Patent US4773470A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4773470A
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Casting aluminum alloys with a mold header comprising delaminated vermiculite
Assignee: Alcoa Corp
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Filing: 1987-11-19
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Granted: 1988-09-27
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Expires: 2007-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A process for continuous direct chill casting of aluminum alloys, particularly aluminum-lithium alloys. The molten alloy is cast in a mold containing a header comprising delaminated vermiculite or spodumene or lithium aluminate. The header preferably comprises delaminated vermiculite blended with wollastonite, lime, silica, and wood fiber. The mixture is slurried with water, molded into shape, compressed to expel water, steam cured, and dried. The header forms ingots of good quality and has excellent resistance to attack by molten aluminum-lithium alloys.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen C. Libby
- 👤 G. Edward Graddy, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:47
CPC Classifications
B; B22; B22D; B22D11/00; B22D11/04; B22D11/0401; B22D11/059
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
A process for casting into solid ingot form a molten alloy comprising predominately aluminum, said process comprising (a) casting said molten alloy into a solid ingot in a mold having a header comprising about 10-70 wt% of a material selected from the group consisting of delaminated vermiculite or spodumene or lithium aluminate or mixtures thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
A process for casting into solid ingot form a molten alloy comprising predominately aluminum, said process comprising (a) casting said molten alloy into a solid ingot in a mold having a header comprising about 10-70 wt% of a material selected from the group consisting of delaminated vermiculite or spodumene or lithium aluminate or mixtures thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said alloy comprises at least about 1 wt% lithium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said header is substantially asbestos-free.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said header is formed from a mixture comprising about 15-40 wt% lime, about 15-40 wt% siliceous component, about 0-55 wt% wollastonite, and about 10-70 wt% delaminated vermiculite.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said mixture further comprises about 0-10 wt% organic fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said header is formed from a dry mixture comprising about 15-35 wt% lime, about 15-35 wt% siliceous component, about 15-55 wt% wollastonite, about 10-25 wt% delaminated vermiculite, and about 0-10 wt% organic fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said dry mixture comprises about 1-8 wt% organic fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said vermiculite is distributed in a matrix comprising calcium silicate hydrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said vermiculite is distributed in a matrix having predominately a tobermorite composition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said header further comprises about 20-55 wt% wollastonite.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 10 wherein said header comprises about 10-50 wt% delaminated vermiculite and about 15-55 wt% wollastonite.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising (b) cooling said ingot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a process for continuously casting into solid ingot form a molten alloy comprising predominately aluminum and at least about 1 wt% lithium, said process comprising continuously casting said molten alloy in a continuous casting mold having a header, the improvement wherein said header comprises about 10-70 wt% of a material selected from the group consisting of delaminated vermiculite or spodumene or lithium aluminate or mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a process for continuously casting into solid ingot form a molten alloy comprising predominately aluminum and at least about 1 wt% lithium, said process comprising continuously casting said molten alloy in a continuous casting mold having a header, the improvement wherein said header comprises about 10-70 wt% of a material selected from the group consisting of delaminated vermiculite or spodumene or lithium aluminate or mixtures thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said header consists essentially of about 10-70 wt% vermiculite and about 0-55 wt% wollastonite distributed in a matrix comprising calcium silicate hydrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said header is formed from a mixture consisting essentially of about 15-35 wt% lime, about 15-35 wt% siliceous component, about 15-55 wt% wollastonite, about 10-50 wt% delaminated vermiculite, and about 0-10 wt% organic fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said molten alloy comprises at least about 1.5 wt% lithium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 13 wherein said molten alloy comprises at least about 2 wt% lithium.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-27 | 1992-03-28 | 1992-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-27 | 1996-03-28 | 1996-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-27 | 2000-03-28 | 2000-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |