Lead, Zinc, Or Tin Coating (e.g., Galvanizing, Etc.) Patents (Class 427/433)
  • Patent number: 6180174
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a coated Cu alloy having a surface which has a low coefficient of friction and a high resistance to abrasion and is suitable for fabricating connectors, charging-sockets of electric automobiles etc. The coated Cu alloy is produced by coating the surface of a copper alloy with Sn and heat treating the coated Cu alloy at a temperature in the range of 100-450° C. for 0.5-24 hours. The Cu alloy which is coated with Sn consists of 1-41 wt % Zn with the balance being Cu and incidental impurities. By using the coated Cu alloy, the force of insertion, resistance to abrasion and resistance to corrosion of connectors can be significantly improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignees: Dowa Mining Co., Ltd., Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Sugawara, Yoshitake Hana, Takayoshi Endo, Osamu Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6177140
    Abstract: The present application discloses a method for hot-dip galvanizing and galvannealing which employs a bath of zinc and aluminum. Strips are immersed in the bath to produce substantially dross-free galvannealed and galvanized strips. The bath can have substantially the same effective aluminum concentration during galvannealing as during galvanizing, and the temperature set-point of the bath is at a temperature of about 440° C. to about 450° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Ispat Inland, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramchandra S. Patil, Pertti Sippola
  • Patent number: 6168101
    Abstract: A worm for a chopper is formed of an elongated stainless steel member having at least one convolution extending thereabout for contacting and moving meat when the elongated stainless steel member is rotated. A meat contacting outer surface portion of the elongated stainless steel member is coated in tin for reducing build up of fat on the meat contacting outer surface portion during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Premark FEG L.L.C.
    Inventor: Mark Mingjun Xie
  • Patent number: 6159413
    Abstract: A laminated substrate is prepared, the laminated substrate having two layers including a first film and a second film in tight contact with the first film, the second film being made of a material capable of being etched with synchrotron radiation light. A mask member with a pattern is disposed in tight contact with the surface of the second film of the laminated structure or at a distance from the surface of the second film, the pattern of the mask member being made of a material not transmitting the synchrotron radiation light. The synchrotron radiation light is applied on a partial surface area of the second film via the mask member to etch the second film where the synchrotron radiation light is applied and to expose a partial surface area of the first film on the bottom of an etched area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takanori Katoh, Yanping Zhang
  • Patent number: 6159622
    Abstract: A galvannealed steel sheet having excellent powdering resistance during press forming and excellent chipping resistance in cold environments. The steel sheet has the following chemical composition, by weight, of C: up to 0.01%, Si: 0.03 to 0.3%, Mn: 0.05 to 2%, P: 0.017 to 0.15%, Al: 0.005 to 0.1%, Ti: 0.005 to 0.1%, Nb: up to 0.1 %, B: up to 0.005%, balance: Fe and incidental impurities. The average grain size of the surface of the base metal of the galvannealed steel sheet is 12 .mu.m or less and the steel sheet is useful in the manufacture of automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Hori, Toshio Nakamori, Keiji Miki
  • Patent number: 6153314
    Abstract: A zinc bath, which is particularly useful for batch-wise galvanizing of steel articles, of which the silicon content is not certain, contains 1-5 wt % of tin, 0.01-0.1 wt % of nickel, lead at a concentration up to saturation, and at least one of aluminum, calcium and magnesium, with the rest being zinc of any quality going from remelted scrap to SHG zinc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: N. V. Union Miniere S.A.
