Abstract: A thermal energy machining (“TEM”) machine gas handling system in which the improvement is a fluid-controlled pressure regulation subsystem for controlling the dispensing of a TEM process gas via the regulation of the pressure of the TEM process gas. Such subsystems include a pressure regulator, a pressure transducer, and a digital controller working in combination to control the process gas outlet pressure of the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator's diaphragm that controls the valve that regulates the process gas outlet pressure is mechanically acted upon by the piston of a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder. Controlling the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder regulates the output pressure of the process gas. The pressure transducer and the digital controller work in combination to adjust the feed pressure of the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, which in turn regulates the pressure of the process gas at the outlet of the pressure regulator.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for oxygen cutting continuously cast billets, in which a cutting member (8) and a trimming member (9) are positioned relative to the billet to be cut (1) by taking a reference directly on the billet (1) by means of a moving clamp (7), after which the cutting member (8) and the trimming member (9) are lowered parallel to the side faces of the billet so as to cut the billet progressively downwards by attacking one of its side faces horizontally, while simultaneously trimming the cutting bead that forms on the other side face by attacking said other side face continuously in a downward direction.

Abstract: A patch for preventing carburization, nitriding or oxidation comprises:a film comprising a heat-fusible or heat-meltable particulate material having an anti-carburizing, anti-nitriding or anti-oxidizing effect and a heat-decomposable resin as a binder; anda heat-resistant silicone pressure sensitive adhesive, which is decomposed at a carburizing, nitriding or oxidizing temperature, provided on one side of the film.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat treatment for nickel-base superalloys used to make single crystal parts and components for gas turbine engines. The heat treatment is conducted in a vacuum or inert atmosphere and includes the steps of solutionizing in a temperature range sufficient to achieve solution of at least 95% of the .gamma.' phase, preferably 2385.degree.-2395.degree. F., for 2 hours; cooling to 2000.degree. F. at 100.degree. F./min minimum, furnace cooling to 1200.degree. F. in 60 min. or less and thereafter cooling to room temperature; heating to 2050.degree..+-.25.degree. F. for 4 hours; furnace cooling to below 1200.degree. F. in 6 min. or less and thereafter to room temperature; and heating to 1650.degree..+-.25.degree. F. for 4 hours and thereafter furnace cooling to room temperature.

Abstract: A method of rapidly quenching articles in a fluidized bed or in a collapsed bed, wherein the bed comprises fine solid particles. A high conductivity gas may be used to transfer heat to or from the fluidized bed or the collapsed bed during at least a portion of the quenching. The high conductivity gas may be used to fluidize the bed during at least a portion of the quenching. The rate of heat transfer from or to the article quenched is improved by moving the article being quenched relative to the quenching bed or by moving the quenching bed about the article.

Abstract: Novel Ag-SnO electrical contact materials are disclosed, which are made of Ag alloys consisting of 5-20 weight % of Sn and a balance of Ag, the alloys having been prepared by melting and having been internal oxidized. Novel manufacturing methods are also disclosed, in which internal-oxidation is conducted in an oxygen atmosphere of 10 atm to 200 atm, and at a temperature of 750.degree. C. to 500.degree. C.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant protective coating on an aluminum substrate capable of withstanding corrosion attack by process halogen gases and plasmas is disclosed. The protective coating is formed by contacting an aluminum oxide layer on an aluminum substrate with one or more fluorine-containing gases at an elevated temperature. In a preferred embodiment, a high purity corrosion-resistant protective coating on an aluminum substrate capable of withstanding corrosion attack may be formed by first forming a high purity aluminum oxide layer on the aluminum substrate and then contacting the aluminum oxide layer with one or more high purity fluorine-containing gases at an elevated temperature to form the high purity corrosion resistant protective coating theron.

