Abstract: A method for producing a metal in an electrolysis cell comprising an anode, a carbon cathode, and a chamber containing a metal oxide dissolved in a molten salt bath, said method comprising: coating an outer surface portion of the cathode with a coating composition consisting of a refractory metal, a paint comprising an organic polymeric binder, and aluminum powder, and optionally an organic solvent and an oil; and optionally a boron source; curing the coating composition by heating it to an elevated temperature, producing an aluminum-wettable coating on the cathode outer surface portion; and electrolyzing the metal oxide to a metal bypassing an electric current in the molten salt bath between the anode and the coated cathode.

Abstract: A capping head including a housing assembly including a magnetic clutch interconnecting a drive spindle and a quill for applying a closure to a container. The magnetic clutch consists of opposed rings of magnets and one of the rings is disposed in a piston ring assembly that is quickly and easily adjustable relative to the other to vary the torque limit of the clutch. A simple yet efficient clamping assembly is employed to facilitate ready adjustment and retention of the movable piston ring.

Abstract: A method of forming a drawn metal cup for a container body which includes drawing a cup having a circular boss in its base wall, redrawing the cup and forming a pressure resistant profile in its base wall.

Abstract: An anion intercalated hydrotalcite filler material for polymer and paper systems. The filler material is formed by a method which includes reacting an activated magnesia with an aqueous solution of aluminate, anion, such as bromide, chloride, sulfate, borate and combinations thereof and hydroxyl ions. The method can be carried out at atmospheric pressure to form hydrotalcite in high purity and high yield. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the aluminate solution is formed from sodium aluminate, sodium bromide and sodium hydroxide and the aqueous solution is substantially carbonate free. Other anion intercalated hydrotalcites can also be produced by the method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the sequential separation of individual members from a generally, axially aligned stack of members, in which the apparatus has a stack supporting structure along with a first engaging means that holds at least the penultimate individual member of the stack. A second engaging means contacts and engages the first individual member at the end of the stack adjacent the first engaging means. The second engaging means is movable between a position proximate and distal the first engaging means. The individual member, as held by the second engaging means, is axially separated from said stack of individual members and released.

Abstract: An S-portion for a frame-type vehicle body construction. The S-portion has a pair of components, each of the S-portion components including step members. The step members are in complementary and confronting relationship with each other so as to permit relative sliding movement therebetween. In this way, desired positioning of one S-portion component relative to the other S-portion component can be established. A vehicle body construction including the S-portion and an associated method are also provided.

Abstract: Substantial surface areas can be treated by continuously magnetically moving an electric arc around a general loop direction such as a circle, ellipse or oval and moving the surface so that the arc treats a substantial surface area. The arc treatment can be used to clean or increase surface area, or both, and a reactant or treatment agent can be brought to the arc contact site to alter the surface treated with the arc. Auxiliary treatments for the surface can precede or follow the arc treatment, or both. The invention produces very desirable surface properties including a mild roughness or matte condition suitable even for critical applications such as aluminum lithoplate. Other surface characteristics can include one or more of: capillarity, adhesion, emissivity, stable oxide, paintability, and others.

Abstract: A method of modifying an inorganic material which evolves gases and/or vapors at a temperature which is detrimental to the processing temperature of polymer or paper systems so that the modified material can be used as a fire retardant additive with that polymer or paper system. The method comprises the steps of: (1) providing a first material; (2) treating the first material to remove the portion which evolves gas which is detrimental to the processing of the polymer or paper system; and (3) combining a second material with the first material to create a modified material which does not evolve gas at a temperature which is detrimental to the processing of the paper or polymer system.

Abstract: A strip of gray reflective aluminum protected by a conversion coating and a light-permeable fluoropolymer coating which is non-adhesively interstitially mechanically bonded to the microscopic irregularities of the conversion coated surface. The highly reflective strip may be substituted for polished stainless steel and/or bi-metal and used under comparably aggressive conditions for a prolonged period without deleteriously affecting the initial D/I (distinctness of reflected image) of the shaped strip. The strip of arbitrary length may be shaped in rolling dies so that at least a portion of the strip has a radius of less than 10 mm without damaging or separating the fluoropolymer coating. The specific steps of the claimed process require starting with a bright-rolled clean strip which is conversion coated to carry a thin metal compound coating. After rinsing and drying, the reflective surface is coated with the fluoropolymer while maintaining at least 80% D/I.

Abstract: A roll for use in a belt caster. The roll has a plurality of axial segments, at least one of which can be adjusted to compensate for transverse distortions in the belt. Generally uniform tension is maintained transversely in the belt so that the belt remains generally planar in the portion that contacts the molten metal that is cast in the belt caster.

