Abstract: A process for making an essentially lead-free screw machine stock alloy, comprising the steps of providing a cast aluminum ingot having a composition consisting essentially of about 0.55 to 0.70 wt. % silicon, about 0.15 to 0.45 wt. % iron, about 0.30 to 0.40 wt. % copper, about 0.8 to 0.15 wt. % manganese, about 0.80 to 1.10 wt. % magnesium, about 0.08 to 0.14 wt. % chromium, nor more than about 0.25 wt. % zinc, about 0.007 to 0.07 wt. % titanium, about 0.20 to 0.8 wt. % bismuth, about 0.15 to 0.25 wt. % tin, balance aluminum and unavoidable impurities; homogenizing the alloy at a temperature ranging from about 900.degree. to 1060.degree. F. for a time period of at least 1 hour; cooling to room temperature; cutting the ingot into billets; heating and extruding the billets into a desired shape; and thermomechanically treating the extruded alloy shape.

Abstract: Can or lid stock and a method for its manufacture in which a low alloy content aluminum alloy is strip cast to form a hot strip cast feedstock, the hot feedstock is rapidly quenched to prevent substantial precipitation, annealed and quenched rapidly to prevent substantial precipitation of alloying elements and then cold rolled. The can end and tab stock of the invention has strength and formability equal to higher alloy content aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A method of producing an aluminum alloy having superplastic properties, including the steps of: heating the aluminum alloy; hot rolling to an exit temperature ranging from about 650.degree. to 70.degree. F.; and cold rolling to a gauge corresponding to a percentage of cold work selected from among those falling within the zone defined by the lines joining the points of A (475.degree. F., 10%), B (650.degree. F., 99%), C (70.degree. F., 99%) and D (70.degree. F., 10%), shown in FIG. 2, showing the relationship between the temperature range of the hot rolling exit temperature and the percent of cold work.

Abstract: Can or lid stock and a method for its manufacture in which a low alloy content aluminum alloy is strip cast to form a hot strip cast feedstock, the hot feedstock is rapidly quenched to prevent substantial precipitation and then cold rolled. The can end and tab stock of the invention has strength and formability equal to higher alloy content aluminum alloy.

Abstract: Can or lid stock and a method for its manufacture in which a low alloy content aluminum alloy is strip cast to form a hot strip cast feedstock, the hot feedstock is rapidly annealed and quenched rapidly to prevent substantial precipitation of alloying elements and then cold rolled. The can end and tab stock of the invention has strength and formability equal to higher alloy content aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A method for making hollow workpieces such as beverage containers with a circular die in which an aluminum alloy is strip cast whereby the alloy is solidified rapidly without substantial precipitation. Thereafter, the aluminum alloy is formed into a cup which is drawn and passed through one or more dies to iron the walls of the cup and thereby lengthen the side walls thereof using at least one circular die having a die angle of less than about 6 degrees and a chamfer angle of less than 35 degrees. It has been found that the use of such die angles prevents or minimizes galling and tearoffs.

Abstract: An automotive space frame joining system. The joining system includes a pair of extruded aluminum alloy lineal hollow rectangular members, the first lineal member having a top end, a bottom end and two opposing sides, each opposing side including a plurality of substantially similar longitudinal grooves running from the bottom end towards the to end of the first lineal member, the second lineal member having a top and a bottom longitudinal surface, the bottom end of the first lineal member abutting the top lineal surface of the second lineal member; and two pair of universal joining members, each joining member comprising a span and an interlocking member attached to the span, each pair fastened to opposing sides of the second lineal member and positioned such that each interlocking members of each joining member provides interlocking engagement within the opposing grooves of the first lineal member, thereby providing a space frame exhibiting great strength.

Abstract: Method for removal of a liquid edge bead from the side marginal edges of a moving web, such as a strip. The method involves providing a moving web and two pair of manifolds, which are positioned above and below the top and bottom surfaces of the web, discharging a gas curtain approximately normal to the plane of the web, and introducing gas to the manifolds to produce a gas curtain from each manifold so that a portion of the gas curtains are deflected towards the edge of the web. The gas curtains that directly impact the web, in combination with a portion of the gas curtain that extends beyond the edge of the web and the portion that is created by the opposing gas curtain, create turbulence at the side marginal edges of the moving web to remove the liquid edge bead and to carry the liquid away from the marginal edges and the moving web.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fabrication process to obtain aluminum alloy sheet having high formability. In this process, an alloy obtained by alloying Al with Si, Mg, Cu, Mn and Fe, and one or more elements taken from the group of Cr, Zn, Zr and Ti, is subjected to a continuous solution treatment for at least 3 seconds at a temperature higher than 450.degree. C., followed by cooling to a temperature between 60.degree. and 250.degree. C., at a rate higher than 100.degree. C./min, followed by a coiling at the same temperature in the 60.degree. C.-250.degree. C. range and a preaging between 1 minute and 10 hours at the same cooling temperature of 60.degree. to 250.degree. C.

