Method and apparatus for reducing moisture and hydrogen pick up of hygroscopic molten salts during aluminum-lithium alloy ingot casting

(19)

(11)

EP 0 726 114 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	10.09.1997 Bulletin 1997/37

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	14.08.1996 Bulletin 1996/33

(21)	Application number: 96101738.1

(22)	Date of filing: 07.02.1996

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: B22D 11/10, C22B 21/06

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB

(30)

Priority:

10.02.1995 US 386840

(71)	Applicant: REYNOLDS METALS COMPANY
	Richmond, VA 23261-7003 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Kirby J., Leslie Mechanicsville Virginia 23111 (US) Kendrick, Richard O. Forestview Illinois 60402 (US) Kroml, Steven M. Brookfield Illinois 60513 (US) Steele, George W. Glen Allen Virginia 23060 (US)

(74)	Representative: Gervasi, Gemma, Dr. et al
	NOTARBARTOLO & GERVASI Srl Viale Bianca Maria 33 20122 Milano 20122 Milano (IT)

(54)	Method and apparatus for reducing moisture and hydrogen pick up of hygroscopic molten salts during aluminum-lithium alloy ingot casting

(57) A method and an apparatus for melting and casting aluminum-lithium alloy ingots enhance ingot quality by supplying an inert gas such as argon to ambient atmospheric air (31, 35) during melting and casting. Argon is supplied to one or more covers (3, 11, 17) of the furnace (1), pour trough (9) and casting station (30) to reduce moisture pick up by hygroscopic molten salt baths (25, 27) used during the melting and casting steps.

Search report