    Inventors: Michael Gilles, Richard Sokolowski
  • Patent number: 6093452
    Abstract: A method for hot-dip coating a steel strip comprises: (a) continuously annealing the steel strip in an annealing furnace; (b) introducing the annealed steel strip into a molten metal coating bath through a snout; (c) dipping the annealed steel strip into the molten metal coating bath; (d) controlling a pressure inside of the snout; and (e) discharging a gas containing a metal vapor from the snout to outside of the snout. An apparatus comprises an annealing furnace, a coating pot, a control device for controlling a pressure inside the snout and a gas discharging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Toshio Ishii, Munehiro Ishioka, Akira Hiraya, Seishi Hatakeyama, Nobuyuki Ishida, Teruhisa Kuwana, Kazumi Jiromaru, Toshihiko Ooi, Hideyuki Suzuki, Shinichi Tomonaga, Hitoshi Oishi, Kentaro Akashi, Takayuki Fukui
  • Patent number: 6068887
    Abstract: A process for producing plated steel sheet comprises the steps of heating a steel slab containing not more than 0.5 wt % C to the temperature range not lower than the transformation point Ac.sub.3, and jetting high-pressure water to the surface of a steel sheet at a discharge pressure of 300 kgf/cm.sup.2 or more at least once during hot rough rolling and hot finish rolling, thereby removing a layer of iron oxide on the surface of the steel sheet. The steel sheet is thereafter coiled while keeping a finishing delivery temperature of the steel sheet in the range of 500-800.degree. C., reducing the layer of iron oxide on the surface of the steel sheet at 50-98 % in an annealing furnace with the temperature of the steel sheet held in the range of 750-900.degree. C., and plating the steel sheet. With the process of the invention, plated steel plates having superior workability and plating adhesion can be produced at low cost, even when cold rolling and pickling are omitted from the production steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Isobe, Chiaki Kato, Kazuhiro Seto
  • Patent number: 6042891
    Abstract: Structural steel profiles such as channels, having a material thickness greater than 2 mm, are roll-formed to a preform profile with corners partial bent, in-line galvanized, and then further roll-formed to final shape. The preform profile has upwardly facing convex surfaces allowing rapid shedding of excess galvanising material. By preforming corners before galvanising, surface elongation in the galvanising layer is minimized and cracking eliminated. This is enhances by constant length bending of corners over preform and final roll-forming operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Tubemakers of Australia Limited
    Inventors: Brian Roy Crossingham, Andrew Robert Dickson, Rodney Matthew Langford, Douglas Ian Moore, Darrell St Clair Townsend
  • Patent number: 6037011
    Abstract: A hot dip coating system comprises a bath of molten coating metal contained in a vessel having a strip passage opening located below the top surface of the bath. A metal strip is directed along a path extending through the strip passage opening and through the bath of molten coating metal, to coat the strip. A plug composed of solidified coating metal surrounds the strip downstream of the strip passage opening and is substantially stationary relative to the moving strip. The plug prevents escape of molten coating metal from the bath through the strip passage opening while permitting the strip to move along its path. Expedients are provided to chill the coating metal downstream of the strip passage opening to form and maintain the plug and to heat that part of the molten metal coating bath which is immediately downstream of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: James J. Deegan, William A. Carter, Howard L. Gerber, Philip G. Martin, Ismael G. Saucedo, Joseph W. Sliwa, Anatoly F. Kolesnichenko
  • Patent number: 5989645
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for galvanizing steel sheet in a single galvanizing hot dip pot of the careless induction type, with great flexibility for frequent changes of galvanizing alloys, whereby the productivity of the single pot plant is increased and its investment costs are considerably lowered, in contrast with the current practice of operating plants with two continuously heated galvanizing pots, one in operation and one in stand-by. The single pot having a plurality of associated ingot molds of a capacity to hold a full charge of the alloy being discharged from the pot and a pumping system to empty a molten charge of one alloy composition from the pot into at least some of the stand-by ingot molds (ready for re-use later) and a transport system for replacing the removed charge by an alternate charge in the form of solid ingots of a different alloy composition (which can be either recycled ingots formed from a molten charge previously removed from the pot and/or fresh ingots).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Galvak, S.A. de C.V.
    Inventor: Roberto Robles Flores
  • Patent number: 5985365
    Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for galvanizing threaded rods, comprising conveying threaded rods while horizontally oriented through a bath of molten zinc, then simultaneously spinning the threaded rods in horizontal orientation at sufficient rotational velocity to remove excess molten zinc therefrom by centrifugal force and conveying the threaded rods to a cooling bath. The automated apparatus then conveys the zinc coated threaded rods through a cooling bath to solidify the molten zinc coating and then collects cooled zinc coated threaded rods to permit efficient removal thereof from the apparatus. A rotary conveyor mechanism of the automated apparatus conveys the threaded rods through a molten zinc bath and removes excess molten zinc therefrom by rolling the coated threaded rods down an inclined zinc removal platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: Galvanizing Services Co., Inc.
