Abstract: Air injectors are located in a ladle additive chute to eliminate the chimney effect created by the chute and hot gases present when a furnace is tapped. Air is supplied through openings about the chute below an open upper end, through which ladle additives are charged. The openings direct the air downward and inward of the chute and the air is supplied at a pressure and flow sufficient to prevent smoke, fumes and eruptive flames from rising through the chute when alloys are added to the metal being poured into the ladle.

Abstract: In continuous casting of metal in an open-ended mold through which the metal is advanced in a first direction while undergoing peripheral solidification, and to which molten metal is supplied by a shroud that opens beneath the metal level, the provision of electromagnetically produced metal circulation in the mold causing laminar flow of molten metal, in a second direction opposite to the first direction and at a rate not above 35 cm./sec., along the solid-liquid interface within the mold for preventing entrapment of inclusions at the interface.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flaw detector for detecting irregularities in an object, such as a pipe, having a segment of annular cross-section. The detector includes a transducer with an involute transmitting surface for sending ultrasonic signals into the object at equal non-radial angles of incidence. The detector further includes transmission apparatus for maintaining a constant physical relationship between the transducer and the pipe and interpretive apparatus for correlating reflections of ultrasonic signals within the object with irregularities.

Abstract: An electromagnetic flaw detection system and method having automatic dynamic error balancing is disclosed.The system includes means for producing an alternating electromagnetic field and for passing a metallic workpiece to be tested along a path through the field. A differential detection coil is disposed in the field near the workpiece path. The coil responds to nonuniformities in the field caused by workpiece flaws, such as voids, to produce flaw indications. Detection circuitry actuates alarm apparatus in response to the flaw indications to further indicate need for corrective action.Automatic balancing circuitry compensates for an error signal, which the differential coil generates due to minute undesired assymmetries in the coil's mechanical structure. The balancing circuitry includes means for generating a reference signal. The reference signal is continually adjusted, in response to characteristics of the error signal, to exactly counterbalance the error signal in phase and amplitude.

Abstract: A welded tubular steel product having a high ultimate tensile strength of at least 95 ksi and a relatively low yield strength in a range of from 55 to 80 ksi is made by alloying a plain carbon-manganese steel solely with chromium.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric-arc furnace electrode assembly having electrode sections of improved structural integrity. A pair of carbonaceous electrode sections are held securely in end-to-end relationship by a pin threaded into a pair of sockets found in the respective ends of the electrode sections. Harmful stress concentrations which occur near the base of the socket are reduced by providing a novel base portion. This is achieved by incorporating a generous radius of curvature intermediate the lower-most socket thread and the base of the socket. All of the socket threads are engaged and a threaded portion of the pin extends beyond the lowermost socket thread without engaging the base of the socket.

Abstract: A process of operating a blast furnace characterized by the steps of employing silica enriched coke as the coke charge, and allowing the silica to react with condensed alkalies in the furnace to form alkali silicates and thereby minimize degradation of the coke during oxidation. A silica enriched coke especially adapted for blast furnace operations containing added silica in a minimum amount of about 1% by weight, and a method of making the same by dispersing and blending the silica in the coal in a minimum amount of about 0.7% by weight before coking.

Abstract: High strength low alloy steels, produced as strip or the like by hot rolling, permit unusual economy of alloying ingredients while achieving superior mechanical properties. With a composition containing specifically low carbon and low manganese, and moderate proportions of both columbium and vanadium, preferably with no requirement of silicon. Yield strengths in a range to and above 80 ksi are attainable depending on the total of columbium and vanadium, and excellent properties of toughness and formability are exhibited in transverse as well as longitudinal directions without adding special sulfide shape control agents. Processing conditions, for hot rolling and coiling, can be selected over wide temperature ranges, for convenience of control, e.g. to achieve product uniformity.

Abstract: High strength low alloy steels, produced as strip or the like by hot rolling, permit unusual economy of alloying ingredients while achieving superior mechanical properties, with a composition containing specifically low carbon and low manganese, and moderate proportions of both columbium and titanium, preferably with no requirement of silicon. Yield strengths in a range to and well above 80 ksi are attainable depending on the content of columbium and titanium, and good properties of formability are exhibited in the transverse direction. Processing conditions, for hot rolling and coiling, can be selected over reasonably convenient ranges of temperature conditions, while rolling load requirements are acceptable for products of various thicknesses. The steels are notably useful for thin strip, satisfying the usual mechanical property needs of such products with relatively low cost.

Abstract: A vessel, particularly a ladle, and method for mixing molten metal. The vessel is adapted to be used in an upright position and has bottom openings, including at least one first opening for the introduction of gas under pressure to stir the contents, and a second opening for discharging contents. A porous plug prevents metal from flowing through each first opening and a stopper controls discharge of metal through the second opening. The inside bottom surface of the vessel is sloped downwardly toward the first opening or openings and the entrance to the second opening is at a level above all first openings when the vessel is upright. The porous plug or plugs may be recessed with respect to the inside bottom surface. Any material that settles from the molten metal will tend to collect directly above a porous plug and become entrained in the stirred metal upon the introduction of gas.

Abstract: A method and system for approximately indicating the temperature of molten steel is described. A temperature sensor is immersed in the molten steel and produces an output signal which indicates the temperature sensed by the sensor. The temperature output signal is sampled and a number of sample temperature values are produced. These values are stored by the system for evaluation. A plurality of stored sample values are intercompared, and if they fall within a given range, or band, of values, the existence of a temperature dwell is indicated. The system then calculates an approximate dwell temperature using the intercompared values.An alternative disclosed system additionally includes an oxygen sensor, related components and a switching network permitting the system to successively operate to approximate oxygen and temperature levels in molten steel.

