Abstract: A cooling drum for a twin-drum continuous casting machine is capable of ensuring an excellent drum body interior cooling effect and advantageously overcoming both the problem of wear of the cooling drum end portions that are pressure-contacted with, and slide on, the side dams and the problem of their local deformation, and that, as a result, can ensure long-term maintenance of a suitable pressure-contact sliding state between the side dams and the cooling drum so as to enable stable continuous casting over a prolonged period. The cooling drum comprises a drum body portion of a material having a thermal conductivity of 100-400 W/mK and drum end portions part or all of whose portions in pressure-contact with the side dams and/or part or all of whose inner regions are formed of a reinforcing material that is a high-hardness material having a Vickers hardness HV (250 g) of 300-600.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second conductive layers which are electrically connected to each other through a contact plug. A first insulating film is formed on the first conductive layer and has a first opening which reaches the surface of the first conductive layer. A second insulating film is formed on the first insulating film and has a second opening at the same position as the first opening. The contact plug is filled in the first and second openings and has the surface which is substantially flush with the surface of the second insulating film and also contains a metal having a high melting point. The second conductive layer is formed on the second insulating film and on the contact plug.

Abstract: The low thermal expansion and high rigidity ceramic sintered body of this invention is characterized by assuming as a crystal structure a hexagonal close-packed structure and substantially comprising solid solution crystal grains represented by the formula: MgaLibFecAldSieOf (wherein a is in the range of 1.8 to 1.9, b is in the range of 0.1 to 0.3, c is in the range of 0 to 0.2, d is in the range of 3.9 to 4.1, e is in the range of 6.0 to 7.0, and f is in the range of 19 to 23). It is further characterized by the solid solution crystal grains having lattice constants in the ranges, a0 in the range of 9.774 to 9.804 Å and c0 in the range of 9.286 to 9.330 Å, the relative density of the sintered body being of not less than 98%.

Abstract: This invention relates to the vapor-phase oxidation of hydrocarbons by passing a gaseous mixture comprising of a molecular oxygen-containing gas and hydrocarbons which may contain substituents to a fixed bed of catalyst and provides a process for vapor-phase oxidation to be effected by passing a gaseous mixture of raw materials to a fixed bed of catalyst in which the void ratio of the catalyst layers increases by stages in one step or more from upstream downward in the flow of the gaseous mixture of raw materials. For example, the process can oxidize in vapor phase such hydrocarbons as naphthalene, xylene, benzene, toluene, durene, butene, acenaphthene, anthracene, indene and their derivatives in high yields with high productivity. Moreover, the process can prepare phthalic anhydride in high yields with high productivity by the vapor-phase oxidation of naphthalene or ortho-xylene.

Abstract: A grain-oriented electrical steel sheet with improved magnetic properties is achieved by a reduced 180° C. magnetic wall spacing with pulse laser light irradiation. The rolling direction width of the periodic closure domain generated by laser irradiation is no greater than 150 &mgr;m. The depth of the periodic closure domain in the direction of the steel sheet thickness is at least 30 &mgr;m. The product of the length of the periodic closure domain in the rolling direction width direction multiplied by the length of the depth of the periodic closure domain in the direction of the steel sheet thickness is at least 4500 &mgr;m2. The magnetostriction with materials of 0.23 mm sheet thickness (&lgr;19 p-p compression) is no greater than 0.9×10−6, and magnetostriction with materials of 0.27 mm sheet thickness (&lgr;19 p-p compression) is no greater than 1.3×10−6.

Abstract: An iron scrap having a composition comprising iron and iron-soluble elements in the sum of 100 mass %, and containing Cu, elements of the Groups IIIa, VIII, Ib, IIb, IIIb, IVb and Vb having affinity with Cu, and unavoidable impurities, is melted in an oxygen-containing atmosphere. A predetermined amount of C, and whenever necessary, a predetermined amount of at least one of Cr and Mo and/or a predetermined amount of at least one of Mn, V and Ti, are added to the molten steel. The molten iron is then separated into an Fe-enriched layer and a Cu-enriched layer under the molten state. Cu and the above elements having affinity with Cu are separated and precipitated into the Cu-enriched layer by utilizing the difference of the specific gravity between the layers. According to this method, impurity elements detrimental to the stable production of a steel material having a homogeneous property, such as Cu, Sn, etc., can be removed economically and efficiently when the iron scrap is recycled.

