Abstract: The invention provides a grain refinement method for copper-based metals, which method can be applied to a range of different types of such metals. In accordance with the method, one arranges that a melt of the metal to be grain refined contains each of the following components:(a) titanium and/or zirconium;(b) at least one of: lithium, sodium, potassium, beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium;(c) at least one of: scandium, yttrium, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, manganese, technetium, rhenium, iron, ruthenium, osmium, cobalt, rhodium, iridium, nickel, palladium, platinum, silver, gold, zinc, cadmium, mercury and the rare earth elements; and(d) at least one of: aluminium, gallium, indium, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, sulphur, selenium and tellurium;and solidifies the melt to produce grain refinement of the copper-based metal. The invention also provides grain refiners for practicing the method.

Abstract: A new aluminum-bronze dental alloy and restoration technique is disclosed in which castability and burnishability are improved by the presence of 1 to 8 percent zinc.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical devices in which the electrical contact areas are plated with a nickel/indium/other metal alloy.

Abstract: An aluminum refining vessel has two refining stages positioned side-by-side, with flow of molten aluminum into and out of the vessel being from the same side thereof. The vessel is readily adaptable for the reversal of flow therethrough, and for ease of installation, operation and maintenance.

Abstract: The invention relates to an immersion lance for the introduction of treatment media such as gases, more particularly inert gases and/or carrier gases by which solids such as slag-forming substances, carbon or the like are transported, into a vessel filled with liquid metal, more particularly for the treatment of pig iron or steel. The immersion lance comprises an inner metal tube for the supply of the medium and a refractory monolithic ceramic jacketing, which is supported by means of a reinforcement bearing against the inner tube, one or more outlet apertures being provided which penetrate the jacketing. The reinforcement bearing enclosing the inner tube is formed by at least one spirally coiled ribbed band forming rib members with uniform spacings and being connected to the inner rib.

Abstract: A tuyere for treating molten metal in a vessel in which bottom stirring gas blowing is desired has a tubular body member having a mounting flange inwardly of one end thereof by which the tuyere is positioned in the vessel through an opening in a side wall thereof with the inner end of the tuyere spaced with respect to the side wall to effectively direct gas introduced therethrough in a stirring action in the molten metal. A plurality of spirally wound metal tubes are positioned in side by side relation engaging the tubular body member and the plurality of spirally wound metal tubes are partially flattened to create desirable configurations so that a tuyere so formed can match any desired discharge of gas into the molten metal. Additionally, the partially flattened configuration of the smaller tubes enables them to provide relatively large surface areas engageable against the inner surface of the tubular body member which imparts a cooling effect thereto.

Abstract: A lance for treating molten metals useful for either inert gas stirring or injection of oxygen has an elongated refractory body formed in and around a metal tube in a portion of which a plurality of spirally wound metal tubes are positioned in side by side relation engaging the metal tube, the spirally wound tubes being mechanically locked into a refractory forming a core therein. The spirally wound metal tubes terminate at one end of the lance in a circular pattern to provide a tangential flow of gas flowing therefrom when gas such as argon is directed therethrough. The metal tubes communicate at their opposite ends with a secondary metal tube which in turn communicates with a fitting externally of the refractory body of the lance by which the lance may be supported and through which the desirable gas is supplied.

Abstract: A liner for a molten metal receiving tundish in the form of appropriately sized and shaped inserts formed of insulating and/or exothermic containing materials is assembled on a supporting frame which may be reusable or expendible and positioned in the tundish where the liner acts to fully protect the tundish interior from molten metal contact or penetration.

Abstract: By adding an appropriate amount, 1 to 12 weight percent, based on the amount of magnesium oxide present and Loss On Ignition values of powdered magnesium metal to the magnesium oxide aqueous slurry composition used to make a separating agent composition in the making of grain-oriented silicon electrical steel, there are obtained composition, an article, and a method characterized principally by a substantial decrease in the rate of rejections of the product of the final texturizing anneal because of coating defects--such difficulties as bare spots, and metal-overlay pattern. Moreover. the magnetic properties may be improved because of improved control of the propagation of the internally oxidized zone of the steel.

Abstract: A cone blank for a rotary cone rock bit is forged, rough machined, carburized and heat-treated, followed by the formation of insert holes therein. Inserts are then pressed into the insert holes. The finished cone is subsequently sprayed with hardfacing cladding material in powdered form. The powder is thereafter densified and fused with a laser source to give a hard, erosion-resistant clad layer on the outer surface, including in the immediate vicinity of the inserts.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and regulating the variable pressure furnace gas chemistry is described. The apparatus uses a mass spectrometer for measurements, in the preferred form of the invention, in which gas species percent composition is obtained quantitatively independent of total furnace pressure variation. Using such a real time measurement capability, active control of batch process furnace operations is possible by intrinsic measurement of the part outgassing rather than by assumption of batch part status as a function of extrinsic parameters such as temperature and total pressure. Thus, by a combination of batch process temperature ramp control and variable admittance of suitable gas into the furnace, uniform batch processing is possible by closed loop control, due to renormalization of furnace residual gas chemistry from day to day drift and from batch part chemistry variation.

