Abstract: An aluminum power transmission rail product comprises a profile main component made from molten aluminum onto which a stainless steel cap has been co-cast. Preferably, this main component has a locking feature such as a down-turn on at least one edge of the stainless steel cap. The rail product is preferably cast on a casting unit selected from the group consisting of a horizontal caster, a horizontal DC caster, an MDC caster and a semi-solid casting unit.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aluminum power transmission rail product with a metallurgically bonded stainless steel cap comprises providing molten aluminum in a tundish; providing a roll formed stainless steel wear cap; pretreating and preheating the stainless steel cap, then introducing that cap into the tundish; co-casting the aluminum and cap through one or more dies; and tensioning the stainless steel cap at an exit of the casting die and rapidly cooling the same. An aluminum-stainless composite product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aluminum power transmission rail product with a metallurgically bonded stainless steel cap comprises providing molten aluminum in a tundish; providing a roll formed stainless steel wear cap; pretreating and preheating the stainless steel cap, then introducing that cap into the tundish; co-casting the aluminum and cap through one or more dies; and tensioning the stainless steel cap at an exit of the casting die and rapidly cooling the same. An aluminum-stainless composite product is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of coating a vehicle wheel to increase wear and corrosion resistance of the vehicle wheel, includes the steps of providing a vehicle wheel and applying a wear and corrosion resistant coating onto a surface of the vehicle wheel. The coating is applied to at least a tire bead retaining flange of the vehicle wheel. The coating is of particular use with vehicle wheels made of forged aluminum. The coating is selected from tungsten carbide, optionally including cobalt or chrome, a nickel-based superalloy, aluminum and silicon carbide, or stainless steel. The coating is typically applied to a thickness of about 0.004-0.01 inch. The surface of the vehicle wheel may be prepared by mechanically abrading the surface or chemically etching the surface of the vehicle wheel. The coating may be applied by cold spraying, thermal spraying, or triboelectric discharge kinetic spraying and other similar processes.

Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.

Abstract: A method of coating a vehicle wheel to increase wear and corrosion resistance of the vehicle wheel, includes the steps of providing a vehicle wheel and applying a wear and corrosion resistant coating onto a surface of the vehicle wheel. The coating is applied to at least a tire bead retaining flange of the vehicle wheel. The coating is of particular use with vehicle wheels made of forged aluminum. The coating is selected from tungsten carbide, optionally including cobalt or chrome, a nickel-based superalloy, aluminum and silicon carbide, or stainless steel.

Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.

Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.

Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.

Abstract: A friction-wear aluminum part which includes a metal substrate and an outer friction-wear, ceramic-free coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface to said substrate. The coating is a mixture of both aluminum and stainless steel. On a preferred basis, the surface of the substrate is intentionally grooved to facilitate bonding of the coating thereto. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A projection coined onto a metal sheet, preferably an aluminum sheet, for projection welding the sheet to an adjacent metal sheet. The projection has a thickness greater than the thickness of the sheet on which it is formed. The wall of the projection surrounds a first recess and a second recess is formed in a side of the sheet opposite the projection from which the metal cold flows to form the projection. A welding gun assembly having an improved low interia, fast response to the collapse of the projection welding the sheet having the projection to the adjacent sheet.

Abstract: A friction-wear aluminum part which includes a metal substrate and friction-wear coating applied to at least a portion of the outer surface to said substrate. The coating is a mixture of both aluminum and stainless steel. On a preferred basis, the surface of the substrate is intentionally roughened or grooved to facilitate bonding of the coating thereto. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for graining a surface having a substantial area traveling at a substantial rate of speed. The method includes directing the surface past an array of electrical arcs traveling about a plurality of loop electrodes arranged to provide overlapping arc loop paths as the surface travels past the array of arc loops. The arc loops are established between the loop electrodes and the traveling surface, and thus contact the surface to grain the same. When each arc is struck between its loop electrodes and traveling surface, it is magnetically impelled about the loop of its electrode by a magnetic field established perpendicular of the direction of arc current flow. An annular sheath of gas is provided on each side of the electrode loop and the arc struck between the electrode loop and the traveling surface.

