Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing small batches of solid paint is disclosed, which method includes a first step of providing a component of the solid paint as a liquid in a heated mixing container that has a base and sides and includes a stirrer for stirring the contents of the container. The next step of the method includes controlling, heating and stirring of the contents of the container and progressively adding other components of the solid paint as solids to the container. The liquid acts as a heat transfer medium that transfers heat from the heated container and from the stirrer to the solids. The mix is heated to a temperature of the solid paint and forms a melt that is a uniform liquid. The final step in the method includes discharging the melt from the container and allowing the melt to cool and form the solid paint.

Abstract: A method of providing a paint coat of an organic polymeric paint composition on a surface of a moving substrate is provided, which includes establishing a quantity of the paint composition, in a high solids form at a temperature such that it is spreadable, in a hip defined by the substrate surface and a smoothing roll to enable paint from the established quantity to pass through the nip as a paint layer on the substrate surface, wherein the smoothing roll has a surface roughness coefficient (Ra) of no more than 1.5, and wherein the maximum surface speed of the smoothing roll expressed as a percentage of the substrate speed bears a linear relationship to the substrate speed such that the surface speed of the smoothing roll is no more than 1.2 percent of the substrate speed at an exemplary low substrate speed of 15 meters per minute and no more than 12 percent of the substrate speed at an exemplary substrate speed of 150 meters per minute.

Abstract: A method of producing a metal-coated steel strip includes the steps of forming a metal coating on a steel strip and conditioning the surface of the metal-coated steel strip by smoothing the surface of the strip. The method is characterised in that the conditioning step produces residual stress of no more than 100 MPa in the strip.

Abstract: A flow diversion device is provided for use in a gas jet stripping apparatus and includes a baffle having a first portion which, in use, extends longitudinally of the moving strip which is being subjected to the stripping action of the jet stripping nozzles of gas jet stripping apparatus. The baffle further includes a second portion which diverges away from the moving strip and a gas outlet for providing gas to the strip side of the baffle. The baffle also has gas collection vanes for redirecting gas from the stripping nozzles to the gas outlet.

Abstract: An anticorrosion treatment of an aluminium/zinc alloy surface is disclosed. The treatment includes the steps of forming on the alloy surface a coating of a solution which contain 5-40 grams of molybdenum per litre of the solution, 2-19% by volume of a phosphoric acid, and a surface etchant. The treatment also includes drying the coating to form a dried coating having a loading of molybdenum of at least 10 mg/m2 of the dried coating and of phosphorus of at least 15 mg/m2 of the dried coating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously casting metal strip are provided, in which molten metal is introduced between a pair of parallel chilled casting rolls via an elongate metal delivery nozzle disposed above and extending along the nip between the casting rolls to form a casting pool supported on the rolls and the rolls are contra-rotated to produce the solidified strip. The molten metal is then delivered into a trough of the nozzle through an entry nozzle having an upper inlet end for receiving molten metal from a tundish, and a lower outlet end extending into the trough of the delivery nozzle, and the outlet end of the entry nozzle has a bottom wall, elongated side walls spaced inwardly from the side walls of the delivery nozzle and outlets for molten metal in the side walls.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously casting metal strip comprises a pair of parallel casting rolls (16). In use of the apparatus molten metal is delivered between the casting rolls which are rotated to deliver cast strip product downwardly from the rolls. Casting rolls (16) are mounted on a roll module (13) installed in and removable from the caster as a unit. Module (13) is movable horizontally from a stand-by position to an intermediate position beneath a casting position of the rolls and can be hoisted from the intermediate position by operation of hoists (71) to lift the rolls (16) into their casting position.

