Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for using laser radiation to remove an oxide layer (scale) by vaporization from a hot rolled or annealed steel strip (40) traveling in a gravitationally vertical direction at a speed of at least 10 m/min. The apparatus includes a high power laser such as a free electron laser and a sealed interaction chamber (90) containing a non-oxidizing gas (108). The electromagnetic radiation from the laser has a surface power density of at least about 5 MW/cm.sup.2 at a point of contact with the metal strip surface. The radiation is passed through an optical system of aligned lenses or mirrors for focusing the radiation into a straight line projected transversely completely across the strip. The radiation has a pulse width less than 100 picoseconds, a pulse repetition rate greater than 10 MHz and a high average power of at least 10 kW.

Abstract: A ferritic non-ridging stainless steel and process therefor. A chromium alloyed steel melt is deoxidized with a sub-equilibrium amount of titanium and nitrogen and continuously cast into a strip or a slab or cast into an ingot having an as-cast fine equiaxed microstructure substantially free of columnar grains. The as-cast steel contains .ltoreq.0.010% Al, up to 0.08% C, 0.10-1.50% Mn, .ltoreq.0.05% N, .ltoreq.1.5% Si, 8-25% Cr, <2.0% Ni and is deoxidized with titanium, all percentages by weight, the balance Fe and residual elements. Preferably, the titanium is controlled so that (Ti/48)/?(C/12)+(N/14)!>1.5. A hot processed continuous sheet may be formed from a continuously cast slab without surface grinding, may be descaled, cold reduced to a final thickness and recrystallization annealed. An anneal prior to cold reduction is not required to obtain an annealed sheet essentially free of ridging.

Abstract: A snowplow (20) adapted for being attached to or detached from a vehicle (22) having a frame (24). The snowplow includes a mount frame (26) for connection to the vehicle frame, a support frame (32), a lift assembly (38) and a blade assembly. The blade assembly of the invention includes a blade (30), a blade cutting edge (31) and a wheel support assembly (56). The support frame includes a forward end (33) for supporting the blade and a rearward end (36) for connection to the vehicle. When detached from the vehicle as a single unit, the resultant weight on the rearward end of the support frame may be supported on a ground surface (46) by a jack stand (48).

Abstract: A snowplow (20) adapted for being attached or detached from a vehicle (22) having a frame (24). The snowplow includes a mount frame (26) for connection to the vehicle frame, a support frame (32), a lift assembly (38) and a blade assembly. The blade assembly includes a blade (30), a blade cutting edge (31) and a wheel support assembly (56). The support frame includes a forward end (33) for supporting the blade and a rearward end (36) for connection to the vehicle. When detached from the vehicle as a single unit, the resultant weight on the rearward end of the support frame is supported on a ground surface (46) by a jack stand (48). The wheel support assembly is mounted adjacent to or slightly ahead of a center of gravity (58).

Abstract: A stainless steel sheet suitable for use in the manufacture of an exhaust component. The steel sheet has at least one surface pretreated with a protective coating resistant to delamination at temperatures up to about 540.degree. C. including an inner inorganic portion and an outer organic portion. The inorganic portion includes at least 50 mg/m.sup.2 of a chromium based conversion coating having a thickness no greater then 0.02 mm. The conversion coating contains particulate silica with the weight ratio of chromium to silica within the range of 1:1 to 2:1. The outer organic portion includes a silicone paint containing 40-60 wt. % silicone resin. The silicone paint is dried at a temperature less than 300.degree. C. in less than one minute and then coated with a copolymer of a thermoplastic acrylic and a lubricant or a polymeric olefin. The acrylic copolymer contains 5-70 wt. % of the lubricant and the polymeric olefin contains 90% olefin resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of a grain oriented electrical steel composition having a volume resistivity of at least 50 micro-ohm-cm. The melt composition of the steel consists essentially of, in weight %, about 0.08% max carbon, about 0.015 to about 0.05% aluminum, about 2.25 to 7% silicon, greater than about 0.5% manganese.sub.eq, about 0.001 to about 0.011% nitrogen, about 0.01% max sulfur, about 3% max chromium, about 1% max copper, about 2% max nickel and balance essentially iron. High levels of silicon are balanced with a manganese equivalent relationship which permits lower levels of carbon while still providing the desired levels of austenite during rolling and annealing. The processing also includes the addition of excess nitrogen to the steel prior to secondary grain growth which is subsequently removed during a purification treatment.

Abstract: A multiple stage process for obtaining Ni units from Ni laterite ores and sulfur-bearing Ni concentrates during production of nickel-alloyed iron, nickel-alloyed steel or nickel-alloyed stainless steel in a reactor equipped with top- and bottom-blowing means. Dried Ni laterite ore is charged into an iron/slag bath mixture containing dissolved carbon and a metalloid reductant such as aluminum or silicon. The laterite ore is melted while heat is generated by oxidation of the metalloid and carbon in the reactor. After the laterite ore is melted, top-blowing of pure oxygen and bottom-blowing of an oxygen-containing gas are ceased. Bottom injection of an inert stirring gas is begun. A sulfur-bearing Ni concentrate and aluminum are added to the bath.