Abstract: A method for refining the microstructure and enhancing the processability of titanium aluminum alloys containing about 45 to 55 atomic percent aluminum which comprises the steps of:(a) rapidly solidifying a titanium aluminum alloy containing about 45 to 55 atomic percent aluminum to provide a rapidly solidified material having at least one dimension not greater than about 100 micrometers;(b) diffusing hydrogen into the resulting rapidly solidified material at a temperature in the approximate range of 400.degree. to 780.degree. C., and;(c) diffusing hydrogen out of the hydrogenated solid material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to manufacturing a silver alloy which is blackened throughout its bulk and used, for example, in jewelry. The method of manufacturing this material comprises putting the silver alloy into contact with sulfur in the form of sulfur vapor. The thickness of the wires or foils used in the method lies between about 1/10th of a millimeter and a few millimeters, and the time during which the silver alloy is exposed in the atmosphere of sulfur vapor is calculated as a function of this thickness. The silver alloy blackens due to sulfur/silver diffusion, and according to the present invention the silver alloy is heated to a predetermined temperature in order to optimize this diffusion as well as the microstructure of the resulting material.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for the thermal treating of articles, particulary for the quench hardening of metal alloys in an improved fluidized bed containing from 21 to 60 weight percent of fine alumina particles having a size from 20 to 100 microns and from 40 to 79 weight percent of coarse alumina particles having a size from 150 to 2000 microns.

Abstract: Process for thermal treatment of metals by passage of metallic pieces into an elongated zone under a controlled atmosphere, having an upstream section at an elevated temperature, where the controlled atmosphere comprises nitrogen and reductive chemicals, particularly hydrogen, possibly carbon monoxide; and a downstream section at a lower temperature under a controlled atmosphere. The invention is characterized by the fact that in the upstream section at an elevated temperature, the atmosphere comprises nitrogen having a residual content of oxygen between 0.5% and 5% produced by separation of air using permeation or adsorption techniques. The reductive chemicals are present at all times in a content at least sufficient to eliminate the oxygen admitted with the nitrogen.

Abstract: A method for treating the surface of a titanium alloy comprising a pretreatment process for cleaning a workpiece to be treated comprising a titanium alloy with an acid, a heating process for heating the pretreated workpiece in an oxidative atmosphere for a predetermined period of time to form a composite layer comprising oxide layers and oxygen-enriched layers on the surface of the workpiece, and a descaling process for rapidly quenching the treated workpiece to remove a scale layer formed as an outermost layer of the composite layer on the surface of the workpiece; or, without the pretreatment process, comprising the heating process, the descaling process, and an aging process for aging by maintaining the workpiece at a predetermined temperature; or, comprising the pretreatment process, the heating process, the descaling process, and the aging process, thereby adequately improving the abrasion resistance and burning resistance of the workpiece and preventing an increase in abrasion of a partner part sliding

Abstract: A method of producing a chromium-containing steel sheet hot-dip plated with aluminum. A steel sheet containing not less than about 3 wt % of chromium is pre-plated at each side thereof with an iron-phosphor alloy so that a pre-plating layer of the iron-phosphor alloy about 0.05 to 3.0 .mu.m thick is formed on each side of the steel sheet. The steel sheet is heated and then subjected to an aluminum hot-dip plating by being dipped in a bath of molten aluminum or a molten aluminum alloy. An undercoat nickel plating layer may be formed on the steel sheet in advance of pre-plating with the iron-phosphor alloy.

Abstract: A method for refining the microstructure and enhancing the processability of titanium aluminum alloys containing about 45 to 55 atomic percent aluminum which comprises the steps of:(a) rapidly solidifying a titanium aluminum alloy containing about 45 to 55 atomic percent aluminum in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere to provide a hydrogenated, rapidly solidified material having at least one dimension not greater than about 100 micrometers, and;(b) diffusing hydrogen out of the hydrogenated solid material.

