Abstract: The method according to the invention can be used for the economic manufacture of a steel strip (W) or sheet consisting mainly of Mn-austenite which possesses enhanced strength compared with the prior art. For this purpose a steel is melted which contains at least the following alloying components (in wt. %), 15.00-24.00% Cr, 5.00-12.00% Mn, 0.10-0.60% N, 0.01-0.2% C, max. 3.00% Al and/or Si, max. 0.07% P, max. 0.05% S, max. 0.5% Nb, max. 0.5% V, max. 3.0% Ni, max. 5.0% Mo, max. 2.0% Cu as well as iron and unavoidable impurities as the remainder. This steel is cast into a thin strip (D) having a maximum thickness of 10 mm in a casting gap formed between two rotating rollers (2, 3) or rolls. The rollers (2, 3) or rolls are cooled so intensively that the thin strip (D) in the casting gap (4) is cooled at a cooling rate of at least 200 K/s.

Abstract: A process for the production of a powder having a nanocrystalline structure from powders of at least two materials of the groups including metals, metallic compounds, and ceramic materials, in a composition which tends to develop an amorphous phase. The starting powders are subjected to high stresses of at least 12 G in a neutral or reducing atmosphere at about 20.degree. C. until there are no crystallites larger than about 10 nm.

Abstract: A process for producing metal metalmetalloid powder, with its particles having ultramicrocrystalline structures to nanocrystalline structures with the metalmetalloid component being composed of at least one metal reacted with at least one metalloid of the group including C, N, O, H, B, and Si. The metalloids, C, N, O, H, B, and Si are introduced in a highly reactive form together with powders of the metals of the matrix metal and of the metals of the metalmetalloid component into a high energy mill to produce a metal-metalmetalloid powder with its particles having a ultramicrocrystalline to nanocrystalline structure both in the metal matrix and in the metal metalloid component.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy for repeated use, containing no noble metals. NiTiZr and NiTiZrCu shape memory alloys having A.sub.s temperature which lies above 100.degree. C. are disclosed. These shape memory alloys have the following composition: 41.5 to 54 atomic % Ni; 24 to 42.5 atomic % Ti and 7.5 to 22 atomic % Zr.

Abstract: A method of producing layers of hard carbon modifications on a substrate includes disposing the substrate in a vacuum chamber in which an anode electrode and a cathode electrode are disposed and spaced from one another. The anode electrode is made of a carbon containing material and serves as a carbon source when a direct current is formed between the spaced electrodes. The two electrodes are energized, thereby forming a direct current arc in the vacuum between the spaced electrodes; and hydrogen is introduced directly into the region of the arc by flowing hydrogen through at least one of the two electrodes while simultaneously maintaining the arc between the electrodes to feed the arc with carbon from the anode thereby coating a surface of the substrate with a hard carbon layer.

Abstract: A process for the production of a secondary powder composition having a nanocrystalline structure and being comprised of binary or quasi-binary substances composed of at least one of the elements Y, Ti, Zr, Hf, Nb, Mo, Ta and W and at least one of the elements V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Pd, optionally also containing further ingredients, such as Si, Ge, B and/or oxides, nitrides, borides, carbides, and their possible mixed crystals. The components are in powdered form and are mixed in elementary form or as pre-alloys and have particle sizes ranging from 2 to 250 .mu.m. The powder components are subjected to high mechanical forces in order to produce secondary powders having a nanocrystalline structure. The secondary powders obtained in this way can be processed into molded bodies according to known compression molding processes, but at a temperature below the recrystallization temperature.