Abstract:
A method of casting metal wherein molten metal is deposited on a moving planar substrate to form a strip thereon. The strip is removed from the moving substrate onto an open mesh support prior to the strip becoming completely solidified throughout its thickness. Ideally, the strip is removed as soon as it forms a solidified shell on its bottom which is thick enough not to fracture under the weight of the remaining molten metal. This arrangement overcomes the problem of cooling the bottom surface of the cast metal due to an air gap forming between a solid supporting substrate and the cast metal.
Abstract:
A casting system for casting molten metal into a continuous solidified strip. A source of molten metal is fed onto a tundish which is interposed between the source of molten metal and a continuous substrate system preferably in the form of a continuous belt. The tundish directs the molten metal onto the moving belt in a direction toward the upstream end thereof so that it is moving in a direction opposed to the direction of the belt. This method of feeding the melt onto the belt results in less turbulance, a dampening of the molten metal and a spreading of the material across the width of the belt.
Abstract:
An effective amount of a reactive metal which reacts whith the spray casting atmosphere but not with the desired alloy is dissolved into the alloy prior to spray casting. Preferred reactive metals readily form a nitride which is finely dispersed throughout the spray cast alloy.
Abstract:
A metal extrusion process and apparatus therefor in which a strip material of a rectangular shape may be produced by maintaining frictional engagement of the metal by passageway-defining surfaces of a member which is moved toward a die such that the frictional drag of the passageway-defining surfaces urges the metal through the die. The process utilizes strip material as the starting material which enables the extrusion of metal strip by the frictional drag process to be accomplished.
Abstract:
A molten metal gas-atomizing spray-depositing apparatus employs an asymmetrical gas-atomizing device for generating one-sided shear forces for breaking-up and atomizing a stream of molten metal into metal particles in a divergent spray pattern of higher mass density at an upstream leading peripheral portion of the spray pattern, relative to the direction of movement of a substrate, than either of a center region or downstream trailing peripheral region of the pattern.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to copper-iron-nickel composite materials having utility in electronic applications because of their low coefficients of expansion and high thermal conductivities. Composite materials in accordance with the present invention consist essentially of about 10% to 80% copper and the balance iron plus nickel with the ratio of iron to nickel being in the range of from about 1.5:1 to about 2.0:1. Preferred composite materials have an iron to nickel ratio in the range of from about 1.6:1 to about 1.9:1.
Abstract:
A molten metal gas-atomizing spray-depositing apparatus has an atomizer which employs a pressurized gas flow for atomizing a stream of molten metal into a spray pattern of metal particles being initially hotter than the solidus temperature of the metal. The apparatus also has a substrate system which includes an outer substrate of metallic foil and an inner substrate for supporting the outer substrate. The outer foil substrate is movable relative to the metal particles in the spray pattern thereof and disposed below the atomizer for receiving on a surface of the foil a deposit of the particles in the spray pattern to form a product on the outer foil substrate. The outer foil substrate is of a thickness which is less than a predefined maximum thickness at which the capacity of the foil to absorb heat from the deposit is equal to the latent heat and super heat, if present, of the deposit. The foil thickness precludes reduction in temperature below the solidus temperature, and thereby complete solidification, of the metal particles forming the deposit upon initial contact with the foil surface whereby a reduction of porosity is achieved in the deposit.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for the casting of metals in which a molten stream of metal is atomized into a spray of highly liquid droplets. The droplets are deposited on a moving substrate such as an endless belt provided with side dams. The droplets flow in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the substrate and are contained by the side dams. The droplets may have an average size of 300 microns and the spray may have a liquid to solid ratio of at least 50%. This arrangement overcomes the problems of splashing and turbulence caused by the relative flow between the melt and the belt in regular belt casting and overcomes porosity problems associated with spray casting.
Abstract:
The average diameter of atomized droplets is reduced thereby reducing both the frequency of collisions between droplets as well as the turbulence at the liquid/solid interface. Reducing the porosity of a spray cast deposit leads to improvements in both the ductility and the electrical conductivity of the deposit.
Abstract:
A method to manufacture bulk polycrystalline superconducting materials having properties closely related to the properties of a single crystal of the superconducting material is provided. The method includes forming an oriented anisotropic structure by spray casting an atomized precursor onto a ceramic substrate. The precursor may be atomized in a neutral atmosphere and the resultant structure oxidized. In another embodiment, the precursor is atomized in an oxidizing atmosphere and the subsequent oxidation step may be omitted.