Abstract: A modular micro mill for manufacturing steel long product from scrap metal using an induction melting furnace is disclosed. Scrap or pre-refined metal is delivered and melted in the induction melting furnace, the melted steel then being transferred by a preheated tundish to a casting station for producing billets. From the caster the billets are transferred directly to a billet staging station and stored in queue for delivering to main conveyor leading directly to the rolling mill without being cooled to ambient. The bars produced by the rolling mill are then quenched to impart desired metallurgical properties within the finished product. A control system runs the operation of the production line of the modular micro mill, the control system specifically adapting production rates, conveyor speeds, temperatures, etc. of components upstream within the production line based on the specific requirements and/or dimensions of the finished product exiting the production line.

Abstract: A copper alloy sputtering target is formed by a copper alloy including the content of Ca being 0.3 to 1.7% by mass, the total content of Mg and Al being 5 ppm or less by mass, the content of oxygen being 20 ppm or less by mass, and the remainder is Cu and inevitable impurities. A manufacturing method of a copper alloy sputtering target comprises steps of: preparing a copper having purity of 99.99% or more by mass; melting the copper so as to obtain a molten copper; controlling components so as to obtain a molten metal having a predetermined component composition by the addition of Ca having a purity of 98.5% or more by mass into the molten copper and by melting the Ca; casting the molten metal so as to obtain an ingot; and performing stress relieving annealing after performing hot rolling to the ingot.

Abstract: Processes and methods related to producing, processing, and hot working alloy ingots are disclosed. An alloy ingot is formed including an inner ingot core and an outer layer metallurgically bonded to the inner ingot core. The processes and methods are characterized by a reduction in the incidence of surface cracking of the alloy ingot during hot working.

Abstract: A method for making long metal rolled products by continuous casting at high hourly productivity, by a single casting machine, a product with a rectangular section; shearing to size of the cast product to define a segment of a length between 16 and 150 m and a weight between 10 and 100 tons; introduction of the segment, having an average temperature of at least 1000° C., into a maintenance and/or possible heating furnace having a first section for moving the cast product disposed in axis with the casting axis; lateral transfer of the segment inside the furnace to transfer the segment to a second section for moving the cast product disposed parallel and misaligned with respect to the first section and aligned with a rolling axis parallel and offset with respect to the casting axis; and reduction of the section in a rolling mill.

Abstract: A method for making long metal rolled products by continuous casting, made by a continuous casting machine to two casting lines; shearing to size of the cast product; direct introduction of each segment, having an average temperature of at least 1000° C.-1150° C., into a maintenance and/or heating furnace that has a first and a second movement sections, each of the movement sections is disposed in axis respectively with one of the two casting lines to receive a respective segment; lateral transfer of each segment inside the furnace to dispose each segment in a third movement section disposed parallel and misaligned with respect to the first and the second movement sections and aligned to a rolling axis of a rolling line parallel and offset with respect to the two casting lines; and reduction of the section in a rolling mill defining said rolling axis.

Abstract: A method and plant for making long metal rolled products, in which a continuous casting is provided by a single casting machine, defining a casting axis, to cast a product with a quadrangular or equivalent section, a reduction of the section in a rolling mill defining a rolling axis substantially coinciding with the casting axis, and a selective accumulation and maintenance at temperature of a plurality of segments of cast product sheared to size in a misaligned position with respect to the cast axis and/or the rolling axis, inside a maintenance box furnace, for a time correlated to a condition of temporary interruption of the reduction step, so as to allow continuity of the continuous casting step.

Abstract: Processes and methods related to producing, processing, and hot working alloy ingots are disclosed. An alloy ingot is formed including an inner ingot core and an outer layer metallurgically bonded to the inner ingot core. The processes and methods are characterized by a reduction in the incidence of surface cracking of the alloy ingot during hot working.

