Abstract: A copper-nickel-silicon quench substrate rapidly solidifies molten alloy into microcrystalline or amorphous strip. The substrate is composed of a thermally conducting alloy. It has a two-phase microstructure with copper rich regions surrounded by a discontinuous network of nickel silicide phases. The microstructure is substantially homogeneous. Casting of strip is accomplished with minimal surface degradation as a function of casting time. The quantity of material cast during each run is improved without the toxicity encountered with copper-beryllium substrates.

Abstract: A copper-nickel-silicon quench substrate rapidly solidifies molten alloy into microcrystalline or amorphous strip. The substrate is composed of a thermally conducting alloy. It has a two-phase microstructure with copper rich regions surrounded by a network of nickel silicide phases. The microstructure is substantially homogeneous. Casting of strip is accomplished with minimal surface degradation as a function of casting time. The quantity of material cast during each run is improved without the toxicity encountered with copper-beryllium substrates.

Abstract: A copper- nickel-silicon quench substrate rapidly solidifies molten alloy into microcrystalline or amorphous strip. The substrate is composed of a thermally conducting alloy. It has a two-phase microstructure with copper rich regions surrounded by a network of nickel silicide phases. The microstructure is substantially homogeneous. Casting of strip is accomplished with minimal surface degradation as a finction of casting time. The quantity of material cast during each run is improved without the toxicity encountered with copper-beryllium substrates.

Abstract: A copper-nickel-silicon quench substrate rapidly solidifies molten alloy into microcrystalline or amorphous strip. The substrate is composed of a thermally conducting alloy. It has a two-phase microstructure with copper rich regions surrounded by a discontinuous network of nickel silicide phases. The microstructure is substantially homogeneous. Casting of strip is accomplished with minimal surface degradation as a function of casting time. The quantity of material cast during each run is improved without the toxicity encountered with copper-beryllium substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting metal strip includes 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 includes a plurality of independently controllable gas nozzles to supply a reducing gas to multiple zones of a depletion region located adjacent to and upstream from the quenching region. The gas flow profile can be controlled in each zone independently of controlling the gas flow in other zones. The reducing gas reacts exothermically to lower the density to provide a low density reducing atmosphere within the depletion and substantially prevent formation of gas pockets in the strip.

Abstract: A die casting system includes a vessel defining a reservoir with a controlled heater and an agitator for maintaining the bath of semi-solid metal in a homogeneous isothermal state, a transfer system capable of transferring a known quantity of metal in its semi-solid state to a mold cavity in a die casting machine, the transfer system including a heated suction tube, a vacuum source for vacuum ladling semi-solid metal from the bath to a die, and a plunger tip providing a path for free air flow to allow evacuation of the suction tube during casting and a metal replacement system for replacing the known quantity of transferred metal with a similar amount of liquid metal so that a stable homogeneous isothermal bath of semi-solid metal is controllably maintained to be available for die casting operations.

Abstract: A die casting system includes a vessel defining a reservoir with a controlled heater and an agitator for maintaining the bath of semi-solid metal in a homogeneous isothermal state, a transfer system capable of transferring a known quantity of metal in its semi-solid state to a mold cavity in a die casting machine, the transfer system including a heated suction tube, a vacuum source for vacuum ladling semi-solid metal from the bath to a die, and a plunger tip providing a path for free air flow to allow evacuation of the suction tube during casting and a metal replacement system for replacing the known quantity of transferred metal with a similar amount of liquid metal so that a stable homogeneous isothermal bath of semi-solid metal is controllably maintained to be available for die casting operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting metal strip includes 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 includes a plurality of independently controllable gas nozzles to supply a reducing gas to multiple zones of a depletion region located adjacent to and upstream from the quenching region. The gas flow profile can be controlled in each zone independently of controlling the gas flow in other zones. The reducing gas reacts exothermically to lower the density to provide a low density reducing atmosphere within the depletion and substantially prevent formation of gas pockets in the strip.

Abstract: A die casting system includes a vessel defining a reservoir with a controlled heater and an agitator for maintaining the bath of semi-solid metal in a homogeneous isothermal state, a transfer system capable of transferring a known quantity of metal in its semi-solid state to a mold cavity in a die casting machine, the transfer system including a heated suction tube, a vacuum source for vacuum ladling semi-solid metal from the bath to a die, and a plunger tip providing a path for free air flow to allow evacuation of the suction tube during casting and a metal replacement system for replacing the known quantity of transferred metal with a similar amount of liquid metal so that a stable homogeneous isothermal bath of semi-solid metal is controllably maintained to be available for die casting operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting metal strip includes 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 includes a plurality of independently controllable gas nozzles to supply a reducing gas to multiple zones of a depletion region located adjacent to and upstream from the quenching region. The gas flow profile can be controlled in each zone independently of controlling the gas flow in other zones. The reducing gas reacts exothermically to lower the density to provide a low density reducing atmosphere within the depletion and substantially prevent formation of gas pockets in the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for casting metal strip includes 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 includes a plurality of independently controllable gas nozzles to supply a reducing gas to multiple zones of a depletion region located adjacent to and upstream from the quenching region. The gas flow profile can be controlled in each zone independently of controlling the gas flow in other zones. The reducing gas reacts exothermically to lower the density to provide a low density reducing atmosphere within the depletion and substantially prevent formation of gas pockets in the strip.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for producing semi-solid material and directly casting the semi-solid material into a component wherein the semi-solid material is formed from a molten material and the molten material is introduced into a container. Semi-solid is produced therefrom by agitating, shearing, and thermally controlling the molten material. The semi-solid material is maintained in a substantially isothermal state within the container by appropriate thermal control and thorough three-dimensional mixing. Extending from the container is a means for removing the semi-solid material from the container, including a temperature control mechanism to control the temperature of the semi-solid material within the removing means.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for producing a semi-solid material suitable for directly casting into a component wherein the semi-solid material is formed from a molten material and the molten material is introduced into a container. Semi-solid is produced therefrom by agitating, shearing, and thermally controlling the molten material. The semi-solid material is maintained in a substantially isothermal state within the container by appropriate thermal control and thorough three dimensional mixing. Extending from the container is a means for removing the semi-solid material from the container, including a temperature control mechanism to control the temperature of the semi-solid material within the removing means.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for producing semi-solid material suitable for directly casting into a component wherein the semi-solid material is formed from a molten material and the molten material is introduced into a container. Semi-solid is produced therefrom by agitating, shearing, and thermally controlling the molten material. The semi-solid material is maintained in a substantially isothermal state within the container by appropriate thermal control and thorough three dimensional mixing. Extending from the container is a means for removing the semi-solid material from the container, including a temperature control mechanism to control the temperature of the semi-solid material within the removing means.

Abstract: An apparatus and process is provided for producing semi-solid material and directly casting the semi-solid material into a component wherein the semi-solid material is formed from a molten material and the molten material is introduced into a container. Semi-solid is produced therefrom by agitating, shearing, and thermally controlling the molten material. The semi-solid material is maintained in a substantially isothermal state within the container by appropriate thermal control and thorough three-dimensional mixing. Extending from the container is a means for removing the semi-solid material from the container, including a temperature control mechanism to control the temperature of the semi-solid material within the removing means.