Abstract: A method and apparatus for coating a substrate (4) with a metal coating by vaporizing the metal in an enclosure (1) containing a selected gas and the substrate. The vaporized metal is deposited on the surface of the substrate either in a solid or molten form depending on the temperature of the substrate relative to the melting point of the metal being deposited. Alloying of the substrate and coating metal are possible with various postcoating heat treatments.

Abstract: Apparatus for the rolling and heat treatment of elongated metal product of relatively small cross section, such as rods and bars, is described in which the elements required for the conduct of a variety of heat treatments are arranged in in-line disposition whereby any of several heat treatment procedures can be performed on the product without need for transferring the product to remotely located heat treatment facilities. The methods of performing various heat treatments through use of the disclosed apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A method for the direct production, from molten metal, of scale-free thin metal strip. Hot thin metal strip exiting a continuous caster system is directed to a reducing chamber wherein a reducing gas reduces strip surface oxides while the cast metal strip is at an elevated temperature from retained heat from the molten metal. A cooling unit following the reducing chamber is used to cool the strip to a temperature below about 150° C. prior to exposing the strip to an oxidizing atmosphere. In various embodiments of the invention, strip thickness is reduced with use of hot and cold rolling mills and the scale-free surface of the strip is coated with protective coatings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the direct production, from molten metal, of scale-free thin metal strip. Hot thin metal strip exiting a continuous caster system is directed to a reducing chamber wherein a reducing gas reduces strip surface oxides while the cast metal strip is at an elevated temperature from retained heat from the molten metal. A cooling unit following the reducing chamber is used to cool the strip to a temperature below about 150° C. prior to exposing the strip to an oxidizing atmosphere. In various embodiments of the invention, strip thickness is reduced with use of hot and cold rolling mills and the scale-free surface of the strip is coated with protective coatings.

Abstract: In high speed pickling and other fluid treatment of metal strip, the acid or other medium is carried along with the strip, and the momentum of the treatment fluid is utilized in a flow reversal path to reverse the flow and carry the fluid on a receiving surface which directs it for recycling to the upstream end of a flow reversal zone; this procedure is repeated in at least one sequential iteration.

Abstract: Apparatus for the rolling and heat treatment of elongated metal product of relatively small cross section, such as rods and bars, is described in which the elements required for the conduct of a variety of heat treatments are arranged in in-line disposition whereby any of several heat treatment procedures can be performed on the product without need for transferring the product to remotely located heat treatment facilities. The methods of performing various heat treatments through use of the disclosed apparatus are also described.

Abstract: Oxides on the surfaces of metal are reduced by directing reducing gases at them in a forceful and turbulent manner. In a preferred version, the gas is passed through at least two reducing zones designed to maintain a higher concentration of reducing gas in at least one of them than would be the case in a single reducing zone. The oxide-bearing surface is heated at the beginning of the process.

Abstract: Oxides on the surfaces of metal are reduced by directing reducing gases at them in a forceful and turbulent manner in an enclosure. The oxide-bearing surface is heated to at least 900 degrees F.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the direct production, from molten metal, of scale-free thin metal strip. Hot thin metal strip exiting a continuous caster system is directed to a reducing chamber wherein a reducing gas reduces strip surface oxides while the cast metal strip is at an elevated temperature from retained heat from the molten metal. A cooling unit following the reducing chamber is used to cool the strip to a temperature below about 150° C. prior to exposing the strip to an oxidizing atmosphere. In various embodiments of the invention, strip thickness is reduced with use of hot and cold rolling mills and the scale-free surface of the strip is coated with protective coatings.

Abstract: Apparatus for the rolling and heat treatment of elongated metal product of relatively small cross section, such as rods and bars, is described in which the elements required for the conduct of a variety of heat treatments are arranged in in-line disposition whereby any of several heat treatment procedures can be performed on the product without need for transferring the product to remotely located heat treatment facilities. The methods of performing various heat treatments through use of the disclosed apparatus are also described.

