Incorporating Additional Material Or Chemically Reactive Agent Patents (Class 164/473)
  • Patent number: 6125919
    Abstract: A mold powder for continuous steel casting, contains CaO, SiO.sub.2 and fluoride as the main components. The ratio by weight of CaO', represented by the following equation, to SiO.sub.2 is 0.9-2.8 and the CaF.sub.2 content is about 5-60 wt. %. The powder contains Na.sub.2 O in an amount of 0-25 wt. % and C in an amount of 0-10 wt. %.CaO'=T.CaO-F.times.(56/38)wherein T.CaO represents the total Ca content in the mold powder as converted to CaO(wt. %) and F represents the total F content in the mold powder(wt. %). The powder is used in a method for continuous steel casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahito Hanao, Masayuki Kawamoto, Yoshinori Tanizawa, Seiji Kumakura
  • Patent number: 6073679
    Abstract: Continuous casting of steel strip in twin-roll caster comprises casting rolls (16). Molten steel is delivered by a delivery system and comprising delivery nozzle (19b) to casting pool (30) supported above nip (10) between the casting rolls (16) which are rotated to deliver a solidified strip (20) downwardly from the nip. To avoid dissolution of carbon from refractories of the metal delivery system including the nozzle (19b), the molten steel is a silicon/manganese killed carbon steel having a manganese content of not less than 0.02% by weight, a silicon content of not less than 0.10% by weight, an aluminium content of less than 0.01% by weight and a sulphur content of at least 0.02% by weight. The required sulphur content of the steel may be achieved by addition of iron sulphide to a batch of steel in a tundish (18) of the delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignees: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Ltd. Company Limited, BHP Steel (JLA) Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Lazar Strezov
  • Patent number: 6044897
    Abstract: A process for increasing the productivity of aluminum castings from a hot chamber die casting machine, as well as a process for increasing the working life of an injection chamber for use in a hot chamber aluminum die casting machine, both of which involve the use of a passivated aluminum alloy in the machine. In the preferred embodiment, the process involves the use of an aluminum alloy which is passivated through the introduction of an amount of TiBr.sub.2, provided in amounts sufficient to retard corrosion of the steel of the hot chamber casting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Inventor: Raymond E. Cross
  • Patent number: 5935295
    Abstract: A method of grain refining aluminum, the method comprising providing a molten aluminum body containing 1 to 3000 ppm titanium. A material reactive with the titanium is introduced preferably in gaseous form to the aluminum body. The material has a component selected from the group consisting of boron, carbon, sulfur, nitrogen and phosphorus. The material and said titanium form a grain refining compound adapted for grain refining the aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph A. Megy
  • Patent number: 5887647
    Abstract: The invention provides continuously-cast product free of ambient atmosphere contaminants and free of nonmetal solid entrapment. Methods and apparatus are provided for flow of molten metal from ladle to tundish to mold machine, free of contact with ambient atmosphere; and, tundish slag cover is removed, by discharge of a nonreactive gas to provide a selected limited surface area of tundish metal, which is free of slag cover, for insertion of a ladle shroud to deliver molten metal, free of entrapment of nonmetal slag cover, for continuous casting. Transitional casts, before clean metal is obtainable with each new ladle of molten metal, are eliminated; and the duration of uninterrupted continuous casting of clean metal is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Weirton Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Scott D. Melville, Richard E. Hauldren
  • Patent number: 5609199
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing steel having Ca including the steps of adding Ca metal or alloy containing Ca to molten steel in a ladle that has been killed by adding a reducing agent, such as Al, to the molten steel in a predetermined quantity when or after the molten steel has been discharged from a converter, subjecting the molten steel to a vacuum degasification process, and supplying the molten steel to a mold through a tundish so that the molten steel is continuously cast, wherein Ca metal or alloy containing Ca is added to the molten steel in the tundish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiei Kato, Seiko Nara, Kenichi Sorimachi
  • Patent number: 5588478
    Abstract: A high speed twin roll casting process is described in which molten metal is fed through a feeding nose into a convergent cavity formed between the walls of two rotating rolls with a meniscus of hot metal extending from the feeding nose tip in a casting zone and the metal strip formed in the casting zone is reduced in a rolling zone. According to the novel feature, the tendency of the metal strip to stick to the rolls is significantly inhibited by shrouding the hot metal meniscus with an oxygen enriched atmosphere. Also when the metal is an Al--Mg alloy, the sticking is greatly inhibited by adding to the alloy a small amount of at least one alloying element selected from nickel, lead, indium and bismuth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Iljoon Jin, David J. Lloyd, Roland S. Timsit, Eric R. Lees
