Abstract: An embodiment of the invention describes a method of treating an article to improve its corrosion resistance. The method includes the step of nitriding the article in a cyanide-free nitriding bath to obtain a nitrided article, heating the nitrided article in an atmosphere having nitrogen and carbon-carburizing to obtain a nitrided oxidised article. Further, in certain embodiments, the oxidised nitrided article may be coated with a metallic layer. The oxidised nitrided article with the metallic coating has improved corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention describes a method of treating an article to improve its corrosion resistance. The method includes the step of nitriding the article in a cyanide-free nitriding bath to obtain a nitrided article, heating the nitrided article in an atmosphere having nitrogen and carbon-carburizing to obtain a nitrided oxidised article. Further, in certain embodiments, the oxidised nitrided article may be coated with a metallic layer. The oxidised nitrided article with the metallic coating has improved corrosion resistance.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention describes a method of treating an article to improve its corrosion resistance. The method includes the step of nitriding the article in a cyanide-free nitriding bath to obtain a nitrided article, heating the nitrided article in an atmosphere having nitrogen and carbon-carburizing to obtain a nitrided oxidised article. Further, in certain embodiments, the oxidised nitrided article may be coated with a metallic layer. The oxidised nitrided article with the metallic coating has improved corrosion resistance.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of heat-treating an article, which includes a first step of heating the article to a temperature of 400° C. to 500° C. at a pressure of 1 to 3 millibar in an atmosphere comprising hydrogen for a period of 0.1 to 50 hours to produce a hot article, a second step of heating the hot article at a temperature of 400° C. to 500° C. at a pressure of 1 to 3 millibar in an atmosphere comprising at least one of hydrogen, argon, and nitrogen, for 0.1 to 50 hours to produce a preliminary heat treated article, and a third step of heating the preliminary heat treated article at a temperature of 400° C. to 500° C. at a pressure of 1 to 3 millibar in an atmosphere comprising at least one of hydrogen, nitrogen, and a hydrocarbon gas, for 0.1 to 50 hours; to produce a heat-treated article.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of heat-treating an article, which includes a first step of heating the article to a temperature of 400° C. to 500° C. at a pressure of 1 to 3 millibar in an atmosphere comprising hydrogen for a period of 0.1 to 50 hours to produce a hot article, a second step of heating the hot article at a temperature of 400° C. to 500° C. at a pressure of 1 to 3 millibar in an atmosphere comprising at least one of hydrogen, argon, and nitrogen, for 0.1 to 50 hours to produce a preliminary heat treated article, and a third step of heating the preliminary heat treated article at a temperature of 400° C. to 500° C. at a pressure of 1 to 3 millibar in an atmosphere comprising at least one of hydrogen, nitrogen, and a hydrocarbon gas, for 0.1 to 50 hours; to produce a heat-treated article.

Abstract: A nano-cellular polymer foam is disclosed, which has an average pore size from about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers; and a foam density that is from about 1 percent to about 50 percent of the bulk density of the material of the nano-cellular foam.

Abstract: A nano-cellular polymer foam is disclosed, which has an average pore size from about 10 nanometers to about 500 nanometers; and a foam density that is from about 1 percent to about 50 percent of the bulk density of the material of the nano-cellular foam.

Abstract: Bumper assemblies for vehicles include multiple spaced apart layers formed of a polymeric material. In one embodiment, the polymeric layers are arranged such that a thickness gradation of the layers exists, wherein the thinnest layers are positioned to provide (and absorb a portion of the kinetic energy associated therewith) the initial impact surface. In another embodiment, the polymeric layers are arranged such that a modulus property gradation of the layers exists, wherein the layers having the lowest modulus property are positioned to provide the initial impact surface. Since the bumper assembly is formed of polymeric materials, the resulting mass is approximately one half that of a conventional bumper assembly. Moreover, the polymeric bumper assembly can be easily extruded and is recyclable.

Abstract: An article comprises a plurality of auxetic structures wherein the auxetic structures are of size greater than about 1 mm. The article also comprises at least one cell boundary that is structurally coupled to the auxetic structures. The cell boundary is configured to resist a deformation of the auxetic structures. An automotive energy absorber comprises a plurality of auxetic structures wherein the auxetic structures are of size greater than about 1 mm.

Abstract: A hybrid bumper system includes a hollow reinforcing metallic beam and a molded engineering thermoplastic resin energy absorber. The energy absorber further includes at least one crushable portion. The hollow metallic beam is secured in a physically stable combination with the energy absorber, thereby resulting in a solitary hybrid bumper system.