Abstract: Method of operating a rotary furnace for the production of hydraulic binder so as to reduce ring formation therein, whereby the longitudinal temperature profile in the furnace is varied during furnace operation by injecting at least one fluid other than the main fuel(s), the primary oxidizer and hot air from the material cooler with at least one continuously or discontinuously varying injection parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing molten iron includes: an iron ore-mixing/pre-reducing furnace receiving and mixing natural iron ore and oxidized iron ore to form a mixture, and heating or pre-reducing the mixture using a reaction gas to form a pre-heated or pre-reduced iron ore; an iron ore reduction furnace receiving the pre-heated or pre-reduced iron ore iron ore and reducing the pre-heated or pre-reduced iron ore using a reduction gas to form a reduced iron ore and produce the reaction gas; a molten gasification furnace receiving coal and the reduced iron ore and producing molten iron and the reduction gas; and an iron ore oxidizing-burning furnace receiving part of the reduced iron ore discharged from the iron ore reduction furnace and oxidizing the received reduced iron ore to produce the oxidized iron ore. The oxidized iron ore is supplied to the iron ore-mixing/pre-reducing furnace.

Abstract: Provided is a production method for producing pellets that are used for producing an iron-nickel alloy and that are produced by mixing at least a nickel oxide ore, a carbonaceous reducing agent, and an iron oxide and agglomerating the obtained mixtures, the method comprising: a step S11 for producing at least two types of mixtures having different mixing ratios of nickel oxide ore, carbonaceous reducing agent, and iron oxide; and a step S12 for forming pellets, which are agglomerates having a layered structure, by using the two or more types of mixtures such that the mixture with the highest content ratio of iron oxide, among the two or more types of mixtures forms the outermost layer.

Abstract: Char-handling processes for controlling overall heat balance, ash accumulation, and afterburn in a reheater are provided. Carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed using a heat transfer medium forming pyrolysis products and a spent heat transfer medium. The spent heat transfer medium is separated into segregated char and char-depleted spent heat transfer medium. The char-depleted spent heat transfer medium is introduced into a dense bed of heat transfer medium fluidized by a stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. All or a portion of the segregated char is combusted in the dense bed using the stream of oxygen-containing regeneration gas. A portion of the segregated char may be exported out of the pyrolysis system to control the overall heat balance and ash accumulation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a shaped and at least regionally hardened sheet metal component, particularly a sheet steel component (15), with at least one perforation (16) produced in it, in which method a preform (13) is heated to forming temperature, subsequently shaped and then at least regionally hardened by corresponding cooling, wherein the at least one perforation (16) in the preform (13) is produced during the course of a punching process before the preform (13) is hardened. According to the invention, the metal piece (14) separated from the preform (13) by punching is fed back to its original position or a corresponding position in the perforation (16), remains there for the duration of the quenching process and is only pressed out during or after removal of the sheet steel component (13) from the die (1), in which it is held during quenching.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for making phlegmatized metal powder or alloy powder has a retort crucible with a heat-proof, coolable cover, a heatable reduction furnace into which the retort crucible may be inserted, and an inner crucible placed within the retort crucible and removable therefrom. At least one inlet is built into the coolable cover for adding a passivating gas. A heat-proof flange welded onto the retort crucible attaches the retort crucible to the heat-proof, coolable cover. A cooler welded onto a lower face of the heat-proof flange provides a cooling agent to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: The cost of precious metals, such as gold, makes recovery or recycling of these materials economically viable and desirable. Disclosed herein is a method of recovering gold from waste sources thereof, in particular waste electrical goods. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus for recovering gold from said waste sources. In particular, disclosed herein is a method and apparatus in which gold leaching chlorine gas is generated externally to a reactor vessel and subsequently pumped into the reactor vessel comprising the waste gold materials.

Abstract: A production method of a metal pipe which can suppress quenching defects is provided. In the production method of a metal pipe according an embodiment of the present invention bend of the metal pipe is straightened by a straightening machine 10. Next, both pipe end portions of the metal pipe whose bend has been straightened are cut off by a pipe cutting apparatus 20. Next, a plurality of the metal pipes whose both pipe end portions have been cut off are aligned in the axial direction thereof to be conveyed to a quenching apparatus 30, and the metal pipes are quenched by being cooled after being heated by induction heating.

