Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based alloy are provided. The matrix is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expressions:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.27-40.5 -Al.sub.4.5-10.5 -Hf.sub.1.5-5.5 -Cr.sub.4.5-7.9 -V.sub.0-6,orNb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.27-40.5 -Al.sub.4.5-10.5 -Hf.sub.1.5-5.5 -Cr.sub.4.5-7.9 -V.sub.0-6 -Zr.sub.0-1 C.sub.0-0.5.The reinforcement may be in the form of strands of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based cladding alloy are provided. The cladding is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance --Ti.sub.40-48 --Al.sub.12-22 --Hf.sub.0.5-6.The reinforcement may be in the form of plates, sheets or rods of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based reinforcing alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based cladding alloy are provided. The cladding is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.35-45 -Hf.sub.10-15.The reinforcement may be in the form of plates, sheets or rods of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based reinforcing alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based cladding alloy are provided. The cladding is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.32-48 -Al.sub.8-16 -Cr.sub.2-12,provided that the sum (Al+Cr).ltoreq.22 a/o, and where Ti is less than 37 a/o the sum (Al+Cr).ltoreq.16a/o.The reinforcement may be in the form of plates, sheets or rods of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based reinforcing alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based cladding alloy are provided. The cladding is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.31-48 -Al.sub.8-21.The reinforcement may be in the form of plates, sheets or rods of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based reinforcing alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based alloy are provided. The matrix is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.40-48 -Al.sub.12-22 -Hf.sub.0.5-6.The reinforcement may be in the form of strands of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based alloy. The same Crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: A large area active matrix array (2) is manufactured by providing four substrates (1) each carrying a sub-array (21) having an active area (11) comprising a matrix of switching elements (30) and associated row and column conductors (41) and (42) for enabling addressing of individual switching elements (30). The row and column conductors (41) and (42) terminate in respective connecting leads (41a and 42a) extending beyond the active area (11). A portion (1a) of each substrate (1) and the connecting leads carried is removed so as to form a new substrate edge (1'a) adjacent each of two adjoining edges of the active area (11) and the substrates (1) are mounted onto a support (12) so that each new substrate edge is adjacent another new substrate edge (1'a) to form the large area array (2), thereby allowing the same pixel pitch to be maintained across the array (2). Each sub-array (2') may be fully tested before completion of the array (2) which should allow higher yields.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based cladding alloy are provided. The cladding is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb balance-Ti32-45-Al-3-18-Hf-8-15.The reinforcement may be in the form of plates, sheets or rods of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based reinforcing alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based alloy are provided. The matrix is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb--Ti.sub.27-40.5 --Al.sub.4.5-10.5 --Hf.sub.1.5-5.5 Cr.sub.4.5-8.5 V.sub.0-6,where each metal of the metal/metal composite has a body centered cubic crystal structure, andwherein the ratio of concentrations of Ti to Nb (Ti/Nb) is greater than or equal (.gtoreq.) to 0.5, andwherein the maximum concentration of the Hf+V+Al+Cr additives is less than or equal (.ltoreq.) to the expression:16.5+(5.times.Ti/Nb),and the reinforcement may be in the form of strands of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based alloy are provided. The matrix is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.32-48 -Al.sub.8-16 -Cr.sub.2-12.The reinforcement may be in the form Of strands of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Articles including a thin laminar heating element composed of a sintered conductive polymer, and electrodes attached to the heating element so that current flows in the plane of the element. The article can be placed between and in contact with two substrates, and then heated to join the two substrates together. Preferably at least one of the substrates is polymeric and becomes melt-fused to the article.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based alloy are provided. The matrix is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb--Ti.sub.32-45 --Al.sub.3-18 --Hf.sub.8-15and the reinforcement may be in the form of strands of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: An image detector (1) has a first substrate (10) carrying an electromagnetic radiation conversion layer (11) for converting incoming electromagnetic radiation (A) with a first range of wavelengths into outgoing electromagnetic radiation (B) with a second different range of wavelengths and a photodetector array (21) is carried by a second substrate (20) and responsive to the second range of wavelengths for detecting outgoing electromagnetic radiation (B) emitted by the layer (11). The second substrate (20) is mounted to the first substrate (10) by a mounting arrangement (40) defining an insulative space (50) which provides good electrical isolation between the photodetector array (21) and the electromagnetic radiation conversion layer (11).

