Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying an EDT texture to an aluminum sheet has a rolling stand with at least one EDT surfaced roll capable of rolling the sheet at reductions <1%. The rolling is conducted with residual or no lubrication and imparts a texture on the scale of about 1 ?m to the surface of the sheet at low roll force.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rolling aluminum sheet uses a texture roll to roll the sheet while is it hot and has reduced yield strength. The texture rolling may be used to remediate defects in the sheet at a variety of stages in rolling, and may facilitate subsequent rolling stages.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying an EDT texture to an aluminum sheet has a rolling stand with at least one EDT surfaced roll capable of rolling the sheet at reductions<1%. The rolling is conducted with residual or no lubrication and imparts a texture on the scale of about 1 ?m to the surface of the sheet at low roll force.

Abstract: A material handler formed from isotropic textured aluminum sheet rolled by rolls indented with spherical media, such as steel ball bearings, producing a sheet with a low coefficient of friction relative to particulate matter like flour. The slippery sheeting may be used to make tanks, silos, conduits and guides to facilitate storage and flow of the particulate matter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rolling aluminum sheet uses a texture roll to roll the sheet while is it hot and has reduced yield strength. The texture rolling may be used to remediate defects in the sheet at a variety of stages in rolling, and may facilitate subsequent rolling stages.

Abstract: A material handler formed from isotropic textured aluminum sheet rolled by rolls indented with spherical media, such as steel ball bearings, producing a sheet with a low coefficient of friction relative to particulate matter like flour. The slippery sheeting may be used to make tanks, silos, conduits and guides to facilitate storage and flow of the particulate matter.

Abstract: Techniques for supporting an automated clearing house system (ACH) for facilitating resolution of ACH transactions. When a transaction item is blocked for an account, the associated transaction is paused so that the transaction item can be presented to the client. When the indication from the client is indicative of accepting the transaction item, the transaction is allowed to process. When the indication is indicative of returning the transaction item, the transaction is stopped and the transaction item is returned. On-line authorization maintenance information may be received from the client so that transaction items can be processed based on the on-line authorization maintenance information, which may be used edit a current authorization entry or to create a new authorization entry for a trading partner. A decision to approve a blocked transaction item may be decided by an employee of a client. However, approval may further require approval by a second employee.

Abstract: A method for surface treating work rolls to produce isotropic textured aluminum sheet features indenting the surface of the working rolls that produce the sheet with spherical media such as steel ball bearings having the requisite properties to avoid fracture and resulting in a smooth surface lacking facets. The spherical media can be introduced into a nip between two rolls and indent by compression, but ultrasonic peening or knurling. The aluminum sheet produced by the roll has properties that facilitate mechanical forming, such as when the sheet is processed by forming tools.

Abstract: A method for surface treating work rolls to produce isotropic textured aluminum sheet features shot-peening the surface of the working rolls that produce the sheet. The media may be steel balls, such as ball bearings or other media, such as glass or ceramic balls, depending upon the optical properties desired for the aluminum sheet, e.g., in terms of diffuseness or brightness of reflection. The various parameters of shot-peening can be varied to accommodate given properties of the roll, such as hardness and existing surface texture to achieve a given desired surface texture. A sheet surface with target properties and the work roll processing needed to produce it may be generated by computer modeling.

Abstract: Techniques for supporting an automated clearing house system (ACH) for facilitating resolution of ACH transactions. When a transaction item is blocked for an account, the associated transaction is paused so that the transaction item can be presented to the client. When the indication from the client is indicative of accepting the transaction item, the transaction is allowed to process. When the indication is indicative of returning the transaction item, the transaction is stopped and the transaction item is returned. On-line authorization maintenance information may be received from the client so that transaction items can be processed based on the on-line authorization maintenance information, which may be used edit a current authorization entry or to create a new authorization entry for a trading partner. A decision to approve a blocked transaction item may be decided by an employee of a client. However, approval may further require approval by a second employee.

Abstract: In a lubricant composition suitable for use in the manufacture of aluminum alloys comprising lubricant base selected from the group consisting of solid lubricants, liquid lubricants, grease lubricants, emulsion lubricants, and dispersion lubricants, the improvement wherein the lubricant composition further comprises: an effective amount of water and surfactant. It is believed that mixing oil with water and surfactant provides a method for uniformly distributing the surface oxide at the meniscus for casting applications. Uniform distribution of the oxide at the meniscus reduces vertical fold formation that can lead to cracks in the aluminum ingot. In addition, the mixture promotes uniform heat transfer around the mold. Uniform heat transfer around the mold allows the solidifying aluminum alloy to stay in contact with the mold longer and form stronger ingot shells. A process for continuous or semi-continuous casting of aluminum alloys via the use of this lubricant composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum castings which includes the steps of casting a molten alloy, contacting the surface of the molten alloy with a humidified atmosphere and solidifying the alloy. The method is particularly suited for aluminum-magnesium alloys such as AA 5XXX and 7XXX series alloys. In addition to reducing the thickness of the surface oxide layer formed during casting, the method also provides improved surface quality of cast products and reduces subsequent remedial re-work or scalping. An improved aluminum-magnesium cast alloy product is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a lubricant composition suitable for use in the manufacture of aluminum alloys comprising lubricant base selected from the group consisting of solid lubricants, liquid lubricants, grease lubricants, emulsion lubricants, and dispersion lubricants, the improvement wherein the lubricant composition further comprises: an effective amount of water and surfactant or water and a compound comprising phosphates, borates, fluorides, and silicates. It is believed that mixing oil with water and surfactant or one of these compounds provides a method for uniformly distributing the surface oxide at the meniscus for casting applications, thereby reducing vertical fold formation that lead to cracks in aluminum ingots. In addition, the mixture promotes uniform heat transfer around the mold allowing the solidifying aluminum alloy to stay in contact with the mold longer and form stronger ingot shells.

