Abstract: High strength steel tube is made from a full hard, cold rolled steel sheet having a chemistry compliant to S.A.E. J 403 grade 1026. The high strength of the tube is a result of specified thermal-mechanical processing of hot rolled sheet followed by controlled percent cold rolled reduction, and does not require post-welding thermal heat treatment and/or cold drawing processing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming an electrically insulating layer on a steel article such as a stack of electrical steel laminations or an individual, unstacked electrical steel lamination, comprising exposing the article to an oxidation atmosphere, and to a temperature (such as at least about 800° F.) for a time sufficient to form on the article an electrically insulating layer comprising hematite. The hematite layer is effective to provide the article with a surface resistivity characterized by an F-amp value of not greater than about 0.85 at a test pressure of 50 psi and a transfer surface roughness of about 10 microinches (Ra). Also featured is a steel article having the electrically insulating layer formed thereon.

Abstract: A slide gate plate throttling mechanism for the continuous casting of molten metal includes a gate plate assembly. The gate plate assembly is connected to an upper nozzle disposed below a vessel for containing molten metal and is disposed above an elongated lower nozzle that directs flow of molten metal. Each plate of the gate plate assembly includes an opening that forms a portion of a passageway for the molten metal. The gate plate assembly comprises a gate plate that is moved so as to open and close the passageway, a lower plate connected to an upper surface of the nozzle, and a groove disposed in a bottom surface of the lower plate around the lower plate opening. The mechanism further comprises at least one control device for regulating flow of inert gas and graphite into the groove. The system may include a device for measuring back pressure in the groove to determine when to seal the groove by injecting graphite therein.

Abstract: A method of making electrical steel strip characterized by low core loss and high permeability in the rolling direction includes the steps of: hot rolling a slab of an electrical steel composition into a strip, hot band annealing in a temperature range effective to coarsen the grains sufficient to improve magnetic properties in a rolling direction of the strip, cold rolling, batch annealing in a temperature range effective to produce a batch annealed grain size of not greater than 40 &mgr;m and, preferably not greater than 20 &mgr;m , and temper rolling to provide the strip with a transfer surface roughness (Ra) of less than 49 &mgr;in. Electrical steel articles are manufactured from the steel strip upon final annealing. The electrical steel articles have a gain texture including a {110}<001> orientation and improved permeability in the rolling direction.

Abstract: A method of treating a metal object having an outer layer including zinc includes applying to the object a treating material in the form of an alkaline solution or a gas. The treating material reacts to form a reaction layer on the outer layer. The reaction layer includes a zinc reaction product. A protective coating such as lubricant is applied to the object, wherein the reaction layer is present in an amount effective to increase a lubricity of the object. In another embodiment the metal object includes an outer layer including zinc which may be substantially non-oxidized. A reaction layer comprising zinc carbonate is disposed on the outer layer. The reaction layer is present in an amount effective to increase a lubricity of the object during a forming process. A protective coating may be in contact with the reaction layer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming an electrically insulating layer on a steel article such as a stack of electrical steel laminations or an individual, unstacked electrical steel lamination, comprising exposing the article to an oxidation atmosphere, and to a temperature (such as at least about 800° F.) for a time sufficient to form on the article an electrically insulating layer comprising hematite. The hematite layer is effective to provide the article with a surface resistivity characterized by an F-amp value of not greater than about 0.85 at a test pressure of 50 psi and a transfer surface roughness of about 10 micro inches (Ra). Also featured is a steel article having the electrically insulating layer formed thereon.

Abstract: Batch annealed, semi-processed and fully processed motor lamination steels are made by processes which subject a slab having a particular ultra low carbon composition (less than 0.01%) to steps which include hot rolling a slab into a strip and coiling the strip. This is followed by the sequential steps of preferably annealing the strip in coil form, cold rolling the strip and batch annealing the strip in coil form. The strip is flattened by a temper rolling or leveling process. The flattening step reduces the thickness of the strip by an amount ranging from greater than 0% to not greater than 1.0% to provide the strip with a permeability when stress relief annealed of at least 2500 Gauss/Oersted.

