Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for desulfurization of molten pig iron by a first step of adding powdered aluminum to the molten pig iron and a second step of adding CaO to the molten pig iron, the improvement comprising adding the aluminum as a powdery mixture with CaO, alumina or both, whereby splashing associated with the addition of aluminum alone is reduced.

Abstract: Addition of a metal selected from niobium, molybdenum, chromium and tungsten to molten iron-base alloys using an agglomerated mixture of a selected metal oxide and calcium-bearing reducing agent.

Abstract: Novel solder composition or solder cream, particularly adapted for soldering components in electronic circuitry, comprising finely divided solder metals such as tin and lead, dispersed in a vehicle containing viscosity controlling agents, organic solvents, and a rosin or rosin derivative as a flux. By employing a narrow range of rosin-containing vehicle, that is between 13 and 14%, and between 86 and 87% of solder metal, by weight of the solder composition, and fine particle size solder metal of from 40 to 70 microns, the formation of solder balls is essentially eliminated, thus avoiding the necessity of removing such solder balls.

Abstract: A method for increasing the life of the refractory lining of a basic-refractory-lined vessel for the production of steel by blowing oxygen into a ferrous melt from above the surface of the melt, comprising:(a) introducing into the vessel slag forming ingredients, including dolomitic lime, such that the amount of dolomitic lime exceeds the amount normally used, and(b) introducing inert gas into the melt in such manner as to cause intensive interaction between the slag and the melt.The preferred inert gas is argon.

Abstract: The present invention concerns apparatus for treating a bath of liquid metal and in particular aluminum or alloys thereof by injecting gas, comprising a rotary agitator, the lower end of which, in the rest condition, rests on a gas injection plug disposed at the bottom of the bath and which, under the action of the pressure of the gas emitted by the plug, rises and, thus being supported by a fluid bearing, may, under the effect of an external couple, rotate freely about its axis and allow a multitude of regularly dispersed gas bubbles to escape through the space which separates the agitator from the plug, enabling intimate contact between the gas and the liquid metal and thus to improve the efficiency of the treatment. It may be used in treating metals from which hydrogen and non-metallic impurities are to be removed.

Abstract: A resulfurized ferrous alloy including lead characterized in that the lead is well dispersed in the steel matrix and the free lead globules are controlled as to size, is produced by introducing the lead into a steel melt in the form of a fine lead sulfide (PbS), or galena powder. The alloy produced exhibits improved machinability, which characteristic is further enhanced by the formation of manganese sulfide particles which are well distributed and have minimum aspect ratio (i.e., are round) when the melt has been deoxidized with manganese.

Abstract: Process of refining of a metal bath in a crucible with oxygen blast at the top and crucible used.The invention consists essentially of providing in the bottom (15) of the crucible agitating gas injectors (15) located at least in a peripheral circular ring situated in immediate proximity to the refractory side wall. The injectors are preferably concentrated opposite the journals. Secondary injectors are, also preferably, provided in the bottom zone, intermediate between the ring and the center of the crucible.The invention makes it possible, in relation to the prior injection practice, to reduce the rate of dissolution of the agitating gas in the molten metal and then makes it possible to use a low-cost agitating gas, such as nitrogen, without risk of excessive nitridation of the bath.

Abstract: A steel refining system has a crucible having an upwardly open mouth and containing a steel melt covered by slag, an oxygen lance directed downwardly into the mouth at the melt, a hood fitting downwardly over the mouth and having a hood wall formed by a multiplicity of coolant tubes, and an arrangement for circulating a coolant through these tubes. The tubes form a tubular hood-wall extension that has an outer end and is centered on an axis trained on the melt on the crucible. A holder is mounted on the outer end of this extension and contains a sound transducer carried by the holder and directed along the axis at the melt. A circuit is connected to this transducer for determining slag thickness by means of the sound detected by the transducer. The holder itself comprises a circularly annular hollow cell fixed by means of a collar to the extension and a transducer housing that is fixed to this cell and therethrough to the extension.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of desulfurizing agents containing 1-6% by weight of chemically bonded water, based on calcium oxide-containing calcium carbide, for crude iron and steel melts. To this end, a molten mixture of calcium carbide and calcium oxide with a CaO content of 20 to 80% by weight is produced, which is allowed to solidify into a block. Next, the block which still has an average temperature of more than 400.degree. C., is rough-crushed to particles with a size of less than 150 mm and calcium oxide is added to the comminuted mixture, which still has a temperature of at least 400.degree. C., in accordance with the CaO content desired in the end product. The mixture is finally ground in the presence of air or nitrogen with a moisture content of from 5 to 20 g/m.sup.3 (at 1.013 bar and 273.15 K) at temperatures below 100.degree. C. to particles with a size of less than 10 mm.

Abstract: A metallurgical furnace is equipped with interconnected cooling pipes which are supported by structure which includes horizontal rings arranged as a cage around the furnace.