  • Patent number: 5578143
    Abstract: (Object) IF-based, continuously cast slab essentially freed from defects such as surface defects, difficult production and poor strength, etc. of the product that the IF-based sheet steels have; sheet steels and a process for producing the same are provided.(Structure) A continuously cast slab of extremely low carbon steel comprising not more than 1.5% by mass of Si, not more than 2.0% by mass of Mn, not ore than 0.15% by mass of P, 0.01-0.15% by mass of Al, and not more than 0.0050% by mass of N, where the surface layer further contains 0.01-0.08% by mass of C existing as a cementite and the inner layer further contains not more than 0.0050% by mass of C, and at least one of 0.02-0.10% by mass of Ti, 0.01-0.10% by mass of Nb, 0.02-0.10% by mass of V and 0.03-0.10% by mass of Zr, the carbon existing substantially as carbides of these elements, preferably both the surface layer and the inner layer further contain 0.0001-0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Koyama, Eiichi Takeuchi, Masayoshi Suehiro
  • Patent number: 5577549
    Abstract: A mold flux for the continuous casting of steel (including ultra low carbon steel) comprises refractory metal oxide, at least one fluxing agent, a binder, and expandable graphite in the amount of 0.3-1.0% by weight, the expandable graphite having a size less than about 80 mesh, and the flux in the form of spherical granules 200-500 microns in diameter. The binder typically comprises between about 8-14% weight soda ash, or between about 4-7% by weight lithium carbonate, or a combination of soda ash and lithium carbonate wherein double the percentage of lithium carbonate plus the percentage of soda ash is between about 8-14%. The flux may additionally include--especially where ultra low carbon steel is being continuously cast--starch and MnO.sub.2 to reduce slag rim, improve thermal insulation, and reduce carbon pickup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1996
    Assignee: Foseco International Limited
    Inventors: Royston J. Phillips, Spencer C. Diehl
  • Patent number: 5538070
    Abstract: A granular mould flux for use in the continuous casting of steel comprises refractory metal oxide, one or more fluxing agents, a binder and 0.1% to 3% by weight based on the weight of the flux of an expanding agent such as expandable perlite, expandable vermiculite or expandable graphite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Foseco International Limited
    Inventors: Royston J. Phillips, Spencer C. Diehl
  • Patent number: 5469911
    Abstract: A method for improving the surface quality of electromagnetically cast aluminum alloy ingot includes the addition of an effective amount of calcium prior to the ingot head of an ingot mold of an electromagnetic casting station. The addition of calcium is regulated such that the aluminum alloy cast ingot contains a maximum of 0.05 weight percent calcium. Addition of the calcium prior to the ingot head produces a cast ingot which is generally free of surface imperfections on side surfaces thereof so that the cast ingot can be directly worked or rolled to a desired gauge without a scalping or surface conditioning treatment. The calcium can be added during melting, alloying, filtering, degassing or transferring of the molten aluminum prior to casting. An electromagnetically cast aluminum alloy ingot is produced, preferably an AA5182 can end stock alloy, which is essentially free of surface imperfections to permit direct rolling or other working of the cast ingot without a surface conditioning treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: Gary B. Parker
  • Patent number: 5415220
    Abstract: Casting aluminum-lithium based alloys under a salt cover involves forming a molten aluminum-lithium alloy, transferring the molten aluminum-lithium alloy to a casting station, and direct chill casting the aluminum-lithium alloy, wherein a protective molten salt cover comprising a mixture of lithium chloride and potassium chloride is maintained over the aluminum-lithium alloy during the casting process. Formation of the molten aluminum-lithium alloy includes alloying of lithium with aluminum by adding lithium to the salt-covered molten aluminum in a melting vessel. The molten salt may be added to the ingot head during casting. A preferred salt mixture includes 35 to 90 mole % LiCl and 10 to 65 mole % KCl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventor: H. Marvin Edwards
  • Patent number: 5325911
    Abstract: A continuously cast slab of Fe-Ni series alloy comprising 30-50 wt % of Ni or further 0.001-0.03 wt % of B and the balance of Fe is controlled to an eqiaxial crystal ratio of 20% or 30% in accordance with the existence or nonexistence of B content in the continuous casting and, if necessary, subjected to an electromagnetic stirring treatment or the like for controlling the eqiaxial crystal ratio and then heated at a temperature of not lower than 950.degree. C., 1000.degree. C. and 1100.degree. C. to economically produce Fe-Ni series alloys having improved effect for restraining streaks during etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Nippon Yakin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaomi Tsuda, Toshihiko Taniuchi
  • Patent number: 5299627