Abstract: A roller assembly adapted to be mounted to a conveyor sideguide for use in directing a strip of steel along a conveyor. The roller assembly includes a roller member having a plurality of flutes spaced apart on outer surface of the roller. The roller assembly also includes a support assembly featuring a roller support assembly in which the roller member is rotatably supported and a mounting assembly for securing the roller member to the sideguide such that the roller extends beyond an inner surface of the conveyor sideguide facing the steel strip. The roller assembly further includes a fluid manifold which directs a source of pressurized liquid directed at the roller to sequentially impinge each of the plurality of flutes and cause the roller member to rotate with respect to the roller support assembly at a predetermined angular velocity, the angular velocity of the roller automatically adjusting to correspond to a linear velocity of the steel strip when an edge of the steel strip contacts the roller member.

Abstract: A process of recovering iron values and separating zinc oxides and other contaminants from steel mill waste metal oxides, such as blast furnace dust, BOF dust, mill scale and oily sludges, characterized by iron metallization levels up to 95% or more and zinc oxide removal in excess of 99%, and including the steps of blending the oxides with coke breeze in an amount sufficient to provide a total carbon content of 16% to 22%, the coke breeze having a particle size of 50% or more plus 60 mesh or larger, briquetting the blend to form briquettes having a thickness ranging from 1/2" to 3/4", and firing the briquettes in a rotary hearth furnace to metallize the iron and evolve zinc and other oxide contaminants.

Abstract: A method of making electrical steel strip characterized by low core loss, high permeability and good cleanliness includes producing a slab having a composition consisting essentially of (% by weight): up to 0.02 C, 0.20-1.35 Si, 0.10-0.45 Al, 0.10-1.0 Mn, up to 0.015 S, up to 0.006 N, up to 0.07 Sb, up to 0.12 Sn, and the balance being substantially iron. The slab is hot rolled into a strip with a finishing temperature in the ferrite region. The strip is coiled at a temperature less than 1200.degree. F. and, preferably, less than 1000.degree. F. The strip which has not been subjected to an annealing operation after the coiling is subjected to cold rolling. The strip is then batch annealed and temper rolled.

Abstract: A submerged entry nozzle for introducing molten steel into a casting mold is disclosed. The nozzle includes nozzle structure defining a central bore and two transverse exit ports communicating with the bottom of the central bore, the central bore terminating at an upwardly dish-shaped bottom surface that extends to the periphery of the nozzle structure and forms the lower surface regions of the exit ports, whereby molten steel flowing across the upwardly dish-shaped bottom surface is directed outwardly and upwardly from the nozzle structure.

Abstract: A BOF process in which iron oxide units are added to the melt during the blow characterized in that the oxygen flow is reduced during pellet feeding and is replenished with inert gas so that the total gas flow remains the same as that designed to achieve optimum BOF performance.

Abstract: A method of agglomerating oil-containing steel mill waste includes the step of combining a first steel mill waste component with a second steel mill waste component to form a mixture. The first waste component includes substantially dry non-oily steel mill waste and the second waste component includes oil-containing steel mill waste. The first waste component and the second waste component are agglomerated.

Abstract: A method of improving post-combustion heat recovery in a vessel containing a charge of molten ferrous metal and slag includes the use of a lance for the introduction of oxygen gas into the charge. The method includes blowing oxygen into the charge through at least one first nozzle of the lance for refining the molten metal into steel. Oxygen is blown through at least one second nozzle of the lance from at least one location spaced above the first nozzle at an oxygen flow rate effective to produce foamy slag in an amount for obtaining a post-combustion heat transfer efficiency of at least about 40% without appreciable overflow of the slag from the vessel. The oxygen flow rate from the second nozzle is at a minimum at about a starting point of a peak decarburization period of the charge. Iron oxide containing pellets may also be added to the charge.