Abstract: A method for continuous and efficient casting roll of magnesium alloy plates including providing plural induction furnaces, resistance furnace, casting roll and rollers; adding metal elements into the induction furnaces, the metal elements comprising Mg ingots or Mg alloy, the metal elements being smelted in the induction furnaces and then flow into the resistance furnace; controlling temperature of the Mg melt in the resistance furnace, wherein there are at least two temperature controlling areas communicated with each other, and a difference of temperatures is constant; transferring the Mg melt into biting area through a transferring pipe and modeling the mg melt into Mg plate, the temperature of the Mg melt into the biting area being 690±10° C.; Rolling the Mg plate in the rollers and each band of the rollers having a working temperature 250˜350° C., and the difference of temperature is ±10° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the continuous casting of a slab (1), in particular of steel, wherein the cast slab (1) is conveyed through a furnace (2) and the slab (1) is subjected to a descaling operation. To increase the quality of the slab by reducing scale, the invention provides for the slab surface to undergo reduction in at least one section (3) of the furnace (2) as a result of an atmosphere consisting of an inert gas and hydrogen (H2) or of pure hydrogen being maintained in said section (3) of the furnace (2). The invention further relates to an apparatus for the continuous casting of a slab.

Abstract: A method and plant for making long metal rolled products, in which a continuous casting is provided made by a single casting machine, defining a casting axis, to cast a product with a quadrangular or equivalent section, a reduction of the section in a rolling mill defining a rolling axis substantially coinciding with the casting axis, and a selective accumulation and maintenance at temperature of a plurality of segments of cast product sheared to size in a misaligned position with respect to the casting axis and/or the rolling axis, inside a maintenance box furnace, for a time correlated to a condition of temporary interruption of the reduction step, so as to allow continuity of the continuous casting step.

Abstract: A process for the manufacturing of steel strips with solution of continuity is described, comprising a continuous casting step for thin stabs with a high “mass flow”, a shearing step and subsequent heating in furnace, followed by a multiple stand rolling step, wherein the average temperature of the product at the inlet of the rolling is higher than the surface temperature, which is equal to at least 1100° C., lower than that measured in the inner central area by about 100° C. A plant is also described for the accomplishment of such process, wherein at the inlet of a furnace (25; 35), possibly of the induction type, combined with a temperature maintaining tunnel (36) a shear (3) is provided for, cutting into pieces (24; 34) a slab (22; 32) coming from continuous casting (21; 31), wherein the distance between the outlet of said continuous casting and the inlet into the finishing rolling mill (29; 39) is not greater than 100 m.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing steel long products provides for starting from a continuous casting step with liquid core reduction, followed by induction heating without interruption until the end of a rolling step in a plurality of stands. The blooms or billets subjected to such a process have initial thickness in the range between 120 and 400 mm and a high “mass flow” passing in the time unit at the outlet from the continuous casting, as well as an average temperature in the cross-section which is higher than the surface temperature, being in the core or inner middle region higher by 100° C. than on the surface, that is of about 1200° C. A plant for carrying out such a process is also described.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing steel long products provides for starting from a continuous casting step with liquid core reduction, followed by induction heating without interruption until the end of a rolling step in a plurality of stands. The blooms or billets subjected to such a process have initial thickness in the range between 120 and 400 mm and a high “mass flow” passing in the time unit at the outlet from the continuous casting, as well as an average temperature in the cross-section which is higher than the surface temperature, being in the core or inner middle region higher by 100° C. than on the surface, that is of about 1200° C. A plant for carrying out such a process is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for producing a uranium foil with fine crystalline granules by forming the foil by the gravitational dropping of molten uranium or uranium alloy and rapidly cooling the foil by the contact with cooling rolls, and a foil produced thereby. In accordance with the present invention, a high-purity and high-quality uranium foil with an isotropic structure and fine crystalline granules is easily produced via a simple process without requiring hot rolling and heat treatment processes. The surface of the foil is prevented from oxidizing and residual stress is not imparted to the foil. The productivity and the economic efficiency of the foil are improved.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously manufacturing metal filaments in mass production. In accordance with the present invention, molten metal is hung in a state freely depending from the tip of a metal bar by its surface tension without using any vessel. The metal filament manufacturing apparatus includes an induction coil upwardly bent in the form of a nose shape at regions thereof where metal filaments are discharged while being soared up, respectively, so as to prevent the molten metal of each of the metal bars from being affected by the induction coil during soaring of the metal filaments. The apparatus also includes wiping assembly for removing residual metal materials left on a spinning disk.