    Abstract: Steel is continuously cast while adding a mold powder using a vertical continuous casting mold having two pairs of mold surfaces which form a casting cavity, wherein the surface temperature of the mold is kept at 700.degree. C. or more by forming the mold surfaces of a Ni-Cr alloy, and a mold powder having a solidifying point lower than the surface temperature is used so that the mold powder is maintained in a liquid-phase state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Sorimachi, Hirokazu Tozawa, Seiji Itoyama, Shuji Takeuchi, Akira Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 5291939
    Abstract: A start-up method and apparatus for continuous casting of molten metal into a cast strip product includes initially casting a start-up alloy having sufficient strength, flexibility and casting surface release properties to achieve steady state casting conditions. A target alloy follows the start-up alloy being cast to produce a cast strip product of the target alloy composition. A start-up alloying vessel is disposed between the source of the target alloy and the casting apparatus to facilitate introduction of a start-up alloy into the casting process or formulation of a particular start-up alloy for initiation of the continuous casting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: John A. Hensley, James L. Stone, James C. Key, George A. Sloan
  • Patent number: 5263534
    Abstract: An exothermic type mold additive for continuous casting comprising 20.about.90 wt % base raw materials, 0.about.10 wt % silicious raw materials containing more than 50 wt % SiO.sub.2 content, 0.about.20 wt % flux raw materials, 2.about.30 wt % of more than one kind selected from a group comprising carbonates, bicarbonates and nitrates of alkaline metals as exothermic materials, and 3.about.30 wt % of more than one kind of component selected from a group comprising carbon, silicon and silicon alloys as reducing materials. Oxidation exothermic speed is controlled by controlling the kind and amounts of reducing materials, and casting with few carburization, inclusions, pin-holes, etc. can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: Shinagawa Refractories Co., LTd.
    Inventors: Kenji Ichikawa, Osamu Nomura, Akihiro Morita, Hideaki Fujiwara, Shinji Hattori
  • Patent number: 5242014
    Abstract: In a continuous casting method, a melt surface condition within a mold is monitored for melt surface abnormalities such as boiling, lack of powder, and a condition of slag beard formation by using image sensors. Also, a condition of Deckel formation is detected by using a load sensor through a sensor rod. Based on the monitored conditions, a casting speed, a flow rate of gas blown into a pouring nozzle, a flow rate of a melt poured into the mold, scatter of powder, and the like, are controlled to prevent the occurrence of the melt surface abnormalities, as well as removing a slag beard by a hitting oscillator and removing Deckels by the sensor rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Takahashi, Masami Temma, Atsuhiro Goto
  • Patent number: 5234488
    Abstract: A mold additive suitable for use in a mold for continuous casting of steel which comprises, as its base material, at least 50% by weight of synthetic calcium silicate which contains CaO and SiO.sub.2 in a total amount not less than 70% by weight, and whose CaO/SiO.sub.2 ratio is not lower than 1.20. A mold additive of low bulk density and superior in heat insulation can be obtained and its CaO/SiO.sub.2 ratio can be widely adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1993
    Assignee: Shinagawa Refractories Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Ichikawa, Osamu Nomura, Akihiro Morita, Yoichiro Kawabe, Hideaki Fujiwara, Koyo Yanagawa
  • Patent number: 5224534
    Abstract: There is provided a method of producing a refractory metal or refractory metal-based alloy material by electron beam cold hearth remelting which comprises melting and casting a meltable electrode, characterized in that the electrode used for electron beam cold hearth remelting is made by enveloping a material of refractory metal or refractory metal-based alloy to be melted with an enclosure formed from a metallic material having a higher vapor pressure than said particular refractory metal or from a metallic material which includes component or components having a higher vapor pressure than said particular refractory metal. The evaporation loss of the alloy component or components of the refractory metal-based alloy is compensated for with said metallic material or component(s) of the enclosure or otherwise any metallic material or component(s) of the enclosure provides at least a partial addition of the alloy component or components of the refractory metal-based alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Nippon Mining and Metals Company, Limited
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Shimizu, Toshiaki Kawata, Masayasu Ito, Takeshi Akazawa
  • Patent number: 5179997
    Abstract: The present invention provides a basic slag for use to protect molten steel in a tundish during continuous casting processes. The preferred slag of the present invention comprises a combination of CaO, MgO, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and TiO.sub.2. The resulting tundish covering has exceptional insulation, protective and Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 absorptive properties, while avoiding operational problems encountered with previous basic tundish slags, such as crusting and refractory erosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1993
