Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting metal strip include a moving chill body that has a quench surface. A nozzle mechanism deposits a stream of molten metal on a quenching region of the quench surface to form the strip. The nozzle mechanism has an exit portion with a nozzle orifice. A depletion mechanism heats a gas to lower the density thereof and to produce a low-density atmosphere. The gas is supplied to a depletion region located adjacent to and upstream of the quenching region to provide the low density atmosphere within the depletion region.

Abstract: A lead based, tin free alloy is modified by adding thereto about 0.5 to 4 weight percent of tin. The alloy is rapidly solidified by forming a melt thereof containing the tin addition and quenching the melt on a moving chill surface at a quenching rate of at least about 10.sup.5 .degree. C./sec. Addition of the tin inhibits formation of lead oxide film in the rapidly solidified alloy and substantially increases the storage life thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously casting a filament within a region of preselected vacuum and passing the filament to ambient region of higher pressure include a rotating casting wheel which has an annular peripheral quench surface. A guide housing encloses the casting wheel to separate the wheel from the ambient region and to delimit a guide region which is adapted to pass the filament therethrough to an exit region communicating into the ambient region. An extrusion housing delimits an extrusion chamber which communicates with the guide housing and has a portion of the quench surface disposed therein. An extrusion mechanism located in the extrusion chamber extrudes molten metal onto the quench surface to form the filament, and an extrusion vacuum mechanism provides a preselected vacuum in the extrusion chamber. A fluid jet mechanism disposed in the guide housing reduces the pressure in the extrusion chamber and directs the filament through the guide region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting metal strip includes a moveable chill body having a quench surface thereon. A nozzle mechanism deposits a stream of molten metal onto a quenching region of the quench surface to form the strip, and a gas supply mechanism provides an initial gas mixture, which consists essentially of carbon monoxide and oxygen. An ignition mechanism ignites the initial gas mixture to create an exothermic reaction which provides a low density, reducing flame atmosphere at a depletion region located substantially adjacent to and upstream from the quenching region. A control mechanism controls the initial gas mixture to produce an adjusted reducing flame atmosphere at the depletion region in which the adjusted reducing flame has a burnt gas composition that includes substantially no free oxygen.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously casting a filament, such as a glassy metal filament, at high speed within a zone of preselected vacuum. A continuous extrusion mechanism and a rapidly moving quench surface are located within a casting module. A vacuum mechanism provides the preselected vacuum in the module as the filament is cast, and a transport mechanism continuously moves the resultant rapidly advancing filament across the boundary between the vacuum in the casting airlock mechanism substantially preserves the module vacuum as the cast filament is transported across the boundary and a passivator mechanism passivates the quench surface to prevent the filament from adhering thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for permitting long-term continuous casting provides a plurality of orifices. By temporarily casting simultaneously from two adjacent orifices, it becomes possible to replace orifices without interrupting the casting process. Thus, the duration of continuous casting is not limited by the useful lifetime of a single casting orifice. Among the applications of the invention is the long-term continuous casting of metallic ribbon, such as amorphous metal ribbon.

Abstract: A copper based low melting point microcrystalline metal alloy composition consists essentially of about 0.1 to 28 weight percent tin, the balance being copper and incidental impurities.

Abstract: Filaments of glassy metallic alloys prepared by chill block melt-spinning are consolidated under heat and pressure by uniaxial pressing to form discrete self-supporting glassy metallic alloy bodies of substantially uniform composition.

Abstract: Metallic ribbon having cutout patterns therein is provided in continuous helical form. The cutout patterns may be situated to intersect either or both of the ribbon edges or may be situated entirely within the ribbon. The helical ribbon with the cutout patterns may additionally have a nesting, or self-stacking, feature.

Abstract: Filaments of glassy metallic alloys prepared by chill block melt-spinning are consolidated under heat and pressure by an extrusion process. Products obtainable by the process include discrete bodies of glassy metallic alloys of substantially uniform composition and articles having one or more layers of glassy metallic alloy clad onto one or more non-glassy metallic alloy substrates.

Abstract: Metallic ribbon having cutout patterns therein is fabricated in continuous helical form by directing a melt stream or jet onto a rapidly moving patterned substrate surface.

Abstract: Metallic ribbon is provided in continuous helical form. The ribbon may be nested and/or manufactured with a continuous pattern of predetermined geometry in the inner and/or the outer edge as well as in the interior of the ribbon.

Abstract: A bearing gas flow minimizes dynamic fluctuations in the molten alloy puddle from which metallic ribbon is formed during chill block melt-spinning. The bearing gas flow causes an improved quench rate and melt puddle stabilization which results in reduced upper ribbon surface texture and improved edge definition.

Abstract: Metallic ribbon is fabricated in continuous helical form by directing a melt stream or jet onto a rapidly moving substrate surface. The axis of the crucible along which the melt stream or jet is cast is defined by an inverted cone with apex at the point of crucible axis intersection with the substrate surface.

Abstract: A bearing gas sleeve coaxial with the melt ejection crucible is provided in an apparatus for making glassy alloy ribbons to provide a confluent bearing gas flow which minimizes dynamic fluctuations in the molten alloy puddle from which metallic ribbon is formed during chill block melt-spinning. The bearing gas flow causes an improved quench rate and melt puddle stabilization which results in reduced upper ribbon surface texture and improved edge definition.

Abstract: A critical gas boundary layer Reynolds number has been defined to indicate processing conditions under which wide glassy alloy ribbons result when processing under various gaseous atmospheres and pressures and casting onto a moving substrate at an impingement angle .alpha..

Abstract: A critical gas boundary layer Reynolds number has been defined to indicate conditions under which glassy alloy ribbons with serrated edges and surface perforations result when processing under various gaseous atmospheres and pressures.