Abstract: An essentially lead free steel having, in percent by weight (wt-%): Carbon: 0.39-0.43%; Manganese: 0.75-1.00%; Silicon: 0.15-0.35%; Chromium: 0.80-1.05%; Molybdenum: 0.15-0.25%; at least one of Tellurium: 0.003-0.090 wt-%, Selenium: 0.080-0.2 wt-%, Sulfur: 0.065-0.09% wt-%, and Bismuth: 0.03-0.1 wt-%; and the balance being Fe and normally occurring scrap steel impurities. A method for manufacturing an essentially lead free steel by subjecting a hot-rolled steel product to a heat treatment in which the steel product is subjected to a first temperature for a first duration; the steel product is subjected to a second temperature for a second duration, wherein the second temperature is less than the first temperature; and the steel product is subjected to a third temperature for a third time period, wherein the third temperature is greater than the second temperature; and cooling the steel product. After the heat treatment the steel is cold worked to the desired size.

Abstract: A joining tool is disclosed comprising a support; a stationary arm extending from the support at one end, the stationary arm comprising at the opposite end a first jaw; a movable arm pivotally mounted on the stationary arm; the movable arm driveable from the stationary arm in a pivotable motion by an actuator coupled to the moveable arm; and a second jaw coupled to the moveable arm, the moveable arm movable between an activated position in which the second jaw engages the first jaw and an initial position in which the second jaw is spaced from the first jaw.

Abstract: The invention relates to structural panel systems which utilize different configurations to increase the flexibility of the panel systems. The increased flexibility of the panel systems may be achieved through the use of improved connection patterns and/or improved sidelap strength. The improved sidelap strength may be achieved through the use of a reinforcing member between edges of the panels or other sidelap configurations that improve the strength of the system along the sidelaps. The increased flexibility may also be achieved through the use of orienting flutes of the panels in the same direction as the supports members of the panel systems. The different aspects of the invention that improve the flexibility of the systems may be utilized alone or in combination with each other to improve the wall panel systems or roof panel systems, or combinations thereof, to improve the displacement capacity of the panel systems for in-plane shear loading.

Abstract: Methods of billet casting are provided herein. The methods may include the steps of assembling a billet caster with a shroud extending from a tundish to above a mold such that the shroud does not reach molten metal in the mold, delivering molten metal from a ladle into the tundish, delivering molten metal from the tundish through the shroud to the mold, the shroud inhibiting contact between the molten metal and air, casting the molten metal into billets in the mold and cooling the billets below the mold with a coolant spray, and delivering the cooled billet to a runout table to be cut to length.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include structural decking systems with at least a four-layered seam and methods for manufacturing and assembling structural decking systems with at least four-layered seams. The decking panels may be provided with an edge having an exposed “male lip” with two layers, and an opposite edge having a “female lip” with two layers. Individual panels may be coupled together by placing the female lip of a first panel over the male lip of an adjacent panel, thus creating an unjoined seam. In order to couple the panels together, the panels may be secured through various couplings configurations. The couplings may be formed by deforming, cutting, and/or welding the seam. Not only do the couplings help prevent vertical separation between adjacent panels, the couplings minimize lateral shifting along the seam, and ensure a desired level of shear strength in the seam and across the structural decking system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are TRIP (transformation induced plasticity) steel alloy thin metal strips or, stated differently, high strength, high ductility steel alloy thin metal strips formed of a composition described herein, being substantially free or free of aluminum. In being substantially free, the aluminum content is equal to or less than 0.01% by weight.

Abstract: A twin roll casting system where the casting rolls have a nip between the casting rolls, each roller having a circumference and a rotational period. The casting roll controller adjusts the nip between the casting rolls in response to control signals. The sensor measures at least one parameter of the cast strip. The ILC controller receives strip measurement signals from the sensor and provides control signals to the casting roll controller. The ILC controller includes an ILC control algorithm to generate the control signals based on the strip measurement signals and a time delay estimate based on circumference, rotational period, and a length of cast strip between the nip and the sensor to compensate for an elapsed time from the cast strip exiting the nip to being measured by the cast strip sensor.