Abstract: In a lubricant composition suitable for use in the manufacture of aluminum alloys comprising a lubricant base, the improvement wherein the lubricant composition further comprises: an effective amount of water, surfactant, and a high viscosity organic material having a low vapor pressure. It is believed that this mixture provides a method for uniformly distributing the surface oxide at the meniscus for casting applications and increasing meniscus stability. Uniform distribution of the oxide and increased stability at the meniscus reduces vertical fold formation that can lead to cracks in the aluminum ingot. In addition, the mixture promotes uniform heat transfer around the mold. Uniform heat transfer around the mold allows the solidifying aluminum alloy to stay in contact with the mold longer and form stronger ingot shells. A process for continuous or semi-continuous casting of aluminum alloys via the use of this lubricant composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spacer member in a furnace including an aluminum tube containing a ceramic material. The ceramic material provides high compressive strength and the composite product resists high temperature creep.

Abstract: In a lubricant composition suitable for use in the manufacture of aluminum alloys comprising lubricant base selected from the group consisting of solid lubricants, liquid lubricants, grease lubricants, emulsion lubricants, and dispersion lubricants, the improvement wherein the lubricant composition further comprises: an effective amount of water and surfactant or water and a compound comprising phosphates, borates, fluorides, and silicates. It is believed that mixing oil with water and surfactant or one of these compounds provides a method for uniformly distributing the surface oxide at the meniscus for casting applications, thereby reducing vertical fold formation that lead to cracks in aluminum ingots. In addition, the mixture promotes uniform heat transfer around the mold allowing the solidifying aluminum alloy to stay in contact with the mold longer and form stronger ingot shells.

Abstract: In a lubricant composition suitable for use in the manufacture of aluminum alloys comprising a lubricant base, the improvement wherein the lubricant composition further comprises: an effective amount of water, surfactant, and a high viscosity organic material having a low vapor pressure. It is believed that this mixture provides a method for uniformly distributing the surface oxide at the meniscus for casting applications and increasing meniscus stability. Uniform distribution of the oxide and increased stability at the meniscus reduces vertical fold formation that can lead to cracks in the aluminum ingot. In addition, the mixture promotes uniform heat transfer around the mold. Uniform heat transfer around the mold allows the solidifying aluminum alloy to stay in contact with the mold longer and form stronger ingot shells. A process for continuous or semi-continuous casting of aluminum alloys via the use of this lubricant composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a lubricant composition suitable for use in the manufacture of aluminum alloys comprising lubricant base selected from the group consisting of solid lubricants, liquid lubricants, grease lubricants, emulsion lubricants, and dispersion lubricants, the improvement wherein the lubricant composition further comprises: an effective amount of water and surfactant. It is believed that mixing oil with water and surfactant provides a method for uniformly distributing the surface oxide at the meniscus for casting applications. Uniform distribution of the oxide at the meniscus reduces vertical fold formation that can lead to cracks in the aluminum ingot. In addition, the mixture promotes uniform heat transfer around the mold. Uniform heat transfer around the mold allows the solidifying aluminum alloy to stay in contact with the mold longer and form stronger ingot shells. A process for continuous or semi-continuous casting of aluminum alloys via the use of this lubricant composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A spacer member for supporting a metallic alloy product during heat treatment comprising a ceramic core and a tubular housing is disclosed. The tubular housing, which encloses the ceramic core, comprises a bore, a wall portion, and two end portions. In order to resist deformation during usage, the tubular housing is made from high temperature steel, a high temperature steel alloy, or cold rolled steel. The wall portion has at least two substantially flat surfaces having corner edges that have a radius of at least ? inch and ends that are tapered at least ¼ inch. In addition, the flat surfaces also have a coating that reduces the sticking of a metallic alloy product. The end portions each have at least one aperture to allow the inside to adjust itself to ambient atmospheric pressure. A method of making a spacer member is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method of producing sintered nickel ferrite powder having steps of mixing the particles of iron oxide and nickel oxide with an alkali metal borate mineralizer, compacting the mixture to produce green compact and heating the compact at temperatures less than about 1400° C. Resulting product which may be in the form of a non-consumable electrode for electrolysis of alumina, exhibits satisfactory mechanical properties and electrical properties with enhanced chemical stability while being produced at significantly lower sintering temperatures than previously employed.