Abstract: A strip casting plant with side limits arranged closely adjacent to a carrying belt. The side limits, and preferably the supply device for molten metal, are capable of vibrating and are connected to a device for producing vibrations. The adhesion of solidified material can thus be prevented.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing magnetic powder is disclosed. This method can provide magnetic powder from which a bonded magnet having excellent magnetic properties and reliability can be manufactured. A melt spinning apparatus 1 is provided with a tube 2 having a nozzle 3 at the bottom thereof, a coil 4 for heating the tube and a cooling roll 5. The cooling roll 5 is constructed from a roll base 51 and a circumferential surface 53 in which gas flow passages 54 for expelling gas are formed. A melt spun ribbon 8 is formed by injecting the molten alloy 6 from the nozzle 3 so as to be collided with the circumferential surface 53 of the cooling roll 5, so that the molten alloy 6 is cooled and then solidified. In this process, gas is likely to enter between a puddle 7 of the molten alloy 6 and the circumferential surface 53, but such gas is expelled by means of the gas flow passages 54. The magnetic powder is obtained by milling thus formed melt spun ribbon 8.

Abstract: The apparatus and a method are used to produce metal fiber, which can increase production efficiency of metal fiber using a metal plate and simplify manufacturing equipments and includes a controlling device. The method for producing metal fiber includes steps of: making a frame in a vacuum condition by removing the air; vertically inserting an end of a metal plate between two induction coils arranged horizontally at an interval in the inside of the frame and heating and melting the end of the metal plate with heat generated by the induction coils; gradually moving the metal plate downwardly and bringing the end of the metal plate into contact with blades of a rotary disk, the rotary disk being horizontally mounted at a lower portion of the induction coils in the inside of the frame and rotating in a high speed; and solidifying metal fiber separated by the blades of the rotary disk.

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: The invention provides a process for producing vanadium alloy foil suitable as a membrane in a hydrogen-refining unit.

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 for producing a metallic ribbon includes a cooling roll, a melt nozzle, and an air-cutoff unit provided to cover at least a portion of the periphery of the cooling roll and at least the melt blowout end of the melt nozzle, for preventing an inflow of air due to rotation of the cooing roll. The air-cutoff unit has a roll top air-cutoff plate provided above the cooling roll to extent from the front side to the rear side in the rotation direction of the cooling roll in such a manner that it approaches the cooling surface in the direction opposite to the rotation direction of the cooling roll. The melt blowout end of the melt nozzle is arranged to pass through a nozzle mounting hole provided in the roll top air-cutoff plate and face the cooling surface of the cooling roll.

Abstract: A strip casting plant with side limits arranged closely adjacent to a carrying belt. The side limits, and preferably the supply device for molten metal, are capable of vibrating and are connected to a device for producing vibrations. The adhesion of solidified material can thus be prevented.

Abstract: A magnet material having excellent magnetic properties and a bonded magnet formed of the magnet material as well as a method of manufacturing the magnet material are disclosed. The method of manufacturing the magnet material is carried out by discharging a molten metal of the magnet material from a nozzle while rotating a cooling roll having a surface layer composed of ceramics on its outer periphery to be collided with the surface layer of the cooling roll and solidified by cooling, the method of manufacturing the magnet material being characterized in that the time during which the magnet material is in contact with the surface layer of the cooling roll is not less than 0.5 ms when the molten metal of said magnet material is discharged from directly above the center of rotation of the cooling roll toward an apex part of the cooling roll to be collided with the apex part.

Abstract: An amorphous metal alloy strip is disclosed having a width greater than about one inch and a thickness less than about 0.003 inch, this alloy consists essentially of 77 to 80 atomic percent iron, 12 to 16 atomic percent boron and 5 to 10 atomic percent silicon with incidental impurities. The strip has a 60 cycle per second core loss of less than about 0.100 watts per pound at 12.6 kilogauss, saturation magnetization of at least 15 kilogauss, and a coercive force of less than about 0.04 oersteds. Such alloy is further characterized by increased castability and the strip produced therefrom exhibits at least singular ductility. A method of producing such optimum strip is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for winding a rapidly quenched thin metal ribbon has the steps of (1) ejecting a molten metal onto a rotating cooling roll to rapidly solidify the molten metal to form a thin metal ribbon, (2) peeling the thin metal ribbon from the cooling roll to let the thin metal ribbon to freely move from the cooling roll, and (3) bringing a rotating winding roll having an adhesive thereon into contact with the freely moving thin metal ribbon at an intermediate point thereof, so that the thin metal ribbon is wound around the winding roll with an excess portion of the thin metal ribbon forward of the intermediate point cut off.

