The present invention provides a zinc alloy with improved alloy characteristics such as fluidity, castability, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and elongation, and a preparation method therefor. The method for preparing the zinc alloy, according to one aspect of the present invention, comprising the steps of: providing zinc and a magnesium master alloy including a calcium-based compound; and forming a molten metal in which the magnesium master alloy and the zinc are melted; and casting the molten metal. The zinc alloy, according to another aspect of the present invention, includes a zinc base and the calcium-based compound present in the zinc base, wherein magnesium is applied to the zinc base.

The present invention relates to a lead delivery apparatus (10) for a cast on strap machine arranged to deliver a predetermined volume of molten lead to a mould. The apparatus comprises a first needle valve (40), a second needle valve (50), and a housing (19). The housing (19) comprises a reservoir (30) having an inlet (31) and an outlet (32). The reservoir inlet (31) is in fluid communication with a molten lead supply. The reservoir (30) is supplied with molten lead during use such that the molten lead in the reservoir (30) is maintained at a constant height (34). The reservoir outlet (32) is defined in a lower portion of the reservoir (30) and is selectively openable and closable by the first needle valve (40). The apparatus (10) also comprises a volume block (20) having an inlet (22), an outlet (24) and a through cavity (26). The volume block inlet (22) is in fluid communication with the reservoir outlet (24), and the volume block inlet (22) is located below the reservoir outlet (24). The through cavity (26) together with the second needle valve (50) defines the predetermined volume of molten lead received from the reservoir (30) via the reservoir outlet (32). The volume block outlet (24) is selectively openable and closable by the second needle valve (50). The first needle valve (40) is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position, such that in a first position the reservoir outlet (32) is closed and the flow of molten lead between the reservoir (30) and the volume block (20) is prevented, and in a second position the reservoir outlet (32) is open, such that the flow of molten lead between the reservoir (30) and the volume block (20) is permitted until an equilibrium position has been reached, which defines the predetermined volume. Moreover, the second needle valve (50) is selectively moveable between a first position and a second position, such that in a first position the volume block outlet (24) is closed and the flow of molten lead between the volume block (20) and a mould is prevented, and in a second position the volume block outlet (24) is open, such that the predefined volume of molten lead is permitted to flow between the volume block (20) and the mould.

A machine for forming metal bars, in particular for producing ingots made of precious metal such as gold, silver, precious alloys, as well as other pure metals or different alloys, in the form of solid metal powder, grits or swarf of various sizes, having an ingot mold and a cover for closing the ingot mold when filled, the ingot mold has a dimension in height such that the cover passes from a first position to a second position when the volume occupied by the mass of metal that fills the ingot mold reduces gradually up to one third of the initial solid volume. In the first position the cover rests on the metal that fills the ingot mold and remains raised with respect to an abutting edge of the ingot mold, in such a manner that the bottom of the cover compresses and thus uniformly compacts the powders, the grits or the swarf so that, during the melting step, in the second position, the cover lowers progressively as the metal melts, until it rests on the abutting edge of the ingot mold, thus hermetically closing the ingot mold.

A device for casting electrode grids for producing lead acid batteries in a continuous casting process. The device includes a casting wheel and a casting shoe which rests on an outer circumference of the casting wheel. Liquid lead exiting the casting shoe flows into a concave mold of the casting wheel surface and is removable as a solidified lead strip. The casting shoe is made up of two or more zones, at least a first hot zone with a temperature above the melting point of lead and a second, thermally separated zone with a temperature below the melting point of lead. Cooling the lead strip from two sides (the wheel side and the shoe side) avoids columnar crystal formation and increases the casting speed to 40 meter per minute and above. Thermal isolation of the lead feeding tube avoids re-flowing of lead to a lead pot, reducing PbO formation.

A method of investment casting includes casting a liquid nickel- or cobalt-based superalloy in an investment casting mold. The superalloy includes an yttrium alloying element that is subject to reactive loss during the casting. Loss of the yttrium is limited by using a zircon-containing facecoat on a refractory investment wall in the investment casting mold. The facecoat contacts the liquid nickel- or cobalt-based superalloy during the casting. Prior to the casting, a zircon-containing slurry is used to form the facecoat. After solidification of the nickel- or cobalt-based superalloy, the refractory investment wall is removed from the solidified superalloy.

A machine for forming metal bars, in particular for producing ingots made of precious metal such as gold, silver, precious alloys, as well as other pure metals or different alloys, in the form of solid metal powder, grits or swarf of various sizes, having an ingot mould and a cover for closing the ingot mould when filled, the ingot mould has a dimension in height such that the cover passes from a first position to a second position when the volume occupied by the mass of metal that fills the ingot mould reduces gradually up to one third of the initial solid volume. In the first position the cover rests on the metal that fills the ingot mold and remains raised with respect to an abutting edge of the ingot mould, in such a manner that the bottom of the cover compresses and thus uniformly compacts the powders, the grits or the swarf so that, during the melting step, in the second position, the cover lowers progressively as the metal melts, until it rests on the abutting edge of the ingot mold, thus hermetically closing the ingot mould.

A sputtering target according to the disclosure includes 5 wtppm to 10,000 wtppm of Cu and the balance of In and has a relative density of 99% or more and an average grain size of 3,000 m or less.

A metering unit (14) for molten lead is paired with the molding cavity (13) of a molding block (6). The metering unit (14) includes a cylinder (1), to which molten lead is supplied via a blockable line (8), and a piston (2), which can be lifted in order to transfer molten lead into the molding cavity (13) in order to cast pole connectors onto battery plate lugs.

A method of investment casting includes casting a liquid nickel- or cobalt-based superalloy in an investment casting mold. The superalloy includes an yttrium alloying element that is subject to reactive loss during the casting. Loss of the yttrium is limited by using a zircon-containing facecoat on a refractory investment wall in the investment casting mold. The facecoat contacts the liquid nickel- or cobalt-based superalloy during the casting. Prior to the casting, a zircon-containing slurry is used to form the facecoat. After solidification of the nickel- or cobalt-based superalloy, the refractory investment wall is removed from the solidified superalloy.

A method of purifying and casting a material comprising placing a material to be purified within a crucible, the crucible located within a purification chamber; providing thermal energy to the material to maintain the material in a molten state; providing a purification gas into the molten material to purify the material until a first measured condition is attained; passing the material in a fluid state from the purification chamber having a first atmosphere to a casting chamber having a second atmosphere, the purification chamber in fluid communication with the casting chamber such that the material passes from the purification chamber to the casting chamber without exposure to a third atmosphere; placing the material into a mold within the casting chamber; cooling the material within the mold to form a cast material.