Alcan International Limited

Harry Sang

Lorne D Kenny

Iljoon Jin

Melville D Ball

Matthew J Fairlie

Prasad S Apte

Martin Thomas

Dan Fern

Doug Kenny

Bryn Chamberlain

A process of producing an article having a surface provided with an optical diffraction grating such that the surface generates visible color when illuminated with diffuse white light. The process involves deforming a starting material to produce the article having the surface and, during the deforming step, impressing a diffraction relief pattern on the surface by a tool provided with a bearing surface having a corresponding surface relief pattern of parallel lines that contacts the surface of the article under pressure. While the diffraction relief patter is being impressed, the surface is caused to slide in a direction of movement relative to the bearing surface of the tool. The invention also relates to the article.

Process of producing diffraction gratings on the surface of articles

Particle-stabilized metal foam and its production

A process and apparatus are described for manufacturing particle stabilized foamed metal slabs. A foam is first formed in a foaming chamber by heating a composite of a metal matrix and finely divided solid stabilizer particles above the solidus temperature of the metal matrix and discharging gas bubbles into the molten metal composite below the surface thereof to thereby form a stabilized liquid foam on the surface of the molten metal composite. The stabilized liquid foam is continuously drawn off the surface of the molten metal composite and is solidified into a shaped foam product while being continuously drawn off.

Process for producing shaped slabs of particle stabilized foamed metal

A novel lightweight gas metal composite is produced having isolated particle stabilized pores. A composite of a metal matrix, e.g. aluminum, and finely divided solid stabilizer particles, e.g. silicon carbide, is heated above the liquidus temperature of the metal matrix and this is mixed such that a vortex is formed. The molten composite is blanketed with a gas and during the vortex mixing. This gas is drawn into the melt to produce an expanded, viscous molten composite material containing pores which are very small, spherical-shaped and quite evenly distributed. The viscous molten composite material can be directly formed into a solid shaped product and is also capable of being remelted and formed by forming processes without destroying the integrity of the pores. The result is a lightweight expanded metal product capable of being formed into shapes to close dimensional tolerances.

Lightweight metal with isolated pores and its production

A process for coloring a metal surface and colored metal products thus produced. The process involves forming a layer of a metal oxide on a surface of the metal to be colored and then bringing about permanent plastic deformation of the surface. If the oxide layer is of a suitable thickness (e.g. 500.ANG.-1 .mu.m) and the deformation is sufficiently high (preferably producing a reduction in thickness of the metal article by 30% or more), the resulting metal article exhibits an attractive color (usually a dichroic pastel color). The article can then be fabricated into finished articles, e.g. beverage cans, in the usual way.

Process for coloring metal surfaces

A method is described for producing foamed metal in which gaseous bubbles are retained within a mass of molten metal during foaming. The method comprises heating a composite of a metal matrix and finely divided solid stabilizer particles above the liquidus temperature of the metal matrix, discharging gas bubbles into the molten metal composite below the surface thereof to thereby form a foamed melt on the surface of the molten metal composite and cooling the foamed melt thus formed below the solidus temperature of the melt to form a solid foamed metal having a plurality of closed cells. A novel foamed metal product is also described.

Stabilized metal foam body

A method is described for producing foamed metal in which gaseous bubbles are retained within a mass of molten metal during foaming. The method comprises heating a composite of a metal matrix and finely divided solid stabilizer particles above the liquidus temperature of the metal matrix, discharging gas bubbles into the molten metal composite below the surface thereof to thereby form a foamed melt on the surface of the molten metal composite and cooling the foamed melt thus formed below the solidus temperature of the melt to form a solid foamed metal having a plurality of closed cells.

Growing community of inventors

Kingston, Canada

Harry Sang