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based cladding alloy are provided. The cladding is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance -Ti.sub.27-40.5 -Al.sub.4.5-10.5 -Hf.sub.1.5-5.5 V.sub.0-6 Cr.sub.4.5-8.5 Zr.sub.0-1 C.sub.0-0.5,where each metal of the metal/metal composite has a body centered cubic crystal structure, andwherein the ratio of concentrations of Ti to Nb (Ti/Nb) is greater than or equal (.gtoreq.) to 0.5, andwherein the maximum concentration of the Hf+V+Al+Cr additives is less than or equal (.ltoreq.) to the expression:16.5+5.times.Ti/Nb.The reinforcement may be in the form of plates, sheets or rods of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based reinforcing alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based alloy are provided. The matrix is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb.sub.balance --Ti.sub.31-48 --Al.sub.8-21.The reinforcement may be in the form of strands of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Composite structures having a higher density, stronger reinforcing niobium based alloy embedded within a lower density, lower strength niobium based alloy are provided. The matrix is preferably an alloy having a niobium and titanium base according to the expression:Nb-Ti.sub.35-45- Hf.sub.10-15,and the reinforcement may be in the form of strands of the higher strength, higher temperature niobium based alloy. The same crystal form is present in both the matrix and the reinforcement and is specifically body centered cubic crystal form.

Abstract: Enhanced crystallographic texture is developed in an alpha or alpha-beta titanium alloy having a dispersion of particles therein, by heating the alloy to essentially the all beta phase range and mechanically hot working the alloy in this range. The mechanical working is preferably accomplished by extrusion, rolling, or forging. The particles are stable during working, and prevent the formation of random texture in recrystallized beta phase grains at the working temperature. The particles are preferably oxides formed from rare earth elements such as erbium or yttrium, that are introduced into the alloy during manufacture. The alloys processed according to the invention are preferably prepared by powder metallurgy to achieve a uniform microstructure prior to working. A particularly suitable alpha-beta (but near alpha) titanium alloy contains aluminum, zirconium, hafnium, tin, columbium, molybdenum, tungsten, ruthenium, germanium, silicon, and erbium.

Abstract: A dental x-ray alignment device is described for attachment to the extension tube of the x-ray unit. The device has a cylindrical conical frustum exterior shape with a central opening adapted to frictionally reside on the extension tube. An annularly shaped conical cavity is formed in the sidewalls of the cylindrical conical frustum, the cavity being open on one end joining the front face of the frustum. A plurality of light emitting sources are situated in the base or bottom of the frustum to emit light from the open end of the cavity. The light is projected onto the patient's face to circumscribe the x-ray beam pattern for certainty of x-ray beam placement during procedures. In an alternate embodiment, the invention is incorporated into the coupler and extension tube normally attached to the x-ray unit head.

Abstract: A polygonal protective carton for a rotary broom which has a central support tube and bristles extending radially therefrom to form a substantially cylindrical broom. The carton includes ends which have hubs that extend into the open ends of the tube to substantially suspend the broom in the carton to prevent shifting therein which would cause damage to the bristles.

Abstract: A coupling of heat recoverable metallic material for joining tubular members and other cylindrical substrates. The couplings include a hollow member having at least one opening for receipt of a tube. This hollow member is designed to eliminate relative motion between the ends of the member and the tubing during flexure of the tubing and coupling assembly. This elimination of such relative motion is accomplished by incorporating thin-walled sections at each end of the hollow member with collars located outwardly of the thin-walled sections. The collars tightly grip the tubing to prevent relative motion between the collar and the tubing while the thin-walled sections allow flexural response of the coupling to the flexure of the tubing itself.