Abstract: The invention relates to a metallic semi-finished product based on iron and/or nickel and/or cobalt and containing 2 to 16% of aluminum, 12 to 30% of chromium and at least one highly reactive element X, in particular from the group consisting of the rare earth metals and/or their dispersed oxides. The characteristic feature of the invention is that metallic columnar crystals are formed at least in the surface region of the semi-finished product and columnar crystals consisting predominantly of aluminum oxide and/or chromium oxide grow out of the said metallic columnar crystals, the axes of the two types of columnar crystals being predominantly at right angles to the geometric surface of the semi-finished product.

Abstract: Means are provided for connecting the proximal end of a dummy strip to the distal (i.e. leading) end of a strip casting, in which a throw-away element serving both as a connector and a heat sink for chilling the metal adjacent to the connector is removably mounted on the proximal end of the dummy strip, with a slightly resilient sealing element holding both the dummy strip and the connector-heat sink element centrally of the mold cavity, and with the connector-heat sink spaced from the walls of the mold by a narrow gap and also having means for both chilling and positively interlocking with the metal of the distal end of the cast strip when it congeals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for preparing binder-free hot-briquets for smelting purposes from ferrous pyrophorous, finely divided solids, such as dry steelmaking-filter dust or slightly granular sponge iron from direct-reduction plants. Before the briquetting stage, oxidizing gas is blown at a temperature of more than 200.degree. C. through the finely divided dry solid containing more than 4% by weight of metallic resin. The flow rate of this gas is controlled in such a way that oxidation of some of the metallic iron raises the temperature of the finely divided solid to 450.degree. C. to 650.degree. C. This is followed by hot-briquetting.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and an apparatus for the manufacture of cylindrical hollow bodies by the shape welding process. This apparatus comprises a connection between a rotatably mounted supporting body which can be driven and a base body onto which the weld material is deposited. This connection is effected by elastically deformable elements and is capable of changing in the radial direction. Metal profiles which can be deformed elastically are fastened, in a manner permitting detachment, to the periphery of the supporting body, spaced at regular intervals. The base body is composed of a metal sheet or strip which is wrapped around the profiles and attached to them in a manner permitting detachment. Preferably the profiles extend over the length of the supporting body. The deformable metal profiles may be designed as cylindrical tubes, without any discontinuities or as half-tubes, angle-profiles, Z-profiles, or corrugated-sheet profiles.

Abstract: A large cylindrical structural element is manufactured by welding together a pair of thick-walled cylindrical components at their ends by applying between the cylindrical components at least one buffer layer of weld material, the buffer layer being applied by a welding electrode held with its axis maintained at an angle to the plane of abutting surfaces of the components with the at least one buffer layer being applied in the form of weld beads which overlap and subsequently applying an assembly weld seam to join the components together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for preparing binder-free hot-briquets for smelting purposes from ferrous pyrophorous, finely divided solids, such as dry steelmaking-filter dust or slightly granular sponge iron from direct-reduction plants. Before the briquetting stage, oxidizing gas is blown at a temperature of more than 200.degree. C. through the finely divided dry solid containing more than 4% by weight of metallic iron. The flow rate of this gas is controlled in such a way that oxidation of some of the metallic iron raises the temperature of the finely divided solid to 450.degree. to 650.degree. C. This is followed by hot-briquetting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slidable closure element for slide closures of metallurgical vessels, composed of a one-piece plate of heat resistant material which is engaged at its two opposite narrow edges by frame members that are drawn together by screws serving to tension them and hold them in contact with the edges of the plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for cropping the head of self-luminous rolled material, especially metal strips when it passes a rolling train. A line scanning camera is used for detecting the shape of the head by repeatedly generating optical images of the rolled material immediately downstream of the last roughing stand. The distance separating the cutting line from the beginning of the head is determined in accordance with the shape of the head. Immediately upstream a pair of shears the velocity and the beginning of the head are detected. A control signal for the shears is generated in accordance with the signals for the beginning of the head and for its velocity and with the distance of the cutting line from the beginning of the head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel for the continuous treatment of molten metals under reduced pressure, according to the circulation process. In order to increase the through put of the molten metal, the inlet and outlet pipes are located on the longitudinal axis of an elongated vessel-bottom, for example an elliptical vessel-bottom, a cross-section of the inlet and outlet pipes being enlarged. The lower portion of the vessel is bell-shaped. With this geometry of the lower portion of the vessel, the volume of the vessel remains small, despite comparatively large cross-sections of the inlet and outlet pipes, which can be located with an adequate clearance from each other and the walls of the vessel, so that the danger of erosion effects resulting from the circulating molten metal remains small.