Abstract: A system for hot-forming blanks (P) includes at least one heating device (4) and at least one pressing device (8) arranged downstream of the at least one heating device (4), and at Least one reheating device (16) for at least partially acting upon the blanks formed in the pressing device with heat provided downstream of the pressing device (2). A method is also provided.

Abstract: A heat treatment line for producing a heat treated metal component includes a heating station, which heats the metal component to a component temperature above the austenizing temperature, and a temperature treatment station, wherein the temperature treatment station has an internal temperature which essentially corresponds to the temperature of the metal component.

Abstract: There is provided a heating device, in particular an austenitization device, for a plant for hot forming blanks, wherein the heating device is for locally heating, in particular austenitization, regions of the blanks and has at least one burner. Also included is means for moving the burner and/or the flame of the burner to the regions of the blank which are to be subjected to local heating.

Abstract: A cast-steel pouring apparatus is provided, cast-steel pouring apparatus which can contribute to shortening a casting time for casting molten steel of cast steel into a sprue of casting mold. A first axial line of a first pivot shaft is positioned on a more diametrically inner side than is a first imaginary extension line of an outer-circumference wall face in a furnace-body main body, and is positioned on a more diametrically outer side than is a second imaginary extension line of an inner-circumference wall face in a fire-retardant lining material that the furnace-body main body has.

Abstract: Embodiments of an aluminum dross cooling head are disclosed. The cooling cooperates with a material container encapsulate dross and reduce thermiting of the dross. In one embodiment, the cooling head also serves as a compression head when forced into the dross by a cooperating dross press assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems for transferring molten metal from one structure to another. Aspects of the invention include a transfer chamber constructed inside of or next to a vessel used to retain molten metal. The transfer chamber is in fluid communication with the vessel so molten metal from the vessel can enter the transfer chamber. A powered device, which may be inside of the transfer chamber, moves molten metal upward and out of the transfer chamber and preferably into a structure outside of the vessel, such as another vessel or a launder.

Abstract: A granulation installation for a melt produced in a metallurgical plant, especially for blast furnace slag having a water injection device for quenching and thereby granulating the melt and a granulation tank for collecting water and granulates a steam condensation tower is located above the granulation tank for collecting steam generated in the tank, where the tower has a steam condensing system with a water-spraying device and a water-collecting device below the water-spraying device, and the tower is equipped with a stack for selectively evacuating excessive steam to the atmosphere, the stack having an inlet communicating with the lower zone of the condensation tower and an outlet arranged to evacuate steam to the atmosphere above the condensation tower, the stack being equipped with an obturator device for selective evacuation of steam through the stack, where the installation according to the invention may process an increase of 60% of slag, e.g.

Abstract: A plant for producing char and fuel gas includes a fluidized bed reactor having a first inlet in a lower region of the fluidized bed reactor configured to supply a primary fluidizing gas, a second inlet disposed above the first inlet and configured to supply a secondary gas, and a third inlet configured to supply dried and crushed coal. A further reactor is configured to perform a further process, the further reactor being directly connected to the fluidized bed reactor via a first conduit. A pneumatic injection and/or transportation system is disposed between the fluidized bed reactor and the further reactor. The first inlet is connected to a first supply of a first gas having an oxygen content which is smaller than a second supply of an oxygen enriched second gas connected to the second inlet.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is directed to methods and apparatuses for recovering target metals from scrap. In some embodiments, the methods comprise dissolving a portion of a mixed metal scrap into a molten salt to form a molten salt and metal mixture, the scrap including a target metal species and at least one contaminant metal species; bubbling a gas through the molten salt and metal mixture to form a gas and metal vapor mixture comprising target metal vapors; and condensing at least a portion of the target metal vapors.

Abstract: A method and a system for continuously in-line annealing a forwarding ferromagnetic amorphous alloy ribbon in a curved shape to improve its magnetic properties without causing the ribbon to become brittle and which operates at significant high ribbon feeding rates. The amorphous alloy ribbon is fed forward, tensioned and guided along a path at a preset feeding rate and is heated at a point along the path at a rate greater than 103° C./sec to a temperature to initiate a thermal treatment. Then the ribbon is initially cooled at a rate greater than 103° C./sec until the thermal treatment ends. During the thermal treatment, a series of mechanical constraints is applied on the ribbon until the amorphous alloy ribbon adopts a specific shape at rest after the thermal treatment is ended. After the initial cooling, the amorphous alloy ribbon is subsequently cooled at a sufficient rate to a temperature that will preserve the specific shape.