    Inventor: W. David Jaye
  • Patent number: 5958518
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for using the system to provide a dross-free zinc bath for hot-dip galvanizing of steel strip or wire. The system includes the operation and apparatus for carrying out the operation of directing a zinc solution directly against both sides of a steel strip, along at least 50% of the processing length of the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Perti J. Sippola
  • Patent number: 5912055
    Abstract: An apparatus for continuous hot-dip coating of metal strip is provided. The apparatus includes a first coating pot to hold a molten bath of a first coating metal and a first metal heating means to heat the bath of molten metal in the first pot. The apparatus also includes a second coating pot to hold a molten bath of a second coating metal, which second pot is shallow in relation to the first pot and is positionable within an upper part of the first but removable therefrom, and a second metal heating means operable to heat the molten bath of metal in the second pot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventors: Leslie George Gore, Robert John Henson, Palanisami Karunakaran
  • Patent number: 5905924
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a replaceable coating cartridge and a method of coating at least one surface of a photosensitive material using the replaceable coating cartridge. The method and apparatus can be used in a photographic processing device, and the apparatus can be built into an existing or new photographic processor or added on as an accessory. The method and apparatus are utilized to apply a viscous solution to at least one surface of processed photosensitive materials prior to drying in a manner that allows the solution to be uniformly applied to the at least one surface at a specific thickness. The viscous solution after drying functions as a protective coating which can protect the processed photosensitive material against scratches and moisture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: David L. Patton, Kevin M. O'Connor, Anne E. Bohan, Ralph L. Piccinino, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5897967
    Abstract: A galvannealed steel sheet suited for use in automobiles, and a manufacturing method thereof. The steel sheet has tensile strength of 340 MPa or higher and paint bake hardenability of 10 MPa or higher, and excellent resistance to powdering when press formed, and excellent resistance to chipping in cold regions. The base metal of the galvannealed steel sheet consists essentially of C: 0.004-0.008%, Si: 2.5.times.P (%)-0.20%, Mn: 0.10-0.40%, P: 0.017-0.045%, sol. Al: 0.003-0.08%, Ti: 0.002-0.015%, Nb: 0.010-0.030 %, wherein Ti (%)+Nb (%): 0.012-0.035%. A steel sheet of the chemical composition described above is hot-dip galvanized, heated up to a Fe--Zn alloying temperature at a heating velocity of 20.degree. C./sec or higher, and upon completion of the Fe--Zn alloying process, cooled down from the Fe--Zn alloying temperature at a cooling velocity of 10.degree. C./sec or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Hori, Toshio Nakamori, Yoshiaki Nakazawa, Yasuyuki Tanno
  • Patent number: 5897683
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding molten metal in a container having an opening at the bottom thereof comprising an electromagnet for generating a horizontal magnetic field in a lower part of the molten metal in the container and a conductive block for guiding part of eddy currents induced in the molten metal by the generation of the horizontal magnetic field, to flow outside the molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Unoki, Ritsuo Hashimoto, Noriyuki Kawata, Yasuo Hukada, Chiaki Kato, Toshitane Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 5882803
    Abstract: The invention is a high-strength hot dip galvannealed steel sheet having excellent press formability and plating properties by utilizing Si as a strengthening component, specifying an interrelation between Si and Mn and further specifying an alloying ratio of hot dip galvannealed layer, which comprises C: 0.0005-0.0050%, Si: 0.1-2.5%, Mn: 0.1-2.5%, Ti: 0.003-010%, Nb: 0.003-0.10%, B: 0.005-0.0080%, P: 0.040-0.18%, S: not more than 0.008%, Al: 0.005-0.10%, and N: not more than 0.0060 wt %, provided that Si and Mn satisfy the following equation, and the remainder being Fe and incidental impurities, and has a hot dip galvannealed layer formed on a surface of the steel sheet and having a Fe content of 9-12%, wherein said equation is:1.5 (% Mn)-2.ltoreq.(% Si).ltoreq.2(% Mn) (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Seto, Kei Sakata, Toshiyuki Kato, Shigeru Umino, Chiaki Kato
  • Patent number: 5882733
    Abstract: Process for continuously galvanizing steel sheet by passing the sheet through a bath consisting of zinc, aluminium and silicon, the aluminium content ranging from 0.05% to 0.5% by weight and the silicon content from 0.005% by weight up to saturation.There is neither formation of aluminiferous floating dross nor formation of bottom dross in such a bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Union Miniere France S.A.
