Abstract:
A non-stick polymer coated aluminum foil and method of making it. The method of making a non-stick polymer coated aluminum foil comprising applying a curable polymer coating composition on at least a portion of one side of an aluminum foil and partially curing the coating composition to allow handling and further processing of the coated aluminum foil without blocking of the coating composition. The curing of the coating composition is completed by heating the coated aluminum foil in bulk. The polymer coating composition may include a cross-linkable polyester.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for making aluminum alloy sheet product with improved paintbake response during automotive paintbake cycles, resistance to natural aging and better formability includes rapidly heating the aluminum alloy sheet product between a solution heat treating (5)/quenching operation (1) and a sheet coiling operation (13). Performing the rapid heating at this stage in the sheet manufacture minimizes the adverse effect of early natural aging (dwell time) on the paintbake response of these types of aluminum sheet alloy products. According to the invention, this dwell time is minimized by the application of a rapid heating step (7) immediately following quenching from the solution heat treatment. After the aluminum sheet product has been rapidly heated, it is immediately coiled and cools under ambient conditions in coil form (13), this ambient cooling providing a pre-aging treatment which contributes to the improved performance of the sheet product in paintbake response, improved formability and natural aging resistance.
Abstract:
A method of forming a tube joint which can be used in a desalination plant includes providing a fluted tube (1), applying a sealant (51) to the tube end (19) and inserting the tube end (19) into a tube sheet or plate (3) to form a joint therebetween. After insertion, the inner surface of the fluted tube (1) is worked to deform external ridges of the fluted tube (1) and uniformly distribute the sealant (51) throughout the joint area. The fluted tube (1) is deformed using a roll expanding method. The fluted design of the tube (1) retains sealant (51) in the joint area during tube (1) insertion and expansion and takes advantage of the heat transfer characteristic of the flutes (9) to provide an improved joint construction especially adapted for heat exchange use.
Abstract:
A lubrication ring (300), for use in a fabrication press (10) having an assembly (20) with a main cavity (160) and a die nib (110) disposed on a surface of the cavity for ironing a workpiece passing through the cavity, includes a groove (360) surrounding a periphery of and opening into the main cavity of the assembly. At least one passage (350) is provided for introducing a fluid into the groove so as to flow within the groove. The fluid is introduced into the groove at a velocity which causes a centrifugal force exceeding the force of gravity to act on the fluid flowing in the groove.
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.