Abstract: A blast furnace having a refractory lining of concrete components each having a volume of at least 0.2 m.sup.3, and comprising an alumina-containing cement or slag, chromium oxide of very fine particle size and fired aluminum oxide of somewhat larger particle size, together functioning as a cement for a refractory aggregate, provides great resistance to the heat and abrasive conditions existing inside of a blast furnace.

Abstract: A heating arrangement is provided for apparatus for producing cylindrical bodies by build-up welding wherein the diameter of the body being produced varies during the build-up welding operation. The heating arrangement is composed of individual heating elements arranged in the region of a sector around the revolving body with the heating elements being controlled both individually and in groups.

Abstract: A magnetic suspension railroad magnetically active part is made of steel with the following composition:0 to 0.15--% carbon,0 to 0.045--% phosphorus,0 to 0.008--% nitrogen,0.75 to 2.0--% silicon,0.15 to 1.00--% manganese,0.02 to 0.07--% aluminum, soluble,0.25 to 0.55--% copper,0.65 to 1.00--% chromium,Remainder--iron with unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for the electroplating of metal strips, and more particularly for the zinc-coating of steel strip, which comprises a tank filled with electrolyte liquid and immersed therein, at least one anode which is disposed above a strip to be electrolytically coated and at least one anode disposed below said strip, both of said anodes being parallel to said strip. The anode disposed above the strip is electrolytically consumable and made of an electrolytically depositable metal for deposition on said strip and the anode disposed below the strip consists essentially of a material that is insoluble in the electrolyte and not electrolytically consumable. Each anode is connected to a source of current, the anode disposed below said strip being provided with means for disconnecting it from said source of current.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating metallurgical products such as ingots, slabs or plate-shaped workpieces using a cutting torch disposed on one side of the product which follows a prescribed cutting line and which forms a front cutting edge on the surface of the product facing the torch and a rear cutting edge on the opposite side of the product and a cutting joint therebetween. At least one gaseous jet is directed at the rear cutting edge of the product to blow molten metal and liquid slag formed during cutting away from the rear cutting edge, thereby preventing the formation of flame burrs at the edges of the cutting joint.

Abstract: A ladle covered by a lid suitable for carrying out metallurgical reactions, particularly desulphurization, characterized by the fact that the lid is spaced above the ladle so that the edge of the lid overlaps the edge of the ladle, thereby forming an annular slot. A collar open at the top and bottom is inserted in the ladle and is attached to the lid to form outlets for ambient air.

Abstract: A method of cutting a cast strand into longitudinal sections is disclosed. The method comprises initially severing said strand transversely to form a slab, transporting said slab to a first longitudinal cutting means where it is longitudinally cut. The strand is cut transversely a second time to form a second slab which is transported to a second longitudinal cutting means where it is longitudinally cut.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for coating only one side of a metal strip with a molten metal, by continuously conveying a cleaned and heated strip of metal through a protective gas atmosphere above the level of a melting bath of the molten metal. The metal strip is supported on a reverse side thereof in the area of contact with the molten metal, and with the obverse side of the strip out of contact with the bath itself. The molten metal is conveyed by means of a scoop roller towards the supported area of the strip and only the scoop roller is immersed in the melting bath and only for a part of its surface area.

Abstract: A method of building up lines or layers of metal on a region of a workpiece, especially a region which terminates at the top of a vertical surface of the workpiece, by fusion arc welding, comprises: building up a barrier along at least one edge of the region, and this is along the top of the vertical surface when one exists, by welding with a low-power arc and then building up the remainder of the region against the barrier by welding with a much higher power arc, which is preferably of the submerged-arc type.

Abstract: A slide gate nozzle for a slide gate carried by a closure frame which includes two independent arms pivotally connected with a casting vessel for slidably moving the slide gate with respect to the casting vessel and for moving the slide gate away from the vessel to facilitate changing of the ceramic plates. Rocker frames are pivotally connected with the arms and include rollers on which a guide rail rides in the sliding direction of the slide gate, and the swivelly connected rocker frame assures even pressure of the ceramic plates.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for dispensing a fluidizable solid from the lower portion of a pressure vessel equipped with a weighing device, a closable supply, a discharge, and a source of three gas flows, a first of which is applied within the vessel at a level above the solid to be fluidized, a second of which is applied within said vessel in a lower portion thereof, and a third of which is applied within the discharge orifice of the vessel, which discharge orifice terminates in a chamber, which improvement involves determining the amount of solid dispensed and determining the throughflow of gas in relationship to the amount of solid dispensed to maintain a constant gas/solid ratio while maintaining the pressures such that the pressure applied to the lower portion of the vessel is greater than the pressure applied at a level above of the solids which, in turn, is greater than the pressure applied to the discharge orifice, all of which are greater than the pressure maintained within the chamber, and an appara