Abstract: The invention relates to reverberatory furnaces used to operate upon baths of light metals, non-ferrous metals and alloys thereof. Reduction of wear on furnace walls, of energy used during operation and of dross formation on the metal bath, is achieved by a furnace (11) with a container (12) and roof (13) which form a shallow heating chamber (37) above the bath surface. A burner (14) directs a tight flame (39) to impinge against the bath surface.

Abstract: A bismuth-lead alloy containing lesser amounts of tin, antimony and zinc has been developed for use as a fusible metal, and particularly as a jewel metal alloy. The alloy meets the standards set by presently available jewel metals, has a lower melting temperature, better casting properties, and is less expensive than currently used alloys.

Abstract: This invention relates to special ferromanganese type master-alloys, such as normally are added to steels during the process of melting and/or deoxidation, except that in the new master-alloy substantial amounts of zirconium and boron are added to make the new material especially suitable as an addition for boron in various boron-containing steels.A typical aim composition for the new Fe-Mn-Zr-B master-alloy would be about 20% Fe, about 40% Mn, about 35% Zr, about 2.5% B, about 2.0% C, and the balance residual elements with preferably not more than about 0.5% Al. It can be noted that the ratio of the Zr to the B contents is about 14:1. This means that for a steel addition of 0.0025% B, an amount of 0.035% Zr would be available in the steel to enhance the hardenability contribution of the B to the steel and to prevent "fading" of the boron during the heating operations.

Abstract: A thermo-sensitive semiconductor element having a four-layer pnpn structure. A defect layer is formed at the junction of the p base layer and the n base layer by implantation of argon ions to provide a semiconductor element having a desired thermo-sensitive characteristic. The element is subjected to heat treatment such as annealing at temperatures in a range of from 400.degree. C. to 900.degree. C. in a nitrogen atmosphere after the argon ion implantation so that the leakage current into the element having the defect layer is controlled.

Abstract: A crucible for containing molten magnesium, and a process for forming the crucible. The crucible is formed from ferritic stainless steel, and particularly type 444 stainless steel plate. The method involves forming ferritic stainless steel plate into component parts of the crucible, while maintaining the ferritic stainless steel plate at temperatures above about 200.degree. F. but below the "blue brittle" temperature range. Further, the method involves special techniques for welding the crucible parts. Specifically, the crucible parts are preheated to a temperature of 100.degree.-150.degree. C. and are completely welded by a process utilizing multiple welding passes with a special metal inert gas shielded welding technique before any cool down of the crucible parts below 100.degree. C. is allowed. The welds extend completely through the crucible walls, which are the thickness of steel plate, and completely incorporate the crucible parts while being essentially free of cracks.

Abstract: An improved method of providing a semiconductor device having a semiconductor substrate containing solid state signal processing circuitry. The solid state signal processing circuitry comprises doped regions of predetermined resistivity within the semiconductor substrate. A passivation layer covers a surface of the semiconductor substrate with electrical contacts to the solid state signal processing circuitry exposed through the passivation layer. The improvement comprises forming, on the electrical contacts, contact pads which have an upper surface devoid of a depressed center region. After the forming step, an adhering insulator material is deposited over the passivation layer, and a semiconductor wafer is mounted onto the substrate above the contact pads to form an assembly.

Abstract: A gold-colored, acid and corrosion resistant alloy is disclosed, usable for jewelry, dental purposes and the like. The alloy consists essentially of 15 to 20 weight percent of indium, 7 to 20 weight percent of copper, 5 to 15 weight percent of palladium, and from 0 to 10 weight percent of gold, with the balance consisting essentially of silver and optionally minor amounts of ingredients such as oxide scavengers and the like.