Abstract: A 590 MPa-class rolled steel shape of high strength and excellent toughness for use as a building structural member and a method of producing the high-tensile rolled steel shape are provided. Strength optimization by an alloy that elevates hardenability, texture refinement obtained by fine dispersion of Ti oxides and TiN owing to Ti addition, precipitation strengthening by Cu addition, and formation of a fine bainite texture by temperature-controlled rolling, cooling control and the like enable a high-strength, high-toughness rolled steel shape of high-strength and excellent toughness having mechanical properties of a tensile strength of not less than 590 MPa, a yield strength or 0.2% proof strength of not less than 440 MPa and a Charpy impact absorption energy at 0° C. of not less than 47 J, and method of producing the same.

Abstract: A coating aluminized steel sheet suitable for fuel tanks, which comprises (a) a steel sheet, (b) an aluminized-plating layer formed on one or both sides of the steel sheet and based on aluminum or an aluminum alloy containing 2-15 wt% silicon, and (c) a coating layer formed on at least one of the aluminizing layers and selected from the group consisting of i) a resin chromate film having a film thickness of 0.1-2 &mgr;m and containing a resin and a chromic acid compound, with the resin/metal chromium weight ratio in the range of 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing unreacted monomers and other volatile matters from a polymer solution composition produced from a mixture containing an aromatic vinyl monomer, utilizes two or more flash devolatilizing vessels, and effects the removal by adjusting the solid content of the polymer solution composition at the outlet of the devolitilizer before the last-stage devolitilizer to a level in excess of 97%, adding 0.5-4 parts by weight of a foaming agent to the total polymer solution composition, passing the polymer solution composition through the last-stage devolitilizer while maintaining the pressure of the polymer solution at 10 kg/cm2 or more by means of a pressure controller and the temperature in the range 190-260° C., introducing the polymer solution composition to a vapor-liquid separation vessel maintained at a vacuum of 20 Torr or less, and allowing the composition to foam.

Abstract: In a semiconductor device of this invention, a first trench having a uniformly inclined surface at a predetermined angle is formed downward from the surface of a semiconductor substrate. A second trench is formed vertically downward from the first trench. These trenches are filled with an insulating film to form a trench element isolation structure. The inclined surface of the first trench can disperse stepwise the electric field generated at an element isolation end and can relax concentration of electrical charges. The second trench vertically extending downward can reliably isolate elements. The semiconductor device of this invention has a trench element isolation structure made of the insulating film filling the trenches. The outer edge of a portion projecting from the semiconductor substrate is covered with a thermal oxide film formed by heat-treating a polysilicon film. The structure is more resistant to etching, cleaning, and the like.

Abstract: In an high-frequency LSI chip, a clock signal generating circuit establishes accurate synchronization between an input clock signal and an internal clock signal to prevent an input circuit from causing a synchronization shift. The clock signal generating circuit includes an input circuit for amplifying an input signal and outputting an amplified signal as a first internal signal; a variable delay circuit, on the basis of a control signal, for delaying the first internal signal and outputting a delayed signal as a second internal signal; a phase comparator for finding a phase difference between the input signal and second internal signal and outputting a phase difference signal indicative of the phase difference; and a control circuit for generating the control signal on the basis of the phase difference signal. Thus, the influences of a delay caused by the input circuit, which would not be avoided in the prior art, can be avoided and the accurate internal clock signal can be generated.

Abstract: A current-limiting device employing a bulk superconductive material wherein a non-superconductive phase is finely dispersed in a REBa2—Cu3—O7−x phase as a superconductive phase, where the current-limiting device has a mechanism that promotes or generates quenching beyond the conduction current.

Abstract: This invention provides an oil-tempered wire having high strength (tensile strength of not less than 1960 MPa) and excellent workability and specifically provides a steel wire for high-strength springs comprising as steel components, in weight percent, C   0.4-0.7% Si   1.2-2.5% Mn   0.1-0.5% Cr   0.4-2.0% Al 0.0001-0.005%, and being limited to P not more than 0.015% and S not more than 0.015%, the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities, the steel wire having no nonmetallic inclusions of a size greater than 15 &mgr;m, a tensile strength of not less than 1960 MPa, and a yield ratio (&sgr;0.2/&sgr;B) of not less than 0.8 and not greater than 0.9 or a yield ratio (&sgr;0.2/&sgr;B) of not less than 0.8 and an amount of residual austenite of not greater than 6%. This invention also provides a method of producing the steel wire.

