Abstract: During operation of a welding torch (10), electrode wire (17) travels through a contact tip assembly (14) directly into a weld area. The torch (10) is exposed to elevated temperatures which can cause damage from weld spatter and increased deterioration of the assembly (14). In the welding torch (10), a liquid is delivered onto an expansion element (44) and gasifies owing primarily to the elevated welding temperatures at the expansion element (44). The result is to cool the assembly (14) and substantially overcome the problems of temperature. In a nozzle (18) equipped torch (10), the nozzle (18) directs a portion of the gasified liquid to the welding area for shielding the welding operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) for the continuous casting of hollow articles (12) provides for the removal of liquid metal (49) from a mold (20) concurrently with the withdrawal of the solidified article (12). Undesirable reaction products, such as oxides, sulfides, and ceramic compositions, are commonly included in cast articles, reducing the mechanical and physical properties of the article and producing a product of inferior quality. The problem is solved by continuously casting molten metal (16) in a vertically oriented mold (20) and draining the contaminate enriched liquid (49) from an upper end (24) of the mold (20), thereby washing undesirable impurities from the freezing zone resulting in a clean, dense hollow article (12) having superior properties. Seamless mechanical tubing suitable for oil field and hydraulic cylinder applications can be produced by this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in a method of welding a first workpiece to a second workpiece which comprises utilizing the flux dam composition on each side of a weld groove to define a dam and electrical welding along the weld groove while adding flux thereto to maintain a slag blanket over a pool of molten weld metal in the groove.

Abstract: An elongate consolidated article for treating molten metal has a multiplicity of elongate fibers embedded within a coherent matrix of treating agent.

Abstract: A filled tubular article includes an elongated metal conduit having a melting temperature above the temperature of a molten metal in which the article is immersed. A core having first and second different and discrete materials is located within the conduit, and the composition is such that the first material controllably treats the molten metal while the second material liquifies and accelerates the liquification of the internal surface of the conduit to promote rapid dissolution thereof.

Abstract: A particulate treating material includes a particulated inoculant coated with an inhibitor for retarding the physical reaction between the inoculant and the molten iron into which the treating material is introduced. When introduced into molten iron, the treating material promotes graphite formation and reduces chilling.

Abstract: An article for insertion into and inoculating molten metal is an elongated steel conduit having ferro-silicon material within the conduit. The ferro-silicon material has a silicon content greater than about 75% by weight and is compacted within the conduit to a magnitude sufficient for increasing the density at least 10% above the tapped density of said material.

Abstract: A wire reel on which wire of various sorts may be wound includes a peripherally separable core and two side pieces formed of wire and removably associated with a core. The side pieces, removably retained on the core by a keeper demountably affixed thereto define a plurality of projections extending outwardly from the core to form a spoked spool so that wire may be wound upon the core between the side pieces.

Abstract: an electric circuit controllably heats a controlled, moving wire containing treating agents during entry of the wire into molten metal of a mold. The electric circuit includes an electrode and a power supply which has first and second terminals. The first terminal is connected to the wire at a location spaced from the mold and the second terminal is connected to the electrode. The electrode extends into the mold and forms a current path through the molten metal to the wire. The wire is controllably heated to a preselected temperature in response to current flow therethrough.