Abstract: Described herein are thin metal strips having hot rolled exterior side surfaces characterized as being primarily or substantially free of all prior austenite grain boundaries, or at least primarily or substantially free of all prior austenite grain boundaries, and including elongated surface structure. As a result, because the prior austenite grain boundaries are not primarily or substantially present, all such prior austenite grain boundaries are not susceptible to grain boundary etching due to acid etching or pickling. In particular examples, the thin metal strips undergo hot rolling performed with a coefficient of friction equal to or greater than 0.20 with or without use of lubrication.

Abstract: A method of making floor plate includes assembling a pair of casting rolls laterally disposed to form a nip, assembling a hot rolling mill downstream of the nip having work rolls with a surface pattern forming the negative of a raised slip-resistant pattern desired in a floor plate, introducing molten metal through at least one metal delivery nozzle to form a casting pool supported on the casting rolls above the nip; counter rotating the casting rolls to form shells on the casting surfaces of the casting rolls to cast metal strip of less than 2.2 mm thickness downwardly from the nip, and delivering the cast metal strip to and through the hot rolling mill to form by the negative of the slip-resistant pattern on the work rolls a raised slip-resistant pattern of between 0.3 and 0.7 mm in height in a floor plate of less than 1.7 mm thickness.

Abstract: A joining tool is disclosed comprising a support; a stationary arm extending from the support at one end, the stationary arm comprising at the opposite end a first jaw; a movable arm pivotally mounted on the stationary arm; the movable arm driveable from the stationary arm in a pivotable motion by an actuator coupled to the moveable arm; and a second jaw coupled to the moveable arm, the moveable arm movable between an activated position in which the second jaw engages the first jaw and an initial position in which the second jaw is spaced from the first jaw.

Abstract: An essentially lead free steel having, in percent by weight (wt-%): Carbon: 0.39-0.43%; Manganese: 0.75-1.00%; Silicon: 0.15-0.35%; Chromium: 0.80-1.05%; Molybdenum: 0.15-0.25%; at least one of Tellurium: 0.003-0.090 wt-%, Selenium: 0.080-0.2 wt-%, Sulfur: 0.065-0.09% wt-%, and Bismuth: 0.03-0.1 wt-%; and the balance being Fe and normally occurring scrap steel impurities. A method for manufacturing an essentially lead free steel by subjecting a hot-rolled steel product to a heat treatment in which the steel product is subjected to a first temperature for a first duration; the steel product is subjected to a second temperature for a second duration, wherein the second temperature is less than the first temperature; and the steel product is subjected to a third temperature for a third time period, wherein the third temperature is greater than the second temperature; and cooling the steel product. After the heat treatment the steel is cold worked to the desired size.

Abstract: The invention relates to structural panel systems which utilize different configurations to increase the flexibility of the panel systems. The increased flexibility of the panel systems may be achieved through the use of improved connection patterns and/or improved sidelap strength. The improved sidelap strength may be achieved through the use of a reinforcing member between edges of the panels or other sidelap configurations that improve the strength of the system along the sidelaps. The increased flexibility may also be achieved through the use of orienting flutes of the panels in the same direction as the supports members of the panel systems. The different aspects of the invention that improve the flexibility of the systems may be utilized alone or in combination with each other to improve the wall panel systems or roof panel systems, or combinations thereof, to improve the displacement capacity of the panel systems for in-plane shear loading.

Abstract: A building structure including a first building member and a second building member may be connected by a plurality of fasteners, each fastener having a head, a threaded portion having a through hardness of between HRB 70 and HRC 40, a thread-forming portion of at least HRC 50 hardness enabling the fastener to form threads in at least the second steel building member, and a fluted lead portion of at least HRC 50 hardness with a nominal diameter between 70 and 95% of major diameter, such that the fastener is capable of providing a ratio of strip torque to thread-forming torque of at least 3.0 and a ratio of strip torque to drive torque greater than 6.0 when the second steel building member having a thickness of 0.25 inch and the fluted lead portion having at least one diameter within nominal diameter between 80 and 98% of major diameter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise; annealing steel sheets (e.g., hot rolled steel sheets or thin cast strip steel); cold rolling the sheets in one or more cold rolling steps (e.g., with annealing steps between multiple cold rolling steps); and performing one or more of tension leveling, a rough rolling, or a coating process on the sheets after cold rolling, without an intermediate annealing step between the final cold rolling step and the tension leveling, the rough rolling, or the coating process, or the customer stamping or final customer annealing. In order to achieve the desired properties for the steel sheet, stamping and final annealing is performed by the customer. The new process provides an electrical steel with the similar, same, or better magnetic properties than an electrical steel manufactured using the traditional processing that utilizes an intermediate annealing step after cold rolling and before the stamping and final annealing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a refractory delta made from a refractory material having a cold-face side and a hot-face side. One or more electrode apertures are located in the refractory delta for receiving one or more electrodes. One or more cooling apertures extend from the cold-face side of the refractory material to adjacent the hot-face side of the refractory material. The one or more cooling apertures may further comprise a copper tube. A cooling system delivers a cooling liquid to the one or more cooling apertures, and the cooling liquid draws heat from the adjacent refractory material, including the hot-face side, and evaporates to allow replacement cooling liquid to further draw heat from the adjacent refractory material.