Abstract: A device for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metal has a cooled continuous casting mold assembly and an inductive coil arranged at the top end of the mold assembly. The mold assembly is divided into at least two mold assembly parts separated and electrically insulated from each other by partitions, which are oriented in the casting direction and where each partition is formed with an electrically insulating barrier. Each mold assembly part has a mold part associated with a corresponding mechanically supporting mold back-up structure part, and an electrical conductor, with an electrical conductivity higher than the electrical conductivity of the back-up structure. The conductor is arranged with the mold back-up structure part on the side of the mold back-up structure part facing away from the mold, the outside face.

Abstract: A method and a belt casting device for producing thin billets, in particular composed of steel, has an endless belt to which liquid metal is supplied via a feed device which has a casting channel and is connected to a metallurgical vessel. In this case, the feed device is in the form of a casting channel which has a first casting channel part in the form of a restriction channel part, and which has a second casting channel part whose opening faces the endless belt and whose size corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the finished product. The feed device is connected to a container to which liquid melt can be fed from a metallurgical vessel. Measurement elements are provided, which can be used to detect the level of the liquid melt in the container and/or the thickness of the billet located on the endless belt. Furthermore, the measured values are connected via a measurement and control element to an actuator which is connected to an element for adjusting the outlet rate from the metallurgical vessel.

Abstract: Method, system and apparatus for controllably heating copper alloy dam blocks in revolving edge dam chains in twinbelt continuous casters by induction heating of thermally-sprayed ferromagnetic layers bonded in shallow depressions in such blocks. High thermal conductivity of such blocks advantageously quickly conducts inductive heat from ferromagnetic layers into the blocks. For casting a slab of electrolytic anodes having aligned opposed protruding lugs, such chains include uniformly spaced lug-molding pocket blocks. Periodic induction heating of ferromagnetic layers on dam blocks of one chain or the other keeps pocket blocks aligned as revolving chains travel downstream along opposite sides of moving mold casting regions. Directly induction heating copper alloy dam blocks is very impractical. Therefore, ferromagnetic layers are thermally sprayed into depressions in blocks prior to assembling such chains.

Abstract: Continuous casting device and method with rollers for plane products such as strip (13) or sheet, comprising counter-rotating rollers (11) immersed in a receptacle (14) containing molten metal (15), said receptacle (14) including a bottom (114) and side walls (214), said rollers (11) being arranged parallel and adjacent to define a transit gap (12) through which the strip (13) to be produced is extracted, the device comprising holding elements (19) of the electromagnetic type arranged in cooperation with each of the ends of said rollers (11), said holding elements (19) having an inner edge, an outer edge and a curved shape suitable to surround, without contact, at least partly the surface of said rollers (11) immersed in said molten metal (15), said holding elements (19) comprising at least a coil (29) suitable to be passed through by an alternating current to generate a magnetic field in said molten metal (15) and generating currents induced therein in order to obtain the lateral confinement of said molten m

Abstract: A device for continuous or semi-continuous casting of metal comprising a cooled mold (22) and an induction coil (10) arranged at the top end of the mold. The mold comprises in its top end a plurality of hollow, old segments (22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, 22e, 22f, 22′b, 22′c, 22′d) separated from each other by partitions (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d, 26e), which all comprise an electrically insulating barrier. Both the mold segments and the partitions are oriented essentially in the casting direction. Each hollow top end mold segment comprises a core of a mechanically supporting bar or beam (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d, 25e, 25f, 25′a, 25′b, 25′c, 25′d, 25′e, 25′f) arranged within the hollow mold segment such that it is surrounded by the hollow mold segment. The core exhibits superior mechanical properties in relation to the mold.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuously casting molten metal, wherein the apparatus comprises first and second endless belts and first and second edge dam block continuous belts disposed to form a casting region wherein molten metal can be cast into strip. The edge dam blocks have a length longer than the endless belts to form catenaries spaced from the first endless belt. The edge dam blocks are inductively heated with induction heaters disposed in the catenaries to avoid temperature shock to the edge dam blocks during the casting and to minimize undesirable heat losses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of manufacturing nickel-metal-hydride alloy powder material. The furnace charge of nickel-metal-hydride alloy is melted in vacuum or argon atmosphere in this invention. After melting, the molten alloy is gas atomized to fine spherical powder or centrifugal atomized to flaky shape. Then the powders are fed into a hydrogen heat treatment chamber for hydrogen heat treatment and pulverization. This invention integrates the melting, pulverizing and hydrogen treatment of nickel-metal hydride alloy powder into a whole step. It can charge and pulverize continuously and is suitable for the large-scale industrialized production of homogeneous composition and least segregation nickel-metal hydride alloy powder.

