Abstract: An extruded structural member suitable for aerospace applications and having improved combinations of strength and toughness. The member is made from a substantially vanadium-free aluminum-based alloy consisting essentially of: about 4.85-5.3 wt. % copper, about 0.5-1.0 wt. % magnesium, about 0.4-0.8 wt. % manganese, about 0.2-0.8 wt. % silver, about 0.05-0.25 wt. % zirconium, up to about 0.1 wt. % silicon, and up to about 0.1 wt. % iron, the balance aluminum, incidental elements and impurities, the Cu:Mg ratio of said alloy being between about 5 and 9, and more preferably between about 6.0 and 7.5. The invention exhibits a typical tensile yield strength of about 77 ksi or higher at room temperature and can be forged into aircraft wheels or extruded into various other product forms for use as high speed aircraft wing members, e.g. stringers or the like.

Abstract: A method of making stock for fabricating a hollow metal ball bat, the stock having a barrel section, a handle section and a tapered section connecting the barrel section and handle section. The barrel section has a first inner and outer diameter. The handle section has a second outer and inner diameter. The second outer and inner diameters are smaller than the first outer and inner diameters. The tapered section has a variable inner and outer diameter along its length and a substantially uniform wall thickness.

Abstract: A peelable and heat sealable lidstock material comprises a metal or polymer substrate laminated with a film comprising a mixture of a butene-1 and ethylene copolymer, an ethylene homopolymer or copolymer, an inorganic filler and optionally, a propylene homopolymer or copolymer. The filler makes up at least about 18 wt. % of the mixture and is preferably talc having an average particle size of about 1-2 microns and a carboxylic acid surface coating.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for improving the brightness level of aluminum hydroxide removed from a caustic solution. The method comprises:(a) pre-filtering the solution to remove contaminants therefrom; and (b) contacting the filtered solution with an adsorbent consisting essentially of a calcined compound having the formula: A.sub.w B.sub.x (OH).sub.y C.sub.z.nH.sub.2 O wherein A represents a divalent metal cation selected from the group consisting of: Mg.sup.2+, Ni.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, Ca.sub.2+ and Zn.sup.2+ ; B represents a trivalent metal cation selected from the group consisting of: Al.sup.3+, Fe.sup.3+ and Cu.sup.3+ ; C represents a mono- to tetravalent anion selected from the group consisting of: OH.sup.-, Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, NO.sub.3.sup.- CH.sub.3 COO.sup.-, C.sub.2 O.sub.4.sup.2-, CO.sub.3.sup.2-, SO.sub.4.sup.2-, PO.sub.4.sup.3-, Fe(CN).sub.6.sup.3- and Fe(CN).sub.6.sup.4- ; and w, x, y, z and n satisfy the following: 0<z.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.4.ltoreq.w.ltoreq. 1/2 y and 12.gtoreq.n.gtoreq.

