Abstract: A method and apparatus is presented for the manufacture of brittle wire by the co-extrusion, or filled billet method. The invention involves a step by step method by which a billet can is specially prepared with a chamfered front end and a concave, collapsible front plate and a uniquely vented rear end. The result is a superior process in which bursting of the can and front end is eliminated, thereby resulting in a superior product, increased yield, improved safety and the like.

Abstract: A method and fixture for filled billet packing wherein an entire pack is built up in a single step. Substantially even lateral forces are applied to wires and other elongated members within the billet by inserting filler rods at one or more places along the periphery of the pack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method used in making wire and similar elongate members, and wire made using same, are provided wherein rods are extruded using a filled billet technique which comprises disposing the rods in a can comprising the filled billet and additional steps are employed which comprise placing the rods in adjoining side-by-side relation to define a geometric pattern and fixing together at their ends those rods defining the periphery of the pattern to define a dense pack of the rods wherein the placing and fixing steps are achieved prior to the step of disposing the rods within the can, and wherein the dense pack and hence the rods are adapted to fit snugly within the can during the disposing step and separable filler means is added between and around the rods whereby the fixing step assures that during extrustion the rods are reduced in cross-sectional area in a better controlled manner.

Abstract: A method is described for obtaining extrusion products of "high performance" alloy wire of small cross section in an economical fashion. The ratio of length to cross section of cast "high performance" alloy preforms limits the length of a filled billet to less than the optimum which may be extruded on available extrusion presses where it is desired to obtain small diameter extrusion products in a single extrusion. This limitation is overcome by squaring the ends of cast lengths of the alloy and then butt welding such lengths to compositely form preforms of the maximum length capable of being extruded on a given extrusion press. The composite preforms are extruded in a filled billet in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,122. The extrusion products from these composite preforms have the same desirable properties described in that patent and extend the benefits described therein.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing wire is described. "High performance" alloy rods in an "as cast" condition are incorporated into a filled billet which is extruded within defined extrusion parameters to obtain a simultaneous reduction in the diameters of the cast rods. After separation from the filled billet, the extruded "high performance" rods, now in wire form, are particularly suitable for manual welding applications of hard facing deposits. The separated "high performance" alloy wires are joined by butt welding to form a wire of indeterminable length which is accurately sized by successive drawing and annealing steps, making it suitable for use with an automatic welding machine to weld hard facing deposits. An optional second extrusion step is also described.