Abstract: Steel is nitrided first by treating the steel to be nitrided with NF.sub.3 at elevated temperature to form a fluorinated layer on the steel, and then the steel is nitrided by heating in a nitriding atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for welding and heat treating straight bead welded pipes made of austenitic, ferritic or austenitic-ferritic rust-resistant steel includes welding a straight bead on a pipe forming a welding seam region, a heat affected zone and a remaining region, and annealing the pipe after welding the straight bead by only partially solution-annealing in the welding seam region and the heat affected zone, while heat treating the remaining region at a reduced temperature. An apparatus is also provided for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Uphill quenching of metal alloys, such as aluminum alloys, is improved by conducting the heating step, after the quench-cooling step of the uphill quenching, using the elevated temperature vapor of a fluorochemical compound, preferably a perfluorocarbon compound. The vapor formed over a boiling bath of the perfluorocarbon compound comprises the heat source when it condenses on the relatively cooler alloy thus imparting its heat of condensation to the alloy.

Abstract: Ductile, composite superconductors having a continuous Re-Ba-Cu-O type or Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O type phases and a continuous noble metal phase and a process for their preparation are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for controlling the oxygen content in tantalum material comprising heating the material under a hydrogen-containing atmosphere in the presence of a tantalum getter metal having an initial oxygen content lower than the tantalum material.

Abstract: A process for controlling the oxygen content in tantalum material comprising heating the material under a hydrogen-containing atmosphere in the presence of a getter composite comprising a getter metal encapsulated in tantalum.

Abstract: A precipitation-hardenable nickel-base superalloy with improved mechanical properties in the temperature range from 600.degree. to 750.degree. C. which has the following composition:Cr=12-15 percent by weightCo=3-4.5 percent by weightW=1-3.5 percent by weightTa=4-5.5 percent by weightAl=3-4.3 percent by weightTi=4-5 percent by weightHf=0-2.5 percent by weightB=0-0.02 percent by weightZr=0.01-0.06 percent by weightC=0.05-0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for applying a hardface alloy coating on a metal substrate concurrently with a nitriding procedure so that the hardface coating is deposited and nitrided in one step. The deposition of the metal hardface coating is conducted in an atmosphere of nitrogen under nitriding conditions. The single step of metal deposition and nitriding is made possible by using a hardface alloy composition containing 20-75% niobium, 5-35% titanium and 10-60% tungsten.

Abstract: Artificial aging of metal alloys in the process of precipitation hardening is performed in the elevated temperature vapor of a perfluorochemical to reduce temperature fluctuations, preserve alloy integrity and avoid environmentally detrimental process conditions and by-products.

Abstract: The invention relates to continuous heat treatment of coiled tungsten filaments wound onto molybdenum cores, in the course of which said filament is passed first through a humid hydrogen atmosphere of about 1300.degree. C. then through a dry hydrogen atmosphere of a temperature of about 1700.degree. to about 1850.degree. C. The method complying with the invention is characterized by transfer times of the coiled tungsten filaments to be heat-treated through heating zones lying in the range of about 3 to about 7 seconds, preferably about 5 seconds, but the duration of passing through the 1700.degree. to 1850.degree. C. high-temperature is at most 7 seconds. The invention also covers the equipment suitable for accomplishing the method, consisting of two high-melting metallic heating tubes, an inventing wheel, a spiral winding/unwinding device, and a temperature sensing and controlling unit.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel anode suitable for producing high purity, pore-free coper foil at high speed and low cost under severe conditions. The anodes of the present invention are capable withstanding high acid concentrations, current densities and temperatures which would rapidly destroy the prior art anodes. This is accomplished by producing the anodes of the present invention by a new and novel process which results in structural superior anodes. The anodes of the present invention are produced by first electrodepositing on a valve metal substrate platinum to a thickness of at least about 150 microinches to about 400 microinches. The next step in the process involves "densification" of the platinum layer by heat treatment so as to close the pores of the platinum layer. This results in a substantially closed pore platinum layer.

