Patents Assigned to KB Alloys, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6139654
    Abstract: Master alloy with 20-80% strontium, preferably 0.01-2.0% of aluminum and/or copper, and the balance essentially zinc plus impurities, and a method for preparing same and a method for modifying the microstructure of nonferrous alloys with said master alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Boone, Philip G. Vais, Daniel B. Franklin
  • Patent number: 6136108
    Abstract: Master alloy with 20-80% strontium, preferably 0.01-2.0% of aluminum and/or copper, and the balance essentially zinc plus impurities, and a method for preparing same and a method for modifying the microstructure of nonferrous alloys with said master alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Boone, Philip G. Vais, Daniel B. Franklin
  • Patent number: 6123899
    Abstract: This invention relates to master alloy hardeners for use in preparing aluminum base alloys. The respective concentrations of the alloying elements in the master alloy hardener are a multiple equal to or greater than 2 of the concentrations of such elements in the base alloy, and the ratios of the alloying elements in the master alloy hardener to each other are the same as the ratios of the alloying elements in the base alloy. After the aluminum base alloy and the concentration of each alloying element therein are identified, a desired multiple of such concentrations is determined. An aluminum master alloy is prepared that contains the alloying elements at concentrations equivalent to such multiple of the corresponding concentrations of the elements in the base alloy. The master alloy hardeners are added to commercially pure aluminum to provide the desired base alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Setzer, Richard J. Malliris, Gary W. Boone, Frank P. Koch, David K. Young
  • Patent number: 6042660
    Abstract: Master alloy with 20-80% strontium, preferably 0.01-2.0% of aluminum and/or copper, and the balance essentially zinc plus impurities, and a method for preparing same and a method for modifying the microstructure of nonferrous alloys with said master alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Boone, Philip G. Vais, Daniel B. Franklin
  • Patent number: 5676774
    Abstract: A process for producing a magnesium alloy aluminum hardener comprises the steps of providing magnesium alloy scrap, wherein the scrap comprises aluminum present in a range of 1-10 wt. % based on the weight of the scrap and at least one of zinc present in a range of 0.1-3 wt. % based on the weight of the scrap and manganese present in a range of 0.1-3 wt. % based on the weight of the scrap, wherein a remaining portion of the scrap comprises magnesium; providing molten aluminum; and adding the scrap to the molten aluminum until the hardener is produced having a magnesium content in a range of 64-72 wt. % based on the weight of the hardener, with a remaining portion of the hardener comprising aluminum and at least one of zinc and manganese.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Setzer, Richard J. Malliris, David K. Young, Francis P. Koch
  • Patent number: 5484493
    Abstract: Aluminum base alloy consisting essentially of from 0.1 to 3.0% boron, from 1 to 10% titanium and the balance essentially aluminum wherein the aluminum matrix contains TiB.sub.2 particles dispersed throughout said matrix having an average particle size of less than 1 micron, and wherein the matrix contains clusters of said TiB.sub.2 particles greater than 10 microns in size with an average of less than 4 of said clusters per 2 cm.sup.2. The alloy is prepared by adding a boron containing material selected from the group consisting of borax, boron oxide, boric acid and mixtures thereof, and K.sub.2 TiF.sub.6 to a bath of molten aluminum and stirring the molten mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventors: David K. Young, William C. Setzer, Francis P. Koch, Robert A. Rapp, Michael J. Pryor, Noel Jarrett
  • Patent number: 5405578
    Abstract: This invention relates to master alloy hardeners for use in preparing aluminum base alloys. The respective concentrations of the alloying elements in the master alloy hardener are a multiple equal to or greater than 2 of the concentrations of such elements in the base alloy, and the ratios of the alloying elements in the master alloy hardener to each other are the same as the ratios of the alloying elements in the base alloy. After the aluminum base alloy and the concentration of each alloying element therein are identified, a desired multiple of such concentrations is determined. An aluminum master alloy is prepared that contains the alloying elements at concentrations equivalent to such multiple of the corresponding concentrations of the elements in the base alloy. The master alloy hardeners are added to commercially pure aluminum to provide the desired base alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Setzer, Richard J. Malliris, Gary W. Boone, Frank P. Koch, David K. Young
  • Patent number: 5230754
