Abstract: Both a method and apparatus for producing molten steel are provided wherein ferrous materials rich in carbonaceous materials are fused in a first vessel of a single electric furnace having separate first and second vessels. The carbonized molten metal thus obtained is then pretreated in a separate pretreatment facility to remove contaminants and the pretreated molten metal is then decarburized in the second vessel of the electric furnace. The decarburization of the pretreated metal in the second vessel of the furnace avoids reintroducing contaminants into the steel by avoiding contact between the pretreated metal and the slag produced when the initial carbonaceous materials are fused. Preferably, the first and second vessels are two vessels of a single electric furnace having a single electric power source.

Abstract: The inside of the metallurgical container is connected to a fan (105) through an exhaust duct (102). An additional gas is introduced in the intake part of the fan (105) preferably through the duct (102). The additional gas introduction flow is regulated in such manner that the gas pressure in the intake part of the fan (105) is maintained at a fixed value, via an adjusting valve (108) preferably placed in an additional duct (107) connected to the exhaust duct (102). A control system (110) regulates the opening and closing of the adjusting valve (108) in such manner as to maintain the gas pressure in the intake part of the fan (105) constant.

Abstract: A wall electrode includes a metal bar adapted to extend through the wall of the furnace, a water-cooled sleeve composed of a material which is a good conductor of heat and electricity, an end member composed of a material which is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and an annular member such as a ring composed of a metal which is heavy and has a low melting point surrounding the bar so that the heavy metal in the liquid state spreads in the space between the bar and the sleeve when the annular member is made to melt during use of the electrode.

Abstract: A method for sealing the connection between two sheet piles, this connection being achieved by using claws integrated with the sheet piles. Prior to the interlocking of the sheet piles, a jointing band of an elastic, compressible and/or hydroswellable organic material is stuck to the claw of at least one of the sheet piles. The method further includes fixing a metal sheet to the free surface of the band, and then interlocking the sheet piles. The invention also provides a sheet pile comprising a claw provided with a band of an elastic, compressible and/or hydroswellable organic material, characterized in that the outer surface of the band is at least partly covered with a metal sheet which is connected to the band.

Abstract: This device comprises a fixed support constituted by a cylindrical collar 14, through which the lance 5 may be axially displaced and scraping fingers 16 whose extremities, which comprise cleaving means 21, may be held substantially in contact with the lance. A clearance is arranged, between the lance and the collar, which is sufficient to allow the accretions 12 of materials which it is desired to remove from the lance to pass through. While the lance is being raised, the extremities of the fingers cleave the accretions until they are totally broken off from the lance and can then fall into the vessel.The device is particularly applicable to the unclogging of oxygen lances used in steelworks converters.

Abstract: In this method preformed turns of the wire are made to fall into a coil-forming pit having a substantially cylidrical wall with a vertical axis where they are superimposed and form a coil. In the course of the fall of the turns, there is exerted on the latter a radial force of attraction toward the wall of the pit, the direction of this force undergoing a motion of rotation about the axis of the pit. The force of attraction is preferably produced by a rotating magnetic field. For this purpose, the device comprises means for exerting on the turns said force undergoing a motion of rotation, these means comprising inductors such as electromagnets (5) which are evenly spaced apart on the periphery of the pit, and means for cyclically feeding dc current to these electromagnets. The invention is applied to the forming of coils of wires of magnetic metal, in particular steel.

Abstract: A soft steel for machine cutting with high machinability performances having a content of C.ltoreq.0.25%, a content of Mn of 0.8 to 1.5%, a content of P of .ltoreq.0.1%, a content of S of 0.15 to 0.40%, and a content of Si of 0.05 to 0.40%, expressed in percentages by weight. After finishing of the metal, the inclusions of manganese sulfide are surrounded by a plastic oxide layer of an average composition SiO.sub.2 : 35 to 45%; Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 : 10 to 20%; CaO: 15 to 25%; MnO: 10 to 20%. In producing this grade, after the addition of silicon and manganese, the liquid metal is agitated in the presence of a slag of a composition CaO: 20 to 55%; SiO.sub.2 : 35 to 65%; Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 : 15 to 40%; with a CaO %/SiO.sub.2 % ratio of about 1.

Abstract: The steel rail is submitted to a tensile stress exceeding the conventional 0.2% offset yield strength of the steel, up to a stress value corresponding to a total plastic deformation of the whole rail.

Abstract: A hydraulic stretching machine for straightening and stress-relieving rails, the machine being defined by stretching grips and fixing shackles being displaceable individually and independently, laterally and vertically, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stretching machine, and grip-holding jaws which can be oriented about a longitudinal axis, the jaws including a fixed jaw and a mobile jaw articulated in and upon the fixed jaw.