Abstract: A metal ribbon manufacturing apparatus which comprises a cooling roll having a cooling surface for cooling a melt, a melt nozzle confronting the cooling surface with a prescribed gap maintained between it and the cooling roll, gas flow supply means for supplying an inert gas to the periphery of the melt nozzle, roll outside periphery atmosphere shutoff means for covering at least a portion of the outside periphery of the cooling roll and preventing the atmosphere from being rolled in by the rotation of the cooling roll, and an atmosphere staying portion disposed on the front side in the rotating direction of the cooling roll of the roll outside periphery atmosphere shutoff means.

Abstract: A metallic coil production system by providing a cooler downstream of a heat-treating furnace in a line of continuous casting of a thin strip-like slab, hot rolling, and heat treatment and providing, downstream of the cooler, a pickling device, a trimmer, a heat-treating device, a shear, and a coiler. The apparatus is constructed so that a pickling line, a trimmer line, and a shear line after the line of continuous casting of a thin strip-like slab, hot rolling, and heat treatment can be switched, permitting the lines to be operated in a continuous or discontinuous (independent) manner.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive magnet having a high coercivity, high squareness ratio and high maximum energy product. According to the invention, a magnet containing R, T, N, and M wherein R is at least one rare earth element with essential samarium, T is iron or iron and cobalt, and M is at least one element of Ti, V, Cr, Nb, Hf, Ta, Mo, W, Al, C, and P, with essential zirconium, in amounts of 4-8 at % of R, 10-20 at % of N, 2-10 at % of M, and having a hard magnetic phase (TbCu.sub.7 type crystalline phase) and a soft magnetic phase (which is a bcc structured T phase, has an average grain diameter of 5-60 nm, and accounts for 10 to 60% by volume of the entirety), the atomic ratio (R+M)/(R+T+M) in the hard magnetic phase being in excess of 12.5%, is prepared utilizing a single roll technique. In the single roll technique, the peripheral speed of a chill roll is at least 50 m/s, and the discharge pressure of the molten alloy is 0.3-2 kgf/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a wide metal thin strip, molten metal is ejected onto the surface of a rotating cooling roll. The nozzle shape permits manufacture of wide metal thin strips having a uniform thickness in the width direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for the production of a stainless steel strip comprising the following devices provided in sequence: a twin-drum continuous casting machine; an atmosphere control cover having in its interior a bridle roll or a pinch roll; a hot-rolling machine; a heat-treating furnace comprising direct fire burners connected to header pipes juxtaposed to one another in the widthwise direction of the furnace over the longitudinal direction of the furnace; a cooler; and a coiler.

Abstract: A casting wheel quench surface rapidly solidifies molten alloy into strip having a microcrystalline or amorphous structure. The surface is composed of a thermally conducting alloy having a homogeneous microstructure consisting of fine equiaxed recrystallized grains. The grains exhibit a tight Gaussian grain size distribution.

Abstract: A thermocouple formed of a length of a single composition having first solid phase section adjoining a second solid phase section, and a transition therebetween. One method of making such thermocouples is to raise the temperature of the first solid phase section above its transformation temperature while maintaining the temperature of a second adjoining solid phase section of the length of material below its transformation temperature. A second method includes rapidly solidifying a molten material by contacting it with a moving substrate formed of adjoining regions of differing thermal conductivity. A third method includes rapidly solidifying a molten material by alternatingly contacting it with a cooling fluid and air. A fourth method includes transforming a section of a length of material in a first solid to a second solid phase by mechanical means.

