Abstract: The invention relates to a forming method of an alloy comprising predominantly Ti ? or nearby ? stage, comprising the steps of: Preparation of a homogeneous mixture of particle powder comprising micrometric particles of pure Ti and nanoscale particles of at least one additional element or compound promoting the beta phase of the Ti during its cooling from its phase transition temperature. exposing said particle powder mixture to a focused energy source that is selectively heat at least a portion of a bed of said homogeneous powder mixture at a temperature between 850 and 1850° C. cooling of the part having undergone this exposure with conservation of the phase b of the Ti.

Abstract: A steam turbine rotor blade achieving both abrasion resistance and reliability, and a method for manufacturing a steam turbine rotor blade capable of obtaining such a steam turbine rotor blade are provided. A steam turbine rotor blade according to the invention is characterized by including a blade base material and an erosion shield formed on a surface of the blade base material, wherein the blade base material is composed of a titanium alloy, and the erosion shield is composed of a weld overlay layer including a parent phase composed of pure titanium in which a metal element is solid-dissolved or a titanium alloy in which a metal element is solid-dissolved, and a hard phase dispersed in the parent phase.

Abstract: A composite tungsten carbide insert (B, I) with heterogeneous composition and structure has a working part (W) and a non-working part (N). The working part (W) is made of a tungsten carbide material consisting of tungsten carbide powder and cobalt powder or nickel. The non-working part (N) is made of a low density tungsten carbide material consisting of titanium carbide powder, tungsten carbide powder, and cobalt powder or nickel powder. During pressing, the tungsten carbide material for the working part (W) and the low density tungsten carbide material for the non-working part (N) are weighed and added to a steel die successively for molding and then sintering. The non-working part (N) which accounts for most of the overall product volume has low density and less material consumption, and can greatly reduce the raw material costs of the product, significantly improving the performance-cost ratio of the insert (B, I).

Abstract: Provided is a method for carburizing a tantalum member whereby the tantalum member is less deformed by carburization and can be carburized with good flatness of the planar part thereof and in a uniform manner. The method is a method for subjecting a tantalum member 1 made of tantalum or a tantalum alloy and having a planar part 1a to a carburization process for allowing carbon to penetrate the member 1 from the surface toward the inner portion thereof and includes the steps of: setting the tantalum member 1 in a chamber 3 containing a carbon source by supporting the planar part 1a on a plurality of support rods 6 tapered at distal ends 6a thereof; and subjecting the tantalum member 1 to a carburization process by reducing in pressure and heating the interior of the chamber 3 to allow carbon derived from the carbon source to penetrate the tantalum member 1 from the surface thereof.

