Martin Marietta Corporation

Commonwealth Aluminum Corporation

Martin Marietta Aluminum Inc.

William M Buchta

Dennis C Nagle

Larry G Boxall

Arthur V Cooke

Douglas W Townsend

Leontios Christodoulou

John M Brupbacher

Russell N Bennett

James M Patton

Alvin F Bopp

Devices and methods are disclosed for contacting a hot reaction mass with water to initiate an explosive reaction. The reaction mass comprises a ceramic or intermetallic material that is produced by exothermically reacting a mixture of reactive elements. Suitable reaction masses include borides and/or carbides that are formed by reacting a mixture comprising B and/or C in combination with an element selected from Ti, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W. Additional metals such as Al, Li, Mg, Zn, Cu, Be, Na, K, Ca, Rb, Y, U and Cs may also be present in the reactive mixture. In operation, the hot reaction mass is contacted with water to initiate an explosive water reaction and to produce large volumes of hydrogen containing gas.

Water reactive method with delayed explosion

Aluminum cells may be produced having cathode surfaces which are wetted by aluminum, said surfaces comprising Refractory Hard Materials in a non-graphitized carbon matrix. Such cells may utilize inclined or drained cathodes as well as non-consumable anodes.

Aluminum wettable cathode material for use in aluminum reduction cell

This invention relates to a method for the preparation of improved tiles or plates of enhanced density, freedom from defects, chemical and mechanical resistance, and increased longevity in service, for use as aluminum-wettable cathode surfaces for aluminum reduction cells. A mixture of Refractory Hard Material, carbonaceous filler, carbonaceous additive, and thermosetting binder system is subjected to vacuum during mixing so as to achieve a specified penetration depth as measured by ASTM standard C 360-63. The mixed composition is then molded, cured, and baked to form elements of the desired configuration.

Process for manufacture of refractory hard metal containing plates for

Aluminum cell having aluminum wettable cathode surface

This invention relates to an improved coating composition for application to aluminum cell cathodes, wherein said composition comprises a Refractory Hard Material, and a thermosetting resinous binder system. The resinous binder system is characterized by a char yield greater than 25 percent, while the coating composition exhibits expansion characteristics such as to adhere to a cathode block at temperatures up to and including those normally encountered in the operation of an aluminum cell. The ablation rate of the carbon system utilized is essentially equal to the combined wear and dissolution rate of the Refractory Hard Material in an aluminum cell environment.

Aluminum cell cathode coating composition

This invention relates to electrolytic reduction cells for aluminum production wherein tiles have been placed upon the cathode surfaces to improve the cell operation. These tiles have aluminum-wettable surfaces, which reduce electrical losses and increase cathode life. The tiles are produced from a mixture of refractory hard metal (RHM), a thermosetting resin, carbonaceous fillers and carbonaceous additives. The tiles are physically formed, polymerized and/or cross linked, and carbonized to form a tile which can be inserted into a cell. The tile may have the RHM homogeneously dispersed throughout the tile structure, or it may have the RHM concentrated in layered form.

Method of making refractory hard metal containing tiles for aluminum

This invention relates to a method for the application of a coating composition containing Refractory Hard Material to a cathode substrate to prepare an aluminum wettable cathode surface. A mixture of Refractory Hard Material and carbon system is applied to a cathode substrate, cured and carbonized to a non-graphitized carbon matrix containing Refractory Hard Material, characterized by strong bonding of said matrix to said substrate and an ablation rate of said carbon matrix similar to the combined rate of wear and dissolution of the Refractory Hard Material.

Growing community of inventors

Baltimore, MD, United States of America

William M Buchta