shaft and a sintered piece to be joined to the steel shaft through sintering in a sintering furnace. The tool comprises a graphite frame having at least two sides, in an upper portion of which a groove means is formed. A ceramic layer is provided on a surface of the groove means. When sintering is performed using such a tool, the tool will not deform even if the tool is exposed to an environment of high temperature, such as the temperature higher than 1,100.degree. C., and therefore, bending of the composite camshaft will not occur during sintering. In addition, the ceramic layer prevents diffusion of carbon from the graphite frame to the steel shaft of the composite camshaft, and therefore, a hardening of the steel shaft due to carbonizing will not occur. As a result, reliability of the joint between the sintered piece and the steel shaft is increased.

Abstract: A rotary hearth adapted to rotate in horizontal plane having a top surface made of a loose granular refractory material, advantageously dead burned dolomite grain.

Abstract: A supporting and guiding means comprises a centrally disposed support column (6) at the upper end of which at least one slide tube (1) is secured paraxially. A holding and guiding device (2) is arranged on said slide tube and retaining plates (4) act at the ends of said device, the retaining plates (4) engaging in the upper open end of at least two insulators or similar elongated ceramic articles (7) arranged outside of the support column and, upon shrinking of the insulators (7), following the shrinking movement in axial direction while, at the same time, holding and guiding the insulators (7).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the heat treatment of a workpiece, particularly an outer race member of a universal joint, having a cavity formed therein. The apparatus includes a horizontally disposed base and at least one elongated vertically disposed post extending upwardly therefrom with a passage extending at least partially longitudinally therethrough. The workpiece is mounted on the elongated vertically disposed post by insertion of the upper end of the elongated vertically disposed post into the cavity, the passage providing a venting of the cavity during the heat treatment operation.

Abstract: A rotary hearth finish annealing furnace includes coil tables carrying thereon steel plate coils to be annealed with their axes being vertical, a hearth traveling along a circle having a predetermined radius and supporting thereabove the coil tables, inner covers covering the coils on the coil tables, and a protective cover covering the above members over a predetermined distance.According to the invention, heating means for heating the coils are arranged at a level above upper ends of the steel plate coils. In a preferred embodiment, the coil tables are arranged so as to permit the coils to be arranged thereon in at least two circular rows on a single plane concentric to said traveling circle of the hearth. Moreover, portions of the hearth subjected to loads of the coils and coil tables are made of comparatively high strength bricks and the other portions are made of a light weight refractory material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for spirally winding a magnetic core from at least one filament of magnetic material. Two congruent mandrel plates are mated together in facing relation to delimit a mandrel having an outer peripheral edge portion. An annular channel is formed in the edge portion to delimit at least one channel region having a preselected characteristic width dimension, and a plurality of graduated templates are optionally disposed about the mandrel edge portion to delimit at least one template region having a preselected characteristic width dimension. Filamentary magnetic material is then wound about the mandrel to fill the channel regions and any template regions, thereby producing the core.