Abstract: An alloy material 4 received in a melting hearth 1 is melted by high-density energy supplied from a heat source 5. The molten alloy is transferred to a forced-cooled die 3 having a cavity 2 defining the profile of a product, and quenched to an amorphous state. The alloy has the composition represented by the general formula of Zr.sub.100-a-b-c A.sub.a B.sub.b C.sub.c (wherein the mark A represents one or more elements selected from Ti, Hf, Al and Ga, the mark B represents one or more elements selected from Fe, Co, Ni and Cu, the mark C represents one or more elements selected from Pd, Pt, Au and Ag, and the marks a-c represent the atomic ratios of respective elements A-C under the conditions of a=5-20, b=15-45, c.ltoreq.10 and a+b+c=30-70. The differential temperature region .DELTA.T (=T.sub.x -T.sub.g) in the supercooled liquid phase of the Zr alloy represented by the difference between the crystallization point T.sub.x and the glass transition point T.sub.g, is preferably 100 K or more.

Abstract: A harmonic-type EAS marker includes a wire segment formed of cobalt alloy. To form the wire segment, the cobalt alloy is cast as an amorphous wire, die-drawn to a smaller diameter, and then annealed with application of longitudinal tension. The annealed wire is cut to produce wire segments which have a magnetic hysteresis loop with a large Barkhausen discontinuity at a lower threshold level than has previously been achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling and processing a molten product into a granulate product which apparatus comprises a displaceable support consisting of at least one substantially horizontal, disk-shaped element arranged for rotation about a substantially vertical shaft, means for depositing the molten product on the support, cooling means containing cooling liquid channels closed in themselves that form part of the disc-shaped element and, without connection with the environment, connect to feed and discharge means, and means for removing the molten product from the support in granulate form. Preferably, a double spiral-shaped channel is present per disk-shaped element, and the means for depositing the molten product on the support comprise a dispenser adapted to dispense the molten product batchwise or dropwise.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing an amorphous metal ribbon provides the following: jetting a molten metal from a nozzle, which has a slit-shaped opening, to a cooling roll, which rotates at a high speed, so as to form a puddle on the cooling roll; and spreading the puddle for rapid solidification. Additionally, the present invention provides at a position upstream from the puddle in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the cooling roll, cleaning the surface of the cooling roll by blowing carbon dioxide gas to which ultrasonic vibration is applied.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a wide metal thin strip, molten metal is ejected onto the surface of a rotating cooling roll. The nozzle shape permits manufacture of wide metal thin strips having a uniform thickness in the width direction.

Abstract: To solve the problem of capturing the strip leading edge for improving the success rate of coiling and to eliminate the complicated recovery of the coiled strip for improving the productivity, a process of online-coiling a quench-solidified magnetic strip produced by ejecting a liquid metal or metal alloy onto a moving cooled substrate comprises the step of rotating a coiling roll having a magnetized surface to coil the strip therearound, at a coiling roll surface speed within the range of not less than 90% and less than 100% of a moving speed of the substrate, upon starting the coiling.

Abstract: A permanent magnet material is prepared by cooling with a chill roll a molten alloy containing R wherein R is at least one rare earth element inclusive of Y, Fe or Fe and Co, and B. The chill roll has a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves in a circumferential surface, the distance between two adjacent ones of the grooves at least in a region with which the molten alloy comes in contact being 100 to 300 .mu.m average in an arbitrary cross section containing a roll axis. Permanent magnet material of stable performance is obtained since the variation of cooling rate caused by a change in the circumferential speed of the chill roll is small. The variation of cooling rate is small even when it is desired to change the thickness of the magnet by altering the circumferential speed. The equalized groove pitch results in a minimized variation in crystal grain diameter.

Abstract: At least one metal strip of small width is manufactured from a molten material held in a metallurgical vessel at a temperature above a melting point of the molten material, by the steps of subjecting the molten material to a pressure at least equal to atmospheric pressure and ejecting the molten material through orifices in a lower part of a nozzle fastened to the vessel and onto a moving cooling surface located beneath the nozzle, the orifices being elongated in the direction of movement of the cooling surface. The molten material is permitted to solidify in grooves in the cooling surface, the grooves being elongated in the direction of movement and facing and being in longitudinal alignment with the orifices.

