Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of metal strip, the apparatus having (i) a first endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a first entry pulley and a first exit pulley and (ii) a second endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a second entry pulley and a second exit pulley, with an entry nip defined between the first and second entry pulleys and an exit nip defined between the first and second exit pulleys. Opposing surfaces of the first and second belts progressively diverge from each other in the direction of movement thereof. The apparatus may include a cooled roll in place of the first pulley and first belt with a nip defined between the cooled roll and the second entry pulley.

Abstract: A method of continuous casting non-ferrous alloys which includes delivering molten non-ferrous alloy to a casting apparatus. The casting apparatus rapidly cools at least a portion of the non-ferrous alloy at a rate of at least about 100° C. thereby solidifying an outer layer of the non-ferrous alloy surrounding an inner layer of a molten component and a solid component of dendrites. The dendrites are altered to yield cast product exhibiting good resistance to cracking.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of metal strip, the apparatus having (i) a first endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a first entry pulley and a first exit pulley and (ii) a second endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a second entry pulley and a second exit pulley, with an entry nip defined between the first and second entry pulleys and an exit nip defined between the first and second exit pulleys. Opposing surfaces of the first and second belts progressively diverge from each other in the direction of movement thereof. The apparatus may include a cooled roll in place of the first pulley and first belt with a nip defined between the cooled roll and the second entry pulley.

Abstract: A method of making aluminum alloy sheet in a continuous in-line process is provided. A continuously-cast aluminum alloy strip is optionally quenched, hot or warm rolled, annealed or heat-treated in-line, optionally quenched, and preferably coiled, with additional hot, warm or cold rolling steps as needed to reach the desired gauge. The process can be used to make aluminum alloy sheet of T or O temper having the desired properties, in a much shorter processing time. The T or O temper may be selected by annealing the strip to achieve an O temper or solution heat treating the strip to achieve a T temper, and, if a T temper is desired, quenching the strip subsequent to the solution heat treating. The invention further provides a hot or warm rolling step wherein the strip is substantially reduces to a final thickness about 10-65% from a casting thickness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of metal strip, the apparatus having (i) a first endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a first entry pulley and a first exit pulley and (ii) a second endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a second entry pulley and a second exit pulley, with an entry nip defined between the first and second entry pulleys and an exit nip defined between the first and second exit pulleys. Opposing surfaces of the first and second belts progressively diverge from each other in the direction of movement thereof. The apparatus may include a cooled roll in place of the first pulley and first belt with a nip defined between the cooled roll and the second entry pulley.

Abstract: A method of making aluminum alloy sheet in a continuous in-line process is provided. A continuously-cast aluminum alloy strip is optionally quenched, hot or warm rolled, annealed or heat-treated in-line, optionally quenched, and preferably coiled, with additional hot, warm or cold rolling steps as needed to reach the desired gauge. The process can be used to make aluminum alloy sheet of T or O temper having the desired properties, in a much shorter processing time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of metal strip, the apparatus having (i) a first endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a first entry pulley and a first exit pulley and (ii) a second endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a second entry pulley and a second exit pulley, with an entry nip defined between the first and second entry pulleys and an exit nip defined between the first and second exit pulleys. Opposing surfaces of the first and second belts progressively diverge from each other in the direction of movement thereof. The apparatus may include a cooled roll in place of the first pulley and first belt with a nip defined between the cooled roll and the second entry pulley.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous casting of metal strip, the apparatus having (i) a first endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a first entry pulley and a first exit pulley and (ii) a second endless belt supported and moved on the surfaces of a second entry pulley and a second exit pulley, with an entry nip defined between the first and second entry pulleys and an exit nip defined between the first and second exit pulleys. Opposing surfaces of the first and second belts progressively diverge from each other in the direction of movement thereof. The apparatus may include a cooled roll in place of the first pulley and first belt with a nip defined between the cooled roll and the second entry pulley.

Abstract: A monolithic container having a bottom wall, a sidewall interconnected to the bottom wall and extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom to define an open end of the monolithic container at an upper edge of the sidewall, the sidewall having a peripheral flange extending outwardly from the upper edge. The monolithic container formed from an aluminum alloy feedstock comprising: from about 0.05 to 0.55% by weight silicon, from 0.10 to about 0.50% by weight iron, from less than about 0.60% by weight copper, from about less than about 0.4% by weight manganese, from about 0.9 to about 1.8% by weight magnesium, with the balance being aluminum and impurities.

Abstract: A method of continuous casting aluminum alloys between a pair of rolls. Molten aluminum alloy is delivered to a roll bite between the rolls and passes into the roll nip in a semi-molten state. A solid strip of cast aluminum alloy exits the nip at speeds of about 25 to about 400 feet per minute. Thin gauge (0.07-0.25 inch) strip may be produced at rates of up to 2000 pounds per hour per inch of cast strip width.

Abstract: A method of continuous casting non-ferrous alloys which includes delivering molten non-ferrous alloy to a casting apparatus. The casting apparatus rapidly cools at least a portion of the non-ferrous alloy at a rate of at least about 100° C. thereby solidifying an outer layer of the non-ferrous alloy surrounding an inner layer of a molten component and a solid component of dendrites. The dendrites are altered to yield cast product exhibiting good resistance to cracking.

Abstract: A method of continuous casting aluminum alloys between a pair of rolls. Molten aluminum alloy is delivered to a roll bite between the rolls and passes into the roll nip in a semi-molten state. A solid strip of cast aluminum alloy exits the nip at speeds of about 25 to about 400 feet per minute. Thin gauge (0.07-0.25 inch) strip may be produced at rates of up to 2000 pounds per hour per inch of cast strip width.