Abstract: A process for removing scale from stainless steel using an aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide and an inorganic acid, i.e., hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. A hot rolled or annealed stainless steel strip (10) covered with scale is immersed into hot inorganic acid contained within pickling tanks (12) and (14). Thereafter, the strip may have residual amounts of tightly adherent scale (11). This scale is activated by a solution containing the inorganic acid and hydrogen peroxide applied to the strip such as by a spray header (16) extending completely transversely across and positioned above the strip and another spray header (18) extending completely transversely across and positioned below the strip. It may be desirable to pass the activated strip through the hot inorganic acid again and reactivate the strip at very high line speeds to insure complete removal of scale from the strip. Any hydrogen peroxide spray dripping from the strip is collected on a catch pan (30) and flowed into a tank (28).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for using laser radiation to remove an oxide layer (scale) by vaporization from a hot rolled or annealed steel strip (40) traveling in a gravitationally vertical direction at a speed of at least 10 m/min. The apparatus includes a high power laser such as a free electron laser and a sealed interaction chamber (90) containing a non-oxidizing gas (108). The electromagnetic radiation from the laser has a surface power density of at least about 5 MW/cm.sup.2 at a point of contact with the metal strip surface. The radiation is passed through an optical system of aligned lenses or mirrors for focusing the radiation into a straight line projected transversely completely across the strip. The radiation has a pulse width less than 100 picoseconds, a pulse repetition rate greater than 10 MHz and a high average power of at least 10 kW.

Abstract: This invention relates to a storage container (26) having a security system for mounting within a bed (22) of a vehicle (20). The security system my be operated by a vehicle battery (34) and include an alarm system utilizing the safety equipment of the vehicle such as a horn (36) and a parking light (38). The container includes a lower portion (30) and an upper portion (28) containing a security system (64). Lower portion 30 includes a pair of spaced end walls (42) connected together by a pair of side walls (43). The security system includes an alarm including plunger switches (66, 68) connected to an alarm control module (70), a key operated entry lock (76) and a remotely operated solenoid lock release (78). Unless disarmed, the alarm becomes activated whenever the lid of the storage container is opened.

Abstract: A process for removing scale from stainless steel using an aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide. A hot rolled or annealed stainless steel strip (10) covered with scale is immersed into hot sulfuric acid contained within tanks (12) and (14). Thereafter, the strip may have residual amounts of tightly adherent scale (11). This scale is activated by the aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide applied to the strip such as by a spray header (16) extending completely transversely across and positioned above the strip and another spray header (18) extending completely transversely across and positioned below the strip. Any peroxide spray dripping from the, strip is collected on a catch pan (30) and flowed into a tank (28). Preferably, the peroxide solution is a dilute concentration of the acid in tanks (12) and (14). The hydrochloric acid removes smut from the strip formed by the sulfuric acid to improve the cleanliness of the pickled strip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing grain oriented electrical steel having excellent mechanical and magnetic properties. A hot processed strip having a thickness of 1.5-4.0 mm thickness a composition consisting essentially of 2.5-4.5% silicon, 0.1-1.2% chromium, less than 0.050% carbon, less than 0.005% aluminum, up to 0.1% sulfur, up to 0.14% selenium, 0.01-1% manganese and balance being essentially iron and residual elements, all percentages by weight. The strip has a volume resistivity of at least 45 .mu..OMEGA.-cm, at least 0.010% carbon so that an austenite volume fraction (.gamma..sub.1150.degree. C.) of at least 2.5% is present in the hot processed strip and each surface of the strip has an isomorphic layer having a thickness of at least 10% of the total thickness of the hot processed strip. The strip is cold reduced to an intermediate thickness, annealed, cold reduced to a final thickness and decarburized to less than 0.003% carbon.

Abstract: A coil lifter (26) adapted for being suspended from an overhead crane for lifting a coil (10) of strip material having a central opening (14). The lifter includes a vertical lifting arm (28), an upper portion (34), a lower portion (36), a lifting surface (42) on the lower arm portion for being inserted into and contacting a curvature (44) of the central opening of the coil. The lifting arm includes a facing surface (30) adjacent to a coil edge (16, 18), side surfaces (32, 33) and a pair of spaced apart rollers (46, 48) made from an elastic laminated material (72) for preventing damage to the edge of the coil. The rollers are rotatably supported by the lifting arm so that an annular outer surface (50) of each roller extends to a position between the coil edge and the facing surface.

