Abstract: The disclosure is a heat treatment furnace which heats an element wire for a wire electrode to perform a heat diffusion treatment and includes: first, second and third rotary electrodes to which a voltage is applied; a motor that rotationally drives the rotary electrodes; and a control device. The first, second and third rotary electrodes are arranged in a manner that the element wire is laid in a V-shape or an I-shape in an order of the second rotary electrode, the first rotary electrode and the third rotary electrode from the upstream side in a travel direction of the element wire. The element wire is caused to travel, a voltage is applied to the first, second and third rotary electrodes, and a current flows through and heats the element wire which travels in a first heating section and a second heating section.

Abstract: A method for heat-treating a cast component composed of an aluminum base alloy, in which method the cast component is annealed at a predetermined annealing temperature for a predetermined annealing period in a first heat transfer medium and then transferred into a water bath. Between being annealed and transferred into the water bath, the cast component is transferred into a second heat transfer medium at a predetermined intermediate cooling temperature, where it is held for a predetermined intermediate cooling period.

Abstract: A method is described for batchwise heat treatment of goods to be annealed which are heated in a heating chamber after scavenging air with a scavenging gas under protective gas to a predetermined treatment temperature, with the protective gas being conveyed through the heating chamber depending on the occurrence of impurities in different quantities. In order to enable the economic use of protective gas, it is proposed that the protective gas which is withdrawn from the heating chamber after the main occurrence of impurities and which is loaded with a residual quantity of impurities is conveyed, optionally after intermediate storage, into the heating chamber during the main occurrence of impurities of a subsequent batch before non-loaded protective gas is introduced into the heating chamber.

Abstract: The hot stretch forming of sheet metal alloys, such as highly deformable aluminum alloy materials, is improved by using a lubricant comprising bismuth between the forming tool and the engaged surface of the sheet metal. A precursor of bismuth, such as bismuth subsalicylate, may be dispersed in a liquid and applied to the sheet metal before the sheet is heated to its forming temperature. Other lubricants such as boron nitride may be combined with the bismuth precursor. The precursor compound is decomposed to bismuth (or bismuth and carbon in the case of bismuth subsalicylate) which lubricates contact between the surface(s) of the sheet and the forming tool during forming and removal of the formed part from the tool.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of heat treating an aluminum alloy member having a main surface, including the steps of (a) subjecting the member to a solution heat treatment (b) quenching the member and (c) reheating the member in a pre-ageing heat treatment step. The pre-ageing heat treatment is conducted by holding the aluminum alloy member close to a heating plate. Also disclosed is a product produced according to this method, and to an apparatus for performing the pre-ageing heat treatment.

Abstract: A heating system includes a furnace configured to receive a product to be thermally treated within the furnace, where the furnace includes at least one burner to generate combustion gases from a source of oxygen and a carbon-based fuel source provided to the burner, and the combustion gases provide heat to the product disposed within the furnace. A gas pipeline delivers a heated inert gas into the furnace at a location proximate the product so as to at least partially surround and protect a surface of the product and minimize or prevent the product from chemically reacting with other gases within the furnace.

Abstract: This invention relates to application of eco-friendly starch solution as a quenching medium for heated metal parts fabricated from steel, alloy steel, aluminum and aluminum alloys. Depending on the material grade, critical temperature and desired cooling rate, various types of starch solution can be used and the composition and concentration of the starch quenchant can be tailored to provide the required cooling characteristics for wide range of materials. In particular the starch solutions have the potential to replace quenching oil. The starch solutions are environmentally friendly, having no toxic fumes and no after usage disposal liabilities as compared to oil fumes.

Abstract: A method of making improved aluminum printing plates comprising graining the aluminum plates, de-smutting them by treating them with nitric acid solution, then rinsing with hot water, acetating the aluminum plates, and silicating the aluminum plates. The plates are then coated with a photoresist, pattern exposed and developed. The printing plates of the invention have improved characteristics; they have excellent adhesion of the resist in image areas, and ink repellency in non-image areas. The developed printing plates have excellent durability without baking.

Abstract: A metal-based composite material is formed by impregnating a matrix metal of Al or Al alloy into ores of a porous preform of a hydrogenatable metal having a metal hydride in at least a part of its surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process comprised of a controllably variable liquid quenching means for metal alloys at or above the Leidenfrost temperature without metal alloy distortion.