    Assignee: Atlantic Metals Corporation
    Inventors: Maharaj K. Koul, Franklin T. Whitaker, Richard W. Paul
  • Patent number: 5167272
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mold additive for continuous casting which comprises adjusting an additive for stationary casting containing a flux base and, if necessary, a melting property regulator wherein it contains 4-30 wt % of MgO and 4-30 wt % of ZrO.sub.2 and CaO/SiO.sub.2 is 0.5-1.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignees: Nippon Steel Corporation, Kamogawa Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shozo Shima, Yukio Nakamura, Masahiro Nakamura, Masanobu Kanayama
  • Patent number: 5143355
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing an oxygen-free copper having an oxygen content of no greater than 3 ppm by weight are disclosed. In the method, a deoxidizing step is carried out by bringing a reducing gas containing hydrogen gas into contact with a molten copper to react on the oxygen to remove the same. Then a dehydrogenation step may be carried out by bringing a gas of lean hydrogen concentration into contact with the molten copper. Accordingly, the apparatus has a deoxidizing device for blowing the reducing gas into the molten copper and preferably a dehydrogenation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Takuro Iwamura, Tsugio Koya, Izumi Sukekawa, Hideru Hagiwara, Haruhiko Asao, Toshiaki Shigematsu, Hideki Sato
  • Patent number: 5117896
    Abstract: The process imparts heat during their solidification to the edge portions of a thin metal product (4) which is continuously cast in a machine comprising a casting space defined by two rotating rolls (1, 1') and two lateral closing plates (2, 2'). The process comprises applying on the portions (9) of the cooled surface of the rolls close to the lateral closing plates a coating of consumable material (5) which is adapted to react in an exothermic manner with the metal which comes in contact with the coating. A roll of a continuous casting device adapted for this purpose is provided together with a continuous casting device for carrying out the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Assignee: Usinor Sacilor
    Inventor: Herve Tavernin
  • Patent number: 5106412
    Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining steel with lowered hydrogen levels after ladle treatment. The method includes covering molten steel in the ladle with a particulate mixture consisting essentially of calcium aluminate and dolomitic limestone. The mixture is used in amounts of about 5 to 25 pounds per net ton of molten steel. Using the method of this invention, some steels to be cast without vacuum degassing to reduce the hydrogen level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: USX Corporation
    Inventors: Robert S. Bogan, Keith E. Sessions, William J. Stolnacker, deceased
  • Patent number: 5058659
    Abstract: A process is provided for producing a steel bloom having a varying chemical composition in the cross-section. First, a flow of molten steel is directed into a casting chill form via a pouring pipe. Next, an alloy wire (e.g., sulphur foil, iron sulfite and other sulphur compounds) is introduced to the chill form. This alloy wire is melted in the molten steel from the upper surface of the molten steel to a maximum depth corresponding to the lower edge of the pouring pipe. The resulting steel bloom exhibits a substantially constant decreasing chemical composition in the cross-section from the outer to the center of the bloom and is easily regulated and reproduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Klockner Stahl GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Abratis, Hans-Joachim Selenz, Friedrich Hofer
  • Patent number: 5028257
    Abstract: A metallurgical flux composition comprising calcium oxide, alumina, magnesium oxide and silica contains 22-35% by weight magnesium oxide and has a weight ratio of calcium oxide to magnesium oxide of from 0.6:1 to 2.5:1. The preferred composition contains 28-42% by weight calcium oxide, 13-21% by weight alumina, 22-35% by weight magnesium oxide and 3-8% by weight silica, preferably has a calcium oxide to magnesium oxide weight ratio of from 0.8:1 to 1.9:1 and preferably has a calcium oxide to silica weight ratio of from 6.0:1 to 7.5:1. The flux composition is particularly useful as a tundish cover in the continuous casting of steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Foseco International Limited
    Inventors: Andrew J. Tomkins, Royston J. Phillips
  • Patent number: 4991642
    Abstract: A glass frit composition having the theoretical oxide values (in weight %) of 0.5-9 Li.sub.2 O, 29-38 Na.sub.2 O, 0-25 CaO, 5-10 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 38-50 of SiO.sub.2 is characterized in that it is virtually fluorine-free and was found to be eminently suitable in its molten form as a lubricant in the continuous casting of steel. The invention is thus related to a lithium containing fluorine-free frit compositions and in a second aspect to an improvement in the process for the continuous casting of steel, the improvement comprising using as a lubricant the glass frit composition referred to above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Stollberg, Inc.
    Inventor: Elie E. Saad
  • Patent number: 4979558
    Abstract: MnS is finely dispersed and precipitated in a steel, and the steel obtained has highly improved characteristics such as HAZ toughness, cold cracking resistance, and corrosion resistance. This steel is obtained by continuously casting a component-adjusted molten steel having a dissolved oxygen concentration of 20 to 60 ppm and containing 0.01 to 0.05% by weight of a deoxidizing element, at a specific cooling rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Sawai, Hidetoshi Yuyama, Yoshiyuki Ueshima, Shozo Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 4936373
    Abstract: The process of the invention comprises feeding molten cast iron into a metal receptacle, continuous feeding of magnesium in a steel sheath into the molten cast iron at a rate ensuring the content of masgnesium in the material of a shaped casting witin the range of about 0.03 to about 0.06 mass %, shaping a casting in a mould, and drawing thereof from the mould.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Inventors: Igor K. Pokhodnya, Vladimir S. Shumikhin, Ivan G. Razdobarin, Anatoly A. Snezhko, Mechislav V. Zhelnis, Vladimir F. Alter, Oleg I. Shinsky, Boris O. Chernyak, Nikolai T. Ovcharenko
  • Patent number: 4880463
    Abstract: A glass frit composition having the theoretical oxide values (in weight %) of 0.5-9 Li.sub.2 O, 29-38 Na.sub.2 O, 0-25 CaO, 5-10 B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and 38-50 of SiO.sub.2 is characterized in that it is virtually fluorine-free and was found to be eminently suitable in its molten form as a lubricant in the continuous casting of steel. The invention is thus related to a lithium containing fluorine-free frit composition and in a second aspect to an improvement in the process for the continuous casting of steel, the improvement comprising using as a lubricant the glass frit composition referred to above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1989
    Assignee: Mobay Corporation
    Inventor: Elie E. Saad
  • Patent number: 4858674
    Abstract: In the casting of ingots of aluminium alloys, containing a readily oxidizable component, in an open-ended mould, a space is enclosed over the molten metal surface adjacent the mould wall and is filled with an inert gas. The enclosure is maintained by a baffle which dips into the molten metal surface close to the baffle. The molten metal surface between the baffle and the mould wall is preferably covered by a layer of an oxide-dissolving flux, which cleanses the meniscus at the metal meniscus/mould wall interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventor: Philip G. Enright
  • Patent number: 4850422
    Abstract: A method for improving the quality of aluminum ingots or billets formed by the direct chill method comprises applying a small amount of an insulating, nonreactive powder to the surface of the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Reynolds Metals Company
    Inventors: Carl L. Compton, James D. Newman
  • Patent number: 4806304
    Abstract: Sulfur-containing free-cutting steel may have an improved machinability and fewer defects by adding certain amounts of Te, Pb and Bi to prevent elongation of sulfide inclusion particles, and by lowering Al-content to decrease Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 of oxide inclusions or by lowering O-content to decrease large Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 inclusion particles. The free-cutting steel may be produced by continuous casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Daido Tokushuko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsuyoshi Kimura, Sadayuki Nakamura, Makoto Saito
  • Patent number: 4754800
    Abstract: Molten steel containing an undissolved alloying ingredient denser than molten steel (e.g. Pb and/or Bi) flows from a tundish to a continuous casting mold. Various expedients are employed to prevent large globules of undissolved alloying ingredient from flowing out of the tundish into the mold. Another expedient prevents large quantities of undissolved alloying ingredient from accumulating on the bottom of the tundish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: Charles R. Jackson, Daniel Rellis, Jr., Howard M. Pielet, Debanshu Bhattacharya, Larry A. Frank, Purnendu Dasgupta, John R. Knoepke
  • Patent number: 4751958
    Abstract: A method is provided for continuously casting aluminum alloys having more than two percent total alloying elements by a combination of casting at thinner gauges and much higher speeds than usual. Since remelting in the caster is avoided, sheet quality is vastly improved, surface ripples are avoided, and casting rate increased as much 50%. The method is characterized by the thickness of the cast sheet being in the range of from 4 to 5.8 millimeters and the casting rate being in the range of from 1.3 to 1.9 meters per minute. Chlorides in the molten metal are coalesced and oxides filtered to keep the inclusion rate in the cast sheet very low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1988
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Flowers, Christopher A. Romanowski, Dennis M. Smith
  • Patent number: 4724895
    Abstract: Lead or bismuth fumes emitted from steel during a strand casting operation are confined, collected and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventor: John L. Mulesa