Abstract: A jet of liquid metal 42 is directed onto a fast-moving receiving surface 4 and reciprocal relative motion is caused between the receiving surface 4 and the jet 42 perpendicularly to the moving direction.

Abstract: A stream of overheated metal melt is applied from a container through a pouring nozzle as a closed jet, or in such a way as to be split up into drops by a gaseous medium, at a pouring point, to the inner surface of a strip coil or composite body also rotating in a mold body. Thus, an initially liquid metal film is produced to which a liquid coolant, preferably a low-temperature liquefied gas such as argon or nitrogen, is applied from a cooling nozzle at a cooling point which is offset in the direction of rotation relative to the pouring point. The coolant dissipates a substantial portion of the excess and melt heat of the metal film, mostly due to vaporization of the liquid coolant. Depending on the residual heat which it still has after the cooling operation, the metal film either remains isolated from the innermost metal layer applied beforehand, so that a strip coil develops, or melts with the metal layer so that a rotationally symmetrical composite body forms.

Abstract: A quench substrate for rapid solidification of molten alloy into strip has a microcrystalline or amorphous structure. The substrate is composed of a thermally conducting alloy and the structure is substantially homogeneous. The substrate is a thermal conducting material such as copper or a copper alloy, and has a constituent grain size uniformity greater than 1 .mu.m and less than 1,000 .mu.m in size.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of producing a thin metal ribbon by pouring a molten metal onto the surface of a quench roll rotating at a high speed so as to rapidly cool and solidify the metal to form the ribbon, separating the ribbon from the quench roll and conveying the same to a take-up device. A compressed gas is blown tangent to the quench roll to separate the ribbon from the quench roll. The separated ribbon is sucked and caught by a suction conveyor which runs at a velocity greater than the speed of production of the thin meal ribbon thereby imparting tension to the ribbon.

Abstract: Insulators, heated to a temperature which prevents solidification thereon, are used to confine all but one side of a continuous flow of initially-liquid metal alloy until it is solidified. The remaining side is confined by a thermally conductive material which is cooled by means to provide for essentially unidirectional rapid solidification of the alloy flow. Operational control and product quality are enhanced by establishing and conditioning a surface film on the liquid metal to be cast by controlling the gaseous environment available to the liquid metal prior to contact with the thermally conductive chill. The method and apparatus can produce cast strip with minimal shrinkage porosity from alloys with wide freezing ranges. The cast product is suitable for producing wrought products of high quality. The method is particularly applicable to aluminous alloys.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a process for the continuous casting of very small-diameter wires directly from liquid metal, according to which said liquid metal is made to flow out of a heated and pressurized container made of refractory material, forming a jet of liquid. metal having a diameter equal to or slightly greater than that of the wire to be cast, and said jet is made to solidify by making it penetrate into a layer of moving cooling liquid deposited on the internal wall of a drum rotating about a horizontal axis, wherein said container is fed, continuously or intermittently, with solid metal without interrupting casting and wherein said solid metal is melted inside said container.The subject of the invention is also a device for the continuous casting of very small-diameter wires directly from liquid metal, allowing this process to be implemented.

Abstract: A continuous thin metal strip formed by quenching on a single quenching roll is separated from the quenching roll and conveyed along a fly path to a coiling system directly or via pinch rolls. The path along which the thin metal strip flies is stabilized by a jet of a fluid jetted from a slit and biased to flow along a convex curved surface, whereby the time until the strip is taken up or nipped by the pinch rolls is shortened.

