Abstract: A metallic coated steel such as a galvanized sheet is coated with a thin siloxane film having a preferred thickness of about 45 .ANG. for providing temporary corrosion protection. The siloxane film is formed by rinsing the metallic coated sheet with an aqueous solution containing 0.5-2.0 vol. % silane and 0.1-1.0 vol. % crosslinking agent. The silane coating deposited on the rinsed sheet is cured at a temperature less than 200.degree. C. Preferred silane and crosslinking agents are .gamma.-aminopropyltriethoxy and (CH.sub.3 O).sub.3 SiCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Si(OCH.sub.3).sub.3 respectively. The siloxane film may be removed by rinsing the metallic coated steel sheet in an alkaline solution prior to coating the sheet with a phosphate conversion coating and a paint.

Abstract: The present invention produces a regular grain oriented electrical steel using a single cold reduction step having excellent and highly uniform magnetic quality. The method includes the steps of providing an electrical steel band having Mn of 0.024% or less in excess of that needed to combine with S and/or Se. The band is provided with an anneal at a temperature of from 900.degree.-1125.degree. C. (1650.degree.-2050.degree. F.) for a time up to 10 minutes and slowly cooled to 480.degree.-650.degree. C. (900.degree.-1200.degree. F.) followed by rapid cooling to a temperature below 100.degree. C. (212.degree. F.). The annealed band must have a critical amount of austenite, .gamma..sub.1150.degree. C., of 7% or more. The annealed band is cold reduced in a single stage to the desired final thickness. The strip is decarburized and provided with an annealing separator coating on one or more surfaces of the strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring tubular products from one mill to another including a connecting table having the shape of a reverse curve. The table includes a base and two spaced apart walls attached to the base defining a passageway between the base and the sidewalls. A diverter is associated with the connecting table to divert metal product in a hot working state from a first conveying table onto the connecting table leading to a second conveying table. The connecting table preferably is associated with a welding and forming mill and a stretch reducing mill.

Abstract: Zinc or zinc alloy plated steel sheet ready for deep drawing coated with 1-5 gm/m.sup.2 of a dry, tack free continuous thermoplastic acrylic coating. The coating is formed by inductively heating the sheet to a temperature of about 149.degree.-246.degree. C. for no more than 10 seconds after being roll coated with a continuous liquid film of an aqueous solution including an acrylic polymer. The acrylic coating forms a protective film that is impervious to moisture, oil, and dirt, is able to be welded and adhesively bonded and possesses sufficient toughness and lubricity to allow deformation of the sheet without additional external lubricant. A deep drawn article formed from the sheet has enhanced painting characteristics after the acrylic coating is removed and the article is coated with a phosphate coating.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a frame member for an automobile from a tube blank applies internal hydraulic pressure to the blank, tangent bends and preforms the internally pressurized blank into a preformed tube having a desired horizontal profile configuration, then forms the preformed tube into a finally formed frame member having a desired vertical profile configuration and a desired, varying cross-sectional configuration by placing the preformed tube in a stuffing ledge apparatus having a lower die with an upwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, punch engaging surfaces and a punch having a downwardly facing ledge and vertically extending, die engaging surfaces, internally pressurizing the tube, and then ramming the punch downwardly to form the tube into the finally formed frame member, the ledges and vertically extending surfaces substantially completely enclosing a portion of the tube before and while the punch and die come together to form the tube into the finally formed frame member.

Abstract: Method of producing pig iron in a blast furnace. At least a portion of a top gas from a blast furnace is collected, dried and then heated to an elevated temperature preferably in the range of 900.degree.-1000.degree. C. An oxygen-enriched hydrogenaceous fuel is introduced into the furnace bosh and the heated dried top gas is introduced into the lower half of the furnace stack above the furnace bosh at a point above which the coke in the furnace is not reactive.

Abstract: A method for butt welding metallic sheets along a relatively long common seam line by providing a plurality of laser welding devices aligned above the common seam line, and effectively spaced from one another along a longitudinal axis. In a preferred embodiment, each welding device is independently adjustable in a direction parallel to a transverse axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The metallic sheets are aligned on the upper surface in abutting relationship along the seam line and clamped for welding. Each laser welds only a portion of the sheets along the seam line, and the length of the relative movement between the welding devices and the sheets is greater than the effective spacing distance between welding devices to insure that a continuous weld bead is provided along the common seam line.

