Alcan International Limited

Jean-Pierre Martin

Ghyslain Dube

Don Allen Doutre

Iljoon Jin

Kevin Michael Gatenby

Toshiya Anami

Yoshito Oki

Ichiro Okamoto

Willard Mark Truman Gallerneault

Gaston Riverin

Willard Mark Gallerneault

An improved aluminum alloy fin stock is described having both a high strength and a high thermal conductivity. The fin stock contains 1.2-1.8% Fe, 0.7-0.95% Si, 0.3-0.5% Mn, 0.3-1.2% Zn and the balance Al, and is produced by continuously strip casting the alloy at a cooling rate greater than 10&deg; C./sec. but less than 200&deg; C./sec., hot rolling the strip to a re-roll sheet without homogenization, cold rolling the re-roll sheet to an intermediate gauge, annealing the sheet and cold rolling the sheet to final gauge. This fin stock has a conductivity after brazing of greater than 49.8% IACS.

High conductivity aluminum fin alloy

The invention provides a new method for the determination of the concentration of gas dissolved in a molten metal or metal matrix composite employing a new immersion head probe in apparatus employing the method. Such determinations are needed to facilitate removal of the gas, which can cause loss of desirable properties and/or bubbles in the solidified material and subsequent processing difficulties. This determination is particularly difficult with metals containing high concentrations of particulate additions, such as metal matrix composites, since it is necessary to avoid deposition of the particulates and consequent inaccurate readings. The method employs apparatus which circulates an inert carrier gas through the probe in gas exchange contact with the molten metal to entrain dissolved gas until an equilibrium mixture is obtained; the concentration of the dissolved gas in the mixture then is representative of its concentration in the molten metal. The head consists of a monolithic or integral body of a porous gas-permeable material of sufficient porosity, pore size and permeability to permit the necessary gas diffusion in a reasonable period of time. If the test is to be carried out in a stationary body of molten metal, the probe may be vibrated or the metal may be stirred.

Method and apparatus for the determination of gas concentration in

The invention provides a new immersion head probe for use in apparatus for the determination of the concentration of gas dissolved in a molten metal. Such determinations are needed to facilitate removal of the gas, which can cause bubbles in the solidified metal and subsequent processing difficulties. The apparatus circulates an inert carrier gas through the probe in gas exchange contact with the molten metal to entrain dissolved gas until an equilibrium mixture is obtained; the concentration of the dissolved gas in the mixture then is representative of its concentration in the molten metal. The head consists of a monolithic or integral body of a porous gas-permeable material of sufficient mechanical strength at the temperature of the molten metal and of sufficient porosity, pore size and permeability to permit the necessary gas diffusion in a reasonable period of time. The body of the probe preferably is thin in one direction to minimize the path length for the gas to diffuse therein, and is provided with a carrier gas inlet and outlet suitably spaced apart to ensure that the gas diffuses throughout the body. If the test is to be carried out in a stationary body of molten metal, the probe may be vibrated or the metal may be stirred to increase the probe/metal contact, both decreasing the time required for the gas mixture to reach sufficient equilibrium.

Probe for the determination of gas concentration in molten metal

Growing community of inventors

Chicoutimi-Nord, Canada

Jean-Pierre Martin