Abstract: This case hardening steel has a chemical composition including, by mass %: C: 0.1 to 0.6%; Si: 0.02 to 1.5%; Mn: 0.3 to 1.8%; P: 0.025% or less; S: 0.001 to 0.15%; Al: over 0.05 to 1.0%; Ti: 0.05 to 0.2%; N: 0.01% or less; and O: 0.0025% or less, and further including, by mass %, one or more of Cr: 0.4 to 2.0%, Mo: 0.02 to 1.5%, Ni: 0.1 to 3.5%, V: 0.02 to 0.5%, and B: 0.0002 to 0.005%, and the balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sintered body and a production method therefor in which effects of pores remaining at a surface of the sintered body can be avoided without removing the pores by machining and plastic working, thereby obtaining strength equivalent to that of ingot materials. The sintered member comprises: a hardness distribution in which hardness contiguously varies from a surface to an inner portion; a Vickers hardness value of 730 or less at the surface; the maximum hardness of which portion exists in a region of 150 to 300 ?m from the surface; wherein the maximum hardness is a Vickers hardness value of 600 or more.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for adjusting the pore size of a porous metal material and the pore structure of a porous metal material. The method comprises: permeating at least one element into the surface of the pores of the material to generate a permeated layer on the surface of the pores, so that the average pore size of the porous material is reduced to within a certain range, thus obtaining a pore structure of the porous metal material having the pores distributed on the surface of the material and the permeated layer provided on the surface of the pores.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a titanium alloy having superelastic properties and/or shape memory for biomedical use, which comprises the steps of: preparing an ingot by melting the various metals that form the desired alloy in a vacuum; optionally homogenizing the ingot in a vacuum by high-temperature annealing (higher than 900° C.); first quenching; mechanical shaping (rolling, drawing, machining or the like); heat treatment for redissolution in beta phase beyond the beta transus temperature (until a second temperature and then maintaining same for a certain time); and second quenching; characterized in that said heat treatment phase is carried out in a gaseous atmosphere and also constitutes a surface treatment suitable for forming on the surface a layer of nitride, carbonitride, oxide, oxynitride or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for carburizing a metal article comprising: (1) heating the metal article to an elevated temperature, (2) coating the heated metal article with a graphite suspension to produce a graphite coated metal article, wherein the graphite suspension is comprised of graphite and an organic or inorganic liquid having a boiling point of at least 50° F. (28° C.) less than the elevated temperature to which the metal article is heated, (3) heat treating the graphite coated metal article under a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature which is sufficient to promote the diffusion of carbon into the metal structure of the article to produce a carburized metal article, and (4) cooling the carburized metal article to ambient temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides spring use heat treated steel which is cold coiled, can achieve both sufficient atmospheric strength and coilability, has a tensile strength of 2000 MPa or more, and can improve the performance as a spring by heat treatment after spring fabrication, that is, high strength spring-use heat treated steel characterized by containing, by mass %, C: 0.45 to 0.9%, Si: 1.7 to 3.0%, and Mn: 0.1 to 2.0%, restricting N: to 0.007% or less, having a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, and satisfying, in terms of the analyzed value of the extracted residue after heat treatment, [amount of Fe in residue on 0.2 ?m filter/[steel electrolysis amount]×100?1.1.

Abstract: A case hardened gear steel having enhanced core fracture toughness includes by weight percent about 16.3Co, 7.5Ni, 3.5Cr, 1.75Mo, 0.2W, 0.11C, 0.03Ti, and 0.02V and the balance Fe, characterized as a predominantly lath martensitic microstructure essentially free of topologically close-packed (TCP) phases and carburized to include fine M2C carbides to provide a case hardness of at least about 62 HRC and a core toughness of at least about 50 ksi?in.

Abstract: A method for the individualization of a metallic material by means of a carbon-containing basic material of organic origin is proposed. The novel method makes it possible to produce individualized ornamental alloys and individualized symbolic articles, such as pieces of jewelry, in a first step a carbon-containing organic basic material, which originates from at least one specific clearly identifiable person or a clearly identifiable group of persons, being converted into a carbonized initial material, and, in a second step, a physical and chemical incorporation of at least a fraction of the carbonized initial material into the metallic material taking place. The novel method and the novel ornamental alloys make it possible to produce symbolic articles with a direct material or substantive relation to a desired person by simple means, without creative freedom being restricted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of modifying a surface characteristic (e.g., wear resistance and/or corrosion resistance) of a cobalt-chromium based alloy article. The method comprises plasma treating the article at a temperature in the range of from 300° C. to 700° C. and at a pressure of from 100 Pa to 1500 Pa for 1 hour to 50 hours in an atmosphere comprising at least one carbon-containing gas, whereby to introduce carbon into a surface region of said article. The present invention also resides in a surface-hardened cobalt-chromium based article producible by the method of the invention. The article is characterised by having a surface region comprising a supersaturated solid solution of carbon in cobalt or a surface region comprising a supersaturated solid solution of carbon in cobalt and chromium carbides. Surface hardened articles producible by the method of the invention include medical implants and engineering components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carburized machine part which is free from the problem of decreased strength at edge-shaped parts due to excess introduction of carbon. The machine part is produced by processing a case hardening steel of the alloy composition consisting essentially of, by weight %, C: 0.1-0.3%, Si: 0.5-3.0%, Mn: 0.3-3.0%, P: up to 0.03%, S: up to 0.03%, Cu: 0.01-1.00%, Ni: 0.01-3.00%, Cr: 0.3-1.0%, Al: up to 0.2% and N: up to 0.05% and the balance of Fe and inevitable impurities, and satisfying the following condition: [Si %]+[Ni %]+Cu %]?[Cr %]>0.5 and carburizing by vacuum carburization.