  • Patent number: 4681152
    Abstract: A method is provided for continuously casting aluminum alloys particularly useful for computer memory disk stock by a combination of casting at thinner gauges and much higher speeds than usual. Sheet quality is vastly improved, surface ripples are avoided, and casting rate increased as much as 50%. The method is characterized by the thickness of the cast sheet being in the range of from 4 to 6 millimeters and the casting rate being in the range of from 0.8 to 1.8 meters per minute. Chlorides in the molten metal are coalesced and oxides filtered to keep the inclusion rate in the cast sheet very low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Flowers, Christopher A. Romanowski, Dennis M. Smith
  • Patent number: 4678720
    Abstract: A silver-copper-titanium brazing alloy foil was produced by a rapid solidification processing method(s). The composition ranged from 10 to 50 weight percent copper, 0.1 to 9.5 weight percent titanium and the balance silver. Since the method provides high cooling rates, at least 10000.degree. C. per second, unique alloy structures and properties were obtained. This resulting foil can be used in the as cast form, it can be rolled down to a thinner dimension having also a more uniform surface finish, or it can be punched into preforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: GTE Laboratories Incorporated
    Inventors: Shih C. Hsu, Ramas V. Raman
  • Patent number: 4667715
    Abstract: An alloying ingredient is added to molten steel entering the tundish in a continuous casting process. The concentration of the alloying ingredient is maintained substantially uniform throughout the cast by exercising certain controls. Small scale, short term variations in the mass flow rates of the alloying ingredient and molten steel and in the recovery of the alloying ingredient are attenuated by employing a system having certain characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: John R. Knoepke, Howard M. Pielet, Larry A. Frank, Daniel Rellis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4638847
    Abstract: This invention relates to cast iron and more particularly to the improvement in the toughness and abrasive resistance of white cast iron along with a significant increase in tensile strength. More specifically, the present invention relates to a new white cast iron composition and a process for producing such cast iron having improved toughness, ductility and tensile strength while retaining desirable abrasive resistance through modification of the carbide morphology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: GIW Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Wallace Day
  • Patent number: 4632173
    Abstract: Continuous casting facilities generally including a pair of moulds with a rail on each side thereof. Self-propelled tundish cars each carrying a tundish with a detachable immersion nozzle ride on the rails. The apparatus includes a truck running on the rail opposite the operator's side of the moulds connectable with one of the tundish cars and carrying an immersion nozzle exchanger. A connecting piece feeder, a powder feeder, and an immersion nozzle preheater are also mountable on the truck. Equipment interferences are eliminated by the specific structures and the operator's view of the moulds is not obstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Kaneko, Akira Murata, Eiji Inoue, Satoshi Satoh, Shinji Shiraishi, Shoichi Hiwasa
  • Patent number: 4614223
    Abstract: A method for adding reactive metals to steel being continuously cast to eliminate the problem of tundish nozzle plugging is provided by the steps of continuously casting molten steel through a tundish nozzle while introducing a reactive metal into the molten steel in a form and at a point either above or below the tundish nozzle such that high melting oxides and/or oxysulfides of the reactive metal are not formed in an amount sufficient to cause plugging in the nozzle before passing through the nozzle. A flux can be introduced with the alloy or subsequent to the alloy addition that can lower the melting point of the reactive products below the temperature of the steel going through the tundish nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Inventor: William G. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4592404
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for converting a stream of desilized and desulfurized pig iron into steel plates of unlimited length. A spray caster is employed utilizing a substantially cylindrical heat-absorbing target surface and a projector rotatable about a vertical axis substantially co-axial with the axis of the cylindrical target surface. A non-oxidizing atmosphere is maintained about the projector and within the space surrounded by the target surface. A pulverulent oxide, chosen from the class consisting of mill scale, iron oxide, the oxide of an alkaline metal which completely evaporates at the temperature of the molten pig iron, the oxide of a desired alloying metal and combinations thereof, is injected into the molten stream of pig iron. The molten stream of pig iron is caused to flow vertically upon the projector, as the projector is rapidly rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Inventor: Tadeusz Sendzimir
