Abstract: An alloy has less stable oxides, e.g. nickel oxide, chromium oxide, and iron oxide on a surface (FIG. 1 ). The material has specific reaction elements such as titanium and aluminum in a relatively low concentration throughout the alloy. At an elevated temperature, the surface of the alloy is subject to a fluid which reduces the nickel, chromium, and iron oxides and the aluminum or titanium adjacent the surface reduces components of the fluid (FIG. 2 ). The alloy is maintained at the elevated temperature in the presence of the fluid until a barrier film of the specific reactive elements is formed. In one embodiment, the working fluid is a gaseous fluid of hydrogen or an inert gas with water vapor. The hydrogen of the water vapor reduces the less stable oxides and the oxygen oxidizes the specific reaction elements. In another embodiment, the working fluid is a liquid metal other than lithium which carries oxygen.

Abstract: (A) A process for forming an oxide film cobalt conversion coating on a metal substrate, thereby imparting corrosion resistance and paint adhesion properties. The invention was developed as a replacement for the prior art chromic acid process. The process includes the steps of: (a) providing a cobalt conversion solution comprising an aqueous reaction solution containing a soluble cobalt-III hexacoordinated complex, the concentration of the cobalt-III hexacoordinated complex being from about 0.01 mole per liter of solution to the solubility limit of the cobalt-III hexacoordinated complex; and (b) contacting the substrate with the aqueous reaction solution for a sufficient amount of time, whereby the cobalt conversion coating is formed. The substrate may be aluminum or aluminum alloy, as well as Cd plated, Zn plated, Zn--Ni plated, and steel. The cobalt-III hexacoordinated complex may be present in the form of Me.sub.m [Co(R).sub.6 ].sub.

Abstract: An aluminum sheet for use in spot welding has an anodic oxide film with a thickness of 50 .mu.m or less on at least one surface thereof. The anodic oxide film is preferably overlaid with a plating layer predominantly comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Fe, and Mn. The aluminum sheet can be produced by subjecting an aluminum or aluminum alloy sheet to anodic oxidation in an acidic solution having a pH of 4 or less conditions of from 2 to 200 V in voltage and from 0.2 to 200 seconds in duration, optionally followed by electroplating in an acidic plating bath.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a precursor layer of aluminum oxide on a cold-rolled ferritic stainless steel substrate having an aluminum content of less than five weight percent, and more preferably as low as 1.5 weight percent, by exposing the stainless steel to a hydrogen atmosphere containing controlled quantities of water vapor to provide a controlled hydrogen-to-water vapor ratio of less than about 1400. The aluminum can be provided either as a constituent of the ferritic stainless steel chemistry, or it can be provided as a coating on a ferritic stainless steel which contains essentially no aluminum itself. The resulting oxidation environment is extremely oxygen-poor, having a partial pressure of oxygen between about 2.7.times.10.sup.-23 and 1.9.times.10.sup.-18 atmospheres. In addition, the environment has a relatively high water vapor content of up to about 10,000 ppm.

Abstract: A method for treating sintered alloy is disclosed by exposing a portion of the sintered alloy at a temperature ranging from about 800.degree. C. to about 1300.degree. C. under an atmosphere that contains an amount of water vapor corresponding to dew points ranging from about 30.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C. The method according to the present invention gives sintered alloy with a satisfactory protective layer that excels in smoothness and uniformity, and that prevents abnormal oxidation. Moreover, the method is especially useful to a sintered alloy having a complex structure and/or thin walls, such as a honeycomb structure.