Abstract: A refractory guide member and a method for heating the refractory guide member by use of an inductor, where at least one collateral electromagnetic field located in a region spaced apart from the inductor is generated by the inductor. The mold part is made of an electrically conductive layer with several insulating interrupting slots for the controlled deflection of eddy currents from a main field generated by the inductor into a region spaced apart from the inductor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of forming balls includes a metering device 2, a melting device 14 and a cooling device 20. The metering device 14 stamps a desired volume of solid material in the form of a slug 12 which passes through the melting device 14 where it is caused to levitate and transform state from a solid to a molten liquid. The molten liquid material 13 is released from the melting device 14 and descends through the cooling device 20 where it transforms state once again from a molten material to a solid material while maintaining a ball shape. A forming gas is passed over the molten material 13 in a direction opposite to the falling molten material 13. The balls 15 are finally cooled in a cooling bath 32.

Abstract: A nozzle for thin strip casting plants, especially for steel strip. In casting plants of this type, the liquid steel must be applied on a carrier from the nozzle forming a casting gap. At least one primary coil and a secondary coil are arranged at the nozzle, wherein the secondary coil is water-cooled and projects into the area of the casting gap.

Abstract: Solid and liquid phases coexist in a semi-molten casting material. A plurality of composite-solid phases having liquid and solid phase regions and a plurality of single-solid phases exist as the solid phases in a mixed state in an outer layer portion of the semi-molten casting material. If the sectional area of the solid phase region is represented by A, and the sectional area of the solid phase region is represented by B in one of the composite-solid phases, the liquid phase enclosure rate P of the composite-solid phase is defined as being represented by P={B/(A+B)}.times.100 (%). The liquid phase enclosure rate P of the single-solid phase is equal to 0 (%). When two groups are selected from a class of the solid phases, for example, by first and second straight lines so as to include a plurality of the solid phases, average values M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 of liquid phase enclosure rates of, for example, six solid phases in each of the first and second groups are represented by M.sub.1 =(P.sub.1 +P.sub.2 - - - +P.

Abstract: A refractory guide member and a method for heating the refractory guide member by use of an inductor, where at least one collateral electromagnetic field located in a region spaced apart from the inductor is generated by the inductor. The mold part is made of an electrically conductive layer with several insulating interrupting slots for the controlled deflection of eddy currents from a main field generated by the inductor into a region spaced apart from the inductor.

Abstract: The assembly is designed for transferring molten metal from a molten metal reservoir to a mold for casting molten metal. The assembly comprises a casting nozzle having an electrically conductive top wall and bottom wall and two side walls joined to the top wall and the bottom wall to form a passage therebetween for flowing molten metal from the reservoir to the mold, the top wall having a first outside surface and the bottom wall having a second outside surface. An inductive heater is positioned on at least one of the first surface and the second surface, the inductive heater positioned to heat the top wall and bottom wall. A layer of insulation is provided between the inductive heater and the first and second surfaces. A magnetic shield is provided to partially surround the inductive heater, the shield positioned to direct magnetic flux into the nozzle.

Abstract: A process and a device for coating the surface of strip material, especially non-ferrous metal and steel strip, with a metal coating, wherein the material is conducted without reversal of direction through a container holding the molten coating material. The container has a passage duct below the level of the melting bath, in which induction currents are induced by an electromagnetic travelling field and produce, in interaction with the electromagnetic travelling field, an electromagnetic force for restraining the coating material. In order to stabilize the melt in the passage duct as well as in the container, and in order to attain, to a large extent, a counterbalance between hydrostatic and electromagnetic forces, a constant direct or alternating current field is directed opposite to the travelling field in the area near the container, damping the movement in the coating material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of casting solidified aluminum comprising providing a body of molten aluminum; providing means for casting solidified aluminum from said molten aluminum and providing a nozzle comprised of titanium adapted to flow molten aluminum into said means for casting said solidified aluminum. The nozzle is electrically preheated before introducing molten aluminum thereto and casting solified aluminum therefrom.