Abstract: In a press-hardening plant, a contact-cooling press (12) is provided between the furnace (11) and the press-hardening press (13). Preselected parts of the blank (18) are contact-cooled such that corresponding parts of the finished product are softer and display a lower yield point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting waste thermal energy from a pyrometallurgical vessel (1) and converting that energy to direct electrical current, the method including deriving and controlling a primary fluid flow (103) from a primary heat exchanger (10) associated with the pyrometallurgical vessel (1), providing a secondary heat exchanger (12) physically displaced from the pyrometallurgical vessel (1) which exchanges heat between the primary fluid flow (103) from the primary heat exchanger (10) and a secondary fluid flow (104). The secondary heat exchanger (12) has at least one thermoelectric or magneto-thermoelectric device having two operationally-opposed sides, the operationally-opposed sides being in thermal communication with the primary and secondary fluid flows (103,104) respectively. A temperature difference is maintained between the two operationally-opposed sides of the thermoelectric or magneto-thermoelectric device and electrical energy is generated from the temperature differential.

Abstract: A method for hot rolling a metal strip or metal sheet, wherein 1.a) the slab or the strip or sheet is subjected in a first step to one or more reshaping actions in a hot rolling mill for producing a uniform, fine, recrystallised austenite structure and 2) the slab or the strip or sheet is then subjected in a second step to cooling for producing a fine-grain structure. The slab or the strip or sheet is subjected to heating between at least two roll stands of the hot rolling mill during performance of the step 1.a). The roll stands are arranged to follow one another in a rolling direction and in each of which the slab or the strip or sheet is subjected to reshaping. A heater for heating the rolling stock is arranged between at least two of the roll stands.

Abstract: A system for annealing a formable panel includes a stamping press configured to pre-form the panel using a first die and a second die. The system also includes a transfer device configured to engage the pre-formed panel and transfer the panel from the stamping press. The transfer device includes a heating element configured to anneal the pre-formed panel. The heating element anneals the pre-formed panel in the stamping press after the first die is disengaged from the panel and while the panel is being supported by the second die. A method of processing a formable panel and a method of processing a pre-formed panel in a multi-stage stamping operation, each using the system, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of an aluminum dross cooling head are disclosed. The cooling cooperates with a material container encapsulate dross and reduce thermiting of the dross. In one embodiment, the cooling head also serves as a compression head when forced into the dross by a cooperating dross press assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a metal structural component, in particular a vehicle structural component, in which a steel part is hot formed and is hardened at least over sections by contact with a tool surface, in which the steel part is during the hardening cooled in at least two partial regions at different cooling rates, so that the partial regions after the hardening differ in their microstructure, wherein the cooling rates differing from one another are produced by sections of the tool surface corresponding to the partial regions of the steel part, which differ from one another as regards their thermal conductivities. The invention also relates to a further method for producing a metal structural component, as well as a tool and a batch furnace.

Abstract: A method and a machine tool are disclosed for processing and hardening metallic workpieces. The workpieces are clamped in workpiece holders and are first processed with metal cutting by means of a processing device and are then hardened by means of a hardening device. For hardening, the processed workpiece is first heated by means of a heating unit and then quenched by means of a quenching unit. The quenching occurs by means of a cryogenic cooling medium, e.g., liquid or gaseous nitrogen. Because the processing and hardening of the workpiece occurs in a clamping device, and the fast quenching of the heated workpiece, a high processing quality and short processing and/or cycle times are achieved.