Abstract: A steelmaking furnace is cleaned and maintained using a lance which includes an elongated lance body including at least one first nozzle opening proximal to an end that extends into the furnace and at least one other second nozzle opening spaced upwardly from the first nozzle opening. Structure defines at least one passageway extending through the body to the first nozzle opening and to the second nozzle opening. Gas supply means selectively introduces different gases into the passageway. The lance apparatus can be operated to emit either different gases or the same gas from the first and second nozzle openings at the same time. The gases emitted include an oxygen-containing gas and a gas that includes an inert gas.

Abstract: A self-cleaning lance includes a lance body elongated along a longitudinal axis and having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, the lower end portion being spaced apart from the upper end portion along the longitudinal axis. One or more main nozzles are located proximal to the lower end portion and are adapted to release an oxygen-containing gas. One or more deskulling nozzles are spaced upwardly from the lower end portion and are adapted to release a deskulling gas. The lance body has a first portion that extends axially from the deskulling nozzles to the main nozzles and a second portion above the deskulling nozzles. The first portion has a smaller outer perimeter than the outer perimeter of the second portion. Each of the deskulling nozzles extends by an angle of not greater than 25 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method of making electrical steel strip characterized by low core loss and high permeability in the rolling direction includes the steps of: hot rolling a slab into a strip having a composition consisting essentially of (% by weight): up to 0.01 C, 0.20-2.25 Si, 0.10-0.45 Al, 0.10-1.0 Mn, up to 0.015 S, up to 0.006 N, up to 0.07 Sb, up to 0.12 Sn, 0.005-0.1 P, followed by coiling, hot band annealing, cold rolling, batch annealing at a temperature in the range of 1040.degree.-1140.degree. F., and temper rolling to provide the strip with a transfer surface roughness (Ra) of 15 .mu.in or less. Electrical steel is manufactured from the steel strip by punching out shapes into laminations, and final annealing the laminations. The electrical steel has a grain texture including a {110}<001> orientation and a permeability in the range of 5000-65000 (G/Oe) in the rolling direction.

Abstract: A refractory nozzle assembly is provided that effectively prevents the accumulation of alumina deposits around its upper edge where it receives a stopper rod. The nozzle assembly includes a refractory nozzle body having an upper and a lower portion. A bore extends through both the upper and lower portions that has a receiving and a discharge end for receiving and discharging molten metal. An inert gas distributor circumscribes the upper portion of the nozzle body. A sleeve of gas-obstructing refractory material covers the walls of the bore, and defines a seat portion at an upper portion of the bore. A metal sheath substantially surrounds the outer surface of the upper portion. Pressurized inert gas conducted to the upper, gas permeable portion of the nozzle body by the gas-distributing assembly is guided by the gas-obstructing sleeve and the metal sheath so that it flows predominantly through the top edge of the upper portion.

Abstract: Batch annealed, semi-processed and fully processed motor lamination steels are made by processes which subject a slab having an ultra low carbon composition (less than 0.01%) to at least the following steps: hot rolling with an austenite finishing temperature, coiling at a temperature ranging from 1300.degree.-1450.degree. F., and light temper rolling (less than 1.0% reduction) or leveling; reheating at a temperature less than 2300.degree. F., hot rolling with a ferrite finishing temperature, coiling at a temperature less than 1200.degree. F., and light temper rolling or leveling; or hot rolling with a ferrite finishing temperature, coiling at a temperature ranging from 1100.degree.-1350.degree. F. without a subsequent hot band anneal, and light temper rolling or leveling.

Abstract: Batch annealed, semi-processed and fully processed motor lamination steels are made by processes which subject a slab having an ultra low carbon composition (less than 0.01%) to at least the following steps: hot rolling with an austenite finishing temperature, coiling at a temperature ranging from 1300.degree.-1450.degree. F., and light temper rolling (less than 1.0% reduction) or leveling; reheating at a temperature less than 2300.degree. F., hot rolling with a ferrite finishing temperature, coiling at a temperature less than 1200.degree. F., and light temper rolling or leveling; or hot rolling with a ferrite finishing temperature, coiling at a temperature ranging from 1100.degree.-1350.degree. F. without a subsequent hot band anneal, and light temper rolling or leveling.