Abstract: An improved particle, and process for producing particle, for use in the storage and retrieval of thermal energy is disclosed. The particle comprises a eutectic material core encapsulated within a high-melting, corrosion resistant material.

Abstract: A method for economically removing base metal impurities, other oxidizable impurities, and volatile impurities from precious-metal-bearing metallic materials, consisting of silver and gold, to obtain, with high recovery, a resultant precious metal of high purity (more than 99.9%) that greatly reduces refining time and precious metal loss in recovery. The method includes the steps of (1) controlled heating to maintain a temperature slightly above the melting temperature of the molten metallic mass, (2) maintaining contact between an oxidizing agent and the metallic mass to provide a concentration of dissolved oxygen within the molten metal throughout the refining process, (3) maintaining a flux medium on the surface of the molten material that absorbs base metal and other impurity oxides, and (4) controlling the concentration of base metal and other impurity oxides in the flux to a level that ensures continued transfer of the base metal oxides into the flux medium.

Abstract: Polycrystalline titanium-based alloys having a high specific strength are formed by the rapid solidification of a melt composition containing about 80 weight percent titanium and specific amounts of aluminum, vanadium, iron and copper. In the form of filaments the alloys are particularly useful as reinforcing agents in composite structures while in the form of powders the alloys are eminently suitable for use in the fabrication of structural components by the application of powder metallurgy technology.