Abstract: An integrated plant for the production of elongated metal products, such as bars and rods, is described in which the product is initially cast in continuous caster equipment and conducted toward a rolling mill which is positioned in-line with the continuous caster equipment. A tunnel furnace is disposed between the continuous caster equipment and the rolling mill for heating, equalizing and/or holding the product at a predetermined rolling temperature and a descaling assembly operates to descale the product prior to delivery to the rolling mill.

Abstract: An integrated plant for the production of elongated metal product of relatively small cross section, such as bars and rods, is described in which the product is initially cast in a pair of continuous casters and conducted along parallel conveyor lines toward a rolling mill which is in-line with one of the conveyor lines. A tunnel furnace operative to heat the product to rolling temperatures contains transfer mechanism for transferring product on the out-of-line conveyor to the in-line conveyor whereby the benefits of substantially continuous rolling of the product is achieved. A method for operating the plant is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production and heat treatment of coiled elongated metal product of relatively small cross section, such as rods, bars and wire-rod material, is described. The elements required for the conduct of a variety of heat treatments can be performed on coiled product in a substantially continuous manner through the use of a ring conveyor with which the coilers of various process lines and a heat treating furnace communicate. Methods for performing various heat treatments using the described apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: In high speed strip pickling and other treatment such as rinsing and cleaning, the acid or other liquid treating medium tends to be carried along with the strip, which reduces the efficiency of contact of the acid with the strip. The invention addresses this problem by providing a segmented bath, each segment having a deflector over the strip to cause a flow reversal of the acid, which is then guided by an inclined separator panel to the upstream end of the segment and deposited again on the strip. The exit of the segment also includes a constriction to cause the acid to accelerate, creating turbulence, and, on the exit side of the constriction, causing a decrease in pressure, whereby acid is drawn down from above the separator panel, which in turn assists the circulation of acid through the flow reversal.

Abstract: An integrated plant for the production of elongated product of relatively small cross section, such as bars and rods, contains an automated system for the administration of rolling mill operation. The system provides for the stand-by storage of mill stands and by-pass tables in proximity to the mill roll pass line. Relatively fixed mill stand transfer devices operate to transfer mill stands to be changed between the mill roll pass line and movable quick change tables intermediate the mill roll pass line and the storage area, and mobile transfer devices operate to move mill stands between the quick change tables and the storage area.

Abstract: Oxides on the surfaces of metal are reduced by directing reducing gases at them in a forceful and turbulent manner in an enclosure. The oxide-bearing surface is heated to at least 900 degrees F.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for the production of thin metal strip by the hot rolling process. Significant improvements in the finished products can be made by the arrangement of the apparatus and the method of the present invention. The apparatus of the present invention is a metal processing line having a roughing reversing mill stand and a finishing reversing mill stand, each with different sized working rolls. A heating furnace precedes each mill stand. The apparatus in the present invention has the advantages of producing desired thin metal strip in the thickness range of about 0.4 to about 1.2 mm at temperatures appropriate for the specific metal being rolled.

Abstract: A tank cover made of a plurality of sections, which when connected, form a continuous tank cover enclosing the pickle tank. The tank cover is constructed of a plurality of exhaust sections each having an exhaust outlet and a plurality of sections having a plenum chamber which adjoin each other and the exhaust sections. The sections of the tank cover having the plenum chamber have an internal chamber for collecting evaporated acid fumes and transporting these fumes to exhaust outlets connected to the exhaust sections where the fumes may be discharged to an external scrubber.

Abstract: A method for hot rolling and cold rolling metal strip to a finish strip thickness, profile and flatness in a series of rolling mills each having roll bending and roll crossing capabilities to effect a plurality of roll gap profiles. A control method utilizing mathematical models of the roll gap profiles and strip profile is used to select and set the roll bending and roll crossing to a preferred configuration based on secondary effects of possible combinations so as to produce finished metal strip having desired thickness, profile and flatness characteristics.