Abstract: A method of controlling bulk absorption of atomic hydrogen and facilitating degassing of hydrogen from aluminum alloy workpieces during heat treatments in furnaces with ambient and/or moisture-laden atmospheres to prepare for fabrication in sequential working stages, the method includes exposing the surface of the workpieces to an etching process after each or any of the sequential working stages, and subjecting the workpieces to a final etch treatment using an inorganic alkaline or acidic etch solution modified by an addition of five to twenty-five weight percent transition metal chloride salt before being subjected to said heat treatment. The workpieces exposed to the transition metal chloride salt modified etch solution are subjected to the heat treatment. The etch solution is used to substantially decrease the amount of atomic hydrogen entering the bulk of the workpieces and to facilitate removal of atomic and molecular hydrogen from the bulk of the workpieces during the heat treatment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resin-coated aluminum alloy sheet for drawn and ironed cans, which coated sheet can be subsequently formed into a drawn and ironed can without its wall breaking, and having substantial strength, the can-forming process including a bending and bending back operation at a die shoulder rounded portion of small radius, and a subsequent dry ironing operation. The coated sheet is formed by homogenization heat treating an aluminum alloy ingot containing essentially 0.5 to 2.0 wt % of Mn, 0.2 to 2.0 wt % of Mg, 0.05 to 0.4 wt % of Si and not more than 0.7 wt % of Fe, wherein (Si+Fe)≦0.9 wt %, and subjecting the aluminum alloy ingot to hot rolling to obtain an aluminum alloy sheet, followed by continuous annealing, cold rolling, and surface treatment, heating the resultant sheet, and then coating both surfaces of the sheet with a thermoplastic resin at a predetermined temperature, and immediately quenching the sheet.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a resin-coated aluminum alloy sheet for drawn and ironed cans, which can be formed into a drawn and ironed can free from its wall breaking and having enough strength as a can, when it is formed through a composite forming process, the process including a bending and bending back operation at a die shoulder rounded portion of a small shoulder radius and a subsequent ironing operation, under dry condition; which comprises the steps of homogenization heat treating an aluminum alloy ingot containing essentially 0.5 to 2.0 wt % of Mn, 0.2 to 2.0 wt % of Mg, 0.05 to 0.4 wt % of Si and not more than 0.7 wt % of Fe as inevitable impurities, wherein (Si+Fe)≦0.

Abstract: A method of controlling bulk absorption of atomic hydrogen and facilitating degassing of hydrogen from aluminum alloy workpieces during heat treatments in furnaces with ambient and/or moisture-laden atmospheres by exposing the surface of the workpieces to a low molecular weight solution or dispersion of an alkyl phosphonic acid, an olefinic phosphonic acid or an aryl phosphonic acid before subjecting the workpieces to heat treatments. The workpieces exposed to the phosphonic acid solution or dispersion are subjected to heat treatment in furnaces having ambient or moisture-laden atmospheres. The solution or dispersion involves chemical species that are deposited onto the aluminum surface from the phosphonic acid solution or dispersion which substantially decrease the amount of atomic hydrogen entering the bulk of the workpieces from their surfaces during heat treatment and, in addition, facilitate removal of atomic and molecular hydrogen from the bulk of the workpieces during heat treatment.

Abstract: An Al material having an anodic oxidation film is provided that is excellent in gas and plasma corrosion resistance. By the present invention, a crack is not generated in the anodic oxidation film even in high temperature thermal cycles and corrosive gas or plasma environment. In the Al material having an Al alloy having on its surface an anodic oxidation film according to the invention, the anodic oxidation film has a porous layer and a barrier layer, and portions of cell triplet points, at which boundary faces of 3 cells in the porous layer melt, have secondary-pores.

Abstract: Aluminum alloys that are susceptible to damage by High Temperature Oxidation during solution heat treatment are protected against such damage by a coating containing sodium fluoroborate and/or other fluorine-containing-gas-generating material. The coating can be one suitable for lubrication during cold working of the substrate and can remain in place after the cold working to protect the substrate during subsequent heat treatment.

Abstract: A method of controlling bulk absorption of atomic hydrogen and facilitating degassing of hydrogen from a metal or metal alloy workpiece during heat treatments in furnaces with ambient and/or moisture-laden atmospheres, the method includes exposing the surface of the workpiece to an acidified inorganic salt solution or dispersion, with the inorganic salt of the solution containing a transition metal cation and a sulfate, phosphate or nitrate anion, before being subjected to said heat-treatment, said transition metal cation having an equal or positive standard reduction half-reaction potential relative to metal or metal alloy workpiece, the workpiece exposed to the acidified transition metal sulfate, phosphate or nitrate salt is subjected to a heat treatment.

Abstract: An aluminum-alloy article such as a fastener is prepared by providing an aluminum-alloy article precursor that is not in its final heat-treated state, and in one form is in its solution treated/annealed state. A curable organic coating material is also provided. The method includes anodizing the article precursor, preferably in chromic acid solution and without chemical sealing during anodizing, applying the organic coating material to the aluminum-alloy article precursor, and precipitation heat-treating the coated aluminum article precursor to its final heat-treated state, thereby simultaneously curing the organic coating. If the aluminum alloy temper is of the naturally aging type, it is optionally lightly deformed prior to precipitation treatment aging.