Abstract: A composition for diffusion surface alloying of ferrocarbon alloys with chromium, consisting essentially of, by weight, about 25%-40% ferrochromium; about 54%-74% aluminum oxide or mixtures of aluminum oxide, silicon oxide and magnesium oxide in a weight ratio of about 3:2:1; about 1%-3% ammonium chloride; and a reducing agent consisting essentially of about 0.1%-3% aluminum, about 0.1%-2% silicon, about 0.1%-1.5% magnesium, or about 0.1%-3% of a mixture of aluminum, silicon and magnesium in a weight ratio of about 3:2:1. A method for diffusion surface alloying of a ferrocarbon workpiece with chromium, comprising providing the above composition; exposing the workpiece to the composition; and heating the workpiece and composition for sufficient time and temperature to form a chromium containing diffusion layer on the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method capable of inexpensively forming a gradient-hardened rigid layer which has characteristics of functionally graded material on the surface layer of titanium. The method includes (a) injecting titanium into a heat treatment apparatus and performing ventilation to maintain an atmospheric pressure of 10?4 torr or less, (b) performing a pretreatment process of heating the titanium at 730 to 800° C. for 10 minutes to 5 hours to remove an oxide film formed on the surface of the titanium, (c) injecting one or more gases selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon into the heat treatment apparatus and heating the titanium at 740 to 950° C. for 30 minutes to 20 hours such that a gradient-hardened rigid layer having a concentration gradient of the gases is formed on the surface of the titanium, and (d) cooling the titanium.

Abstract: The problem of the present invention involves providing a gear that has high tooth-root bending strength and for which there is no chipping of the tips of the teeth. Accordingly, the surface of the gear is carburized and the gear is strengthened by imparting residual stress, with the residual stress in the region with a surface depth of 5 ?m to 20 ?m being ?1000 MPa or less, and the residual stress in the region with a surface depth of 50 ?m to 150 ?m being ?1000 MPa or greater.

Abstract: A wear-resistant titanium metal member includes a substrate having a carburized layer formed by plasma carburizing and a polished surface having a surface roughness Ra of 0.01 to 0.80 ?m formed on the surface of the carburized layer, a titanium oxide layer superposed on the polished surface, and an amorphous carbon (GLC) layer superposed on the titanium oxide layer. The GLC layer is rigid and has a flat and smooth surface, so that it is free of stress concentration. By adjusting the plasma carburizing temperature and the concentration of the carburizing gas, carbon ions can penetrate the polished surface and form the carburized layer under the polished surface.

Abstract: Provided is a method for carburizing a tantalum member whereby the tantalum member is less deformed by carburization and can be carburized with good flatness of the planar part thereof and in a uniform manner. The method is a method for subjecting a tantalum member 1 made of tantalum or a tantalum alloy and having a planar part 1a to a carburization process for allowing carbon to penetrate the member 1 from the surface toward the inner portion thereof and includes the steps of: setting the tantalum member 1 in a chamber 3 containing a carbon source by supporting the planar part 1a on a plurality of support rods 6 tapered at distal ends 6a thereof; and subjecting the tantalum member 1 to a carburization process by reducing in pressure and heating the interior of the chamber 3 to allow carbon derived from the carbon source to penetrate the tantalum member 1 from the surface thereof.

