Abstract: A spherical fitting for intercoupling multiple sections of pipe has integral, radially extending, pipe-receiving outlets formed on the spherical body of the fitting. Each outlet is provided with an annular bevel on its outermost end for mating with a respective pipe section in a manner to present a joint configured to permit utilization of a full penetration circumferential weld. In an alternate application, the spherical fitting may be employed as a connector to join structural members in a tubular trusswork such as an offshore oil drilling platform.

Abstract: A method of producing silicon steel strip from slabs is provided which includes the steps of reducing the slabs in a planetary mill to a thickness of 0.060 to 0.10 inch at a temperature above that at which MnS will precipitate, cooling to between 800.degree. F. to 1500.degree. F. and reducing the strip at that temperature to a thickness of 0.020 to 0.030.

Abstract: A process for producing electromagnetic silicon steel having a cube-on-edge orientation. The process includes the steps of: preparing a melt of silicon steel containing from 0.02 to 0.06% carbon, from 0.0006 to 0.0080% boron, up to 0.0100% nitrogen and from 2.5 to 4% silicon; casting the steel; hot rolling the steel; cold rolling the steel to a thickness no greater than 0.020 inch; heat treating the steel at a temperature between 1550.degree. and 2000.degree. F. in a hydrogen-bearing atmosphere; removing at least 0.02 micron of surface from each side of the steel; heat treating the steel at a temperature between 1300.degree. and 1550.degree. F. in a hydrogen-bearing atmosphere; applying a refractory oxide coating to the steel and final texture annealing the steel.

Abstract: A process for producing electromagnetic silicon steel having a cube-on-edge orientation. The process includes the steps of: preparing a melt of silicon steel having up to 0.07% carbon, from 0.01 to 0.25% manganese, from 0.01 to 0.09% of material from the group consisting of sulfur and selenium, from 2.5 to 4.0% silicon, up to 1.0% copper, less than 0.009% aluminum and less than 0.0006% boron; casting the steel; hot rolling the steel; cold rolling the steel; normalizing the steel in a hydrogen-bearing atmosphere having a pH.sub.2 O/pH.sub.2 of from 0.015 to 0.3; applying a refractory oxide coating containing an oxide less stable than SiO.sub.2 at temperatures up to 2150.degree. F.; and final texture annealing the steel.

Abstract: A pre-fabricated welded tubular coupling particularly adapted for use in the construction of offshore platforms comprises a tubular elbow tangentially secured to a straight pipe segment solely along the line of intersection therebetween. A cutout or opening in the backwall of the elbow is configured to complementally receive a portion of the periphery of the pipe to enhance the integrity of the interconnection between the latter and the elbow. The opening has a marginal edge which defines a continuous line of contact with the pipe for welding of the components to form a unitary coupling. In preferred forms, the elbow presents a 90.degree. arc and is arranged such that each leg forms approximately a 45.degree. angle with the pipe. In another embodiment, the elbow extends through 135.degree. and is attached to the pipe in a manner to form approximately 90.degree. and 45.degree. angles between the respective legs and the pipe.

Abstract: A process for producing electromagnetic silicon steel having a cube-on-edge orientation and a permeability of at least 1870 (G/O.sub.e) at 10 oersteds. The process includes the steps of: preparing a melt of a silicon steel containing from 0.02 to 0.06% carbon, from 0.0006 to 0.0080% boron, up to 0.0100% nitrogen, no more than 0.008% aluminum and from 2.5 to 4.0% silicon; casting said steel; hot rolling said steel; cold rolling said steel; decarburizing said steel; applying a refractory oxide coating containing both boron and SiO.sub.2 ; and final texture annealing said steel.

Abstract: Gases are removed from particles, such as ferrochrome, by providing a container having an open top and a vertical wall having closely spaced opening therein so constructed that the particles will not plug or pass therethrough. Preferably a central vertical tubular member is provided in the container with similar holes. The particles are placed in the container between its wall and the vertical member and heated in a furnace to a temperature at which the gases will evolve. The gases may be removed by having the furnace under vacuum or by the atmosphere in the furnace.

Abstract: A process for producing silicon steel having a cube-on-edge orientation and a permeability of at least 1850 (G/O.sub.e) at 10 oersteds, which includes the steps of: preparing a melt of steel consisting essentially of, by weight, up to 0.07% carbon, from 2.6 to 4.0% silicon, from 0.03 to 0.24% manganese, from 0.01 to 0.09% of material from the group consisting of sulfur and selenium, at least one element from the group consisting of aluminum in an amount of from 0.015 to 0.04% and boron in an amount of up to 0.0035%, up to 0.02% nitrogen, up to 0.5% copper, balance iron; casting the steel, hot rolling the steel, cold rolling the steel, decarburizing the steel, coating the steel with a base coating containing a nitrogen-bearing compound from the group consisting of (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.4, Fe(NO.sub.3).sub.3, Al(NO.sub.3).sub.3, Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2, and final texture annealing the steel.

Abstract: Individual charges of silicon steel are passed through a tunnel type furnace provided with charge and discharge vestibules. The annealing takes place in a hydrogen atmosphere and the vestibules are purged with nitrogen and then with hydrogen. The hydrogen used for purging is taken from the hydrogen in the annealing atmosphere and additional new hydrogen is added to the annealing atmosphere at the same time to maintain the pressure constant.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a plurality of elongated, vertically spaced and horizontally oriented chambers that are interconnected for the sequential flow therethrough of the material to be rendered. Each chamber has the material discharge, inlet, and product steam vents located in the chamber ends so that the chamber is heated along its entire length and has agitator means also extending along its entire length for an efficient heat transfer to the material and removal of the water vapor developed.