Abstract: A process and device for producing a wire (12) made of amorphous metal alloy having an iron base by producing a jet (7) of molten alloy (4) through the orifice (60) of a die (6), and introducing this jet (7) into a cooling liquid (9) urged by centrifugal force against the inner wall of a rotary drum. The crucible (2) containing the alloy (4) and the die (6) are made using different materials and are joined by a joint (25) the material of which differs from those of the crucible (2) and of the die (6). Furthermore, means (3) are employed for heating the alloy (4) both in the crucible (2) and in the die (6) and an inert or reducing gas is delivered directly in contact with the jet (7) as it leaves the die (6). Wire (12) obtained with this process or this device, this wire being employed, for example, for reinforcing pneumatic tires.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting and rapid solidification casting of metal alloys has a crucible for molding a metal charge. The crucible has side walls, a top and a bottom having an orifice therein. Collectively, the side walls, top and bottom define an interior of the crucible. A portion of the dimensions of the side walls of the side walls and bottom is divided by longitudinal slits into at least two segments. A nozzle is disposed partially within the crucible and extends through the orifice. The nozzle has a first end in communication with the interior of tune crucible. A second end of the nozzle has a nozzle orifice therein for defining a stream of molten metal alloy. A cooling mechanism cools the top, side walls and bottom of the crucible. The apparatus has mechanisms for inducing alternating electrical currents within the metal charge and within the nozzle, and for establishing and maintaining pressure within the interior of the crucible.

Abstract: In a process of producing monotectic alloys having a relatively large miscibility gap in a liquid state and having in a solidified state a minority phase, which is included in the matrix and has the shape of droplets and has a higher density than the matrix, a molten material which is heated above the segregation temperature is continuously cast at a high casting speed end cooling rats. In order to achieve a sufficiently good disoersion of the minority phase the molten material is cast in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A method and device (1) for the continuous production of a thread (12) by extrusion of a molten material into a cooling liquid (9) applied by centrifuging against the inner wall (10) of a drum (11). The inner wall (10) of the drum (11) comprises a lateral surface (102) which progressively approaches the axis of rotation of the drum (11) in the direction towards the outside (E) of the drum (11). Means (23, 24) are used which make it possible to displace the thread (12) along said surface (102) so that the thread (12) emerges from the drum (11) under the action of the centrifugal force. Threads (12) obtained by this method and this device, these threads being, for instance, amorphous metal threads used to reinforce automobile tires.

Abstract: Apparatus separates a thin metal strip produced from a molten metal from a surface of a cooling roll by rapidly solidifying using a single roll method and conveys and guides the separated thin strip downstream. A separation/tensioning/guiding unit is positioned adjacent the cooling roll to separate tension and guide the rapidly solidified thin strip, which unit includes a cooperating doctor blade in pressure contact with the cooling roll. A suction conveyor is provided downstream of the separation/tensioning/guiding unit.

Abstract: Molten metal is supplied to a pouring basin formed between cooling members, such as movable cooling drums. A closed space is formed at a meniscus area whereat any one of the cooling members starts to come into contact with the molten metal, and a soluble gas or a mixture of soluble and insoluble gases is supplied to and filled in the closed space, thereby covering the meniscus area with the gas or the mixture. This arrangement enables a continuous casting of a thin metal sheet without surface cracks and having excellent surface characteristics.

Abstract: The method for forming rings of uniform thickness from an active brazing alloy by melt-spinning the liquid alloy has the following steps: The alloy is liquefied in a crucible having a lateral opening whose height is approximately equal to the width of the ring material; the liquid alloy is forced out of the crucible onto the side surface of a metal drum of high thermal conductivity at a radial distance from the drum center approximately equal to the ring diameter, said metal drum rotating at a high circumferential velocity at a distance from the crucible approximately equal to the ring thickness; after an,,,approximately quarter to three-quarter turn of the active brazing alloy solidified on the metal drum into ring material, the latter is lifted off the metal drum by a mechanical deflector or a gas stream blown onto it in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the metal drum, and guided past the crucible; the ring helix being formed is guided around a lateral, coaxial extension of the metal dru

Abstract: Molten metal dispensed upon the surface of an adjacent rotating drum produces a ribbon of solidified metal which separates from the drum while the drum is rotating. To prevent ripples from forming in the surface of the ribbon, a casting surface on the periphery of the rotating drum includes structure to minimize the ratio of transverse heat flow rate from the casting surface to radial heat flow rate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trimming edge scrap from continuously cast metal strip includes an edge trimming device in combination with a drag casting apparatus for producing aluminum or aluminum alloy cast strip. The edge trimming device includes a tool which marks the casting surface of the casting wheel to disruption the solidification rate during casting of the molten aluminum. Disruption of the solidification rate forms a longitudinal split in the strip being cast resulting in formation of a high quality cast strip product acceptable for further processing and edge trim scrap. The edge trim scrap may be recovered and recycled for further use. The edge trimming device includes adjustable features to permit varying the location of the longitudinal split along the width of the strip being cast in response to casting parameters such as excess gauge variation, surface defects or changing of the cast strip width prior to or during the continuous casting operation.

