Abstract: Roofing granules comprising agglomerated inorganic material treated with carbon dioxide gas, and building materials, such as shingles, that include such roofing granules. By fabricating roofing granules from agglomerating inorganic material it is possible to tailor the particle size distribution so as to provide optimal shingle surface coverage, thus reducing shingle weight and usage of raw materials. Additionally, the use of agglomeration permits the utilization of by-products from conventional granule production processes.

Abstract: A method for the production of a ?-TiAl base alloy by vacuum arc remelting, which ?-TiAl base alloy solidifies via the ?-phase (?-?-TiAl base alloy), includes the following method steps of forming a basic melting electrode by melting, in at least one vacuum arc remelting step, of a conventional ?-TiAl primary alloy containing a lack of titanium and/or of at least one ?-stabilizing element compared to the ?-?-TiAl base alloy to be produced; allocating an amount of titanium and/or ?-stabilizing element to the basic melting electrode, which amount corresponds to the reduced amount of titanium and/or ?-stabilizing element, in an even distribution across the length and periphery of the basic melting electrode; and adding the allocated amount of titanium and/or ?-stabilizing element to the basic melting electrode so as to form the homogeneous ?-?-TiAl base alloy in a final vacuum arc remelting step.

Abstract: A method for purifying Al—Ti—B) alloy melt includes putting and melting industrial aluminum ingot in an electromagnetic induction smelting furnace, the melt of Al being covered by a high-temperature covering agent, and its temperature up to at about 670˜900° C.; adding material of K2TiF6 and KBF4 into the smelting furnace and then stirring the compounds therein to react; adding compound comprising Mg, L, Na and F to the evenly stirred K2TiF6 and KBF4, the compound having an amount about 0.01%˜1% of a sum weight of total K2TiF6 and KBF4, and uniformly stirring for about 15˜60 minutes under a reaction temperature being constantly at about 670˜900° C., the dregs being removed, the Al alloy being casting molded.

Abstract: A metallothermy method includes continuously withdrawing an ingot of a metal product such as uranium or a uranium alloy as it is formed from an oxide or salt of the metal. The method employs upper and lower communicating crucibles. The upper crucible contains a layer of reducing medium floating on a solvent medium. The metal oxide or metal salt is reduced as it is introduced into the layer reducing medium to form metal particles and slag. The settling metal is melted by further induction heating, collected in the lower crucible and withdrawn. The slag is absorbed by the solvent medium which is regenerated with the use of electrolysis.