Abstract: A compression molding which is high in both dimensional accuracy and mechanical strength is difficult to manufacture by a powder molding process. Especially, a molding including a soft magnetic material with high soft magnetic properties is difficult to manufacture. A composite metal molding according to the present invention includes metal particles and the carbide of a resin intervening among the particles. It is manufactured by coating metal particles with a resin, molding the prepared molding material under pressure into a predetermined shape, and heating the prepared pressurized preform to calcine the resin and weld mutually the particles. The carbide of the resin has a weight ratio of 0.001 to 2% to the metal particles when the particles have their proportion expressed as 100. The particles have a weld ratio of 10 to 80%. The particles preferably contain a soft magnetic material and the resin is preferably a furan resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for carburizing a metal article comprising: (1) heating the metal article to an elevated temperature, (2) coating the heated metal article with a graphite suspension to produce a graphite coated metal article, wherein the graphite suspension is comprised of graphite and an organic or inorganic liquid having a boiling point of at least 50° F. (28° C.) less than the elevated temperature to which the metal article is heated, (3) heat treating the graphite coated metal article under a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature which is sufficient to promote the diffusion of carbon into the metal structure of the article to produce a carburized metal article, and (4) cooling the carburized metal article to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A wear component includes a base metal and a carburized case on the base metal. The carburized case may have a first region having greater than or equal to about 75% volume fraction of carbides and a second region having greater than or equal to about 20% volume fraction of carbides. The first region may be a region extending to a depth greater than or equal to about 5 microns from a surface of the wear component, and the second region may be a region below the first region and having a thickness greater than or equal to about 100 microns.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a selectively non-carburized powdered metal part. The steps include compacting, sintering, removing, forging and cooling. A metal powder is compacted to form a preform having at least one first surface in which a forged part is required to have a case depth and at least one second surface in which a carburized portion is required to be removed prior to forging. The preform is then sintered and carburized. After carburizing the at least one second surface of the preform is removed and subsequently forged and cooled. The forged part has at least one second surface having improved post forging properties and at least one first surface having improved performance features. A part made from the present method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing functionally graded cemented tungsten carbide with hard and wear-resistant surface and tough core is described. The said functionally graded cemented tungsten carbide (WC—Co) has a surface layer having a reduced amount of cobalt. Such a hard surface and tough core structure is an example of functionally graded materials in which mechanical properties are optimized by the unique combination of wear-resistance and toughness. WC—Co with reduced-cobalt surface layer may be fabricated through a carburization heat treatment process following conventional liquid phase sintering. The graded WC—Co thus obtained contains no brittle ? phase.

Abstract: Low temperature carburization of a workpiece surface is accomplished faster by impregnating the surface with a diffusion promoter prior to or during the low temperature carburization process.

Abstract: An article and method for stabilization of a nickel-based superalloy coated with a diffusion aluminide coating. The region below the aluminide coating is first carburized to form refractory carbides. The article is cleaned and masked as required so that regions that will not have an aluminide coating are not carburized. After placing the article into a furnace and heating in a non-oxidizing atmosphere to a carburizing temperature, a carburizing gas is introduced, and the near surface region is carburized to a depth of about 100 microns. Refractory carbides are formed in this region. When a diffusion aluminide coating is formed on the article, the refractory elements, being present as refractory carbides, are not available to form detrimental TCP phases.

Abstract: A method of carburizing treatment is proposed in which if carburizing is carried out at a low temperature, carbon will not turn amorphose and deposit on the surface of a titanium metal but reliably penetrate into between metallic atoms. It is a method of surface treatment of a titanium metal comprising the steps of heating the titanium metal to a temperature of 400-690° C. in a cleaning gas atmosphere containing hydrogen gas, subjecting the surface of the titanium metal to cleaning by applying a DC voltage of 200-1500 V, and plasma carburizing in an atmosphere comprising a carburizing gas having an atomic weight ratio of hydrogen atoms (H) to carbon atoms (C) adjusted to 1?H/C?9 at a pressure of 13-400 Pa and a temperature of 400-690° C. Ionization reaction in the gas is suppressed suitably. Because there exists no excessive carbon which is not used for carburization but turns soot or glass-like carbon, in the atmosphere during carburization, carburizing reaction progresses smoothly.