Abstract: A device for blowing gas under pressure into a bath of liquid metal comprises a mass of refractory material which is porous at least at an inner portion thereof and placed into a metallic container constituted by an outer metallic envelope closed at one of the ends thereof by a bottom member through a central portion of which a conduit extends for feeding a gas under pressure to the porous inner portion of the mass. A deflector is provided fluid-tightly connected to the bottom inwardly of the envelope in which the wall of the deflector extends parallel to that of the envelope but short of the length of the latter. This permits, on the one hand, to avoid penetration of liquid metal between the envelope and the mass of refractory material to a point where it would block the gas feeding conduit and, on the other hand, to canalize the gas through the porous portion of the mass. The present invention relates likewise to a method of making the above device.

Abstract: Molten metal, such as aluminum, is held within rigid refractory lining means beneath, above and alongside the metal while heaters keep the outside of the lining means at a predetermined temperature desired for the metal, the heaters being surrounded by thermal insulation and the whole being surrounded by a fluid-cooled support. An unusually effective embodiment is pipe, with a tubular refractory liner to carry flowing metal, surrounded by sheathed heating elements controlled to keep the exterior of the tube at least at about the predetermined temperature, with the thermal insulation wrapped around the heaters and the enclosing support being a water-jacketed steel pipe. The operation is essentially adiabatic with respect to the refractory liner, delivering the molten metal essentially at its original temperature, with unusual saving of heat energy. When the heated pipeline has been drained, only easily removed, paper-thin skulls of solid metal remain.

Abstract: In a filling stand for pouring molten metal from a tiltable metallurgical vessel into a metallurgical ladle, the metallurgical ladle is surrounded by a casing to which at least one exhaust conduit is connected. In the casing upper part a pour-in opening for the molten metal is provided, which opening is arranged below an outlet of the tiltable vessel. In order to keep the exhaust and filter performance of the exhaust system low, at least one part of the ladle surrounding casing which comprises the pour-in opening is displaceable in the tilting plane of the tiltable vessel in accordance with the change of position of the metal jet streaming out of the outlet of the tiltable vessel.

Abstract: For soldering non-noble metal containing silver contacts on contact carriers, solders are needed which permit a direct soldering without production of an oxide free intermediae layer. This is attained with solders that consist of a silver-copper alloy with cadmium and/or tin and/or indium whereby the composition must be so selected that the liquidus temperature does not exceed 750.degree. C.

Abstract: An electrode operating device for tapping an electric furnace provides remotely controllable motion of an electrode enabling the electrode to melt a fusible plug in the tap-hole of the furnace of an appropriate diameter to permit draining of material contained in the furnace.

Abstract: An improved gate injected, floating gate memory device is described having improved charge retention and endurance characteristics is described in which the barrier height for the injection of charge (electrons or holes) into the floating gate is reduced. This is accomplished by utilizing a layer of semi-insulating polycrystalline silicon between the control electrode and the insulating layer over the floating gate.

Abstract: A teapot ladle has an interior lining of low thermal capacity, low thermal conductivity refractory material which in contact with molten metal poured into the ladle forms an erosion resistant surface, and means for retaining the lining in place when the ladle is tilted.The lining material comprises inorganic fibrous material, particulate refractory material and an organic binder and the retaining means may be a refractory or metal ring which clips over the outer wall of the ladle and the inner wall of the lining, a series of clips or a rod shaped to fit over the top of the ladle and hold the lining in one place at one point on its perimeter.

Abstract: There are needed materials based on Ag/SnO.sub.2 to replace the known Ag/CdO materials for electrical contact on switches, which replacement materials contain an additional metal oxide component, without having to take into account an undesired temperature increase in the switching device. This is attained according to the invention with a material that contains 8-20 weight % tin oxide SnO.sub.2, 0.05-5 weight % tungsten oxide, balance silver.

Abstract: Ferrochromium alloys are prepared by vacuum reduction of chromite concentrate by means of a carbonaceous reductant, followed by melting in the presence of slag-forming materials to produce the alloy and a separate slag phase. Preferably, CaO is employed as an ingredient in both the reduction step and the melting step.