Abstract: Coils of strip to be annealed are placed in a furnace with their eye vertical and are heated to the annealing temperature by heating elements on the furnace above and below the level of the coils. An improved convector coil support includes a single metal plate having a central opening and grooves in one side extending from the central opening to the outer periphery when used to support a bottom coil and two such plates fastened together with their grooves facing each other when the convector is used to support a coil on top of a coil.

Abstract: A copper-nickel alloy is remelted to form high quality ingots or slabs which are capable of undergoing hot-working in the "as cast" form by electroslag remelting the alloy under a flux composition prepared by fusing a mixture consisting essentially of from about 35% to about 75% barium fluoride and from about 25% to about 65% calcium fluoride, by weight.

Abstract: A manganese-copper-nickel alloy is remelted to form high quality ingots or slabs which are capable of undergoing hot-working in the "as cast" form by electroslag remelting the alloy under a flux composition prepared by fusing a mixture consisting essentially of from about 50% to about 85% barium fluoride and from about 15% to about 50% calcium fluoride, by weight.

Abstract: A process for producing electromagnetic silicon steel having a cube-on-edge orientation. The steel has a permeability of at least 1870 (G/O.sub.e) at 10 oersteds and a core loss of no more than 0.720 watts per pound at 17 kilogauss - 60 Hz. The process includes the steps of: preparing a melt of silicon steel containing from 0.02 to 0.06% carbon, from 0.0006 to 0.0080% boron, up to 0.0100% nitrogen, no more than 0.008% aluminum and from 2.5 to 4.0% silicon; casting said steel; hot rolling said steel; cold rolling said steel; decarburizing said steel; applying a refractory oxide coating containing both boron and manganese sulfate; and final texture annealing said steel.

Abstract: In treating certain types of steel strip, it passes through a plurality of processes including a salt bath having a driven sink roll therein. In order to by-pass the salt bath the sink roll and its drive are raised while maintaining them horizontal. This permits changing from one type of strip which is subjected to the salt bath to another type of strip which is not subjected to the salt bath without rethreading the entire line. A guide roll at the exit end of the salt bath tank is below and out of contact with the strip which has been in the salt bath, but is raised into contact with strip which by-passes the salt bath. The guide roll is covered in its lower position and uncovered in its upper position.

Abstract: A process for producing electromagnetic silicon steel having a cube-on-edge orientation. The process includes the steps of: preparing a melt of silicon steel containing from 0.02 to 0.06% carbon, from 0.015 to 0.15% manganese, from 0.005 to 0.05% of material from the group consisting of sulfur and selenium, from 0.0006 to 0.0080% boron, up to 0.0100% nitrogen, up to 1.0% copper, less than 0.005% antimony, less than 0.009% aluminum and from 2.5 to 4.0% silicon; casting; hot rolling; cold rolling; decarburizing; applying a refractory oxide base coating; and final texture annealing. During final texture annealing the steel is heated from a temperature of 1700.degree. F. to a temperature of 1900.degree. F. at an average rate of less than 30.degree. F. per hour, and subsequently maintained at a temperature in excess of 2000.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to effect a purification of the steel.

Abstract: A method for producing a soft magnetic material consisting essentially of up to 0.05% carbon, up to 1.0% manganese, up to 0.5% sulfur, up to 0.5% silicon, from 0.5 to 1.5% phosphorus, balance iron and residuals. The method comprises the steps of: blending iron powder and phosphorus-bearing powder into a mixture containing from 0.5 to 1.5% phosphorus; pressing the blended mixture; and sintering the mixture in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to produce a density of at least 7 grams per cubic centimeter. The sintering temperature is at least 2200.degree. F. The soft magnetic material is characterized by a magnetizing force to reach 10 kilogauss of no more than 2.0 oersteds, and a coercive force from 10 kilogauss of no more than 0.9 oersted.

Abstract: Coils of strip to be annealed are placed in a furnace with their eye vertical and are heated to the annealing temperature by heating elements on the furnace side wall at the same elevation as the coils. An insulation shield is provided between the heating elements and the coil. This may be a cover surrounding the coil in spaced relationship therewith and extending the full height of the coil.

Abstract: A strip is continuously passed through a molten salt bath in a main tank having a central longitudinal baffle providing passageways at each end thereof. A sink guide roll is provided for the strip at the exit half of the tank. A heating tank is located along one longitudinal side of the main tank at the entry end thereof and has front and rear connecting openings with the main tank. An agitator is positioned at the front end of the heating tank. A forward tank section located along the other side of the tank has a bottom opening connecting therewith. An intermediate tank section has upper and lower compartments, the upper compartment serving as a sludge settling basin. A rear tank section has an agitator therein and is connected to the forward tank section through the lower compartment. Small openings adjacent the top of the upper compartment open into the main tank and to the rear tank section.

Abstract: In treating certain types of steel strip, it passes through a plurality of processes including a salt bath having a driven sink roll therein. In order to by-pass the salt bath means are provided to raise and lower the sink roll and its drive while maintaining them horizontal. This permits changing from one type of strip which is subject to the salt bath to another type of strip which is not subject to the salt bath without rethreading the entire line. A guide roll at the exit end of the salt bath tank is below and out of contact with the strip which has been in the salt bath, but is raised into contact with strip which by-passes the salt bath. A baffle is provided to cover the guide roll in its lower position and uncover it in its upper position.