Abstract: A lance for blowing oxygen from above into a ladle of an iron foundry has a nozzle head with at least four main tuyeres of larger diameter and as many ancillary tuyeres of smaller diameter, the larger tuyeres serving to blow into the melt for decarburizing the metal while the smaller ones promote afterburning of the evolving carbon monoxide just above the melt surface. The axes of the main tuyeres are inclined to the nozzle-head axis at an angle of about 14.degree. to 17.degree. while the axes of the ancillary tuyeres have an angle of inclination exceeding that of the main tuyeres by about 30.degree. to 50.degree.. In order to slow down the air flow through the ancillary tuyeres with reference to the surface-penetrating jets of the main tuyeres, the former are provided with inner peripheral inlays or grooves of annular or helicoidal shape.

Abstract: The invention concerns an immersion-lance for introducing a finely-particulate solid material into a metal melt, by means of a carrier gas, the internal diameter of the lance being narrowed in the region of the outlet opening. The object in the invention is to produce a lance which is suitable both for the transport of solid material and for flushing with gas. This is achieved by the features that the lance (1) contains a restrictor (8) which can be moved coaxially with the outlet opening (3), this restrictor being located, in a first end position, at a distance from the outlet opening (3) such that an open cross-section remains which is suitable for the transport of the solid material, and this restrictor being located, in a second end position, so that it narrows the outlet opening to a cross-section suitable for the transport of the gas.

Abstract: A method of treating ferrous metal includes the steps of containing in a metallurgical vessel a quantity of ferrous metal which is at least partially solid in form, entraining finely divided carbon and a fluxing agent in a nonoxidizing gas and injecting the same in a first flow path and from beneath said metal, simultaneously injecting a first quantity of oxygen in a second flow path separate from said first flow path and beneath said metal for oxidizing the carbon to elevate the temperature of said metal. A second quantity of oxygen is injected into the metal in a third flow path and from above the metal for reducing the carbon content thereof. Additional fluxing agents may also be introduced from above the metal. After the desired metal temperature has been achieved, the delivery of carbon and fluxing agents through the first flow path is terminated while the flow of nonoxidizing gas is continued to promote mixing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the desulphurization of cast irons and steels.The product is constituted of the combination of magnesium shot or magnesium alloy with rounded contours having a granulometry of between 0.1 and 3 mm and a granulated slag having a basicity index higher than 1, containing alumina, lime, silica and magnesia, and optionally an additional flux having a granulometry of between 0.1 and 3 mm in a proportion ranging from 90 to 10% and preferably from 80 to 20% of magnesium shot and from 10 to 90% and preferably from 20 to 80% of granulated slag.Application to the desulphurization of forge pigs and foundry pig irons, to the nodularization of foundry pig irons by nozzle injection in a carrying gas stream into the liquid cast iron or steel.

Abstract: For the purpose of introducing an additive into a molten metal bath, a reactive powder is enclosed in a tubular sleeve composed of a metal compatible with the bath. The cross-section of the sleeve is reduced after filling to compact the powder while leaving it porous. The filled sleeve can be formed by profiling a metal strip to a cup-shaped cross-section, metering the powder into the cup-shaped profile, closing the edges of the strip together to enclose the powder, forming the edges to hook together and crimping the hooked edges.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for preventing reaction forces on a flow control valve from affecting measurements of particulate feed rate, where such measurements are made using weighing devices to determine the amount of particulates in a supply container as a function of time. The apparatus includes means for applying sufficient compressive prestress to spacer bars for absorbing reaction forces on the valve so that extension of the staybars is prevented during particulate feeding. Movement of the container due to reaction forces on the valve is prevented and particulate feed rate errors are substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An agglomerated welding flux especially designed to produce tandem arc seam welds having low profiles, increased penetration, and minimal undercutting. The flux includes: aluminum oxide and silicon dioxides in the form of kyanite; magnesium oxide; and, manganese oxide.

Abstract: Solid pieces of metal, such as steel scrap and ferrous pellets, are charged in a basin having a refractory inside and progressively melted down by an electric induction heater positioned above the basin and the charge. As melt collects in the bottom of the basin it is continuously or intermittently tapped into a storage container having heating means for keeping the melt molten. This prevents the melt level in the basin's bottom from rising uncontrollably.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of making as-cast ductile iron wherein an iron melt having a chemistry capable of forming gray iron having flake graphite is treated with a nodularizing agent and solidified to provide a microstructure consisting substantially of a pearlite matrix containing uniformly distributed graphite nodules surrounded by ferrite. The iron melt is alloyed with: (a) at least one of 0.02-0.06% Sb and 0.02-0.08% Sn, (b) 0.001-0.0015% each of Ce and La, and (c) 0.5-1.0% Mn.

Abstract: A process for producing a reducing gas for a direct reduction or blast furnace which comprises partially oxidizing oil and/or coal and/or coke in the presence of air to produce a gas stream containing hydrogen and nitrogen together with other gases, treating the gas stream to remove substantially all gases other than hydrogen and nitrogen, drying the gas stream if there is water present, subjecting the gas stream to a separation stage, e.g. in a cryogenic separator, to separate a hydrogen-rich gas stream and a nitrogen-rich gas stream, heating the hydrogen-rich gas stream and injecting it into the furnace.In the case of a direct reduction furnace the gas stream may be obtained by partial oxidation of coal and/or oil. In the case of the blast furnace the reducing gas may be derived from the top gas in addition or as an alternative to partial oxidation of coal and/or oil.