Abstract: A method of bonding a sheet of metal such as copper on a substrate of aluminum nitride, the method comprising the following steps known per se: i) growing a layer of alumina on the aluminum nitride substrate by means of heat treatment; and ii) placing the sheet of metal on the alumina layer and then bonding them together; the method being wherein alumina-growing step i) is performed under a controlled oxidizing atmosphere which is free from moisture.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed, which can prevent disconnection failures due to corrosion of aluminum-base alloy lines in the semiconductor device. First, an aluminum-base alloy film containing at least one kind of alloying element other than aluminum is formed on an insulating film which covers a semiconductor substrate. Before the surface of the aluminum-base alloy film is cleaned with fuming nitric acid, the surface treatment of the aluminum-base alloy film is performed using a plasma of an oxygen-base gas, to cover fully the surface of the aluminum-base alloy film with passivation film. Next, the given portions of the aluminum-base alloy film are selectively etched to form a line pattern. The surface treatment of the line pattern is performed using a plasma of an oxygen-base gas to cover fully the sides of the line pattern with passive film, before the surface of the line pattern is cleaned with fuming nitric acid.

Abstract: This invention concerns a production process of ferrite stainless steel covered with oxide whisker suitable for metal catalyst supports in automobile's exhaust gas converters, which comprises controlling the continued growth of alumina whiskers on ferrite stainless steel by heating ferrite stainless steel having alumina whiskers on the surface to 1000.degree.-1200.degree. C. for about 1 minute to 1 hour in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

Abstract: This invention concerns a production process of ferrite stainless steel covered with oxide whisker suitable for metal catalyst supports in automobile's exhaust gas converters, which comprises plating a ferrite stainless steel with aluminum, diffusing the aluminum into the stainless steel by heating in vacuum or in a non-oxidizing gas so that the surface of the ferrite stainless steel turns into an aluminum-enriched ferrite phase, and allowing oxide whisker to grow there by heating in the air.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound cable, such as an aluminum cable, an aluminum alloy cable, aluminum cable steel reinforced or an aluminum alloy cable steel reinforced with reduced audible noise for use in a high voltage transmission line.The surface of each of the aluminum wires to constitute the outermost layer of the cable is treated in water or aqueous vapor of more than 90.degree. C. so as to form a hydrophilic hydrated film on said surface, or more than 3 grooves are provided on the outer periphery of each of the aluminum wires in excess of 30% of such wires to constitute the outermost layer of the cable, a hydrated film being caused to form on the surface including the grooves thereof, so that the raindrops adhering to the surface may readily disappear due to the improved hydrophilic property and draining property of the surface of the cable thereby preventing the development of the corona discharge.

Abstract: Aluminium-containing alloys are protected against high temperature corrosive attack by providing an amorphous silica coating, e.g. by plasma assisted vapor deposition, followed by heat treating under conditions such that a coherent, protective alumina coating or layer is formed on the surface of the alloy in place of the silica coating. The silica protects the alloy from corrosion initially and then acts as an oxidant source so that aluminium from the alloy can react to form the alumina coating. The alloy may be a superalloy such as a nickel-base superalloy.

Abstract: A method for improving the corrosion/erosion resistance of Fe-based, Co-based, or Ni-based alloys included in power plants for combustion in a a fluidized bed. The method is characterized in that the surface of the metal alloy is treated in a multi-step combination treatment to provide an adherent and protective surface layer.

Abstract: An accelerated method for growing oxide whiskers on aluminum-containing stainless steel foil comprises heating the foil in air at an initial temperature suitably less than 960.degree. C., preferably between 900.degree. C. and 950.degree. C., to initiate whisker growth and thereafter increasing the temperature to above 960.degree. C., preferably between 960.degree. C. and 990.degree. C., to continue whisker growth at an accelerated rate and thereby reduce the time and processing expense required to grow mature whiskers of a desired size.

Abstract: A spark plug has a center electrode and a side electrode made of an iron-base, heat resistant (iron, chromium, aluminum, rare earth) alloy. Each electrode has a precious metal insert of a composition that thermally matches the base alloy of the electrodes. The electrodes are made by a method which coats the electrodes with a protective coating to reduce operational oxidation and lead/oil deposit degradation of the interface between such iron based heat resistant alloys and an insert button in the center and side electrodes so as to extend the spark plug's life.

Abstract: Filaments are coated with MgO to create an effective diffusion barrier between the filament and the matrix in a metal matrix composite, thereby improving the strength and the service life of the composite.