Abstract: A strip caster (10) for producing a continuous strip (24) has a tundish (12) for containing a melt (14) and a pair of horizontally disposed water cooled casting rolls (22). The casting rolls are juxtaposed relative to one another for forming a pouring basin (18) for receiving the melt through a teeming tube (16) thereby establishing a meniscus (20) between the rolls for forming a strip (24). The melt is protected from the outside air by a non-oxidizing gas passed through a supply line (28) to a sealing chamber (26). Devices (29) for conditioning the outer peripheral chill surfaces of the casting rolls includes grit blasting nozzles (30A, 30B, 30C, 30D), a collection trough (32) for gathering the grit, a line (34) for recycling the grit to a bag house (36), a feeder (38) and a pressurized distributor (40) for delivering the grit to the nozzles. The conditioning nozzles remove dirt, metal oxides and surface imperfections providing a clean surface readily wetted by the melt.

Abstract: A strip caster (10) for producing a continuous strip (24) includes a tundish (12) for containing a melt (14), a pair of horizontally disposed water cooled casting rolls (22) and devices (29) for electrostatically coating the outer peripheral chill surfaces (44) of the casting rolls with a powder flux material (56). The casting rolls are juxtaposed relative to one another for forming a pouting basin (18) for receiving the melt through a teeming tube (16) thereby establishing a meniscus (20) between the rolls for forming the strip. The melt is protected from the outside air by a non-oxidizing gas passed through a supply line (28) to a sealing chamber (26). A preferred flux is boron oxide having a melting point of about 550.degree. C. The flux coating enhances wetting of the steel melt to the casting roll and dissolves any metal oxide formed on the roll.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of a grain oriented electrical steel composition having a volume resistivity of at least 50 micro-ohm-cm. The melt composition of the steel consists essentially of, in weight %, about 0.08% max carbon, about 0.015 to about 0.05% aluminum, 2.25 to 7% silicon, greater than about 0.5% manganese.sub.eq, about 0.001 to about 0.011% nitrogen, about 0.01% max sulfur, about 3% max chromium, about 1% max copper, about 2% max nickel and balance essentially iron. High levels of silicon are balanced with a manganese equivalent relationship which permits lower levels of carbon while still providing the desired levels of austenite during rolling and annealing. The processing also includes the addition of excess nitrogen to the steel prior to secondary grain growth which is subsequently removed during a purification treatment.

Abstract: Steel alloys containing chromium may be hot dip aluminized in a bath having up to 15% silicon with improved wettability by using a bright preannealing practice in a box furnace having a substantially pure hydrogen atmosphere. The surfaces of the preannealed steel are easily coated if the box annealing furnace has a dew point of less than -60.degree. C. (-75.degree. F.). The preannealing should also include a minimum soak of at least 1 hour at a temperature of 675.degree. C. to 785.degree. C. (1250.degree. F. to 1450.degree. F.). It is important that the surfaces of the strip after preannealing are not removed prior to aluminizing. During the aluminizing operation, the strip temperature does not need to be heated to much above the bath temperature since the strip has already been preannealed. The furnace is maintained to avoid oxidation with an atmosphere which is typically a nitrogen, hydrogen or a hydrogen-nitrogen mixture.

Abstract: A process for obtaining Ni units from sulfur-bearing nickel concentrate during refining a nickel-alloyed steel or a stainless steel. Sulfur of the concentrate is transferred to and held within the slag by controlling slag composition and temperature, degree of mixing of the slag with the bath by an inert gas and aluminum level in the bath. The extent of desulfurization by the slag, the slag weight and the steel sulfur specification determine the amount of concentrate that can be added to the bath. The ratio of the slag weight to the iron bath weight should be in the range of 0.10-0.30 and the bath temperature is maintained between 1550.degree.-1700.degree. C. The slag basicity is controlled between 1.0 and 3.5, the composition of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the slag is maintained between 15-25 wt. % and the composition of MgO is maintained between 12-20 wt. %.

Abstract: Method of reducing metal oxide in a rotary hearth furnace (14) to make a feed stock for a refining vessel when manufacturing alloyed iron, alloyed steel or stainless steel. The rotary hearth furnace includes an annular inner refractory wall (32), an annular outer refractory wall (34), an annular refractory platform (33) between the two walls. Stationary fuel burners (36, 40) are mounted to walls (32, 34) at a position just above an upper surface of the platform. A mixture of a metal oxide and a carbonaceous reductant is placed onto the upper surface of the platform and rotated past the burners. The oxide is heated by an oxidizing flame. Thereafter, a second layer of a reductant is charged over the hot first layer, and both layers are heated for an additional period of time to a temperature of at least 1300.degree. C. to reduce the metal oxide. The metal oxide may be chromium ore, chromium ore concentrate, nickel ore, nickel ore concentrate and stainless steel flue dust. The reductant may be coal or coke.

Abstract: The present invention provides an annealing separator composition for coating grain oriented electrical steel prior to the final high temperature anneal for secondary grain growth. The magnesia based coating contains at least 20% silica on a water free basis. The large silica additions limit the interface between the coating and the base metal and results in a thick glass which is easily removed. The magnesia coating develops excellent magnetic properties and does not require the normal strong acid cleaning or special abrasive means to remove the glass film which forms. The bare electrical steel, which may be coated to enhance the punching properties, has improved the die life because the hard glass film has been substantially removed.