Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of case hardening a Group IV metal or a Group IV metal alloy and to components hardened in the method. The method comprising the steps of: providing a workpiece of a Group IV metal or a Group IV metal alloy, the workpiece being in its final shape; nitriding the workpiece in a nitriding atmosphere comprising NHs as a nitriding species at a first temperature in the range of 450° C. to 750° C. for a nitriding duration of at least 16 hours to provide a hydrogen containing diffusion zone; removing hydrogen from the hydrogen containing diffusion zone at a second temperature of up to 750° C. and a partial pressure of H2 of up to 10?4 mbar over a hydrogen removal duration of at least 4 hours to provide a hydrogen depleted diffusion zone. The method and the component are useful for implants, in particular dental implants.

Abstract: A water-soluble diammonium compound, such as N-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-tallowalkyl-N'-methyl-N'-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) -propylene-diammonium methosulfate, is homogeneously and finely dispersed in a spray-dried detergent bead or granule. The spray-dried bead is blended with a clay mineral fabric softener. The final composition exhibits antistatic action even at low levels (e.g. less than 2%) of the antistat without adversely effecting softening, cleaning or whitening. In a typical formulation, the spray-dried beads include linear alkyl benzene sulfonate or other anionic surfactant, an inorganic polyphosphate and/or other inorganic and/or organic detergent builder salt, diammonium compound antistatic agent, and other heat stable and pH insensitive detergent additives and fillers.

Abstract: A particulate detergent composition, preferably of relatively high bulk density, comprises agglomerate particles of clay, such as bentonite, and anionic synthetic organic detergent, of particle sizes in a certain desired range, with each particle thereof comprising individual particles of such clay of a smaller size and anionic detergent absorbed into said particles, on the surfaces thereof and between them, whereby a relatively high bulk density fabric softening detergent composition is obtainable.