Abstract: The disclosure is related to new, formable and strong aluminum alloys for making packaging products such as bottles and cans.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for casting high-strength and highly formable metal products from recycled metal scrap without the addition of substantial or any amounts of primary aluminum. Additional alloying elements, such as magnesium, can be added to metal scrap, which can be cast and processed to produce a desirable metal coil at final gauge having desirable metallurgical and mechanical properties, such as high strength and formability. Thus, inexpensive and recycled metal scrap can be efficiently repurposed for new applications, such as automotive applications and beverage can stock.

Abstract: Described herein are corrugated heat protection tubes and methods of making the same. The heat protection tubes have improved heat resistance, improved abrasion resistance, and minimize or eliminate worker exposure to glass fiber insulating materials. The corrugated heat protection tubes can be used in automotive, transportation, and industrial applications, just to name a few.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are high-strength, highly formable, and corrosion resistant aluminum alloys, methods of making and processing such alloys, and products prepared from such alloys. More particularly, disclosed are novel aluminum alloys exhibiting improved mechanical strength, formability, and corrosion resistance. The alloys can be used as fin stock in industrial applications, including in heat exchangers.

Abstract: Control of third octave vibrations in a mill stand can be achieved using a high-speed piezoelectric assist coupled to a hydraulic gap cylinder to increase the damping of the roll stack. Vertical movements of the roll stack (e.g., the top work roll) can be determined through observation (e.g., measurement) of hydraulic fluid pressure of the hydraulic cylinder or entry tension of the metal strip. After determining vertical movements of the roll stack, a desired change in hydraulic pressure can be determined to overcome, reduce, or prevent third octave vibration. This desired change in hydraulic pressure can be effectuated at high speeds (e.g., at or above approximately 90 hertz) using the piezoelectric assist.

Abstract: Molten metal can be introduced into a liquid sump during direct chill (DC) casting, such as DC casting of aluminum, through a feed tube having a nozzle with an opening. The opening of the nozzle can be shaped and/or sized to generate a jet of molten metal within the liquid sump. The jet of molten metal can exhibit Reynolds number at or above a threshold amount. Such a jet can achieve improved metallurgical properties over standard casting techniques, such as improved grain refinement. A sufficiently high Reynolds number can be achieved by supplying the molten metal at a sufficiently high velocity. When supplying molten metal at a constant volumetric flow rate (e.g., to avoid fluctuations in casting speed), the nozzle can be crafted to have a smaller-than-standard diameter opening, thus generating a higher-than-standard velocity jet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently performing rotary batch decoating using time-offset batch reactors are disclosed. A first batch reactor can operate out of phase with a second batch reactor, so that the burning of pyrolysis gases from the first reactor can be used to provide fuel to the incinerator used to heat the material in the second reactor. After the first reactor is dumped and filled with new material, the pyrolysis gases from the second reactor can be used to provide fuel to the incinerator, which heats the material in the first reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of processing 7xxx aluminum alloys using a rapid pre-aging step, along with alloys prepared according to the methods. The aluminum alloy products described herein have high strength when subjected to a rapid pre-aging step, as described above, and subsequent thermal treatment, such as paint baking or coating. The alloys prepared and processed according to the methods described herein can be used, for example, in automotive, transportation, electronics, and industrial applications.

Abstract: A vessel used for containing molten metal has a refractory liner with an exterior surface and a metal-contacting interior surface and is made of at least two refractory liner units abutting at a joint. A housing at least partially surrounds the exterior surface of the refractory liner with a gap present between the exterior surface and the housing. Molten metal confinement elements, impenetrable by molten metal, are positioned within the gap to partition the gap into a molten metal confinement region between the elements and at least one other region. For example, the other region may be used to hold equipment such as electrical heaters that may be damaged by contact with molten metal. A drain outlet positioned in the housing allows molten metal entering the gap to drain out of the gap at the drain outlet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring the thermal crown of rolls in-situ (e.g., at high temperature) either inside or outside the rolling mill can include sensors that measure propagation times of mechanical waves through the rolls. In some embodiments, one or more sensors are used to measure the propagation times of ultrasonic waves traveling inside the roll and normal to the roll's axis. These measurements can be taken when the roll is still hot and can be used to determine in real-time the thermal expansion at various points along the roll.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to new, formable and strong aluminum alloys for making packaging products such as bottles and cans.

