Abstract: A tantalum or tantalum alloy which contains pure or substantially pure tantalum and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Jr, Pt, Mo, W and Re to form a tantalum alloy that is resistant to aqueous corrosion. The invention also relates to the process of preparing the tantalum alloy.

Abstract: A niobium or niobium alloy which contains pure or substantially pure niobium and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Mo, W and Re to form a niobium alloy that is resistant to aqueous corrosion. The invention also relates to the process of preparing the niobium alloy.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a microreactor features a corrosion-resistant microchannel network encased within a thermally conductive matrix material that may define therewithin one or more hollow heat-exchange conduits.

Abstract: In various embodiments, metallic products are formed by alloying niobium with at least one of yttrium, aluminum, hafnium, titanium, zirconium, thorium, lanthanum, or cerium and processing the alloy.

Abstract: A niobium or niobium alloy which contains pure or substantially pure niobium and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Mo, W and Re to form a niobium alloy that is resistant to aqueous corrosion. The invention also relates to the process of preparing the niobium alloy.

Abstract: A niobium or niobium alloy which contains pure or substantially pure niobium and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Mo, W and Re to form a niobium alloy that is resistant to aqueous corrosion. The invention also relates to the process of preparing the niobium alloy.

Abstract: In various embodiments, metallic products are formed by alloying niobium with at least one of yttrium, aluminum, hafnium, titanium, zirconium, thorium, lanthanum, or cerium and processing the alloy.

Abstract: A tantalum or tantalum alloy which contains pure or substantially pure tantalum and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Mo, W and Re to form a tantalum alloy that is resistant to aqueous corrosion. The invention also relates to the process of preparing the tantalum alloy.

Abstract: A niobium or niobium alloy which contains pure or substantially pure niobium and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Mo, W and Re to form a niobium alloy that is resistant to aqueous corrosion. The invention also relates to the process of preparing the niobium alloy.

Abstract: A niobium or niobium alloy which contains pure or substantially pure niobium and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt, Mo, W and Re to form a niobium alloy that is resistant to aqueous corrosion. The invention also relates to the process of preparing the niobium alloy.

Abstract: Refractory metal products, such as tantalum, can be rejuvenated after metal consumption in selected zones by filling the zones with powder and simultaneously applying focused radiant energy to the powder.

Abstract: A method of making a silicon-containing alloy of niobium that includes: A) forming a blend comprising niobium powder and silicon powder and pressing the blend to form pressed blend; B) attaching the pressed blend to an electrode comprising niobium; C) melting the electrode and pressed blend under vacuum arc remelting conditions, such that the blend mixes with the melted electrode; D) cooling the melted electrode to form an alloy ingot; and E) applying thermo-mechanical processing steps to the alloy ingot to form a wrought product. The method provides a fully recrystalized niobium wrought product with a grain size finer that ASTM 5, that can be used to make deep drawn cups and sputtering targets.

Abstract: A process to chemically refine and consolidate tantalum, niobium and their alloys to a fabricated product of net shape or near-net shape with higher throughput, more consistency, and lower manufacturing costs compared to prior art routes or rejuvenate damaged and deteriorated refractory metal parts. Powder metal is loaded into hoppers to be fed into laser forming/melting equipment. A suitable substrate is loaded into a laser forming/melting chamber onto which the powder will be deposited and consolidated in a point-scan process. As the powder is fed onto successive points of the surface of the substrate in linear traces, the laser is used to heat and partially melt the substrate and completely melt the powder. A combined deposition and melt beam traces the substrate surface repeatedly over a selected area to build up a dense coating of controlled microstructure in multiple layers. A fully dense deposit is built up that becomes the desired shape.

Abstract: A tantalum or tantalum alloy which contains pure or substantially pure tantalum and at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Jr, Pt, Mo, W and Re to form a tantalum alloy that is resistant to aqueous corrosion. The invention also relates to the process of preparing the tantalum alloy.

Abstract: The oxidation resistance of a superalloy casting such as an equiaxed, directionally solidified, or single crystal casting, is improved by melting, pouring, or casting the alloy so as to react with a magnesium or calcium-bearing ceramic material. Magnesium or calcium is introduced into the alloy through a controlled reaction between the alloy and the magnesium or calcium-bearing ceramic material.

Abstract: A method of making a casting wherein a molten alloy is introduced into a mold cavity at an initial mold fill rate to partially fill the mold cavity while the mold cavity resides in a casting chamber. A solidification front is propagated through the molten alloy to provide a solidification rate. The remaining molten alloy is introduced into the mold at a second mold fill rate less than the first mold fill rate as the front propagates through the molten alloy. The second fill rate is controlled to correspond or be matched generally to the solidification rate of the molten alloy in the mold cavity.

Abstract: A high melting point and/or low ductility metal or alloy is investment cast in a refractory mold including a facecoat layer and a plurality of back-up layers wherein at least one back-up layer is a relatively weak, sacrificial layer. This latter layer is crushed as necessary as the casting cools below its ductile-to-brittle transition temperature to avoid hot tearing or cracking of the solidified metal or alloy during cooling in the mold.