Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting liquid alloy into its thixotropic state and for fabricating high integrity components by injecting subsequently the thixotropic alloy into a die cavity. The apparatus includes a liquid metal feeder, a high shear twin-screw extruder, a shot assembly and a central control system. The apparatus and method can offer net-shaped components characterized by close to zero porosity, fine and equiaxed particles with a uniform distribution in the eutectic matrix, and a large range of solid volume fractions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for fabricating of continuous castings with fine and uniform microstructure, which can be used as feedstock for secondary processing routes, such as thixoforming, forging and machining or direct application in industry. An overheated liquid alloy is fed into a high shear device (for example, a twin-screw extruder) and sheared intensively to produce a sheared liquid alloy or a semisolid slurry, wherein the sheared liquid alloy is at a temperature close to its liquidus and the semisolid slurry is then transferred to a shaping device for production of continuous castings with fine and uniform microstructures through a solidification process. The shaping device is any device capable of forming continuous (i.e.

Abstract: A process for forming a molded article having a multilayer structure which comprises successively injecting melts of at least two materials into the cavity portion of a mold, solidifying a part thereof in the cavity portion to form the multilayer structure, characterized in that as a first step, one of the molten materials is injected into the cavity portion and the portion of the injected molten material contacting with the mold surface is solidified to a predetermined thickness to form a skin layer; as the second step, the next molten materials is fed into the cavity, the unsolidified portion of the molten material previously fed is pushed out of the cavity and a part of the thus fed molten material is cooled and solidified from the surface of the mold to form the next layer; and the procedure of the second step is successively repeated using the remainder of the molten materials alternately, and the molded article produced by the above molding process.

Abstract: An injection moulding process for moulding a material in a mould having a mould cavity and at least one channel communicating with the mould cavity, each channel entering the mould at a respective mould inlet includes the steps of heating inner surface areas of the mould to a temperature above the heat distortion temperature of the material; supplying the molten material into the mould by way of at least one channel and subjecting the molten material to a propelling force, sufficient to propel it through the channel into the mould; causing the molten material in the mould to solidify; applying periodic forces to the material in the mould at a plurality of spaced-apart regions, first and second of the regions being located either side of molten material in the mould cavity, the periodic force being applied with a difference in phase so as to cause shear of molten material within the mould cavity between the first and second regions; cooling the mould below the heat distortion temperature of the resin while or

Abstract: A bilayer laminated medical dressing having a thermally expandable passage is provided. The medical dressing achieves gas permeability as a function of temperature by cutting a star-shaped hole through the dressing when the dressing is flat and relaxed. On warming, the leaves between the radial cuts of the star-shaped hole curl and increase the hole size. Such a material is useful as a medical dressing.

Abstract: A bilayer laminated material has a gas permeability increasing greatly with temperature, achieved by cutting a star-shaped hole in it when it is relaxed and flat. On warming, the leaves between the radial cuts curl and disproportionately increase the hole size. Such a material, if flat at 5.degree. C. and wide open at 20.degree. C., is useful for packaging vegetable produce.