Process for working metals and alloys and a composite billet for use therein

Claim 1

IN A PROCESS FOR WORKING HARD-TO-WORK ALLOY BILLETS, THE STEPS OF FORMING A COMPOSITE BILLET BY WELDING A LEADER SECTION OF EASIER-TO-WORK ALLOY TO THE END OF A MAIN SECTION FORMED OF SAID HARD-TO-WORK ALLOY IN ENDTO-END RELATION WITH BOTH SECTIONS ADJACENT TO SAID WELD AND THE WELDL JOINT BETWEEN THEM HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME CROSS SECTION, THE LENGTH OF SAID LEADER SECTION BEING SUCH THAT WHEN SAID COMPOSITE BILLET IS ENTERED BETWEEN THE OPPOSED ROLLS OF A ROLLING MILL A PORTION OF SAID LEADER SECTION IS ENGAGED BY SAID ROLLS SUBSTANTIALLY ALONG A LINE PASSING THROUGH THE CENTERS OF SAID OPPOSSED ROLLS WHEN SAID ROLLS ENGAGE SAID MAIN SECTION, HEATING THE COMPOSITE BILLET TO AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE, AND WHILE THE COMPOSITE BILLET IS AT AN ELEVATED TEMPERATURE WORKING THE SAME INCLUDING ENTERING THE LEADER SECTION FOLLOWED BY THE MAIN SECTION INTO A ROLLING MILL AND HOT FOLLING THEM IN THAT SEQUENCE TO FORM A PRODUCT HAVING A SMALLER CROSS SECTIONAL AREA.