  • Patent number: 4588019
    Abstract: A method of nucleating highly alloyed metals is provided in which the metal alloy is melted, a metal alloy powder is added to the molten metal under conditions such that the powder enters the metal substantially free of surface impurities and the metal is then cooled to solidification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Inventor: Joseph M. Wentzell
  • Patent number: 4575912
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steel and a process for its manufacture which is suitable for the production of springs, especially leafsprings for vehicles. The steel which is vacuum-treated is an ordinary low-carbon steel with 0.20-0.04% C. Its composition is incidentally characterized in that the oxygen content does not exceed 0.040% and in that boron is added to an amount of 0.002-0.004% and titanium to an amount of 0.015-0.050%. The addition of boron causes the hardenability to increase greatly, thus making it possible to keep the carbon content low and, in consequence, reducing the danger of destructive decarbonization.A characteristic of the process of production consists in the fact that the steel is produced in an oxygen converter in such a manner that the nitrogen content in the ladle does not exceed 20 ppm, in that it is subsequently subjected to vacuum treatment and in that Al is added so that the amount of uncombined oxygen drops to max.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Assignee: SSAB Svenskt Stal AB
    Inventors: Carl E. Grip, Bertil J. Hagstad, Bjorn H. Andersson
  • Patent number: 4529441
    Abstract: The invention provides a continuous cast electrical steel and its method of production from a steel melt having a composition range of up to 0.06% carbon, up to 0.04% sulphur, up to 0.15% phosphorus, up to 1.0% manganese, and not more than 0.001% silicon, the remainder being iron and incidental impurities, a silicon addition being made to the molten metal prior to the continuous casting mould in the range of 0.05% and 0.25%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: British Steel Corporation
    Inventor: Brian Smith
  • Patent number: 4524819
    Abstract: A leaded, free-cutting steel is manufactured by a continuous casting process without causing any pollution of the environment or manufacturing apparatus by toxic gases or fumes and in a high yield of lead addition with a high quality, wherein lead, lead alloy, or a composite lead feed material comprising lead or lead alloy covered with a metallic material harmless for the steel such as, for example, aluminum or iron, is directly added to molten steel which is being electromagnetically stirred in the horizontal direction in a mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Steel Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuneo Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 4523625
    Abstract: An inert gas stream carries crystalline or amorphous phase particles which are blown at a metal melt puddle from the exterior of a crucible nozzle facing a contact surface of a continuously moving chill body and spaced slightly therefrom through which is forced a stream of molten metal. This effects homogeneous distribution of a high volume fraction of second phase particles momentarily within the melt into ribbon form prior to rapid solidification during movement away from the nozzle orifice without particle clumping. The particles may be preheated to prevent particle clumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Dieter G. Ast
  • Patent number: 4522784
    Abstract: In the production of alloys, particularly Al alloys, by a continuous casting process a supplementary alloy stream is continuously fed into a main metal stream running to the casting mould. The supplementary alloy stream preferably amounts to 1-20% of the main metal stream and has a liquidus temperature above the temperature of the main metal stream so that on contact with the main metal stream, intermetallic phases are precipitated very rapidly as a result of the high chill rates.This mode of casting reduces the risk of coarse primary particles when casting alloys of high alloying element content. The supplementary alloy stream need not be based on the same metal as the main metal stream. The method is considered suitable for the addition of various metals, such as Zr, Mn, Cu, Fe, to aluminium and aluminium alloys to overcome a variety of difficulties and to produce alloy products of improved properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventors: Philip G. Enright, Ian R. Hughes, Richard M. Jordan
  • Patent number: 4520861
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for alloying continuously cast steel products wherein a wire of alloying material, e.g. lead, is fed through the center of the stopper rod to its nose where the wire melts and dissolves into the stream of liquid steel flowing out of the tundish. The guide passage for the wire and a cooperating hole in the nose of the stopper rod are temporarily closed by heat meltable means which prevents steel from entering and clogging the hole in the passage before a steady-state flow condition is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1985
    Assignee: Republic Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Sobolewski, David N. Eberle