    Inventor: Richard Bruno Sokolowski
  • Patent number: 5860204
    Abstract: An improved continuous tube forming and coating process and apparatus, wherein the tube is preferably formed and welded with the seam located at the bottom of the tube. One surface of the strip is coated with a paint or other protective coating and the open seam tube is formed with the painted surface on the inside of the tube. An improved coating applicator and impeder is disclosed which coats the inner surface of the seam following welding preferably in an inert atmosphere. The improved impeder includes an outer annular chamber adjacent the casing which includes one or more ferrite rods and circulating coolant and an inner axial paint applicator tube having a free end which extends through the impeder casing having a nozzle which applies a protective coating over the seam, preferably located in the lower portion of the tube. In one preferred embodiment of the impeder, an inert gas passage surrounds the paint applicator tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: The Idod Trust
    Inventors: Theodore H. Krengel, John J. Borzym
  • Patent number: 5853806
    Abstract: Disclosed are a process for hot-dip coating a steel material with a molten aluminum alloy according to a one-stage coating method using a flux which comprises removing an oxide layer on a steel material surface, conducting activating treatment, then coating a chloride flux solution and dipping the steel material in a molten aluminum alloy coating bath floated a fluoride-containing flux, thereby coating the steel material surface with aluminum alloy, or comprises removing an oxide layer on a steel material surface, adjusting surface roughness, conducting activating treatment and dipping the steel material in a molten Al--Zn--Si alloy or Al--Si alloy coating bath floated a flux added an iron component, thereby coating the steel material surface with Al--Zn--Si alloy or Al--Si alloy to adhere a large amount thereof and a aluminum alloy coating bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Nihon Parkerizing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seijun Higuchi, Shigeru Nakano, Toshiyuki Aishima
  • Patent number: 5849408
    Abstract: When a hot-dip zinc plating layer, which contains Al, is applied on rimmed steel having an Si level of less than 0.05% by weight or less, by the two-stage plating method, appearance failure can be prevented by setting the plating conditions as follows: in a first zinc bath consisting of zinc of 99.7% purity or more or in a second zinc bath which consists of zinc with 99.7% purity by weight or more and 0.05% or less of Al at a temperature of from more than 460.degree. C. to 490.degree. C. and for a dipping time of from 1 minute to 1.5 minutes; and, in a second zinc bath consisting of zinc of 99.7% purity by weight and from 2 to 10% by weight or less of Al at a temperature of from 400.degree. C. to less than 430.degree. C. and for a dipping time of from 0.5 minute to 1.5 minutes. This plating condition provides a plating structure that the Zn, Fe and Al are present in the essentially entire portion of the plating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriaki Sugawara
  • Patent number: 5827618
    Abstract: This invention provides a rust-proofed steel sheet for a fuel tank including an alloy layer containing at least one of Ni, Fe, Zn and Sn and deposited on the surface of a steel sheet to a thickness of 2 .mu.m per surface, and a Sn--Zn alloy plating layer consisting of 40 to 99 wt % of Sn and the balance of iron, containing not greater than 20 crystals/0.25 mm.sup.2 of zinc crystals having a major diameter of not greater than 250 .mu.m and deposited on the alloy layer to a thickness of 2 to 50 .mu.m per surface. The to-be-plated steel sheet to which the plating layer is applied has a composition consisting of C.ltoreq.0.1%, Si.ltoreq.0.1%, Mn: 0.05 to 1.2%, P.ltoreq.0.040%, Al<0.1% and if necessary, at least one of B, Ti, Nb and Cr, and the balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities. This invention provides also a production method of a rust-proofing steel sheet for a fuel tank comprising the steps of applying Ni--Fe type pre-plating to an annealed steel sheet in a quantity of 0.1 to 3.0 g/m.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Yashichi Oyagi, Takayuki Omori, Masahiro Fuda, Ken Sawada, Nobuyoshi Okada
  • Patent number: 5795619
    Abstract: A process for preparing a solder bump can be prepared by the following procedure. The chip package was cleaned with an alkali or acid solution followed by Zn displacement (zincating)in a displacement solution which comprises NaOH, Z.sub.n o, potassium sodium tartrate and sodium nitrate. After zinc displacement the chip package was performed the electroless Ni--Cu--P deposit in the strong reducing solution which contains NaH.sub.2 PO.sub.2. The chip package deposited with Ni--Cu--P was then dipped into an organic solution as flux which is a mixture of the stearic acid and glutamic acid. Finally, dip soldering of the Ni--Cu--P deposited chip packages in a molten solder bath at a temperature 40.degree..about.80.degree. C. higher than the melting point of the corresponding Pb--Sn alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: National Science Council