Abstract: A process for ion nitriding aluminum material which comprises the steps of placing an object of aluminum or aluminum alloy for treatment in a closed vessel; evacuating residual oxygen gas from said closed vessel; charging said closed vessel with a heating gas and inducing discharges in said closed vessel, thereby heating the surface of the object for treatment to a prescribed nitriding temperature; charging said closed vessel with a surface-roughening gas composed of a rare gas and 5-2000 ppm of a gas containing at least one element of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon, and roughening the surface of the object for treatment by means of glow discharges or ion beams in the atmosphere of said surface roughening gas; and charging said closed vessel with a nitriding gas and simultaneously inducing glow discharges in said closed vessel, thereby forming a nitride layer on the surface of the object for treatment.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a titanium alloy, wherein a melted and possibly preformed part is annealed to set the starting grain structure, wherewith a first grain structure transformation is accomplished by a first cooling step, whereafter high dislocation densities are produced in the course of a hot forming step, whereupon heat treatment involving a recrystallization is carried out, wherewith in the course of a subsequent cooling a predominantly or substantially martensitic breakdown is achieved, wherewith a grain structure transformation is carried out in a subsequent annealing process, and wherewith in the course of a subsequent chilling a fine grain structure is set. At least the first cooling step is accomplished by spraying the preformed part with water and/or water-air mixtures. A spray device may be used for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Known techniques of plasma case hardening of workpieces may fail to provide sufficient treatment to re-entrant portions, such as fine holes, in the workpiece. This specification discloses a technique of pulsed plasma treatment in which the duration of the plasma pulses and the intervals between them are selected to allow a substantially even distribution of the gas which forms the plasma over all the surface to be treated of the workpiece.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for continuously reducing oxides which form on the surface of copper bar and rod during casting including means for collecting cleaning mixture vapors; means for raising the temperature and pressure of the collected vapor; means for lowering the temperature of the collected vapor below the temperature at which the vapor will condense without lowering the system pressure; and means for separating condensed cleaning mixture from uncondensed vapor as the uncondensed vapor is being conveyed to a furnace or other means for oxidizing residual vapor.

Abstract: A method for improving the microstructure of wrought titanium alloy material which comprises the steps of hydrogenating the material at a temperature near or above the titanium-hydrogen eutectoid of 815.degree. C. (about 780.degree. to 1020.degree. C.) to a hydrogen level of about 0.50 to 1.50 weight percent, cooling the thus-hydrogenated material to room temperature, heating the thus-cooled, hydrogenated material to a temperature of about 650.degree. to 750.degree. C., applying a vacuum to dehydrogenate the material and cooling the dehydrogenated material to room temperature at a controlled rate.

Abstract: Workpieces of metal are treated with a high temperature, ambient pressure argon arc plasma system to facilitate surface and through hardening.The argon flame is directed against the outer surface of the rotating workpiece. The surface temperature is monitored by a non contact I.R. temperature sensor and controlled by varying the inert gas flowrate through the plasma generator and/or varying the electrical power input to the plasma generator.

Abstract: A process for heat treatment of metallic workpieces by heating in a vacuum furnace followed by quenching in a coolant gas under above-atmospheric pressure and with coolant-gas circulation.

Abstract: A method to produce titanium alloy articles having high creep resistance which comprises the steps of:(a) providing a titanium alloy material containing at least one dispersoid forming alloy addition:(b) hydrogenating the alloy material to a level of about 0.1 to 4.0 weight percent hydrogen;(c) introducing the resulting hydrogenated material into a mold;(d) hot compacting the alloy material in the mold to produce a substantially fully dense article;(e) beta heat treating the compacted article; and,(f) dehydrogenating the article.Following heat treatment, the microstructure in the article will be lenticular transformed beta which is highly creep resistant, while size of the dispersoid will be approximately the same as before the heat treatment, due to the relatively low beta treatment temperature.