Abstract: A device for winding an elongate member into a coil includes at least one first body portion adapted to rotate about a first axis; at least one fixing device for fixing a portion of an elongate member to the at least one first body portion; and at least one force applicator for applying a force to the elongate member. The force includes first and second force components acting in perpendicular first and second directions respectively, in order to restrict movement of the elongate member in directions parallel with the first and said second directions. The first force component acts towards the first body portion to which the elongate member is fixed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for hot forming of steel parts, in particular blanks or semi-finished products of steel, in which the steel parts are heated in a furnace for at least partial austenitisation to a temperature above the Ac1 temperature and hot formed in a forming tool. The object of providing a method for hot forming of steel parts which allows an energy-efficient performance of the hot forming while at the same time reducing the cycle times for producing a hot formed component, is achieved in that the waste heat from the furnace is used for further heat treatment steps of the steel part before and/or after the at least partial austenitisation of the steel part.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing direct reduced iron and/or hot metal using high-moisture content carbonaceous material, including: agglomerating carbonaceous material from the high-moisture content carbonaceous material with a metal oxide-bearing material to form an agglomerate suitable for use in a direct reduction and/or hot metal producing process. The method also includes distilling the high-moisture content carbonaceous material. The method further includes dry quenching the carbonaceous material obtained from the distilling step. The method still further includes drying the high-moisture content carbonaceous material with energy from a hot off gas from a furnace for producing direct reduced iron and/or hot metal prior to the distilling step.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for recovering rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet and comprises the steps of exposing the assembly to hydrogen gas to effect hydrogen decrepitation of the rare earth magnet to produce a rare earth particulate material, and separating the rare earth particulate material from the rest of the assembly. The invention also resides in an apparatus for separating rare earth particulate material from an assembly comprising a rare earth magnet. The apparatus comprises a reaction vessel having an opening which can be closed to form a gas-tight seal, a separation means for separating the rare earth particulate material from the assembly, and a collection means for collecting the rare earth particulate material. The reaction vessel is connected to a vacuum pump and a gas control system, and the gas control system controls the supply of hydrogen gas to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A press quenching machine for steel plates includes a press bed structure, a hydraulic cylinder, a drive roller for advancing and stopping the steel plates, a fixed upper pressure head part, a bottom pressure head part movable up and down within the press bed structure, a plurality of upper pressed ribs provided on the upper pressure head part, and a plurality of bottom pressed ribs provided on the bottom pressure head part. The upper pressed ribs are crosswise arranged with the bottom pressed ribs, the upper and bottom pressed ribs have a density distribution according to a position of a special-shape plate for ensuring the flatness of the steel plates after quenching. In the press quenching machine, the transfer time and heat dissipation of the steel plates can be reduced, and no blind areas or soft spots exist. Therefore, the press quenching machine has a high yield and production efficiency.

Abstract: It is provided a steel sheet heating device that heats a flat steel sheet, including: a hot plate having a flat heating surface brought into close contact with the steel sheet; and a plurality of heating equipment able to heat a plurality of heating regions, formed by dividing the heating surface of the hot plate into a plurality of sections, to different heating temperatures at the same time, wherein the steel sheet is heated to different temperatures at various portions based on the heating temperatures of the plurality of heating regions of the heating surface, at the same time through a single heating treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for induction hardening of a steel member having an outer ring portion and, more specifically, for induction hardening of an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring portion. The method uses two pressing members, each of which includes a flat basal surface and a projecting portion projecting therefrom. Each of the projecting portions has a cross-section in the shape of a perfect circle. Also, the projecting portions have, on the outer circumferences thereof, respective pressing surfaces. While gaps are maintained between axial end faces of the outer ring portion and the basal surfaces of the pressing members, the pressing members are pressed against the outer ring portion so that the pressing surfaces each abut against the inner circumference side of the outer ring portion. While a biasing force is applied to the pressing members, the induction hardening process is applied to the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: A system for heat treating an alloy steel component includes a first enclosure and a second enclosure opposed to the first enclosure. The first and second enclosures define a chamber around only a portion of the alloy steel component. The system further includes a heating element in the chamber to heat the portion of the alloy steel component. A method for heat treating an alloy steel component includes placing a first enclosure against a first side of the alloy steel component and placing a second enclosure against a second side of the alloy steel component. The method further includes creating a substantially airtight chamber around only a portion of the alloy steel component between the first and second enclosures and heating the portion of the alloy steel component inside the substantially airtight chamber.

Abstract: A hybrid method manufacturing apparatus for a torsion beam according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of side punch molds where a semi-finished product material heated to approximately 880 to 800° C. is molded and a press mold where a cooling water circulation line decreasing the temperature of the processed finished product to approximately 750 to 450° C. while the semi-finished product material is molded to a processed finished product is installed, an advantage of high-temperature molding having high dimensional accuracy is maintained at the time of manufacturing the torsion beam and additional heat treatment such as tempering is selectively performed only when additional heat treatment such as tempering increases toughness because only a martensite structure is not formed in quenching treatment.

