Abstract: Insulative coatings for electrical steels having improved resistance to deterioration during stress relief anneals or other heat treatments carried on in reducing atmospheres. They may be produced by coating electrical steel with an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid, magnesium oxide and one or more additional mineral acids present in an amount sufficient to adjust the pH level of the solution to from about 0.5 to about 3.0. The mole ratio Mg/PO.sub.4 should be from about 0.6 to about 1.5.

Abstract: A stress corrosion resistant austenitic stainless steel essentially consisting of from 15.5% to 20% chromium, from 11% to 14% manganese, from 1.1% to 3.75% nickel, from 0.01% to 0.12% carbon, from 0.20% to 0.38% nitrogen, and balance substantially iron. Phosphorous may be present up to 0.06% maximum, sulfur up to 0.04% maximum, and silicon up to 1% maximum. The steel has high strength at room temperature, good stability when severely cold worked, good cryogenic strength and toughness, wear resistance and excellent fusion welding characteristics, making it useful for a multiplicity of cryogenic applications, fabrication of welded articles, and cold-drawn wire.

Abstract: In an annealing furnace of the type comprising an outer enclosure surrounding an insulated heating chamber and wherein the bottom of the heating chamber comprises a metallic coil carrying car having one or more base plates upon which the coils of metal to be annealed are supported and having electrical heating elements beneath the base plates, improved means for supporting the one or more base plates on the coil carrying car. The support means for each base plate comprises a plurality of refractory blocks mounted on the upper surface of the car and upon which the base plate rests. The refractory blocks are so arranged as to accommodate the heating elements beneath the base plate and to permit the circulation of an atmosphere thereabout, while at the same time affording maximum support for the base plate.

Abstract: A heavy duty pipe spreader to open formed steel-line pipe, approximately 40 feet long, of approximately 0.250 to 0.750 wall thickness, so as to obtain an approximate 2 inch permanent edge separation prior to O.D. sub-arc welding. The pipe spreader is comprised of an approximately 45 feet long boom, pivotally supported at one end by a vertically adjustable base support and intermediate its length by four hydraulically actuated devices under the boom and mounted to the floor; these devices retract as the pipe telescopes onto the boom. A device at the extreme front of the unit centers and assists in stabilizing the pipe and unit during spreading. The pipe is received on five support rollers, the first of which drives the other four, and all of which are fixed in place and rotate only to move pipe over the vertically adjustable boom. Attached to the boom structure are five sets of pivoted arms which are operated by wedge devices attached to a center pull rod.

Abstract: A method of preparing carbon steel strip and sheet for hot dip metallic coating in a Selas-type direct-fired furnace, wherein the atmosphere in the furnace is controlled to contain from about 3% oxygen to about 2% excess combustibles by volume, thereby forming a thin iron oxide film on the carbon steel surfaces. The strip and sheet is then heated in a subsequent furnace containing at least 5% hydrogen by volume at a temperature sufficient to reduce the oxide film, viz., at least about 675.degree.C. The direct-fired furnace is preferably operated at stoichiometrically equivalent fuel:air ratios.