Abstract: A method for producing an integral titanium alloy article having at least two regions, each region having a distinct microstructure is provided. The method comprises heat treating one or more selected region(s) of the article at a temperature greater than the beta-transus temperature of the region(s), while simultaneously heat treating the remaining region(s) of the article at a temperature below the beta-transus temperature of the remaining region(s).

Abstract: A method of degreasing a cold rolled metallic band, through the chemical effect of an atmosphere of a determined composition, according to which the heating and degreasing actions are separated, wherein the heating is carried out in an enclosure provided with means for applying heat by radiation, and the degreasing is obtained by the chemical effect of said atmosphere in the heating enclosure, said method being characterized in that said atmosphere is made of a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen enriched with steam injected in the degreasing section of said enclosure.

Abstract: A process for oxidation retardation in nickel-base thermocouple alloy comprises the step of initial heat-treatment of thermoelement wires at high temperatures in an atmosphere of very low oxygen partial pressure. The preferred nickel-base alloy is a type K or a type N alloy. The preferred atmosphere is a gas mixture selected from the group consisting of hydrogen/water vapour, and oxygen/argon.

Abstract: A method for improving the microstructure of prealloyed titanium alloy compacted articles which comprises the steps of hydrogenating the article at a temperature of about 780.degree. to 1020.degree. C. to a hydrogen level of about 0.50 to 1.50 weight percent, cooling the thus-hydrogenated article to room temperature at a controlled rate, heating the thus-cooled, hydrogenated article to a temperature of about 650.degree. to 750.degree. C. and applying a vacuum to dehydrogenate the article.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for removing an oxide scale from the surface of a hot rolled copper rod in an in-line process. The method comprises the steps of passing the rod through a chamber containing a reducing atmosphere, the chamber being immediately adjacent to the exit end of the rod rolling mill. The rod passes through the hydrogen containing chamber while it is still hot from the rolling operation, and the reducing atmosphere reduces the oxide scale to metallic copper. After passing through the chamber, the rod is cooled in an aqueous bath and then coiled.

Abstract: A method for improving the microstructure of cast titanium alloy articles which comprises the steps of hydrogenating the cast article at a temperature near or above the titanium-hydrogen eutectoid of 815.degree. C. (of about 780.degree. to 1020.degree. C.) to a hydrogen level of about 0.50 to 1.50 weight percent, cooling the thus-hydrogenated article to room temperature at a controlled rate, heating the thus-cooled, hydrogenated article to a temperature of about 650.degree. to 750.degree. C., applying a vacuum to dehydrogenate the article, and cooling the thus-dehydrogenated article at a controlled rate.

Abstract: A superalloy which is to be solution heat treated is first coated with a vapor barrier, so as to reduce the loss of surface material during the heat treatment step. The advantage gained is the maintenance of an etchable surface for grain boundary inspection purposes.

Abstract: Hydrogenated boron-silicon alloy films having unexpected properties permitting in one embodiment the bonding together of metal and ceramic substrates by coating the surfaces to be bonded with the film mating the surfaces and heat treating the mated surfaces to expell hydrogen therefrom and to react to resulting boron-silicon alloy film with the substrates to form a liquid reaction product which forms a surface bond with the substrates or is at least partially absorbed in the substrates. In another embodiment, at least one surface of an intermetallic compound formed from elements selected from groups III and V of the periodic table is sealed against structural degradation by forming on the surface a solid boron-silicon-hydrogen alloy film. In still another embodiment, metal and organic resin substrates are protected against attack by water vapor, dissociated oxygen and molecular oxygen by forming a solid boron-silicon-hydrogen alloy film on the substrates.