Abstract: A composite metallurgical product includes a roll cast aluminum alloy core and a filler material bonded on the core. Assemblies joined by filler material are formed from this product by heating to flow the filler material into joints and subsequent solidification of the filler material in the joints. The composite product is made in several ways, including lamination at roll caster rolls, and lamination or thermal spraying at the exit side of a roll caster. The invention additionally provides for an angulation rolling method for varying percent of cladding on the composite, and a high-manganese aluminum alloy useful as core material in brazing sheet clad with aluminum-silicon brazing alloy.

Abstract: Steel tooling for die-casting low iron content aluminum alloys is surface treated with a layer of CrN applied to a thickness of at least 4 microns, and preferably 5-10 microns, by physical vapor deposition (PVD), and preferably a steered are evaporation PVD process. The CrN protects the steel tooling from dissolution and erosion by the highly active molten aluminum.

Abstract: An industrial waste management facility (IWMF) for disposing of spent potlining includes a co-current gas-fired rotary kiln for containing a molten pool of spent potlining throughout the entire length of the rotary kiln from the inlet to the outlet, an ash quencher and cooler for receiving molten residue from the discharge end of the rotary kiln, a secondary combustion chamber, and a down-draft transition chamber for channeling discharge gases from the rotary kiln to the secondary combustion chamber. Pneumatic injection slingers feed and distribute spent potlining into the inlet end of the rotary kiln. A discharge dam provides a predetermined average depth of molten bath material in the rotary kiln over its entire length. A blended ratio of comminuted materials injected through the pneumatic injection slinger feeder is adjusted and controlled in response to signals received from a radiative optical kiln bath temperature measurement system.

Abstract: A biocompatible coating is formed on an aluminum sheet surface by reacting a surface portion with an aqueous solution containing calcium hydroxide and a more soluble calcium salt to form a hydrocalumite first coating. The first coating is then reacted with a water-soluble phosphate to form a biocompatible coating comprising hydroxyapatite. The hydroxyapatite coating may be reacted with a water-soluble fluoride or fluorophosphate to form a fluorapatite coating.

Abstract: A method of sensing tension changes in a sheet of material in a processing line, the material having a mass flow balance in the processing line. The method includes using a dancer roll for engaging the sheet and an actuator for mechanically and momentarily introducing changes in the mass flow balance of the sheet. A sensor is provided for detecting sheet tension at a location near that at which the sheet engages the dancer roll and for producing signals indicative of sheet tension. An algorithm is provided for processing the signals in a manner that determines the dynamic relationship between tension variations near the location of the roll and at other locations in the processing line. The signal processing is effective to identify the presence of the magnification of variations in sheet tension so that the causes of such magnification can be identified.

Abstract: A building panel and method of forming it are disclosed in which the panel includes inner and outer polymer facing sheets and a rigid foam core with the facing sheets joined securely to the core by glass fibers embedded in the facing sheets and projecting from them into the core.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel having a hand hole extending from a first surface to a second surface. The hand hole has a zone of a minimum dimension intermediate the first surface and the second surface. The hand hole is preferably tapered from the first surface to the minimum dimension zone and tapered from the second surface to the minimum dimension zone. Associated methods of making the vehicle wheel are also provided.

Abstract: Aluminum alloy sheet coated with an organophosphonic or organophosphinic acid is joined to an adjacent metal member by means of a polymeric adhesive, preferably an epoxy adhesive. The coated sheet may be worked into a desired configuration after coating. Assemblies made in accordance with the invention are useful as vehicle parts, including automotive body parts.

Abstract: A window meeting rail for single hung windows made from hollow plastic parts. The meeting rail comprises an elongated body, a clip inserted into an opening in the body and fastener means for joining the clip to a window jamb. The clip defines a bore and has wings spaced radially outward from the bore and extending generally parallel thereto. A preferred meeting rail has a hollow body and also includes a metal cross rail inserted into the hollow body for added strength and rigidity. Tightening a screw inserted into the bore spreads the wings outward so that hooks on end portions of the clip wings are wedged into slots formed in lateral walls of the cross rail.

Abstract: An essentially flat "arc-grained" surface of a sheet of aluminum alloy is produced with a coarse and non-uniform microstructure which, after it is coated with a durable phosphate-free coating, provides excellent lithoplate. Though such arc-grained microstructure is much coarser than an electrochemically etched surface typically used on lithoplate, the very coarse surface is peculiarly well-adapted to provide durable lithoplate after it is coated with a phosphate-free protective surface. After the coated surface is coated with a photoresist the excellent resolution of prints is maintained over a large number of repeated uses in an off-set printing press.