Abstract: A flow diversion device for a gas jet stripping apparatus is used to minimize edge build up when coating a moving strip. The device includes a baffle (17) having a first portion (18) extending longitudinally of the moving strip (4) and adjacent the strip, a second portion (19) extending from the first portion diverging away from the edge of the strip and a gas supply duct (20) communicating with the strip side of the baffle (17) for providing gas to at least the second portion (19) of the baffle. It is preferred that the gas from the duct (20) is supplied with a velocity component in the counter direction of travel of the moving strip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a surface of zinc or of an alloy of zinc and aluminum, said method comprising the step of treating said surface with an aqueous solution having a pH of below 3 and comprising a complex formed from at least one species of metal oxo ion in conjunction with at least one species of hetero ion, the metal oxo ion being selected from the group consisting of molybdate, tungstate and vanadate; the hetero ion being selected from the group consisting of phosphorus (V), aluminium (III), silicon (IV), manganese (II), manganese (IV), zirconium (IV), titanium (IV), tin (IV), cerium (III) and nickel (II); and with a film forming acid tolerant resin compatible with the selected ions.

Abstract: The invention addresses the problem of edge bulging and breakout of as cast strip due to a decrease of perfect solid phase shell thickness of the strip caused by heat recuperation of the unsolidified portion of the strip, by providing a chamber 19 which encloses the travel path of a strip 8 delivered from a pair of chilled rolls 1a and 1b, a pair of chilled blocks 29a arranged in the chamber to be positioned near a nip between the chilled rolls 1a and 1b, with each chilled block 29a being shaped for loose fitting over an edge of a strip 8 and being capable of injecting cooling gas toward the edge of the strip 8. When the strip 8 is to be continuously cast, the interior of the chamber 19 provides an inert gas atmosphere, in which the cooling gas injected by the cooling blocks 29a injection-cools the edges of the strip 8 delivered from the chilled rolls 1a and 1b at a position near the nip between the chilled rolls 1a and 1b.

Abstract: Continuous casting of steel strip in twin-roll caster comprising casting rolls (16). Molten steel is delivered by a delivery system comprising a distributor (18) and delivery nozzle (19) to casting pool (68) supported above the nip (69) between the casting rolls (16) which are rotated to deliver a solidified steel strip (20) downwardly from the nip. The casting pool is confined by side closures (56) comprising refractory plates to contact and dam the molten steel. To minimise reactions between carbon in the pool closures with oxygen containing compounds in the casting pool the side closure plates are made of refractory material containing a major proportion of a refractory aggregate and a minor proportion of graphite of at least 96% purity in the range of 10 to 30% by weight and an anti-oxidant additive being aluminium or an alloy thereof. The refractory aggregate may be comprised mainly of alumina.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a bracket (1) which in a preferred embodiment is formed of a single strip of sheet metal comprising an affixture portion or a flat wall frame affixture portion (2) and an anchoring portion or a flat base affixture portion (3) having temporary spacing means in the form of four outwardly protruding teeth (4) projecting from a lower face of the base affixture portion (3). The wall frame affixture portion (2) is secured via affixture fasteners (7) to a structural member of a wall frame in the form of a wall stud (8). The base of affixture portion (3) is secured against the upper surface of a building element or a concrete floor slab (6). In assembly, the teeth (4) provide a temporary gap between the lower face (13) of the base fixture portion (3) and the upper surface of the base or concrete floor slab (6). The bracket (1) is secured to the concrete slab (6) via a bolt or shank (9) pre-anchored to the base (6).

Abstract: An arbourless casting roll for casting steel strip includes a cylindrical tube (20) of copper of copper alloy having a wall thickness in the range of 30 mm-200 mm and a series of holes defining longitudinal water flow passages (26). A pair of steel stub shafts (21, 22) disposed one at each end of tube (20) have end formations (27, 28) which fit snugly into the ends of tube (20) and have circumferential flanges (29, 30) abutting the ends of the tube. Fasteners (71) extend through flanges (29, 30) into at least some of the holes (26) to fix the stub shafts to the tube (20) such that the tube is unsupported between the stub shafts (21, 22). Water flow ducts (35, 36( in the stub shaft end formations (27, 28) allow flow of water to and from the flow passages (26).