Abstract: Apparatus for safely plugging a furnace adapted to hold and transfer substantial amounts of molten material, the apparatus including a linkage assembly comprised of generally parallel bars pivotly connected together. A fluid operated cylinder is mechanically connected to the linkage assembly. An elongated bar is supported by the linkage assembly, and a plug is located at one end of the bar for disposal against and removal from a spout structure of a furnace. The cylinder translates the linkage assembly and thereby translates the bar and plug such that the plug can be moved to and from the spout structure. The plug is held against the spout structure under a positive force exerted by the cylinder.

Abstract: A gas washing device for supplying gas through a metallurgical vessel to molten metal therein includes a gas permeable sink positioned to extend through a wall of the metallurgical vessel. The sink has an inner end to be exposed to the molten metal and subject to wear thereby and an outer end. A gas inlet supplies an operational flow of gas from a gas supply to the outer end of the sink. A device is operatively mounted with respect to the sink and is responsive to a temperature rise indicative of a predetermined extent of wear of the inner end of the sink by the molten metal, to reduce the flow of the gas to a reduced flow less than the operational flow upon the inner end of the sink being worn or eroded to the predetermined extent. A detector detects or measures the reduced flow of gas.

Abstract: A method of injecting burning resistant fuel into a blast furnace, which includes the steps of supplying a hot blast air having a temperature of at least 810.degree. C. into a blast furnace, injecting the burning resistant fuel into the hot blast air, and injecting a gas fuel into the hot blast air independently of injection of the burning resistant fuel. The gas fuel is supplied to an outer peripheral area of the burning resistant fuel. The injection of the gas fuel is in a proportion of at least 2% of the injection of the burning resistant fuel in terms of calorific value.

Abstract: For improving permeability of a metallurgical vessel bottom provided with permeable refractory elements for controlled injection of a stirring fluid into a molten metal bath, the metallurgical vessel is emptied of its contents, a castable composed of a refractory material compatible with the refractory material of the bottom is deposited in the bottom and spread over the latter, and the castable is left to dry and set, while maintaining in the permeable refractory elements a sufficient pressure to provide a permanent flow of a stirring fluid. A hydraulic magnesian refractory castable used in this method has a content of water of substantially between 8 and 10% by weight.

Abstract: A metallurgical lance for injecting a material into molten metal is provided. The lance has a outer conduit with first and second ends, and a material carrier inner conduit for carrying the material to be injected into the molten metal. The inner conduit has a supply end and an injection end and is in part disposed within and throughout the outer conduit. A high temperature heat insulator is disposed around the outer conduit and extends along the outer conduit from at least an intermediate portion thereof to at least the first end thereof whereby all portions of the lance to be disposed in the molten metal are protected by the insulator. A first end closure and a second end closure for the outer conduit have centrally located apertures therein for receiving a portion of the inner conduit.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant copper-based alloy contains 0.1-5 percent by weight of nickel; 0.01-1.5 percent by weight total of titanium and niobium; 0.2-5 percent by weight total of iron and chromium; 0.01-0.25 percent by weight total of germanium and gallium; and up to 0.01 percent by weight each of the trace elements phosphorus, silicon and manganese. The alloying elements passivate and cathodically protect the copper while the trace elements function as stabilizers. The alloy may be used for the facades of buildings, for roofs, for the gutters of buildings and for applications involving flowing corrosive media.

Abstract: A technique for rendering toxic metals (chromium, lead, cadmium and arsenic) contained in steel plant furnace dust innocuous and suitable for burial with minimal adverse environmental impact. Pelletized iron oxide containing dust is introduced into a rotary hearth furnace under a reducing atmosphere in excess of 600.degree. C. The higher iron oxides are reduced to FeO which in turn complexes with the toxic metals to form relatively benign products.

Abstract: A malleable composite brazing alloy comprises a pair of outer layers formed of a titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy and an inner layer formed of a copper-nickel alloy, the layers being bonded to each other by rolling.

Abstract: A semiconductor window which is transparent to light in the infrared range and which has good electrical conductivity is formed with a substrate of semi-conductor material which has a conduction modifying dopant diffused, grown or deposited on one surface thereof to a substantial depth so that a layer thereof exhibits reduced resistance to a value below 10 ohms/square. Anti-reflection dielectric layers are stacked on both outer surfaces thereof. The dielectric substrate may be of silicon, germanium or gallium arsenide depending on the transparency bandwidth of interest. The thickness of the substrate and the doping of the surface thereof is closely controlled to obtain both low electrical resistivity and high optical transmissivity.