Abstract: A system and method for cooling and removing metallic iron and other aggregate from a moving hearth is provided. Cooling may be provided by a secondary cooling system and a spray cooling system in a cooling zone. The secondary cooling system may include an arrangement of coolant tubes for absorbing heat. A flow of nitrogen may be provided through the cooling zone. The spray cooling system may provide evaporative cooling. Aggregate removal may be provided by a magnetic removal system, a plow system, and a sweeper system. The magnetic removal system uses a magnetic device and a moving belt to remove iron materials. The plow system uses a plow to separate and remove aggregate from the moving hearth. The sweeper system may use a vacuum device to pull materials from the moving hearth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hardened profiles, in particular hardened open profiles, wherein the component is at least partly heated to above the austenitizing temperature of the base material and after heating the component is cooled at a rate above the critical hardening rate, the energy necessary for the heating being introduced at least partly by induction, wherein free edges are provided in the component to adjust a temperature or hardness gradient over the cross section of the component, the size, type and extension of the edges being set for a desired degree of hardness and/or hardness gradient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making sheet metal components includes heating a sheet of hardenable steel to its austenitizing temperature and hot forming the same in a hot forming tool to define a formed workpiece. The formed workpiece is held in the hot forming tool for a first holding time. The formed workpiece is then removed from the hot forming tool and immediately placed in a cooled, form holding tool and is held therein in a closed condition for a second holding time. The form holding tool may be constructed from a material that has greater heat conductivity than that of the hot forming tool.

Abstract: A method of quenching a ring shaped article includes a heating step (S1) of heating the article (W) to a quenching temperature; a primary cooling step (S2) of cooling the article (W) down to a deformation correction initiating temperature, which is higher than a martensitic transformation point; and a secondary cooling step (S3) of cooling the article (W) down to a temperature lower than the martensitic transformation point by, while a pair of receiving rolls (3) are held in contact with an outer peripheral surface of the article (W) for rolling motion about an axis of rotation parallel to a center of the article (W), pressing a press roll (4), rotatable about an axis of rotation parallel to the center of the article (W), against the outer peripheral surface of the article (W) from one side of the article (W) opposite to a point intermediate between the receiving rolls (3).

Abstract: A thermally efficient cover for the molten metal held in a furnace, tundish, ladle, crucible or other containment vessel. Through substantially horizontal movement, this cover allows for periodic removal, particularly by retraction, for accessing contents of that furnace from a top aperture in the containment vessel. This invention further relates to a covered furnace system and methods of use.

Abstract: A process for producing Ti, comprising a reduction step of reacting TiCl4 with Ca in a CaCl2-containing molten salt having the Ca dissolved therein to thereby form Ti particles, a separation step of separating the Ti particles formed in said molten salt from said molten salt and an electrolysis step of electrolyzing the molten salt so as to increase the Ca concentration, wherein the molten salt increased in Ca concentration in the electrolysis step is introduced into a regulating cell to thereby render the Ca concentration of the molten salt constant and thereafter the molten salt is used for the reduction of TiCl4 in the reduction step. In the present invention, the Ca concentration of the molten salt to be fed to the corresponding reduction vessel can be inhibited from fluctuating and, at the same time, can maintain high concentration levels. Further, a large volume of the molten salt can be treated continuously.

Abstract: A continuous annealing and pickling process of flat cold-rolled products, such as stainless steel strips, to obtain a high surface quality product at high production rates and with a low environmental impact. It comprises the following steps: heating, up to a temperature comprised in the range 650-1050° C., in an atmosphere with an oxygen content comprised in the range from 0.5 to 12%; heating for a time comprised from 10 to 200 sec up to a temperature comprised in the range from 650 to 1200° C. in presence of oxidizing agents and/or inert agents; cooling down to temperatures comprised in the range from 650° C. to ambient tempera in presence of oxidizing agents and/or inert agents; thermochemical or electrolytic descaling and finally possible pickling and/or passivation, by means of the use of pickling baths consisting of mineral acid solutions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons by injecting fine carbonaceous materials into a melter-gasifier and a method for manufacturing molten irons using the same.