Abstract: A tie bracket for linking adjacent end studs of two or more stud wall subframes extending at an angle to each other, comprises a shaped element of sheet metal which includes a generally polygonal centre portion (12) defining at least three margins (14) intersecting at respective corners, for being accommodated between the end studs. A plurality of tabs (20) project respectively from at least two of the margins for engaging respective apertures in the end studs. Each tab is of a length in the direction of projection greater than its width and of broadly similar order to the lengths of the longer of said margins. Respective formations (28) are provided in each of the tabs to define alternative bending lines (29) spaced in the direction of projection.

Abstract: Twin roll strip casting apparatus in which a pair of pool confining side plates (56) engage end surfaces of casting rolls (16) to form side confining closures for the pool. Plates (56) are mounted in side plate holders (82) connected to horizontally acting thrusters (83) which apply inward closure forces to the side plates (56). Thrusters (83) are mounted on a pair of carriages (101) disposed one at each end of the casting roll assembly and movable toward and away from one another to enable the spacing between them to be adjusted so that the carriages (101) can be preset before a casting operation to suit the width of the casting rolls (16). Carriages (101) are mounted on a central frame structure (103) which sits over the casting rolls (16).

Abstract: Twin roll casting method and apparatus in which molten metal is introduced between a pair of chilled rolls (16) via an elongate delivery nozzle (19) to form a casting pool (68) above the nip (69) between the rolls (16). Rolls (16) are rotated to cast a solidified strip (20) delivered downwardly from the nip (69). Delivery nozzle (19) comprises upwardly opening trough having side walls (62), a floor (63) and bottom outlet openings (64). A pair of upright flow barrier walls (84) stand up from floor (63) to define an internal trough channel (85) to receive the incoming flow of molten metal (65). Barrier walls (84) prevent direct flow of the incoming metal to the outlet openings (64).

Abstract: A method of continuously producing a continuous paint coat of substantially constant, pre-determined thickness, and displaying a plural colour, familial, non-modular pattern, on a surface of a moving substrate, comprising the steps of depositing at least two discontinuous, randomly patchy, differently coloured, component paint deposits, at a predetermined, constant, long term deposition rate for each component deposit in terms of the volume of paint per unit area of the surface, within a single stationary target area of the surface, or within stationary target areas of the surface respectively associated with the component deposits and at least partly aligned in the direction of movement of the substrate, and thereafter spreading and smoothing the component paint deposits carried by the substrate from the target area or areas, to form the continuous coat.

Abstract: Twin roll caster for casting metal strip. Metal is delivered through a distributor (18) and delivery nozzle (19) between a pair of casting rolls (16) to form a casting pool (30) supported on rolls (16) and confined by end plates (56). Rolls (16) are rotated to deliver cast strip downwardly from the nip between them. Rolls (16) are mounted on carriers (104) moveable to allow rolls (16) to move bodily toward and away from one another. Biasing units (110, 111) act on the roll carriers (104) to force them against central stops (107) and to provide roll biasing forces. Stops (107) are adjustable to set the width of the nip between the rolls (16). Biasing units (110) comprise biasing springs (112) whereas biasing units (111) comprise hydraulic actuators (113).

Abstract: Twin roll caster for continuously casting metal strip comprises a pair of parallel casting rolls (16) to which molten metal is supplied through a delivery nozzle (19). The rolls are mounted on roll carriers (104) moveable on a frame (102) to allow rolls (16) to move toward and away from one another. Biasing units (110, 111) allow inward biasing forces to be applied to the roll carriers (104) so as to bias one of the rolls (104) toward the other. The biasing units (110) incorporate biasing springs and means to adjust the thrust exerted by the springs.

Abstract: Apparatus for continuously casting metal strip comprises a pair of parallel casting rolls (16). In use of the apparatus molten metal is delivered between the casting rolls which are rotated to deliver cast strip product downwardly from the rolls. Casting rolls (16) are mounted on a roll module (13) installed in and removable from the caster as a unit. Module (13) is movable horizontally from a stand-by position to an intermediate position beneath a casting position of the rolls and can be hoisted from the intermediate position by operation of hoists (71) to lift the rolls (16) into their casting position.