Abstract: A method for improving the microstructure of blended elemental titanium alloy compacted articles which comprises the steps of hydrogenating the article at a temperature of about 780.degree. to 1020.degree. C. to a hydrogen level of about 0.50 to 1.50 weight percent, cooling the thus-hydrogenated article to room temperature at a controlled rate, heating the thus-cooled, hydrogenated article to a temperature of about 650.degree. to 750.degree. C. and applying a vacuum to dehydrogenate the article, and cooling the thus-dehydrogenated article to room temperature at a controlled rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for improving the surface condition of Li-containing Al alloy products. According to the process, heating at a temperature exceeding 300.degree. C. takes place in an atmosphere containing, in volume percent, 5 to 98% CO.sub.2, 2.ltoreq.dry air.ltoreq.95% and the remainder water. The process prevents the appearance of surface pitting and reduces the depth of the Li-depleted surface zone.

Abstract: A graded material system comprising: a refractory metal alloy base having a major metal selected from the group consisting of Group V-B metals (columbium, tantalum and vanadium), and having at least one alloy metal selected from the group consisting of Group IV-B metals (titanium, zirconium and hafnium), Group VI-B metals (molybdenum, tungsten and chromium) and mixtures thereof. The base has a surface containing non-metallic pick-ups in concentration of at least 1 mg/cm.sup.2 at said surface and decreasing inwardly from said surface. The non-metallic pick-ups are selected from the group consisting essentially of: oxygen and carbon; oxygen, carbon and nitrogen; oxygen, carbon and boron; and oxygen, carbon, nitrogen and boron.

Abstract: A method of catalytically activating refractory metal surfaces for the subsequent electroless plating of another metal thereon is disclosed, in which the refractory surface is treated while heated in a carburizing atmosphere under conditions which cause the formation of refractory metal carbides on the refractory surface.

Abstract: A coated nickel base superalloy single crystal turbine airfoil blade (1), which is subject to gas turbine engine operation, can crack during refurbishment by a stress corrosion mechanism when exposed to certain corrosive media. The rapid thermal cycling that occurs during typical gas turbine engine operation results in high, non-uniform stresses across the airfoil, producing large localized residual strains in the article at ambient temperatures. Exposure to a corrosive environment, such as during coating removal or agressive cleaning, can produce chordwise cracks in a large number of the airfoils exposed. Such cracking is avoided by subjecting the articles to a preliminary stress relieving heat treatment which reduces the residual strains to a level below which cracking will not occur, prior to exposure to the corrosive media.

Abstract: A fluidized bed of solid particulate material cools a heated workpiece through a temperature range critical to strength property determination. Upon immersion into the fluidized bed container the bed is allowed to collapse around the workpiece forming a universal fixture which firmly supports the workpiece for the remainder of the cooling, allowing cooling to be completed at a slower rate to prevent or minimize distortion caused from differential thermal contractions.

Abstract: Thin metal articles of pre-determined shape are given a first treatment to provide a hardened surface and a second treatment to correct distortion caused by the hardening treatment. The hardening is provided an epsilon nitride layer and the corrective treatment is a heat treatment at 150.degree. to 600.degree. C., which will correct the distortion without reducing the hardness of the epsilon nitride layer.

Abstract: Process for producing an aluminum material having an aluminum nitride surface layer which comprises implanting the surface of an aluminum substrate with nitrogen ions while maintaining a nitrogen atmosphere under reduced pressure in the vicinity of the surface of the aluminum substrate. The aluminum nitride modified layer contains substantially no impurities such as oxygen. It is a feature of this invention to perform ion implantation in a properly controlled nitrogen atmosphere at a proper degree of vacuum in the range of about 10.sup.-7 to 10.sup.-5 Torr.

Abstract: Methods of doping Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te (50) with fast diffusing dopants by immersion in a mercury reservoir (32) doped with the desired dopants are disclosed. Also, methods of core annihilation of Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te slices or ingots by immersion in a heated mercury reservoir are disclosed. Preferred embodiments include dopants such as copper in a mercury reservoir (32) that is heated to 270.degree. C. for a Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.x Te slice, and a reservoir (32) that is heated to 150.degree. C. for a thin film of Hg.sub.1-x Cd.sub.xn Te on a CdTe substrate.