Abstract: A method using a continuous annealing furnace where a cooling method of a cooling zone including part or all of the temperature range of the steel sheet of 600 to 250° C. following the heating for recrystallization is one or more of gas cooling, effusion cooling, and cooling pipe cooling, or a joint cold rolled steel sheet/hot dip galvanized steel sheet facility having such a continuous annealing furnace, to continuously anneal cold rolled steel sheet to produce high strength cold rolled steel sheet, characterized by exposing the steel sheet surface to an iron-oxidizing atmosphere in the steel sheet temperature range to make the surface oxidize, pickling the sheet at the outlet side of the annealing furnace, then iron- or Ni-plating the sheet to 1 to 50 mg/m2.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of uniformly heating, rheologically softening, and thermoplastically forming metallic glasses rapidly into a net shape using a rapid capacitor discharge forming (RCDF) tool are provided. The RCDF method utilizes the discharge of electrical energy stored in a capacitor to uniformly and rapidly heat a sample or charge of metallic glass alloy to a predetermined “process temperature” between the glass transition temperature of the amorphous material and the equilibrium melting point of the alloy in a time scale of several milliseconds or less. Once the sample is uniformly heated such that the entire sample block has a sufficiently low process viscosity it may be shaped into high quality amorphous bulk articles via any number of techniques including, for example, injection molding, dynamic forging, stamp forging, and blow molding in a time frame of less than 1 second.

Abstract: A valuable-substance recovery method according to the present invention includes: a solvent peeling step (S3) of dissolving a resin binder included in an electrode material by immersing crushed pieces of a lithium secondary battery into a solvent, so as to peel off the electrode material containing valuable substances from a metal foil constituting the electrode; a filtering step (S4) of filtering a suspension of the solvent, so as to separate and recover the electrode material containing the valuable substances and a carbon material; a heat treatment step (S5) of heating the recovered electrode material containing the valuable substances and the carbon material, under an oxidative atmosphere, so as to burn and remove the carbon material; and a reducing reaction step (S6) of immersing the resultant electrode material containing the valuable substances into a molten salt of lithium chloride containing metal lithium, so as to perform a reducing reaction.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of conditioning a thermally activated shape memory alloy wire for use in an application, wherein the apparatus includes an adjustable hard-stop and the preferred method includes pre-determining a minimum activating current, allowable strain, and a loading magnitude and form based on the wire configuration and application, and further includes applying a double-exponential model to determine a final recoverable strain over fewer cycles.

Abstract: Compared to conventional steel products, polyphase steels have a significantly improved combination of resistance and ductility and are therefore becoming more and more important—especially for the automobile industry. The currently most important steel groups for the automobile industry are dual phase steels and TRIP steels. The production of different polyphase steel resistance categories, carried out directly on a hot strip, for meeting various requirements, requires a highly extensive know-how and firstly a corresponding adaptation of the alloy elements. According to the invention, a heat treatment (30) with a variable heating temperature and heating duration is carried out following the actual production of polyphase steels with a standard analysis and a standard process execution, whereby almost any combination of different materials or combination of properties (height of yield stress, level of tensile strength) can be adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing a metal body which can turn a metal structure of the metal body into a finer grain structure thus obtaining the high strength and the high ductility. In a method or an apparatus for processing a metal body which turns the metal structure of the metal body into the finer grain structure by forming a low deformation resistance region where the deformation resistance is locally lowered in the metal body and by deforming the low deformation resistance region by shearing, using a non-low deformation resistance region forming means which forms a non-low deformation resistance region by increasing the deformation resistance which is lowered in the low deformation resistance region, the non-low deformation resistance region is formed along the low deformation resistance region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for induction hardening of a steel member having an outer ring portion and, more specifically, for induction hardening of an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring portion. The method uses two pressing members, each of which includes a flat basal surface and a projecting portion projecting therefrom. Each of the projecting portions has a cross-section in the shape of a perfect circle. Also, the projecting portions have, on the outer circumferences thereof, respective pressing surfaces. While gaps are maintained between axial end faces of the outer ring portion and the basal surfaces of the pressing members, the pressing members are pressed against the outer ring portion so that the pressing surfaces each abut against the inner circumference side of the outer ring portion. While a biasing force is applied to the pressing members, the induction hardening process is applied to the outer circumferential surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing a metal body which can turn a metal structure of the metal body into a finer grain structure thus obtaining the high strength and the high ductility. In a method or an apparatus for processing a metal body which turns the metal structure of the metal body into the finer grain structure by forming a low deformation resistance region where the deformation resistance is locally lowered in the metal body and by deforming the low deformation resistance region by shearing, using a non-low deformation resistance region forming means which forms a non-low deformation resistance region by increasing the deformation resistance which is lowered in the low deformation resistance region, the non-low deformation resistance region is formed along the low deformation resistance region.