Abstract: Aspects treat and remove a layer of scale comprising iron oxide and alloying elements oxides that is formed on an advanced high strength metal surface comprising at least two (2) percent by weight of alloy. A first conditioning process compromises structural integrity of or removes iron oxide within the scale layer to expose the alloy oxide to chemical engagement with a disposed aqueous alkali salt solution that is heated to transforming one or more alkali salts within the disposed solution into a quasi-molten form. The alloy oxide is oxidized via reaction with the solution quasi molten alkali salt(s) and water, forming one or more water soluble alkali alloy compounds. A water rinse dissolves and rinses the water soluble compound(s) from the steel product surface of the advanced high strength, leaving a film of iron oxide on the surface that is removed via a final pickling process.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating oxide scale on the surface of a metal object. In one embodiment, a system temperature control apparatus controls the temperature of metal object's surface to an application temperature below the Leidenfrost temperature point of an alkali metal hydroxide aqueous conditioning solution. An application apparatus wets the metal object's surface at the controlled temperature with a thin layer of the solution that engages the oxide scale, and a heating apparatus heats the wetted surface to a final conditioning temperature above a melting point of the alkali metal hydroxide by an additional value selected to effect conditioning of the oxide scale at a reasonable but not excessive rate by the melting alkali metal hydroxide reacting with the oxide scale. The system terminates additional conditioning to prevent creation of additional oxide scale beyond the conditioned depth.

Abstract: Ferritic nitrocarburized surface treatment of cast iron brake rotors providing oxidation resistance, good braking performance and absence of distortion. Machined brake rotors are pre-heated, then immersed into a high temperature molten nitrocarburizing salt bath for a first predetermined dwell time. After removing the brake rotors from the nitrocarburizing salt bath, the brake rotors are directly immersed into an oxidizing salt bath at a lower temperature than the nitrocarburizing salt bath so that the brake rotors are thermally quenched. After a predetermined second dwell time in the oxidizing salt bath, the brake rotors are removed therefrom and further cooled to room temperature, either by water application thermal quenching or slow cooling in air. A fixture provides stable holding the brake rotors with a minimum of contact during placement in the salt baths.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for treating oxide scale on the surface of a metal object. In one embodiment, a system temperature control apparatus controls the temperature of metal object's surface to an application temperature below the Leidenfrost temperature point of an alkali metal hydroxide aqueous conditioning solution. An application apparatus wets the metal object's surface at the controlled temperature with a thin layer of the solution that engages the oxide scale, and a heating apparatus heats the wetted surface to a final conditioning temperature above a melting point of the alkali metal hydroxide by an additional value selected to effect conditioning of the oxide scale at a reasonable but not excessive rate by the melting alkali metal hydroxide reacting with the oxide scale. The system terminates additional conditioning to prevent creation of additional oxide scale beyond the conditioned depth.

Abstract: Ferritic nitrocarburized surface treatment of cast iron brake rotors providing oxidation resistance, good braking performance and absence of distortion. Machined brake rotors are pre-heated, then immersed into a high temperature molten nitrocarburizing salt bath for a first predetermined dwell time. After removing the brake rotors from the nitrocarburizing salt bath, the brake rotors are directly immersed into an oxidizing salt bath at a lower temperature than the nitrocarburizing salt bath so that the brake rotors are thermally quenched. After a predetermined second dwell time in the oxidizing salt bath, the brake rotors are removed therefrom and further cooled to room temperature, either by water application thermal quenching or slow cooling in air. A fixture provides stable holding the brake rotors with a minimum of contact during placement in the salt baths.

Abstract: Ferritic nitrocarburized surface treatment of cast iron brake rotors providing oxidation resistance, good braking performance and absence of distortion. Machined brake rotors are pre-heated, then immersed into a high temperature molten nitrocarburizing salt bath for a first predetermined dwell time. After removing the brake rotors from the nitrocarburizing salt bath, the brake rotors are directly immersed into an oxidizing salt bath at a lower temperature than the nitrocarburizing salt bath so that the brake rotors are thermally quenched. After a predetermined second dwell time in the oxidizing salt bath, the brake rotors are removed therefrom and further cooled to room temperature, either by water application thermal quenching or slow cooling in air. A fixture provides stable holding the brake rotors with a minimum of contact during placement in the salt baths.

