An H-section steel has a predetermined chemical composition in which a thickness of a flange is 100 mm to 150 mm, at a strength evaluation position an area fraction of bainite in a steel structure is 80% or more, yield strength or 0.2% proof strength is 450 MPa or more, tensile strength is 550 MPa or more and 680 MPa or less, at a toughness evaluation position an average austenite grain size in the steel structure is 150 μm or less, and (Mg, Mn)S having a particle size of 0.005 μm to 0.5 μm is included at a density of 1.0×10.sup.5 pieces/mm.sup.2 to 1.0×10.sup.7 pieces/mm.sup.2.

The present invention does not require a demanganese agent such as a sulfide or a combustible gas in the removal of manganese of cast iron. The method for removing manganese of cast iron according to the present invention is implemented by performing the removal of a manganese component by allowing a furnace to be in an oxygen atmosphere, and by blowing air into a molten cast iron in the furnace, while a carbon component in the molten cast iron is being maintained at an approximately constant amount. Alternatively, the method for removing manganese of cast iron according to the present invention is implemented by performing the removal of the manganese component by allowing the furnace to be in an oxygen atmosphere and by stirring the molten cast iron in the furnace, while the carbon component in the molten cast iron is being maintained at an approximately constant amount.

The method includes the following steps: a) providing a tubular sonotrode (1) formed in a material substantially inert to liquid aluminum, such as a ceramic, for example, silicon oxynitride, the sonotrode comprising a first open end region (2) and a second optionally closed end region (3), b) submerging at least some of the open end region (2) of the tubular sonotrode (1) in the liquid aluminum alloy, and c) applying power ultrasound on the liquid aluminum alloy by means of the tubular sonotrode (1).

The method includes the following steps: a) providing a tubular sonotrode (1) formed in a material substantially inert to liquid aluminum, such as a ceramic, for example, silicon oxynitride, the sonotrode comprising a first open end region (2) and a second optionally closed end region (3), b) submerging at least some of the open end region (2) of the tubular sonotrode (1) in the liquid aluminum alloy, and c) applying power ultrasound on the liquid aluminum alloy by means of the tubular sonotrode (1).

An apparatus for countergravity casting a metallic material, comprises: a crucible for holding melted metallic material; a casting chamber for containing a mold; a fill tube capable of extending into the crucible to communicate melted metallic material to the casting chamber; a gas source coupled a headspace of the melting vessel to allow the gas source to pressurize said headspace to establish a pressure differential to force the melted metallic material upwardly through said fill tube into said mold; and means for gettering sulfur.

An apparatus for countergravity casting a metallic material, comprises: a crucible for holding melted metallic material; a casting chamber for containing a mold; a fill tube capable of extending into the crucible to communicate melted metallic material to the casting chamber; a gas source coupled a headspace of the melting vessel to allow the gas source to pressurize said headspace to establish a pressure differential to force the melted metallic material upwardly through said fill tube into said mold; and means for gettering sulfur.

A ductile iron composition including, by weight: about 3.1% to about 3.6% C; about 3.5% to about 4.0% Si; about 0.035% to about 0.050% Mg; about 0.001% to about 0.004% Ce; up to about 0.005% Sb; about 0.008% to about 0.016% S; up to about 0.04% P; up to about 0.3% Mn; and balance iron and incidental impurities;
The ductile iron composition includes a ratio of Sb/Ce greater than or equal to about 1.25, has a ferritic microstructure and graphite nodules, and greater than about 65% of the graphite nodules having a highly spherical geometry. A method and apparatus for forming a ductile iron composition are also disclosed.

A method of producing molten aluminum-lithium alloys for casting a feedstock in the form of an ingot, the method including the steps of: preparing a molten first aluminum alloy with a composition A which is free from lithium as purposive alloying element, transferring the first aluminum alloy to an induction melting furnace, adding lithium to the first aluminum alloy in the induction melting furnace to obtain a molten second aluminum alloy with a composition B having lithium as purposive alloying element, optionally adding further alloying elements to the second aluminum alloy, transferring the second alloy via a metal conveying trough from the induction melting furnace to a casting station.

A method of producing molten aluminum-lithium alloys for casting a feedstock in the form of an ingot, the method including the steps of: preparing a molten first aluminum alloy with a composition A which is free from lithium as purposive alloying element, transferring the first aluminum alloy to an induction melting furnace, adding lithium to the first aluminum alloy in the induction melting furnace to obtain a molten second aluminum alloy with a composition B having lithium as purposive alloying element, optionally adding further alloying elements to the second aluminum alloy, transferring the second alloy via a metal conveying trough from the induction melting furnace to a casting station.

An acoustic rotary liquid processor coupled with high-intensity ultrasonic vibration, rotary stiffing, gas purging, and melt surface stabilizing is described. The processor can be used for the synthesis of particulate reinforced composite materials, scavenging dissolved gases in molten materials, and preparation of a slurry containing a small fraction of non-dendritic solid particles for semi-solid material processing.