Abstract: Steel sheet coated with a relatively insoluble, inorganic, corrosion resistant coating. A silicate coating is formed on a steel sheet by rinsing the sheet for at least 30 seconds in an alkaline aqueous solution containing 0.005 M silicate, 0.005 M metal salt and having a temperature of at least 25.degree. C. The sheet is dried to form an adherent silicate coating having a thickness of at least 2 nm prior to being treated with an aqueous solution containing 0.5-5 vol.-% silane. If the sheet is painted, the silane film forms an adherent bond between the paint and the silicate coating. A silane treated silicate coating minimizes red rusting on terne coated steel by sealing pin holes. A silane treated silicate coating also provides good corrosion protection and paint adherence on cold-rolled or galvanized steel.

Abstract: Decarburized grain oriented silicon steel is provided with an annealing separator which forms a glass film after the final high temperature anneal. The magnesia used as the annealing separator has a total chlorine level of 0.01 to 0.20% by weight based on the weight of magnesia with at least 0.01% metal chloride selected from the group of Mg, Ca, Na and K. The chloride addition acts to seal the coating surface during the final anneal to control diffusion and stabilize the secondary grain growth. The glass film which forms during the anneal may be laser scribed for domain refinement without coating damage. The magnesia may also contain additions of phosphates, TiO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, Cr and B. The temperature of the magnesia is maintained below 25.degree. C. to control hydration and eliminate the need for other additives in the magnesia slurry to control hydration.

Abstract: A telephone enclosure including curved sidewalls each having an outer panel, an inner panel, an acoustic panel and a body rail assembly. The body rail assembly comprises a plurality of rails, each of which have depending legs to receive the inner panel, outer panel and acoustic insulation panel. The enclosure further includes a back panel having one end mounted to the sidewalls, which together horizontally cover at least 180.degree., leaving an open front access to the enclosure. A support base mounts to another end of the post and a device for receiving a telephone. Further, the enclosure includes a ceiling assembly mounted to the housing assembly. The ceiling assembly includes spaced apart ceiling plates, a ceiling rail arrangement having a plurality of legs defining ceiling panel receiving slots to receive a translucent panel. The ceiling includes a light source to illuminate the translucent panel and the interior of the panel assembly. A shelf mounts to the sidewalls.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for forming a plastic coating on a metal strip. A metal strip is cleaned, surface treated, coated with an electrostatically charged plastic powder in an enclosed chamber using a plurality of spray guns positioned on both sides of the strip, inductively heated to above the melting point of the powder, and maintained in an infrared heater until the fused powder is flowed into a coating having a smooth surface and a uniform thickness. Thermoplastic and thermosetting coatings, having thicknesses of at least 10 microns formed using total induction and infrared heating times of less than 60 seconds, can be fabricated without cracking.

Abstract: Acid concentrations are determined by the method and apparatus, particularly HCl acid for picking ferrous material. Specific gravity measurements are made on acid samples, diluted acid samples and water. Conductivity measurements are conducted on the diluted acid samples. The water dilution minimizes the influence of the metal salt in the sample to improve the conductivity measurements. The system calculates the acid concentration by a series of approximations using the conductivity data and the acid concentration - conductivity relationships to provide an accurate acid concentration which is easily automated by computer.

Abstract: A self-contained apparatus for forming metal sheet is adapted for operation within a standard double action press having a base and outer and inner vertically reciprocating slides and includes a basic die mountable to the press and specific tooling replaceably mountable to the basic die. The basic die includes an upper shoe mountable to the outer slide, a lower shoe mountable atop the base and hydraulic cylinder assemblies connected to the lower shoe and mechanically actuatable by the inner slide for providing pressurized fluid to the specific tooling. The specific tooling includes mating upper and lower dies connected to the corresponding upper and lower shoes and movable between open and closed positions.

Abstract: Zinc or zinc alloy plated steel sheet ready for deep drawing coated with 1-5 gm/m.sup.2 of a dry, tack free continuous thermoplastic acrylic coating. The coating is formed by inductively heating the sheet to a temperature of about 149.degree.-246.degree. C. for no more than 10 seconds after being roll coated with a continuous liquid film of an aqueous solution including an acrylic polymer. The acrylic coating forms a protective film that is impervious to moisture, oil, and dirt, is able to be welded and adhesively bonded and possesses sufficient toughness and lubricity to allow deformation of the sheet without additional external lubricant. A deep drawn article formed from the sheet has enhanced painting characteristics after the acrylic coating is removed and the article is coated with a phosphate coating.

Abstract: Apparatus for horizontally plating one surface of conductive sheet with a metal or metal alloy. The apparatus includes an electrolyte holding tank, a horizontally disposed enclosed electrolyte conduit having extended inlet and outlet portions, a variable speed pump for passing electrolyte from the holding tank through the conduit and a rectifier for supplying electrical current. The holding tank includes means for dissipation of entrapped gas bubbles generated during metal deposition or caused by aeration. The conduit has a horizontal opening including an insoluble anode within the opening for defining a plating cell. The anode is positioned parallel to the axis of the conduit and in alignment with the opening. The plating cell includes means for supporting the sheet above the opening. The inlet and outlet portions of the conduit are positioned in-line with the plating cell.

Abstract: Cold rolled, recrystallization annealed, high strength steel for porcelain enameling. The steel consists essentially of at least 0.005 wt. % niobium, at least 0.02 wt. % carbon, at least 0.10 wt. % manganese, at least 0.01 wt. % aluminum, nitrogen as an impurity, the ratio of acid sol. aluminum to total nitrogen being at least 2:1, all percentages by weight and the balance being iron and unavoidable impurities, whereby the annealed steel has a yield strength of at least 21 kg/mm.sup.2 after being strained at least 8% and when heated to at least 815.degree. C. The steel is produced by hot rolling a slab to a sheet having a finishing temperature at least A.sub.r3, coiling the hot rolled sheet at a temperature at least 677.degree. C. to precipitate residual nitrogen as aluminum nitride, removing scale from the hot rolled sheet, cold rolling the descaled sheet, annealing the cold rolled sheet without decarburization at a temperature less than 721.degree. C.

Abstract: A continuous wave laser light beam is directed at the refractory lining within a furnace vessel, and the displacement as measured by a self-scanned linear array of the scattered light beam from a nominal or reference position measured to provide an indication of lining wear or damage. The video signal received by the linear array receiver provides information for mapping the worn or damaged areas of the vessel lining so that such areas may be repaired by a gunning spray nozzle. The inspection apparatus includes an optical filter which is temperature controlled to prevent wavelength shifts away from the nominal laser wavelength. The electronic processing circuitry includes a voltage controlled oscillator responsive to the average background level for modifying the scan rate of the linear array to compensate for changes in background level. The threshold against which the reflected laser beam video signal is compared is also a function of background level.

Abstract: Portable inspection apparatus for determining the actual remaining thickness of the lining of a BOF vessel. The apparatus is mounted on a portable cart which can be wheeled into close proximity with the open top of a horizontally disposed furnace vessel. A laser transmitter directs a laser light beam toward the furnace lining. The light beam scattered from the vessel lining is received by a self-scanned linear array and correlated by means of a computer to provide a graphical representation of actual remaining lining thickness.Pneumatically operated locating members cooperate with positioning pads in the floor adjacent the vessel to accurately and repeatably position the cart with respect to the furnace coordinates. The inspection apparatus is also provided with computer processing to automatically scan a preselected area of the vessel lining less than the entire area in order to monitor lining locations of high potential wear.

Abstract: A cold reduced, non-aging, aluminum killed steel characterized by an elongated grain structure and having an r.sub.m value at least 1.8 produced from a slab having a reduced hot rolling temperature. A slab consisting essentially of .ltoreq.0.08% carbon, .ltoreq.0.1% acid sol. aluminum, .ltoreq.0.2% manganese, all percentages by weight, the balance iron and unavoidable impurities, is hot rolled to a sheet from a temperature less than 1260.degree. C. Preferably, the slab is continuously cast from a melt consisting essentially of 0.03-0.08% acid sol. aluminum, 0.003-0.007% total nitrogen, <0.20% manganese, wherein % acid sol. aluminum.times.% total nitrogen is within the range of 1.times.10.sup.-4 to 5.times.10.sup.-4 and is hot rolled from a temperature of 1093.degree.-1175.degree. C. The hot rolled sheet is descaled, cold reduced, batch annealed and temper rolled. Preferably, the cold reduced sheet is annealed in the range of 538.degree.-649.degree. C.

Abstract: Method for forming a laminate and a product formed therefrom. A thin layer of oil is applied to a facing surface of at least one of a plurality of adjacent sheets and a wax is applied along the longitudinal edges of a facing surface of at least one of the sheets. The sheets are combined into a laminate by being passed between a pair of rollers which apply sufficient pressure to remove excess oil from between the facing surfaces and to spread the wax thereby forming a continuous seal along the longitudinal edges of the laminate. Air between the facing surfaces is displaced by the oil and the wax forms the seal to prevent reentry of the air and seepage of the oil along the longitudinal edges of the laminate. The laminate is tightly held together to permit handling or fabrication without delamination.