Abstract: Ferritic nitrocarburized surface treatment of cast iron brake rotors providing oxidation resistance, good braking performance and absence of distortion. Machined brake rotors are pre-heated, then immersed into a high temperature molten nitrocarburizing salt bath for a first predetermined dwell time. After removing the brake rotors from the nitrocarburizing salt bath, the brake rotors are directly immersed into an oxidizing salt bath at a lower temperature than the nitrocarburizing salt bath so that the brake rotors are thermally quenched. After a predetermined second dwell time in the oxidizing salt bath, the brake rotors are removed therefrom and further cooled to room temperature, either by water application thermal quenching or slow cooling in air. A fixture provides stable holding the brake rotors with a minimum of contact during placement in the salt baths.

Abstract: A composition for stripping and cleaning organic coatings from substrates, comprising a solution of high-boiling alcohols, preferably polyglycols, a surfactant, preferably a nonylphenol ethoxylate, and an alkali metal hydroxide, said composition being essentially free of any amines. The composition aggressively and effectively strips paints and other organic coatings without harming underlying substrates damaged by prior art strippers, over conventional or lower time periods, and at conventional or lower temperatures. One embodiment of the invention comprises from about 40% to about 98.9% by weight of a high-boiling alcohol; from about 1% to about 60% of a non-ionic surfactant; and from about 0.1% to about 10% of an alkali hydroxide or mixture of alkali hydroxide.

Abstract: A composition for stripping and cleaning organic coatings from substrates, comprising a solution of high-boiling alcohols, preferably polyglycols, a surfactant, preferably a nonylphenol ethoxylate, and an alkali metal hydroxide, said composition being essentially free of any amines. The composition aggressively and effectively strips paints and other organic coatings without harming underlying substrates damaged by prior art strippers, over conventional or lower time periods, and at conventional or lower temperatures. One embodiment of the invention comprises from about 40% to about 98.9% by weight of a high-boiling alcohol; from about 1% to about 60% of a non-ionic surfactant; and from about 0.1% to about 10% of an alkali hydroxide or mixture of alkali hydroxide.

Abstract: A composition and method for stripping and cleaning organic coatings from substrates, comprising a solution of high-boiling alcohols, preferably polyglycols, a surfactant, preferably a nonylphenol ethoxylate, and an alkali metal hydroxide, said composition being essentially free of any amines. The composition aggressively and effectively strips paints and other organic coatings without harming underlying substrates damaged by prior art strippers, over conventional or lower time periods, and at conventional or lower temperatures. One embodiment of the invention comprises from about 40% to about 98.9% by weight of a high-boiling alcohol; from about 1% to about 60% of a non-ionic surfactant; and from about 0.1% to about 10% of an alkali hydroxide or mixture of alkali hydroxide.

Abstract: A method and device for removing particulate matter from a liquid medium, especially a molten salt bath. The structure includes a device for capturing and removing particulate matter from a liquid medium. In operation, the device is inserted into the liquid having the particulate matter, with a particulate matter collector in the particle collecting position. An agitator circulates the liquid having the particulate matter therein. A portion of the particulate matter is collected in the particulate matter collector during the circulation. Thereafter, the circulation is ceased and the device is removed from the liquid with the particulate matter in the particulate matter collector. The device is moved to a discharge position, and the particulate matter collector is moved to a particle discharge position to discharge the particulate matter.

Abstract: A composition for nitrocarburizing stainless steel parts and a method for producing a nitride or hard case on such parts using the composition, are provided. The composition includes alkali metal cyanate and alkali metal carbonate, wherein the cyanate ion is present in a weight percentage of greater than 45% and less than 55.2%. The composition is fused and maintained between about 750° F. and about 950° F. depending upon the type of stainless steel to be treated. The workpiece is immersed in the fused bath and left in until a satisfactory compound layer or case is formed. With austenitic stainless steel, the piece is immersed from about four hours to about six hours at temperatures between about 750° F. and about 950° F., preferably between 750° F. and 850° F. to maintain corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A method and system for spraying scale conditioning aqueous solutions onto opposite sides of a metal strip for scale conditioning is provided. The system includes a housing which defines a chamber through which the moving strip passes on the strip pass line. A nozzle maintenance station is provided which is disposed off the strip pass line. Sets of spray nozzles are provided and the sets are independently movable between the maintenance station and spraying portion on opposite sides of the strip. Thus, each set can be utilized independently to spray a strip or be worked on in the maintenance station without shutting down the line.