Abstract: A composite metallurgical product includes a roll cast aluminum alloy core and a filler material bonded on the core. Assemblies joined by filler material are formed from this product by heating to flow the filler material into joints and subsequent solidification of the filler material in the joints. The composite product is made in several ways, including lamination at roll caster rolls, and lamination or thermal spraying at the exit side of a roll caster. The invention additionally provides for an angulation rolling method for varying percent of cladding on the composite, and a high-manganese aluminum alloy useful as core material in brazing sheet clad with aluminum-silicon brazing alloy.

Abstract: Apparatus for electric arc graining the surface of a traveling electrically conductive workpiece, the surface having a substantial area. The graining is effected by a continuous loop electrode having an elongated main body portion and an elongated continuous loop tip edge projecting laterally from a general plane of the main body portion for establishing an arc between the tip edge and the workpiece surface. The arc is moved about the continuous electrode tip by elongated magnetic means located in close proximity to the electrode, the magnetic means including a continuous loop pole member spaced outwardly of and concentric with the continuous loop tip edge. A second pole member of a polarity opposite the outer pole member is located in the general center of the closed loop tip edge.

Abstract: Substantial surface areas can be treated by continuously magnetically moving an electric arc around a general loop direction such as a circle, ellipse or oval and moving the surface so that the arc treats a substantial surface area. The arc treatment can be used to clean or increase surface area, or both, and a reactant or treatment agent can be brought to the arc contact site to alter the surface treated with the arc. Auxiliary treatments for the surface can precede or follow the arc treatment, or both. The invention produces very desirable surface properties including a mild roughness or matte condition suitable even for critical applications such as aluminum lithoplate. Other surface characteristics can include one or more of: capillarity, adhesion, emissivity, stable oxide, paintability, and others.

Abstract: A composite metallurgical product includes a roll cast aluminum alloy core and a filler material bonded on the core. Assemblies joined by filler material are formed from this product by heating to flow the filler material into joints and subsequent solidification of the filler material in the joints. The composite product is made in several ways, including lamination at roll caster rolls, and lamination or thermal spraying at the exit side of a roll caster. The invention additionally provides for an angulation rolling method for varying percent of cladding on the composite, and a high-manganese aluminum alloy useful as core material in brazing sheet clad with aluminum-silicon brazing alloy.

Abstract: An essentially flat "arc-grained" surface of a sheet of aluminum alloy is produced with a coarse and non-uniform microstructure which, after it is coated with a durable phosphate-free coating, provides excellent lithoplate. Though such arc-grained microstructure is much coarser than an electrochemically etched surface typically used on lithoplate, the very coarse surface is peculiarly well-adapted to provide durable lithoplate after it is coated with a phosphate-free protective surface. After the coated surface is coated with a photoresist the excellent resolution of prints is maintained over a large number of repeated uses in an off-set printing press.

Abstract: An essentially flat "arc-grained" surface of a sheet of aluminum alloy is produced with a coarse and non-uniform microstructure which, after it is coated with a durable phosphate-free coating, provides excellent lithoplate. Though such arc-grained microstructure is much coarser than an electrochemically etched surface typically used on lithoplate, the very coarse surface is peculiarly well-adapted to provide durable lithoplate after it is coated with a phosphate-free protective surface. After the coated surface is coated with a photoresist the excellent resolution of prints is maintained over a large number of repeated uses in an off-set printing press.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for expanding at least a portion of a cylindrical sidewall of a generally cylindrically shaped, electrically responsive, metallic body. This method comprises the steps of retaining at least a first portion of the metallic body, disposing a coil of electrically conductive material inside the metallic body, and energizing the coil to create an electromagnetic force sufficient to expand at least a portion of the generally cylindrical sidewalls of the metallic body outwardly of the original generally cylindrical shape. During such expansion, a fluid is introduced between the coil and the inside surfaces of the container to maintain positive gauge pressure as the sidewalls expand. This invention also provides an apparatus for expanding at least a portion of a cylindrical sidewall of a generally cylindrically shaped, electrically responsive, metallic body.