    Inventors: Kwang-Lung Lin, Chwan-Ying Lee
  • Patent number: 5736199
    Abstract: A system of gating orifices for continuous pressure infiltration processes eliminates blow-out of the pressurized molten metal matrix material and friction damage to the infiltrated preform. The system includes three or more orifices along a vertical path of an upwardly moving preform which passes from vacuum or atmospheric pressure into a pressurized infiltrating bath of molten metal, then into a pressurized atmosphere in which the matrix fully solidifies, and from there to an atmospheric environment. The entering orifice, at the bottom of the pressurized bath, is elongated in the direction of the preform movement to provide a temperature gradient from above the matrix material melting temperature at the bath to below the solidification temperature farthest from the bath. The resulting liquid-mushy-solid sequence of the matrix material forms a solidification seal to prevent blow out of the pressurized molten metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventor: Joseph T. Blucher
  • Patent number: 5711990
    Abstract: A method of treating a metal layer present as a coating on a sheet metal substrate, wherein a powder is applied to said metal coating by propulsive means (e.g., spraying or the like) when said coating is at least partially in the liquid state. The powder is prepared by atomization in a manner adapted such that the powder is in the form of agglomerates having a mean diameter which is greater than the thickness of said liquid-state metal coating. With this use of this powder, it is easier to treat metal coatings in the liquid state, and the resulting treated coating is highly homogeneous, even if the atomized powder has a plurality of types of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Sollac
    Inventors: Philippe Guesdon, Jacques Houziel
  • Patent number: 5695822
    Abstract: A corrosion-resistant metal strip and method for making the same which is essentially lead free and is not highly reflective. The coating on the metal strip is a two-phase metallic coating comprised of tin and zinc and a very low weight percentage of lead. The coating alloy may also include antimony, bismuth and copper to improve the coating process and/or improve the properties of the tin and zinc coating. A metal layer may also applied to the surface of the metal strip prior to applying the metallic alloy coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: The Louis Berkman Company
    Inventors: Jay F. Carey, II, Mehrooz Zamanzadeh
  • Patent number: 5667849
    Abstract: A corrosion-resistant metal strip and method for making the same which is essentially lead free and is not highly reflective. The coating on the metal strip is a metallic coating comprised of tin and a very low weight percentage of lead. The coating alloy may also include antimony, bismuth, copper, zinc to improve the coating process and/or improve the properties of the tin coating. A metal layer may also applied to the surface of the metal strip prior to applying the metallic alloy coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: The Louis Berkman Company
    Inventors: Jay F. Carey, II, Mehrooz Zamanzadeh
  • Patent number: 5666714
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing galvanized open or closed steel sections eliminates the steps of pickling and rinsing. The manufacturing process is modified in such a manner that shot blasting of both sides of a strip of substantially flat steel occurs prior to a forming step in the process. After the forming process, the formed section is immersed in a flux solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Tubemakers of Australia Limited
    Inventors: Trevor Maxwell Height, Ross Herbert Sutton, Gary Anthony Shester
  • Patent number: 5660707
    Abstract: A post plating or post coating method for improving formability and weldability properties in sheet steel product having a protective zinc or zinc alloy layer formed on at least one surface thereof. The steps of the method comprise immersing the sheet steel product into a bath containing at least zinc to apply the protective layer, removing the sheet steel product from the bath, the sheet steel product having a protective zinc or zinc alloy layer formed on at least one surface thereof, and applying an alkaline solution to the protective layer to form a zinc oxide layer thereon, the alkaline solution being applied at a location outside the bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corporation
    Inventors: C. Ramadeva Shastry, Stavros G. Fountoulakis, Elmer J. Wendell
  • Patent number: 5616367