Abstract: The invention relates to structural panel systems with at least a four-layered generally in-plane sidelap, at least a three layer generally in-plane sidelap, or corner sidelaps of various layers, and methods for manufacturing and assembling structural panel systems with these types of sidelaps. The structural panels may be provided with an edge having a “lower lip” with two layers, and an opposite edge having an “upper lip” with two layers. Individual panels may be coupled together by placing the upper lip of a first panel over the lower lip of an adjacent panel, thus creating an un-joined sidelap. The lips may have nested portions for helping to place one lip over the other. The panels may be operatively coupled through various couplings configurations, such as fasteners, welding, cutting the sidelap, or the like. The present invention improves the shear strength of the structural panel system and reduces costs.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a coil sampling stand apparatus which generally has a frame, at least two rollers operatively coupled to the frame, a roller drive operatively coupled to at least one of the at least two rollers, and a peeler assembly comprising a peeler (e.g., peeler, knife, member with an edge, or the like) that is configured to engage and disengage a coil between the at least two rollers. The steel coil may be positioned onto the at least two rollers on the frame of the coil sampling apparatus. The peeler is engaged with the coil and the coil is rotated in order to allow the peeler to peel a tail edge of a layer of the coil off the coil and pass the tail edge and layer of the coil peeled off of the coil under at least one of the rollers.

Abstract: Feedback is captured and monitored from a radius roll, an upstream rolling unit, and a downstream rolling unit within a casting stand in order to control steel strand casting. The stability of the radius roll is determined, and in response the load share between the downstream unit and the upstream unit is adjusted. When the stability of the radius roll has not changed for a period of time, it may indicate that the steel strand is sagging, and in response the load share of the downstream unit versus the upstream unit is increased. Alternatively, when the stability of the radius roll becomes unstable, such as when the speed of the radius roll is changing, decreasing, or is less than a casting speed, the steel strand may be lifting off of the radius roll, and in response the load share of the downstream unit versus the upstream unit is decreased.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprises melting scrap steel into molten steel; decarburizing the molten steel and adding alloys; transferring the steel to ladles and casting the steel into slabs; hot rolling the slabs into sheets; pickling the sheets; annealing the sheets; cold rolling the sheets; and performing one or more of tension leveling, a rough rolling, or a coating process on the sheets after cold rolling, without an intermediate annealing process between the cold rolling and the tension leveling, the rough rolling, or the coating process. The sheet is sent to the customer for stamping and customer annealing. The new process provides an electrical steel with the similar, same, or better magnetic properties than an electrical steel manufactured using the traditional processing with an intermediate annealing step after cold rolling.

Abstract: Heat treatment of DRI is performed in order to form a DRI product with a metallic shell around at least a portion of the DRI. The heat treatment may be delivered through the use of a plasma torch, a gas burner, an oven, or any other like heat source. The heat treatment may heat the DRI for a fraction of a second and quickly cool the DRI in order to melt the surface and form the metallic shell without vaporizing a significant portion of the DRI and without losing a significant amount of the latent energy in the DRI. During storage and transport of the DRI product, the DRI product is less likely to fracture, the DRI product has less exposed surface area of DRI, and results in reduced DRI fines and/or DRI dust cause by the DRI product rubbing together when compared to traditional types of DRI.