    Abstract: Improved aluminum master alloys containing strontium and boron are provided for simultaneously modifying and grain refining Al alloys, and in particular, hypoeutectic Al-Si alloys. The improved master alloy contains, by weight percent, about 0.20-20% Sr, 0.10-10% B, and the balance Al with impurities. The master alloy may also contain about 0.20 to about 20% Si by weight percent. The master alloys have a high degree of ductility for purposes of forming continuously rolled master alloy rod stock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Setzer, David K. Young, Bryan T. Dunville, Frank P. Koch, Richard J. Malliris
  • Patent number: 5180447
    Abstract: Disclosed is an Al-Ti-B master alloy especially designed to grain refine cast aluminum alloys containing silicon. The alloy composition goes contrary to present known art. Present commerical master alloys contain a ratio of Ti to B exceeding 2.2 to promote a mixture of TiB.sub.2 and TiAl.sub.3 crystals. This invention provides an Al-Ti-B alloy wherein the Ti to B ratio is 1. It contains a preponderance of mixed boride crystals. The optimum composition of the alloy of this invention is Al-3Ti-3B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey K. Sigworth, Matthew M. Guzowski
  • Patent number: 5100488
    Abstract: An improved aluminum-titanium master alloy is provided. Such alloy contains a small but effective amount of, in weight percent, carbon about 0.005 up to 0.05 titanium 2 to 15, and the balance aluminum. After melting, the master alloy is superheated to about 1200.degree. C.-1300.degree. C. to put the element into solution, then the alloy is cast in a workable form. The master alloy in final form is substantially free of carbides, sulfides, phosphides, nitrides, or borides greater than about 5 microns in diameter. The alloy of this invention is used to refine aluminum products that may be rolled into thins sheet, foil, or fine wire and the like. Such grain refined products are also substantially free of carbides, sulfides, phosphides, nitrides, or borides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1992
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey K. Sigworth
  • Patent number: 5055256
    Abstract: Disclosed is an Al-Ti-B master alloy especially designed to grain refine cast aluminum alloys containing silicon. The alloy composition goes contrary to present known art. Present commercial master alloys contain a ratio of Ti to B exceeding 2.2 to promote a mixture of TiB.sub.2 and TiAl.sub.3 crystals. This invention provides an Al-Ti-B alloy wherein the Ti to B ratio is 1. It contains a preponderance of mixed boride crystals. The optimum composition of the alloy of this invention is Al-3Ti-3B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Sigworth, Matthew Guzowski
  • Patent number: 5041263
    Abstract: Provided is an improved aluminum-titanium master alloy containing carbon in a small but effective content and not more than about 0.1%. After melting, the master alloy is superheated to about 1200.degree.-1250.degree. C. to put the carbon into solution, then the alloy is cast in a workable form. The master alloy in final form is substantially free of carbides greater than about 5 microns in diameter. The alloy of this invention is used to refine aluminum products that may be rolled into thin sheet, foil, or fine wire and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey K. Sigworth
  • Patent number: 4873054
    Abstract: An improved aluminum-titanium master alloy is provided. Such alloy contains a small be effective amount of, in weight percent, any two or more elements selected from the group consisting of carbon about 0.003 up to 0.1, sulfur about 0.03 up to 2, phosphorus about 0.03 up to 2, nitrogen about 0.03 up to 2, and boron about 0.01 up to 0.4, titanium 2 to 15, and the balance aluminum. After melting, the master alloy is superheated to about 1200.degree. C.-1300.degree. C. to put the element into solution, then the alloy is cast in a workable form. The master alloy in final form is substantially free of carbides, sulfides, phosphides, nitrides, or borides greater than about 5 microns in diameter. The alloy of this invention is used to refine aluminum products that may be rolled into thin sheet, foil, or fine wire and the like. Such grain refined products are also substantially free of carbides, sulfides, phosphides, nitrides, or borides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey K. Sigworth
  • Patent number: 4812290
    Abstract: Provided is an improved aluminum-titanium master alloy containing carbon in a small but effective content and not more than about 0.1%. After melting, the master alloy is superheated to about 1200.degree.-1250.degree. C. to put the carbon into solution, then the alloy is cast in a workable form. The master alloy in final form is substantially free of carbides greater than about 5 microns in diameter. The alloy of this invention is used to refine aluminum products that may be rolled into thin sheet, foil, or fine wire and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: KB Alloys, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey K. Sigworth