Abstract: Apparatus for rapid interchanging of different ramping mechanisms for capping equipment. When capping equipment is to be changed from providing roll-on closures to glass bottles to providing threaded plastic closures to plastic bottles, the positions of the bottles relative to the capping turret mechanism must be altered by changing the ramping mechanisms guiding the bottles. The ramping mechanism is maintained in position by a locking plate engaging a resilient connection connected to the ramping mechanism. The apparatus is designed so that when the locking plate is slightly rotated, the ramping mechanism can be readily removed and a different one inserted. Rotation of the locking plate in the other direction locks the new ramping mechanism in place.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy product for use as a damage tolerant product for aerospace applications, including fuselage skin stock. The aluminum alloy composition contains about 3-7 wt % magnesium, about 0.03-0.2 wt % zirconium, about 0.2-1.2 wt % manganese, up to 0.15 wt % silicon and about 0.05-0.5 wt % of a dispersoid-forming element selected from the group consisting of: scandium, erbium, yttrium, gadolinium, holmium and hafnium, the balance being aluminum and incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and modifying the surface of aluminum container sheet to make improved food can bodies and/or beverage can ends therefrom. The lowering of magnesium levels on an aluminum oxide surface and through the oxide-metal interface of this sheet, and deposition of at least some phosphorus-containing complex thereon produces container sheet that exhibits improved corrosion performance. The method comprises contacting said container sheet for less than about 20 seconds with a cleaner which preferably includes: about 1.0-10.0 wt. % (10.0-100.0 g/L) of sodium carbonate; about 0.1-2.5 wt. % (1.0-25.0 g/L) of sodium hydroxide, said cleaner including a total carbonate and hydroxide concentration in excess of about 3.0 wt. % (30.0 g/L); about 0.1-2.5 wt. % (1.0-25.0 g/L) of sodium gluconate; about 0.1-2.0 wt. % (1.0-20.0 g/L) of a compound containing 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (or "HEDP"); and about 0.05-1.0 wt. % (0.5-10.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system for visually measuring the cross-sectional thickness of a light-reflective object, such as a vehicle wheel, said object having a plurality of curved surfaces. The system includes: means for transmitting a line of light onto each curved surface of the object at substantially the same cross-sectional area through the object; means for sensing the lines of light reflected from each curved surface and producing a plurality of signals thereby, said signals representing a linear profile of each curved surface at the same cross-sectional area; and means for comparing the profile signals from each curved surface for calculating a cross-sectional thickness of the object at one or more points along the same cross-sectional area. On a more preferred basis, this system further includes means for supporting the object, and means for rotating the object about at least one axis of support to measure a plurality of cross-sectional thicknesses thereof.

Abstract: Aluminum alloy articles are electrobrightened in an acidic solution containing phosphoric acid, water, and suspended mineral particles. The solution preferably also contains sulfuric acid. Aluminum alloy sheet electrobrightened in the solution has a less directional appearance when the suspended mineral particles are present.

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 method of fabricating a metal matrix composite containing electrically isolated areas and the MMC formed from the method. The method comprises: (a) providing a liquid pool of unreinforced aluminum alloy; (b) infiltrating the unreinforced aluminum alloy into a stack comprising upper and lower porous preforms and an electrical insulator material placed between the preforms; (c) solidifying the liquid-phase metal to form a metal matrix composite product that completely surrounds the stack; and (d) forming at least one groove in the solidified metal, the groove extending downward to the insulating substrate so as to electrically isolate at least one region on the surface of the metal matrix composite.

Abstract: Methods for making an aluminum drive shaft for automobiles or trucks or other drive shaft applications from aluminum alloy tube and methods for making said tube including using an aluminum alloy containing about 0.5 to 1.3% magnesium, about 0.4 to 1.2% silicon, and about 0.6 to 1.2% copper and preferred practices for making the tube. The preferred practices include extrusion temperature and other aspects of extrusion, along with cold drawing. One preferred practice includes reducing tube diameter and increasing wall thickness at one or both ends of the drive shaft tube shortly after solution heating and quenching and applies to various 6000 Series type aluminum alloys.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved memory disk stock comprised of an alloy composition which includes: about 1-11 wt. % magnesium, preferably between about 2-7 wt. % Mg; up to about 0.3 wt. % zirconium preferably about 0.02-0.25 wt. % Zr; up to about 0.2 wt. % iron, up to about 0.2 wt. % silicon, and about 0.02-0.2 wt. % of a dispersoid-forming element selected from scandium, erbium, thulium, lutetium, ytterbium, hafnium and yttrium, the balance aluminum and incidental elements and impurities. With preferably about 0.05-0.15 wt. % of scandium added to such compositions, these disk stocks exhibit significant room temperature yield strength increases over the same compositions without any scandium added.

