Abstract: A strap buckle made from a single piece of bent material, the bent material forming a first generally U-shaped portion; a second generally U-shaped portion; and an elongated intermediary portion between the first and second generally U-shaped portions; the first generally U-shaped portion having a distal leg, a proximal leg shorter than the distal leg, and an intermediate bight between the distal and proximal legs; the second generally U-shaped portion having a distal leg, a proximal leg shorter than the distal leg, and an intermediate bight between the distal and proximal legs, such that the distal legs are located in the same plane, are parallel to one another, and extend perpendicularly to the elongated intermediary portion. The interweaving of these portions provides the buckling functionality as well as the non-slippage feature.

Abstract: A method of producing a silicon based alloy is described which comprises melting a silicon alloy containing greater than 50 wt. % silicon and preferably including aluminium. The melted alloy is then inert gas atomized to produce powder or a spray formed deposit in which the silicon forms a substantially continuous phase made up of fine, randomly oriented crystals in the microstructure. The alloy produced by the method has particularly useful application in electronics packaging materials and a typical example comprises an alloy of 70 wt. % silicon and 30 wt. % aluminium. Such an alloy is an engineering material which, for example, is machinable.

Abstract: A novel a process for the preparation of the chelating agent of formula (I) ##STR1## 4-carboxy-5,8,11-tris(carboxymethyl)-1-phenyl-2-oxa-5,8,11-triazatridecan- 13-oic acid, commonly named BOPTA.