Abstract: Disclosed are high-strength, highly deformable aluminum alloys and methods of making and processing such alloys. More particularly, disclosed is a heat treatable aluminum alloy exhibiting improved mechanical strength and formability. The processing method includes casting, homogenizing, hot rolling, solutionizing, pre-aging and in some cases pre-straining. In some cases, the processing steps can further include cold rolling and/or heat treating.

Abstract: Disclosed are high-strength aluminum alloys and methods of making and processing such alloys. More particularly, disclosed are aluminum alloys exhibiting improved mechanical strength. The processing method includes homogenizing, hot rolling, solutionizing, and multiple-step quenching. In some cases, the processing steps can further include annealing and/or cold rolling.

Abstract: Described herein are novel aluminum containing alloys. The alloys are highly formable and can be used for producing highly shaped aluminum products, including bottles and cans.

Abstract: Provided herein is a high-speed blow forming process for shaping aluminum containers using 3xxx can body stock alloys with high recycled content, as well as articles made by that process. A process for shaping aluminum containers as described herein includes the sequential steps of blanking out a disk from a sheet of a 3xxx series aluminum alloy; forming a bottle preform by drawing redrawing, ironing and doming the disk, placing the preform into a mold cavity, applying an axial load to the preform; and injecting an inert gas into the interior of the preform with sufficient pressure until the preform expands to fill the mold cavity.

Abstract: A method for improving the flatness of a rolled sheet or strip includes the application of differential cooling. A cooling agent can be selectively applied along the width of the strip. More cooling can be applied to the edges of the strip, where tension is greatest, to increase tension at the edges. The strip can be allowed to lengthen at these edges, which can improve flatness. In some embodiments, a closed loop flatness control system is used to measure the flatness of a strip and automatically adjust the differential cooling based on the measurement.

Abstract: Described herein are 6xxx series aluminum alloys with unexpected properties and novel methods of producing such aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloys are highly formable and exhibit high strength. The alloys are produced by continuous casting and can be hot rolled to a final gauge and/or a final temper. The alloys can be used in automotive, transportation, industrial, and electronics applications, just to name a few.

Abstract: A continuous casting and rolling line for casting, rolling, and otherwise preparing metal strip can produce distributable metal strip without requiring cold rolling or the use of a solution heat treatment line. A metal strip can be continuously cast from a continuous casting device and coiled into a metal coil, optionally after being subjected to post-casting quenching. This intermediate coil can be stored until ready for hot rolling. The as-cast metal strip can undergo reheating prior to hot rolling, either during coil storage or immediately prior to hot rolling. The heated metal strip can be cooled to a rolling temperature and hot rolled through one or more roll stands. The rolled metal strip can optionally be reheated and quenched prior to coiling for delivery. This final coiled metal strip can be of the desired gauge and have the desired physical characteristics for distribution to a manufacturing facility.

Abstract: Described herein are 7xxx series aluminum alloys with unexpected properties and novel methods of producing such aluminum alloys. The aluminum alloys exhibit high strength and are highly formable. The alloys are produced by continuous casting and can be hot rolled to a final gauge and/or a final temper. The alloys can be used in automotive, transportation, industrial, and electronics applications, just to name a few.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles such as plates, shates, slabs, sheet plates or the like. A method for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles can include continuously casting an aluminum alloy article and hot or warm rolling the aluminum alloy article. Also provided herein is a continuous casting system for producing thick gauge aluminum alloy articles. The disclosed thick gauge aluminum alloy articles can be provided in any suitable temper.