Abstract: A method for the electroslag refining of metal is provided. The method involves providing a refining vessel to contain an electroslag refining layer floating on a layer of molten refined metal. An ingot of unrefined metal is lowered into the vessel into contact with the molten electroslag layer. A refining current is passed through the slag layer to the ingot to cause surface melting at the interface between the ingot and the electroslag layer. As the ingot is surface melted at its point of contact with the slag, droplets of the unrefined metal are formed and these droplets pass down through the slag and are collected in a body of molten refined metal beneath the slag. The refined metal is held within a cold hearth. At the bottom of the cold hearth, a cold finger orifice is provided to permit the withdrawal of refined metal from the cold hearth apparatus. The refined metal passes from the cold finger orifice as a stream and is processed into a sound metal structure having desired grain structure.

Abstract: A melt of Nd-Fe-B alloy is injected in an inert gas atmosphere through a nozzle against a chill roll or a pair of chill rolls rotating relative to the nozzle for contacting the melt with the circumference of the chill roll or rolls, thereby quenching the melt. The chill roll has a low heat conductivity surface layer around a base or has a predetermined surface roughness on its circumference. The contact time of the melt with the chill roll can be increased by blowing an inert gas flow. Further the melt is quenched in an inert gas atmosphere of up to 1 Torr. A wind shield is disposed in proximity to the chill roll circumference for preventing a wind of the ambient gas induced by rotation of the chill roll from reaching a paddle of the melt. With these means, there is obtained a permanent magnet material having a grain diameter with a reduced variation.

Abstract: An iron base amorphous alloy strip having a sheet thickness of from 50 to 150 .mu.m and a sheet width of at least 20 mm. The strip is produced by a single-roll cooling process and has a fracture strain of 0.01 or more.

Abstract: A process for improving the surface condition and thickness regularity of a thin metal strip cast on a rotating wheel by injection of a molten metal having a free surface forming a meniscus in contact with the wheel. The process comprises detecting undulations or variations in thickness of the strip of at least 10 .mu.m, forming a gas cushion above the free surface utilizing a porous body disposed facing the free surface, and adjusting the pressure of the gas cushion, the location of the porous body or both to control the variations or undulations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming round wire from non-round wire has: a heat extracting drum having a semi-circular channel formed in and entirely around its outer circumferential surface; a feed device for directing a precursor wire into the channel; and a heater for melting the precursor wire in the channel. The wire is typically flat and is stood up on edge, perpendicular to the surface of the drum, melted with the heater, solidified and removed. The surface tension and wetting characteristics of the liquid metal cause it to "bead up", forming a near round wire when solidified.

Abstract: A gaseous atmosphere having a predetermined composition is formed near an injected molten metal flow and an injection nozzle of the atmospheric gas so as to manufacture a thin metal strip exhibiting excellent surface property. A thin strip manufacturing apparatus includes an injection nozzle 1 for injecting a molten metal onto a cooling roll 2, an atmospheric gas injection nozzle 3 for injecting an atmosphere having a predetermined composition, a sensor 5 for measuring the concentration of the atmospheric gas, a control device 6 for adjusting a flow rate of the atmospheric gas on the basis of the output of the sensor 5, a cover 4 for maintaining the concentration of the atmospheric gas, and a heating device for preventing cooling of the injection nozzle 1.

Abstract: A method of preparing alloy of a transition metal and lanthanide comprising the steps of alloying a transition metal, boron, at least one lower-weight lanthanide having none or few stable compounds with iron, optionally one or more higher-weight lanthanides, a glass former, and optionally the pseudo lanthanide, yttrium; forming an amorphous or nearly amorphous metastable microstructure in the alloy; and heating the amorphous alloy to form a polycrystalline, multiphase, fine-grain single-domain structure.