    Abstract: A solid lubricant application procedure is combined in-line with a steel strip processing method which comprises processing steps upstream and downstream of the lubricant application procedure. The latter comprises applying the lubricant material in molten form or as a solution and may include temperature adjusting steps both upstream and downstream of the lubricant material-applying step. The space for incorporating the lubricant application procedure into the steel strip processing line is limited. The strip speed in the lubricant application procedure is synchronized with the strip speed normally attained in the steel strip processing method in the absence of an in-line lubricant application procedure. The steps of the lubricant application procedure are constrained to accommodate the space limits and strip speed synchronization requirement imposed on the lubricant application procedure when it is combined in-line with the steel strip processing method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Inland Steel Company
    Inventors: Elliott Y. Spearin, James C. Carney
  • Patent number: 5611480
    Abstract: In a soldering process leads of components on a circuit board are dipped into a solder bath to solder them to the underside of the board. The board is rotated about a horizontal axis as it is lifted away from the bath. This reduces the tendency to form solder bridges between closely spaced leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Pillarhouse International Limited
    Inventors: Alexander J. Ciniglio, Michael Tombs, Neil Squire
  • Patent number: 5580617
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a tin-coated surface of rolled copper strips or copper-alloy strips, wherein a strip surface is mechanically treated using a textured working roll to adjust a texture on said strip surface of an average peak-to-valley height within the range of 3 to 12 .mu.m and the textured strip surface is then continuously coated with tin or a tin-base alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: KM-Europa Metal Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans H. Biederer, Stefan Hoveling
  • Patent number: 5580613
    Abstract: A Zn--Ni alloy having a high Ni content is used for supplying Ni.sup.2+ and Zn.sup.2+ ions into an acidic plating bath and for supplying Ni and Zn into a hot dip galvanizing bath. This alloy is characterized by being produced by using a flux consisting of a fused-salt former, which forms a salt having a melting temperature of 700.degree. C. or less, and Na.sub.2 B.sub.4 O.sub.7 and occasionaly additionally Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3. By using the inventive alloy, the bath can be quickly prepared, and Zn and Ni can be supplied to the bath without leaving the undissolved residue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tasaki, Eiji Nishimura
  • Patent number: 5571566
    Abstract: Alloy coating composition that is Al 55% by weight, Zn 43.4% by weight, Si 1.6% by weight, comprising addition of Ti to said composition at a concentration of 0.0001-0.5% by weight of said composition. Ti-Al alloy is melted preliminary in a premelt pot (2), and it, thus Ti, is introduced into the bath of coating pot (1). Then a steel plate is passed through the coating pot (1); and thus, the surface of the steel plate is treated with Ti which stifles growth of spangle particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1996
    Assignee: Union Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nam-Geun Cho
  • Patent number: 5529810
    Abstract: When a hot-dip zinc plating layer, which contains Al, is applied on rimmed steel having Si level of less than 0.05% by weight or less, by the two-stage plating method, appearance failure can be prevented by setting the plating conditions as follows: in a first zinc bath consisting of zinc of 99.7% purity or more or in a second zinc bath which consists of zinc with 99.7% purity by weight or more and 0.05% or less of Al at a temperature of from more than 460.degree. C. to 490.degree. C. and for a dipping time of from 1 minute to 1.5 minutes; and, in a second zinc bath consisting of zinc of 99.7% purity by weight and from 2 to 10% by weight or less of A1 at a temperature of from 400.degree. C. to less than 430.degree. C. and for a dipping time of from 0.5 minute to 1.5 minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Nippon Mining & Metals Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Noriaki Sugawara
  • Patent number: 5529816
    Abstract: An improved process is provided for forming a zinc-base alloy coating on an aluminum alloy profile, such as a tube or microtube used in the assembling and brazing of a heat exchanger which is suitable for automotive applications. The process of the present invention is a continuous, high speed coating technique which can utilize aluminum alloy profiles on which an aluminum oxide layer is present. Accordingly, the present invention encompasses an operation by which the aluminum oxide layer is removed so as to enable the zinc-base alloy to metallurgically adhere to the surface of the aluminum alloy profile. The process of this invention also is capable of closely controlling the thickness of the zinc-base alloy coating, such that a sufficient but minimal amount of coating is present to furnish corrosion protection as well as provide sufficient filler metal for a subsequent soldering or low temperature brazing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro a.s.
