Abstract: A high-strength steel having improved resistance to hydrogen embrittlement characterized as being essentially free of manganese and having a stable rare earth oxymetalloid dispersion consisting of, e.g., lanthanum oxysulfide and lanthanum phosphate. The steel prepared using rapid solidification processing coupled with late addition of the rare earth.

Abstract: A preferred catalytic converter structure suitable for treating automotive exhaust gases comprises a wound corrugated metal foil and gas passages defined by facing foil surfaces of adjacent turns, wherein one surface carries platinum catalyst and the facing surface separately carries palladium catalyst for concurrently treating gases flowing therethrough. A preferred method for manufacturing said structure comprises applying platinum catalyst and palladium catalyst to distinct halves in length of both foil surfaces, which halves border along a transverse axis, and winding the foil about the axis to bring the surfaces into facing relationship.

Abstract: In the preferred embodiment, a method is disclosed for preparing a metal foil composed of a ferritic stainless steel alloy and having a surface that is substantially covered by high aspect alumina whiskers. The preferred foil alloy comprises 15 to 25 weight percent Cr, 3 to 6 weight percent Al, 0.3 to 1.0 weight percent Y and the balance Fe. The method comprises forming the foil by a metal peeling process and treating the foil by heating in air at a temperature between about 870.degree. C. and about 930.degree. C. for a time sufficient to grow the alumina whiskers. In a particularly useful embodiment, the whisker-covered foil is coated with a noble metal-impregnated alumina layer and wound into a suitable cylindrical structure for use as a monolith-type catalytic converter for automotive exhaust gas treatment.

Abstract: A preferred catalytic converter structure suitable for treating automotive exhaust gases comprises a wound corrugated metal foil and gas passages defined by facing foil surfaces of adjacent turns, wherein one surface carries platinum catalyst and the facing surface separately carries palladium catalyst for concurrently treating gases flowing therethrough. A preferred method for manufacturing said structure comprises applying platinum catalyst and palladium catalyst to distinct halves in length of both foil surfaces, which halves border along a transverse axis, and winding the foil about the axis to bring the surfaces into facing relationship.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method is disclosed for applying a gamma alumina coating to a metal foil composed of an aluminum-containing ferritic stainless steel alloy and having an oxidized surface that is substantially covered by high-aspect alumina whiskers. The method comprises wetting the whisker-covered surface with a thixotropic alumina gel formed by mixing between about 4% to 6% by weight alumina monohydrate in water and acidifying with nitric acid to a pH below 2.0. While still wet, the primed surface is coated with a material consisting of gamma alumina powder suspended in a similar acid-stabilized aqueous alumina gel. The two-coat layer is air-dried and additional layers of the powder-containing material are applied and dried to form a gamma alumina coating of desired thickness.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, homogeneous bulk mixtures of about one weight part magnesium metal particles per 12 to 20 weight parts iron constituent particles are formed. The bulk mixtures are transportation and storage stable so that portions thereof may be randomly withdrawn to predictably and consistently inoculate molten iron in the mold to produce nodular iron castings. Substantially all the particles are about the same size and in the size range of from about 0.15 to 5.0 mm. The size characterization values of the magnesium and iron diluent particles are each in the range of from about 1 to 2.3, the size characterization value herein being defined as the ratio of the screen opening in millimeters retaining ten weight percent of a sample and the screen opening in millimeters retaining 90 weight percent of the same sample.