Abstract: An extruded node is disclosed comprising a longitudinally extending substantially hollow core and at least one longitudinally extending, hollow flange, extending outwardly of and integral with a longitudinally extending side portion of the core. This invention also provides a joined structure wherein at least one longitudinally extending lineal member has a hollow peripheral portion defined by walls having inside surfaces adapted to mate with outside surfaces of a mating hollow flange of the extruded node. In this joined structure the peripheral portion of the lineal member is inserted over the hollow flange of the node to an extent that the outer peripheral surface of the lineal member surrounds the integral wall of the node and the outside surfaces of the sidewalls of the hollow flange and the inside surfaces of the lineal member mate along substantially the entire length and around substantially the entire perimeter of the flange.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of bulging at least a portion of a sidewall of a drawn or drawn and ironed aluminum container body. The method involves an initial thermal treatment step prior to bulging. The thermal treatment is provided to that portion of the sidewall of the container that is to be bulged and is sufficient to reduce the yield strength of that portion of the sidewall about 20% without substantially adversely affecting the yield strength of the bottom wall of the container. After thermal treatment, at least a portion of the thermally treated sidewall is bulged at a circumferential strain greater than about 5% to provide container shape.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing biaxially oriented polymer sheet. This process includes the steps of introducing a polymer slab into a deformation zone defined between working surfaces of a set of working tools including a first working tool and an opposed second working tool. The polymer slab is worked in the deformation zone to reduce slab gauge, during which the polymer material being worked flows bi-directionally while the material is not restricted in the lateral direction to produce biaxially oriented polymer sheet. At least the portion of the slab being worked is at a temperature above the glass transition temperature and below the melting temperature of the polymer material. The working surface of at least one working tool in the deformation zone is ultrasonically excited during working of the polymer slab.

Abstract: A method of continuously casting metal ingots is provided comprising the steps of introducing molten metal into an open-ended mold, applying a liquid cooling medium to the mold to effectuate at least partial solidication of the molten metal in the mold and advancing an ingot from the mold, with the ingot having the peripheral portion, at least, solidifed while applying liquid cooling medium to the exterior surface of the emerging ingot. The improvement of the present invention comprises retarding the cooling effect of the liquid cooling medium by mixing a gas with the medium to be applied to the ingot surface prior to application of the medium to the ingot surface, whereupon the gas forms a layer of gaseous insulation between the medium and the ingot surface upon application of the medium to the ingot surface.