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: An apparatus and method for continuous casting steel. A vertical continuous-casting mold consists of a pair of long side frames and a pair of short side frames formed of a metal having low electrical conductivity. An immersion nozzle supplies molten steel to the mold. An induction heating coil surrounded by a backup frame surrounds the vertical continuous-casting mold. The induction heating coil induction-heats the surface of the molten steel and neighboring portions thereof. The apparatus meets the following conditions;.xi..sup.2 =.sigma..sub.1 /.sigma..sub.2 .ltoreq.41/10.ltoreq. .eta.=(2.mu. .sub.0 .multidot..sigma..sub.2 .multidot..omega.).sup.0.5 .multidot.d.ltoreq. 10where .xi. designates the ratio of electrical conductivity of the mold and the molten steel.sigma..sub.1 designates the electrical conductivity of the mold.sigma..sub.2 designates the electrical conductivity of the molten steel.mu..sub.0 designates the permeability in a vacuumd designates the thickness of the mold.omega.

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: An improved continuous caster mold having adjustable end walls employs heating mechanisms in the portion of each of the narrow end walls above the level of molten metal contained in the mold to heat that portion of each of the end walls to a temperature more closely approximating the temperature of the end walls below the level of molten metal in the mold. The heating mechanisms tend to lower the temperature differential between the portion of the end wall below the level of molten metal and the portion of the end wall above the level of molten metal. By equalizing the temperature differential in the end wall, the thermal expansion of the end wall is made more uniform to prevent the formation of a gap between the end walls and either of the broad side walls. The improvement is also useful for reducing thermal stresses in molds having fixed, stationary end walls.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and the associated apparatus for producing rapidly solidified materials by spill chilling. The feed stock can include any of a variety of materials including a high melting point and reactive materials, as well as conventional iron, aluminum, copper and transition base commercially available alloys. A support surface is provided for the solid feed material. Means are provided for both globally and locally heating the feed material. The heating means can include resistant heaters, induction heaters, arcs, electron beam and plasma heaters. A focused energy source such as an electron beam, a laser beam, ion beam or an electric arc can be provided for locally heating the material. The molten feed material is spill chilled onto a moving chill surface. The moving chill surface can be in the form of a continuous belt or the rim of a rotating wheel.

Abstract: A method of refining steel utilizing induction melting furnaces sized for use in micro mills consists of charging a medium frequency induction melting furnace having a maximum production rate of about 50 tons per hour with pre-refined steel, and melting steel in the furnace. The melted steel is transferred to a refining vessel, the refining vessel has a high free board, induction heating and stirring capacity and apparatus for supplying blasts of gas. The refined steel is then transferred to a tundish for a continuous casting operation.

Abstract: A continuous casting furnace for manufacturing an elongated cast product, for example, of copper or its alloy includes a housing defining a chamber. A crucible is accommodated within the chamber for holding a casting material. A heater is mounted on the crucible for melting the casting material. A generally vertically-disposed elongated casting nozzle hermetically extends into the chamber. One of the casting nozzle and the crucible is movable toward the other for immersing a lower end of the casting nozzle in the molten casting material in the crucible. The housing is connected to an inert gas source for introducing inert gas into the chamber when the casting material in the crucible is melted. When the lower end of the casting nozzle is immersed in the molten casting material, the molten casting material is moved along the casting nozzle by the pressure of the inert gas in the chamber.

Abstract: A metallic material is passed through a heating mold having a melting zone to produce a metallic member having a unidirectionally solidified structure.

Abstract: Material is supplied from a pressure hopper made to have an inert gas atmosphere to each of a plurality of melting furnaces one after another in a predetermined amount each time. The interior atmosphere of each melting furnace is replaced by an inert gas, and the material is melted in the melting furnace by heating. The resulting molten metal is supplied from one of the melting furnaces after another to a discharge container having a discharge nozzle and made to have an inert gas atmosphere, and is continuously discharged from the discharge nozzle against a rapid quenching device.

Abstract: Elongated members of reactive metals and alloys thereof, for example, uranium and alloys thereof, are cast from a crucible containing the molten metal blanketed with an inert gas and non-reactive prepared molten slag, directly into a mould protruding from the crucible. The cast metal is spray cooled with inert gas, which may be liquefied, as it emerges from an outlet end of the mould and is pulled, for example by rollers, into and possibly through an inert gas flushed container directly connected to the mould outlet end.