    Inventors: Ramond J. Sartini, Leiv A. Folkedal, Edward J. Morley, Morten Syslak
  • Patent number: 5527563
    Abstract: This continuous galvanizing method and apparatus passes a linear element to be galvanized, e.g., wire, rod, or tube, through a surrounding, relatively short length of conduit which is attached as a cross-tee to the end of a delivery pipe rising from a centrifugal pump submerged in a vat of molten zinc, and continuously flooded with liquid zinc to coat the linear element. The zinc flowing from the open ends of the conduit, and falling as excess from the element being coated, drops back into the vat for recirculation. The vat is covered to provide a substantially closed operating space above the pool of molten zinc to enable the coating to take place in an inert atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation
    Inventors: Carl H. Unger, Kalyan K. Maitra
  • Patent number: 5522945
    Abstract: A method for making triniobium tin superconductor with improved critical current density is disclosed where an annealed niobium-base substrate is passed through a tin alloy bath containing tin, copper, and bismuth, to coat the substrate with tin and then annealing the coated substrate to form triniobium tin superconductor. A tin alloy bath containing up to twenty weight percent copper and up to one weight percent bismuth is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Melissa L. Murray, Mark G. Benz, Bruce A. Knudsen
  • Patent number: 5520964
    Abstract: Various metal coatings have been used for many years to inhibit oxidation of metals exposed to the natural elements of the atmosphere over a period of time. Terne alloy coatings which normally contain about 20% tin and about 80% lead are some of the most popular metal coating treatments to resist corrosion. The special formulation of the present invention reformulates the terne coating to constitute a tin and lead based coating where tin constitutes at least 90% of the terne and lead amounts to less than 0.1% and preferably less than 0.05% of the terne. The low lead terne coating may also include antimony and bismuth to provide strength and hardness to the low lead terne formulation having corrosion resistive qualities similar to that of standard terne coating formulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: The Louis Berkman Company
    Inventors: Jon F. Carey, II, Mehrooz Zamanzadeh
  • Patent number: 5518769
    Abstract: It is an object to provide a process for manufacturing galvannealed steel sheets exhibiting excellent anti-powdering property when press formed, and uniform frictional properties in a coil. A steel strip is galvanized in a bath having a low aluminum content after entering it at a high temperature as defined in relation to the aluminum content of the both, so that the formation of a .zeta. phase may be promoted. Then, the strip is heated for alloying in a high-frequency induction heating furnace so as to have a temperature not exceeding 495.degree. C. when leaving the furnace to yield a plated steel strip having a coating containing a uniformly distributed .zeta. phase. After such heat treatment and cooling, the strip can be plated with an iron or iron-alloy top coating having an iron content of at least 50% and a coating weight of at least 1 g/m.sup.2 to achieve an improved press formability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Sagiyama, Masaki Abe, Junichi Inagaki, Akira Hiraya, Masaya Morita
  • Patent number: 5507842
    Abstract: The present invention provides improved processes for forming anti-corrosion layers, particularly barium metaplumbate, on lead, lead alloy-, and lead oxide-containing substrates. The processes of the invention are used to form corrosion-resistant current collectors which are assembled into lead-acid batteries. The inventive methods used to form barium metaplumbate employ a salt solution which includes a barium compound and a solvent salt. In a first embodiment, a substrate material having at least a surface comprising elemental lead reacts with a salt solution to form barium metaplumbate. The salt solution includes a barium compound and an oxidizing agent. The solvent salt or barium compound may themselves be oxidizing agents, or an additional oxidant may be added to the solution. The molten salt solution is applied to the substrate in any known manner such as dipping, spraying, and brushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Mary E. Fiorino
  • Patent number: 5496588
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuous galvanizing of a linear element wherein controlled flow of molten zinc onto the linear element is effected through one or more nozzles, whereby galvanizing may be accomplished without immersion of the linear element in molten zinc. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the invention comprises an annular nozzle having a central opening through which the linear element is axially advanced. The nozzle is configured to provide a converging, generally frustoconical curtain of molten zinc flowing continuously onto the exterior surface of the linear element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Allied Tube & Conduit Corp.
