Abstract: A method of decarburizing molten metal in the refining of steel using neural networks with a first neural network trained to analyze data representative of many process periods of one or more decarburization operations for providing an oxygen count for a preselected gas ratio of oxygen to diluent gas to cause the temperature of the molten metal bath to be decarburized to rise to a specified aim temperature and with a second neural network trained to analyze data representative of many process periods of one or more decarburization operations for providing an output schedule of oxygen counts to be injected into the bath to reduce the carbon level to a predetermined aim level in one or more successive stages corresponding to a preselected schedule of ratios of oxygen to diluent gas.

Abstract: A steel refining vessel having a defined relatively long and thin configuration, and a steel refining method, particularly suited for the refining of heats of steel weighing two tons or less while enabling excellent heat retention and gas-metal reactions during refining.

Abstract: A steel refining vessel having a defined relatively long and thin configuration, and a steel refining method, particularly suited for the refining of heats of steel weighing two tons or less while enabling excellent heat retention and gas-metal reactions during refining.

Abstract: A process for improving the strength characteristics of a wire composed of an austenitic metal alloy selected from the group consisting of stainless steel alloys of the AISI 200 and 300 series and non-stainless steel alloys containing iron, manganese, chromium, and carbon, said alloy having an Md temperature of no higher than about 100.degree. C. and an Ms temperature of no higher than about minus 100.degree. C., comprising the following steps:(a) deforming the wire at a strain of at least about 10 percent and at a temperature in the range of about Md minus 50.degree. C. to about Md plus 50.degree. C., said Md temperature being that of the alloy undergoing deformation, in such a manner that the wire has a martensite phase of no greater than about 10 percent by volume and an austenite phase of at least about 90 percent by volume and a yield strength in the range of about 130,000 psi to about 230,000 psi;(b) cooling the wire to a temperature no higher than about minus 75.degree. C.