Abstract: A corner trim structure for use with formed metal sheet roofing and siding, comrising a snap-together support and resilient cover, permanently and firmly interconnected once assembled, and constructed to accommodate the ridges of roofing and siding sheets without specific contouring.

Abstract: An eddy current flaw detection apparatus which is particularly adapted for inspecting articles at elevated temperatures. A plurality of detectors are supported about at least a portion of a workpiece path of travel to detect and locate flaws in workpieces. A non-magnetic, metallic shield is between the detectors and the workpiece path. A cooling medium is applied to the heat shield to protect the detectors from the heat of a hot workpiece. The cooling medium is also used to purge foreign matter from the assembly.In one embodiment an exciter and detector assembly is disclosed which is constructed as an integral unit encapsulated within moisture-impervious material. In this embodiment, the assembly is movable relative to the workpiece path.In another embodiment, the detectors and the exciter surround the workpiece path.Metallic powder is sprayed on a hot workpiece to mark the location of detected flaws. The heat of the article fuses the marking metal powder in place on the hot workpiece.

Abstract: Steel casings are heated to above the transformation temperature and then quench hardened to achieve a fully martensitic structure. Thick-walled casings are quenched with an internal-external quench system, the casing passing within an external spray of quenching liquid and about a mandrel and a nozzle that apply a conical spray within the casing. After quenching, the mandrel and nozzle are rapidly and automatically withdrawn from the moving casing in the direction of casing travel. The casing is then moved out of its initial path and the nozzle is returned to within the external quench. Thin-walled casings are quenched with only an external spray directed both toward the casing and in the direction of casing travel when the casing enters the external quench and, prior to entry of the trailing end of the casing into the quench, the spray is directed both toward the casing and in a direction counter to that of casing travel, so quenching liquid is not directed into the ends of the casing.

Abstract: An eddy current flaw detection apparatus which is particularly adapted for inspecting articles at elevated temperatures. A plurality of detectors are supported about at least a portion of a workpiece path of travel to detect and locate flaws in workpieces. A non-magnetic, metallic shield is between the detectors and the workpiece path. A cooling medium is applied to the heat shield to protect the detectors from the heat of a hot workpiece. The cooling medium is also used to purge foreign matter from the assembly.In one embodiment an exciter and detector assembly is disclosed which is constructed as an integral unit encapsulated within moisture-impervious material. In this embodiment, the assembly is movable relative to the workpiece path.In another embodiment, the detectors and the exciter surround the workpiece path.Metallic powder is sprayed on a hot workpiece to mark the location of detected flaws. The heat of the article fuses the marking metal powder in place on the hot workpiece.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for performing flash welding is disclosed. The apparatus moves adjacent surfaces of workpieces toward each other and applies electrical energy between them for flash heating the surfaces in a flashing step, after which it forces the surfaces together in an upsetting step, while continuing the application of the electrical energy for a predetermined time. Apparatus is provided for monitoring the amount of electrical energy applied to the workpieces during welding, along with control circuitry, for calculating and limiting the amount of electrical energy applied during the upset step to a predetermined function of that applied during the flashing step. An energy recorder produces an indication of the amount of electrical energy applied to the workpieces during welding.

Abstract: A flaw detection device, and method of operation thereof, for inspecting an entire workpiece, such as a tube or pipe, for the presence of defects. The detection device includes a plurality of pickup arms mounted in spaced relation with respect to each other around a work path, and a plurality of sensing coils carried by each of the pickup arms. The pickup arms are each mounted on a support member to pivot on an axis transverse to the direction of the work path so that the sensing coils may be moved into proximity and around the circumference of a workpiece as the workpiece travels along the work path.

Abstract: A method of improving the corrosion resistance of a lead or lead alloy coated metal characterized by the step of treating the surface of the coated metal with hydrochloric acid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an eddy current inspection system is disclosed which utilizes electronic workpiece flaw simulator circuitry for simulating a response produced by a flaw in a ferromagnetic calibration workpiece. The inspection system includes a detector probe which generates an electromagnetic field and is responsive to changes in the electromagnetic field. The workpiece flaw simulator circuitry is positioned in the electromagnetic field adjacent the detector probe. The workpiece flaw simulator circuitry controllably alters the electromagnetic field near the detector probe in a manner similar to a change in the field which would result from a workpiece having a defect of known severity passing through the field.In a preferred embodiment, the workpiece flaw simulator circuitry includes a reaction coil and a resistive loading network which are coupled together to produce inductive and resistive components of impedance in the simulator circuitry.

Abstract: A weatherable ferrite agglomerate is prepared by establishing compacted or other coherent bodies consisting of a mixture of fine particles of lime and of iron oxide, and heating the bodies, in a reducing atmosphere, at a suitable temperature up to about 2100.degree. F; under these circumstances, the lime and iron oxide react to form dicalcium ferrite, yeilding agglomerate bodies that are useful for furnace feed, as for a blast furnace. The iron oxide may conveniently consist of one or more waste oxides from iron and steel making operations, and the lime can be supplied as limestone, with a preliminary heating of the mixture, before or after forming the coherent bodies, to calcine the stone to lime. The agglomerate is advantageous in providing a way of using waste iron values and of supplying lime as such, for furnace operations, with practicality because of the weatherability which ordinary (calcined) lime does not have, while avoiding difficulties of making sintered bodies or the like.