Abstract: A data reading method in a semiconductor storage device capable of storing three- or multi-valued data in one memory cell, in which the state of each memory cell is classified into a plurality of sets to thereby detect what set the present storage state of the memory cell belongs to. That is, several kinds of voltage values are applied to each memory cell to detect whether a current flows in the memory cell or not in accordance with the magnitude of the voltage values to thereby judge the present storage state of each memory cell.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process for continuously casting a molten metal which process suppresses the instability of the initial solidification and stably improves the lubrication and the surface properties of the cast metal, and an apparatus therefore, in the process for continuously casting a molten metal an alternating current is applied to an electromagnetic coil which is provided so that it surrounds a continuous casting mold wall or is embedded in the side wall of the mold, whereby an electromagnetic force is exerted on the molten metal poured into the mold which either oscillates in a constant mode or does not oscillate and is starting to be solidified the process of the present invention also comprises periodically changing the amplitude or waveform of the alternating current to be applied, and the apparatus of the present invention is used for the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous casting apparatus for continuously casting molten metal. More particularly, the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a surface level of molten metal in a mold when molten metal is continuously cast. The continuous casting apparatus of the invention comprises: a mold in which molten metal is poured and solidified; and an eddy current type molten metal surface level sensor for detecting a molten metal surface level in the mold. In the continuous casting apparatus having an electromagnetic coil arranged in such a manner that the electromagnetic coil surrounds the mold and also having an electric power supply for generating a pulse magnetic field from the electromagnetic coil, there are provided a mechanism for taking out a pulse trigger signal corresponding to the magnetic field from the electric power supply, and a mechanism for controlling a time of detecting a surface of molten metal by the molten metal level sensor.

Abstract: In the structure for reinforcing a concrete member and the reinforcing method of the present invention, a reinforcing sheet is arranged and joined to a various kinds of concrete member, such as column, beam, wall, floor, and the like, by applying the reinforcing sheet to the surface of the concrete member and attaching to the fixing anchors joined to the concrete member or the other concrete member surrounding the concrete member. The fixing anchor comprises a large amount of reinforcing fiber, and is obtained by bundling a part of the reinforcing fiber. The unbundled portion of the fixing anchor is spread along the surface of the concrete member. The reinforcing sheet is over-lapped to the unbundled portion using resin adhesives. In addition, reinforcing fibers, such as carbon fiber, aramid fiber, glass fiber, and the like are preferably used as the material comprising the fixing anchor and reinforcing sheet. Thereby, the reinforcing member can be joined via the fixing anchor to the concrete members.

Abstract: A method for processing chlorine-containing resins and chlorine-containing organic compounds includes thermally decomposing chlorine-containing resins, chlorine-containing organic compounds, or waste plastics containing the same, contacting the generated thermal decomposition gas containing chlorine-type gases and a gas or liquid containing ammonia, taking the chlorine component of the thermal decomposition gas into water as ammonium chloride, and further adding a strong base to make the chlorine component into a strong basic salt.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing bisphenol A by the condensation of phenol with acetone in the presence of cation exchange resin obtained by sulfonating copolymers of monovinyl monomers mainly consisting of styrenes and divinyl monomers as crosslinking agent while using divinylbiphenyl and divinylbenzene mainly as said divinyl monomers and controlling the molar ratio of divinylbiphenyl to divinylbenzene at 10/0-2/8. The cation exchange resin to be used as catalyst in the condensation reaction shows a long life, maintains the production of bisphenol A over a long period of time, possesses high strength and is useful for economical and advantageous production of bisphenol A.

Abstract: There is provided a stainless steel sheet material, used for a semiconductor manufacturing device, to which it difficult for fine dust to be attached and from the surface of which the attaching dust can be easily washed away. Also, there is provided a method of manufacturing the stainless steel sheet material. A stainless steel sheet material characterized in that: the number of pinholes, the area of each pinhole exceeding 0.25 mm2, in the area of 10 cm2 on the surface of a skinpass-rolled stainless steel sheet material is not more than 10; and the average surface roughness Ra on the center line in the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction is not more than 0.15 &mgr;m. A method of manufacturing a stainless steel sheet material comprising the steps of: annealing a stainless steel cold-rolled sheet in a heat-treatment furnace having no support rollers in a temperature region exceeding 600° C.