Abstract: A composition for nitrocarburizing stainless steel parts and a method for producing a nitride or hard case on such parts using the composition, are provided. The composition includes alkali metal cyanate and alkali metal carbonate, wherein the cyanate ion is present in a weight percentage of greater than 45% and less than 55.2%. The composition is fused and maintained between about 750° F. and about 950° F. depending upon the type of stainless steel to be treated. The workpiece is immersed in the fused bath and left in until a satisfactory compound layer or case is formed. With austenitic stainless steel, the piece is immersed from about four hours to about six hours at temperatures between about 750° F. and about 950° F., preferably between 750° F. and 850° F. to maintain corrosion resistance. With 400 series stainless steel, increased corrosion resistance is achieved by immersion for between four and six hours at 950° F.

Abstract: A method and composition for removing organic coatings or residues from a substrate is provided, which composition includes an organic carrier of ethanolamines and non-ionic alkylphenol ethoxylate surfactants and mixtures thereof and potassium hydroxide and being free of water.

Abstract: A composition for nitrocarburizing stainless steel parts and a method for producing a nitride or hard case on such parts using the composition, are provided. The composition includes alkali metal cyanate and alkali metal carbonate, wherein the cyanate ion is present in a weight percentage of greater than 45% and less than 55.2%. The composition is fused and maintained between about 750° F. and about 950° F. depending upon the type of stainless steel to be treated. The workpiece is immersed in the fused bath and left in until a satisfactory compound layer or case is formed. With austenitic stainless steel, the piece is immersed from about four hours to about six hours at temperatures between about 750° F. and about 950° F., preferably between 750° F. and 850° F. to maintain corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A method and system for spraying scale conditioning aqueous solutions onto opposite sides of a metal strip for scale conditioning is provided. The system includes a housing which defines a chamber through which the moving strip passes on the strip pass line. A nozzle maintenance station is provided which is disposed off the strip pass line. Sets of spray nozzles are provided and the sets are independently movable between the maintenance station and spraying portion on opposite sides of the strip. Thus, each set can be utilized independently to spray a strip or be worked on in the maintenance station without shutting down the line.

Abstract: A composition and apparatus and method of using the composition for aqueous spray descaling or conditioning of scale or oxide on metal surfaces, especially stainless steel strip or the like, in one embodiment, although it can be used to descale or condition oxide or scale on other work pieces such as metal bar, or even discrete objects. An aqueous solution having a base composition of an alkali metal hydroxide, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or a mixture of alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide is used. The aqueous solution may contain certain additives to improve the descaling performance of the salt. In one embodiment, the solution is used to condition the scale or surface oxide on a strip of stainless steel. The strip of steel is at a temperature between the melting point of the alkali metal hydroxide in anhydrous form and a temperature at which the Leidenfrost effect appears.

Abstract: A composition and apparatus and method of using the composition for aqueous spray descaling or conditioning of scale or oxide on metal surfaces, especially stainless steel strip or the like, in one embodiment, although it can be used to descale or condition oxide or scale on other work pieces such as metal bar, or even discrete objects. An aqueous solution having a base composition of an alkali metal hydroxide, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or a mixture of alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide is used. The aqueous solution may contain certain additives to improve the descaling performance of the salt. In one embodiment, the solution is used to condition the scale or surface oxide on a strip of stainless steel. The strip of steel is at a temperature between the melting point of the alkali metal hydroxide in anhydrous form and a temperature at which the Leidenfrost effect appears.

Abstract: A system for descaling a strip of metal includes a nozzle assembly mounted within a spray box for spraying descaling product on the strip. The nozzle assembly includes a spray chamber; nozzles mounted directly to the spray chamber; and a heater for heating the chamber, the descaling product in the chamber, and the nozzles by conduction through the chamber. The nozzles are oriented to direct the descaling product in a spray against the upper and lower surfaces of the metal strip for an amount and a time sufficient to descale the metal strip. The nozzle assembly is attached to the spray box and can be easily removed therefrom for inspection.