Abstract: When cold strip is annealed, diffusion welds, so-called stickers, frequently form on the strip surface. In order to avoid these, the cold strip, above 600.degree. C. (holding time) is coated by oxidation with a thin surface film which prevents the sticking together. Below 600.degree. C., during the cooling phase, this surface film is removed again by reduction. In the case of a protective gas comprising a hydrogen content greater than 5%, remainder nitrogen, carbon dioxide is preferably added as oxidizing agent. The process is controlled via a defined oxygen partial pressure. The reduction is performed via the hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of controlling bulk absorption of atomic hydrogen and facilitating degassing of hydrogen from aluminum alloy workpieces during heat treatment in furnaces with ambient and/or moisture-laden atmospheres. The method includes exposing the surface of the workpieces to an acidified inorganic salt solution or dispersion, with the inorganic salt of the solution containing a transition metal cation and a sulfate, phosphate or nitrate anion, before being subjected to the heat treatment. The workpieces are next subjected to the heat treatment, and the acidified transition metal sulfate, phosphate or nitrate salt is used to substantially decrease the amount of atomic hydrogen entering the respective bulks of the workpiece during heat treatment and to facilitate removal of atomic and molecular hydrogen from the bulks of the workpieces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a catalytic fuel composition capable of reducing pollutants in the combustion gasses generated upon combustion of the same. A catalytic material is combined with a liquid, petroleum-based fuel, mixed and solid particles are separated out to give the catalytic fuel product. The catalytic material predominantly comprises a plagioclase feldspar belonging mainly to the albiteanorthite series, and contains small amount of mica, kaolinite and serpentine, and optionally contains magnetite. An alloy material is also disclosed, comprising a mixture of the above-described catalytic material and a metal. The alloy material exhibits unique properties relative to the metal component alone, such as increased tensile strength, improved heat resistance, improved acid resistance, improved corrosion resistance, as well as exhibiting unusual conductive properties.

Abstract: During thermal treatment of continuously moving metal bands more heat is supplied over a part of a treatment path to edge regions of the band per surface unit than to the center region of the band. This prevents formation of a wavy shape in the edge regions of the metal band which is advantageous for a further treatment.

Abstract: A process for generating in-situ low-cost atmospheres suitable for annealing and heat treating ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, brazing metals, sealing glass to metals, and sintering metal and ceramic powders in a continuous furnace from non-cryogenically produced nitrogen containing up to 5% residual oxygen is presented. The disclosed process involves mixing nitrogen gas containing residual oxygen with a predetermined amount of a hydrocarbon gas, feeding the gaseous mixture through a nonconventional device into the hot zone of a continuous heat treating furnace, converting residual oxygen to an acceptable form such as a mixture of moisture and carbon dioxide, a mixture of moisture, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, or a mixture of carbon monoxide, moisture, and hydrogen, and using the resultant gaseous mixture for annealing and heat treating metals and alloys, brazing metals, sintering metal and ceramic powders, and sealing glass to metals.

Abstract: A process for generating in-situ low-cost atmospheres suitable for annealing and heat treating ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, brazing metals, sealing glass to metals, and sintering metal and ceramic powders in a continuous furnace from non-cryogenically produced nitrogen containing up to 5% residual oxygen is presented. The disclosed process involves mixing nitrogen gas containing residual oxygen with a predetermined amount of a hydrocarbon gas, feeding the gaseous mixture through a nonconventional device into the hot zone of a continuous heat treating furnace, converting residual oxygen to an acceptable form such as a mixture of moisture and carbon dioxide, a mixture of moisture, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide, or a mixture of carbon monoxide, moisture, and hydrogen, and using the resultant gaseous mixture for annealing and heat treating metals and alloys, brazing metals, sintering metal and ceramic powders, and sealing glass to metals.

Abstract: A rapidly solidified zirconium containing aluminum lithium alloy powder consisting essentially of the formula Al.sub.bal Li.sub.a Cu.sub.b Mg.sub.c Zr.sub.d where "a" ranges from 2.1 to 3.4 wt %, "b" ranges from about 0.5 to 2.0 wt %, "c" ranges from 0.2 to 2.0 wt % and "d" ranges from greater than about 0.6 to 1.8 wt %, the balance being aluminum. The powder is degassed in a vacuum at a temperature of at least about 450.degree. C. Components consolidated from the powder exhibit high tensile strength and elongation together with excellent notched impact toughness.

Abstract: A process for generating in-situ low-cost atmospheres suitable for annealing and heat treating ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, brazing metals and ceramics, sealing glass to metals, and sintering metal and ceramic powders in a continuous furnace from non-cryogenically produced nitrogen containing up to 5% residual oxygen is presented. The disclosed process involves mixing nitrogen gas containing residual oxygen with a pre-determined amount of a reducing gas such as hydrogen, a hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof, feeding the gaseous mixture through a non-conventional device into the hot zone of a continuous heat treating furnace, converting residual oxygen to an acceptable form such as moisture, a mixture of moisture and carbon dioxide, or a mixture of moisture, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and using the resultant gaseous mixture for annealing and heat treating metals and alloys, brazing metals and ceramics, sintering metal and ceramic powders, and sealing glass to metals.

Abstract: The invention utilizes a hydrogen atmosphere during the heat treatment of an Al-Li alloy. The presence of such a reducing atmosphere prevents the reaction of surface lithium atoms with atmosphere components that would cause a diffusion and subsequent depletion of lithium atoms in the region near the surface. As a result, the present invention suppresses lithium loss and consequently prevents the formation of agglomerated lithium atom vacancies which would otherwise develop into microscopic metallic porosity. The prevention of such a condition maintains high fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance in association with metallic strength.