Abstract: Apparatus for calibrating a nonsymmetrical hollow article includes a plurality of internal die elements which are inserted into the hollow article and are expanded by a tapered plunger so as to outwardly reform the hollow article into the desired size and shape. An external die restrains the outer surface of the portion of the hollow article during reforming. The apparatus is also usable on hollow articles which do not have a linear longitudinal axis. The surface to surface engagement between internal die members creates an interface which is preferably generally aligned with straight portions of the inner surface of the hollow article except for internal corners of the article. Corresponding methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A one-piece, reuseable cover is provided for an assembly of a threaded bolt and an associated annular nut, wherein a portion of the bolt extends through the nut. The cover includes a closed top end portion and a generally cylindrical sidewall extending from the closed top end portion so as to define a generally hollow cavity within the cover. Within the cavity of the cover is located an internally threaded portion, the threads of which are adapted to mate with the external threads on the bolt, so that the cover may be attached to the portion of the bolt that extends through its associated nut by threaded engagement therewith, when the cover is installed over the bolt and nut assembly.

Abstract: An alumina multilayer wiring substrate having a high capacitance in the substrate on which a VLSI is to be mounted to effectively eliminate electrical noise(s) which may hinder the operation of the VLSI at high speed (frequency). The wiring substrate comprises: (a) a first alumina layer; (b) a first metallized layer on the first alumina layer; (c) a dielectric material layer on the first metallized layer; (d) a cermet layer on the dielectric material layer; (e) a second metallization layer on the cermet layer; (f) a second alumina layer on the second metallization layer; (g) a first conductor electrically connecting to and extending from the second metallized layer through the second alumina layer; and (h) a second conductor electrically extending from the first metallized layer through the cermet layer and dielectric material layer, through but not electrically connecting the first metallized layer, and through the second alumina layer.

Abstract: Apparatus for lubricating die and/or workpiece surfaces, the apparatus including a container adapted to capture a predetermined volume of lubricant. At least one nozzle is provided for spraying the volume of lubricant onto the die/workpiece surfaces when the volume is received from the container. A first valve is connected between the nozzle and container, and a reservoir of lubricant and a pump for circulating lubricant through the container and past the first valve at a relatively low pressure is provided, the circulation of lubricant occurring during a portion of a lubricating cycle when no lubricant is sprayed onto the die/workpiece surfaces. A second valve is located between the pump and container for interrupting the flow of lubricant past the first valve, and a blocking valve is located between the container and the reservoir for interrupting the flow of lubricant from the container.

Abstract: A process for fabricating an aluminum alloy rolled sheet particularly suitable for use for an automotive body, the process comprising: (a) providing a body of an alloy comprising about 0.8 to about 1.3 wt. % silicon, about 0.2 to about 0.6 wt. % magnesium, about 0.5 to about 1.8 wt. % copper, about 0.01 to about 0.1 wt. % manganese, about 0.01 to about 0.2 wt. % iron, the balance being substantially aluminum and incidental elements and impurities: (b) working the body to produce a sheet; (c) solution heat treating the sheet; and (d) rapidly quenching the sheet. In a preferred embodiment, the solution heat treat is performed at a temperature greater than 840.degree. F. and the sheet is rapidly quenched. The resulting sheet has an improved combination of excellent formability and good strength.

Abstract: A composite jet engine compressor ring is made by casting a tape reinforced with ceramic fibers, winding the cast tape around a mandrel to form an unconsolidated ring, heating the ring to drive off binder, and pressing at a high temperature to form a unitary composite ring. Compression of the ring in an axial direction during hot pressing results in a desired axial spacing between adjacent fibers. The tape is preferably cast from a mixture of titanium base metal particles and a polyisobutylene binder dissolved in an organic solvent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for casting molten metal in an opaque container and for determining the level of the metal within the container. This is accomplished by locating a strain sensing transducer over the container and metal, and sending a current pulse from the transducer along a wire located in the tube connected to the transducer and extending toward the vessel and molten metal. A permanent magnet is located on a stem connected to a float within the container, the float being effective to rest and float on the upper level of the molten metal within the container. A current pulse is sent along the wire from the transducer, which pulse produces a magnetic field, and which field interacts with a magnetic field of the permanent magnet. The interaction of the two fields exerts a strain on the tube, which strain is sensed by the transducer.