    Inventors: Kalyan K. Maitra, Daniel G. McInerney, Carl H. Unger
  • Patent number: 5494706
    Abstract: A method for producing zinc coated steel sheet comprises the steps of: forming a Ni--P alloy coating layer containing P of 8 to 15 wt. % on at least one surface of a steel sheet; heat-treating the steel sheet coated with the alloy layer in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to form an Fe--Ni--P diffused alloy layer at an interface of the steel sheet and the alloy coating layer; and zinc coating the steel sheet coated with the diffused alloy layer to form a zinc coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: NKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Abe, Satoru Ando, Toyofumi Watanabe, Yukimitsu Shiohara
  • Patent number: 5478600
    Abstract: An Al-Zn-Si base alloy coat including an Al-Zn-Si-Fe alloy layer which has remarkable high corrosion resistance is formed on an article. A ferrous base material is used as the article to provide Fe to the alloy layer. The alloy layer of the present invention consists of 55 to 65 wt % of Al, 25 to 35 wt % of Zn, 5 to 10 wt % of Fe, and 2 to 4 wt % of Si, and also has a cross sectional area of 15 to 90% of the entire cross sectional area of the alloy coat. A process for forming the alloy coat of the present invention comprises the step of dipping the article into a molten bath of Zn to form, on the article, an undercoat which results from a reaction between Fe of the article and Zn in the molten bath, and then dipping the undercoat into an alloy molten bath of Al, Zn and Si to form the alloy coat of the present invention on the undercoat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignees: Daido Steel Sheet Corporation, S-TEM Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanori Takeda, Youichiro Suzuki, Kunio Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 5472740
    Abstract: A process of producing a hot dipped wire. During the wire drawing by the use of a water soluble lubricant, the base wire is passed over a passage surface made of a non-iron material. The drawn wire is heated in an atmosphere of a reducing gas for effectively removing an organic residue such as the lubricant and/or an oxide such as an iron oxide, inevitably adhered to the surface of the wire, and for annealing and for preheating the wire to accelerate a reaction between the wire and a molten hot dipping metal used in a subsequent hot dipping step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Totoku Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Misao Kubota, Yoshitada Hanai, Kouichi Otani
  • Patent number: 5472739
    Abstract: A process of producing a hot dipped wire. During the wire drawing, the base wire is passed over a passage surface made of a non-iron material. After steam heating, cleaning and drying steps, the wire is heated in an atmosphere of a reducing gas for effectively removing an oxide layer on the surface of the wire and for preheating the wire to accelerate a reaction between the wire and a molten hot dipping metal used in the subsequent hot dipping step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Totoku Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Misao Kubota, Yoshitada Hanai, Kouichi Otani
  • Patent number: 5445791
    Abstract: An alloy for after-fabrication hot-dip galvanizing containing mainly Zn to which is added Bi up to the solubility limit to improve drainage of the Zn alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Noranda, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Gagne
  • Patent number: 5439713
    Abstract: A steel wire is coated with a ternary alloy of iron, zinc and aluminum on an outermost surface thereof. The ternary alloy contains 10 to 30 weight percent of aluminum. The steel wire is primarily used as material for springs. An Fe--Zn--Al ternary alloy coated steel wire production method includes immersing a steel wire in a zinc molten bath to plate the steel wire with zinc; immersing the zinc-plated steel wire in a zinc-aluminum molten bath to form a ternary alloy of iron, zinc, and aluminum on a surface of the steel wire; and removing an unsolidified zinc-aluminum layer depositing on an outer surface of the steel wire while being taken out of the zinc-aluminum molten bath to expose the ternary alloy on an outermost surface of the steel wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Shinko Kosen Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukio Yamaoka, Tetsuro Noma
  • Patent number: 5433796
    Abstract: In the preparation of a galvanized steel strip by continuously heating and anneal reducing a steel strip and subsequently admitting it, without contact with the ambient air, into a molten zinc bath to coat the strip with zinc, there is provided a method for preparing a galvanized or galvannealed steel strip having minimal uncoated defects, characterized in that a steel strip having a composition which containsup to 0.1% by weight of C,0.01 to 1.0% by weight of Si,0.05 to 2.0% by weight of Mn, andup to 0.15% by weight of P,and satisfies the following formula (1):Si/28+Mn/55+P/31.gtoreq.0.01 (1)wherein the element symbols represent the contents in % by weight of the respective elements in the steel strip is used as the starting strip to be galvanized, and the steel strip is subjected to carburizing treatment during the anneal reducing step or before the anneal reduced steel strip is admitted into the molten zinc bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Kawasaki Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Isobe, Akira Yasuda, Koji Yamato