Abstract: An anode rough cleaning system has three rough cleaning stations and an overhead conveyor to move spent anode assemblies sequentially through the three stations. The overhead conveyor supports each spent anode assembly in a hanging vertical position with the carbon butt suspended therebeneath. A first station is a vibrating station which vibrates the carbon butt to separate the bath material from the carbon butt. The vibrating station has an inclined surface and a vibrating surface. The overhead conveyor is arranged over the inclined and vibrating surfaces to drag the carbon butt up the inclined surface, causing the spent anode assembly to rotate from the vertical position to an angled position, and then across the vibrating surface with the spent anode assembly in the angled position. A second station is a scraping station positioned downstream of the vibrating station. The scraping station has at least one scraper to scrape the bath material from the carbon butt and stub.

Abstract: A method of producing an aluminum article comprising the steps of: (a) providing stock including an aluminum alloy comprising about 1.0 to 1.3 wt.% silicon, about 0.40 to 0.80 wt.% magnesium, about 0.02 to 0.20 wt.% of an element selected from the group consisting of manganese and chromium, not more than about 0.70 wt.% copper, the remainder substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities; (b) hot rolling the stock at a temperature ranging from about 980.degree. to 1025.degree. F. to obtain a gauge thickness ranging from about 0.20 to 0.10 inches; (c) solution heat treating at a temperature ranging from about 1000.degree. to 1030.degree. F. for a time period of about 3 to 10 minutes; (d) rapid quenching at a rate of about 500.degree. F./second to a threshold temperature of about 200.degree. F. for a time period ranging from about 2 to 10 minutes; (e) cooling to room temperature at a rate above 1.8.degree. F.

Abstract: A system and a process is provided for reducing the dust formation during the transfer of a particulate material on an endless conveyor belt. During transfer of the material on the conveyor belt the material is first sprayed with a wetting agent then by application of a plow the moving material is lifted from the bottom of the belt and is diverted towards the side edges of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces. The material is then again sprayed then contacted with baffles to redirect the material from the side edges towards the center of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces which are then again sprayed with a wetting agent to substantially eliminate dusting. The plow and baffle combination can also be used for uniformly mixing two or more particulate materials on a moving belt.

Abstract: A system and a process is provided for reducing the dust formation during the transfer of a particulate material on an endless conveyor belt. During transfer of the material on the conveyor belt the material is first sprayed with a wetting agent then by application of a plow the moving material is lifted from the bottom of the belt and is diverted towards the side edges of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces. The material is then again sprayed then contacted with baffles to redirect the material from the side edges towards the center of the belt thus creating additional exposed surfaces which are then again sprayed with a wetting agent to substantially eliminate dusting. The plow and baffle combination can also be used for uniformly mixing two or more particulate materials on a moving belt.

Abstract: A canister for an airbag inflator includes a tubular body having a cylindrical shape elongated from a first end to a second end along a longitudinal central The tubular body forms a continuous wall that defines a pressurized gas chamber at the first end and a diffuser at the second end. The continuous wall is spaced from the central axis by an approximately constant radial distance from the first end to the second end. The canister also includes a burst disk integrally formed with the body from a single piece of material (e.g., aluminum alloy). The burst disk is oriented transverse to the central axis to separate the pressurized gas chamber from the diffuser. The burst disk has a thickness less than that of the body wall. Because the burst disk and wall are formed of the same material according to these relative thicknesses, the burst disk will rupture before the structural integrity of the wall is compromised.

Abstract: An aluminum brazing alloy composite sheet is provided which can be utilized in both the vacuum brazing process and the controlled atmosphere brazing process for the brazing of aluminum parts, The brazing alloy composite sheet consists of an aluminum core alloy of the 3XXX, 5XXX or 6XXX type clad at least on one major surface with a lithium-containing aluminum filler alloy containing from about 0.01% to about 0.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for strip casting of metals on at least one endless belt whereby the belt is cooled when it is not in contact with molten metal deposited on its surface.

Abstract: An aluminum brazing alloy composite sheet is provided which can be utilized in both the vacuum brazing process and the controlled atmosphere brazing process for the brazing of aluminum parts. The brazing alloy composite sheet consists of an aluminum core alloy of the 3XXX, 5XXX or 6XXX type clad at least on one major surface with a lithium-containing aluminum filler alloy containing from about 0.01% to about 0.30% by weight lithium. The core alloy may contain up to about 2% by weight magnesium and is suitable for producing aluminum alloy heat exchanger assemblies, such as radiators or evaporators.

Abstract: An aluminum brazing alloy composite sheet is provided which can be utilized in both the vacuum brazing process and the controlled atmosphere brazing process for the brazing of aluminum parts. The brazing alloy composite sheet consists of an aluminum core alloy of the 3XXX, 5XXX or 6XXX type clad at least on one major surface with a lithium-containing aluminum filler alloy containing from about 0.01% to about 0.30% by weight lithium. The core alloy may contain up to about 2% by weight magnesium and is suitable for producing aluminum alloy heat exchanger assemblies, such as radiators or evaporators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for strip casting of metals on at least one endless belt whereby the belt is cooled when it is not in contact with molten metal deposited on its surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing aluminum sheet stock which includes hot rolling an aluminum alloy sheet stock, annealing and solution heat treating it without substantial intermediate cooling and rapid quenching.