Abstract: The invention relates to components made of steel, more particularly outer joint parts and inner joint parts of constant velocity joints, and to a process of heat treating such components made of steel. The heat treatment operation includes the process stages of nitriding, induction surface layer hardening and tempering, which processes follow one another. As a result of the nitriding operation, the joint parts are provided with a surface layer (15) including nitrides and a diffusion layer (18) positioned thereunderneath. The subsequent induction hardening process causes the diffusion layer (18) to be hardened, so that it comprises good supporting characteristics for supporting the surface layer (15) positioned above same.

Abstract: Nanostructured non-stoichiometric non-equilibrium materials are disclosed. Novel electromagnetic materials and their applications are discussed. More specifically, the specifications teach the use of nanotechnology and nanostructured materials for developing novel electrical devices and products.

Abstract: The present toroidal-type continuously variable transmission comprises input and output disks coaxially disposed so as to be opposed to each other, and a pair of power roller bearings, each power roller bearing including an inner race, an outer race, and power rollers disposed so as to roll on the toroidal surfaces of the input and output disks. At least one of the input and output disks and power rollers are made of medium-carbon steel containing carbon in an amount ranging from 0.3 wt %-0.5 wt %, to thereby have a very long life.

Abstract: Coated steel articles are described which exhibit anti-coking properties, and a process for producing such articles by depositing an anti-coking coating on a matrix constituted by a steel, in general a refractory steel. These articles comprise: a refractory steel substrate comprising at least 0.2% by weight of carbon; a carbon-rich diffusion barrier; and an outer layer containing 90% to 99% by weight of chromium, coated by a cementation method. More particularly, the coated steel articles constitute tubes for reactors or stills used in various refining or petrochemical processes.

Abstract: Threaded parts for aircraft made of heat-resistant steel which will never seize even after subjected to large temperature fluctuations and vibrations for a long time. Thus they can be tightened sufficiently and also loosened for maintenance and inspection. The threaded parts are made of heat-resistant steel and having its surface subjected to carburizing so as to satisfy the following equations: 0≦X≦100, Y≧−10X+600, Y≦−6X+1000 where X is the depth (&mgr;m) from the surface of the threaded part and and Y is the Vickers hardness (HV).

Abstract: A method for treating metal workpieces, including non-ferrous metal workpieces such as Titanium. The metal workpieces are heat soaked for a predetermined amount of time in a furnace at a predetermined temperature. An interstitial element is introduced into the area adjacent to the surface of the metal workpieces until a predetermined concentration of the interstitial element exists in the area adjacent to the metal workpieces. The treated metal workpieces are then cooled, resulting in the metal workpieces having a diffusion region formed which extends into the body of the metal workpieces. The region has a gradient of the interstitial element formed therein.

Abstract: This invention provides a covered member which possesses a high bond strength of a base material and a covering film, and has a smooth surface. The covered member comprises a base material and a covering film and the surface of the base material to be covered with the covering film is characterized by an uneven surface having projections with an average height in the range from 10 to 100 nm and an average width of not more than 300 nm. The uneven surface can be formed by ion impacting. A surface of a covering film formed on that is smooth since the unevenness of the surface is extremely fine.

Abstract: Stabilizer (1) for motor vehicles which has a toroidal cross section, and which is formed of several stabilizer sections that, together, create a U-shape having a pair of U-legs (2) connected by a U-back (3) via arcuately shaped transitional shoulder areas (4). The stabilizer (1), as a pipe stabilizer, is able to withstand the required number of load cycles even under very high stress or enables even greater weight reduction under normal stresses, by important stabilizer sections having an increased strength as compared to other stabilizer sections by either dimensioning, and/or increasing the carbon content of an outer and/or inner surface layer of the stabilizer (1) by carburization, and also, optionally, by at least partially shot peening the inner surface, preferably at least in the transitional shoulder areas (4).

Abstract: A selectively case hardened steel article by low temperature carburization includes a body made of a chromium bearing nickel or ferrous based alloy (for example, stainless steel), a first portion of the body having a first hardness characteristic, and a second portion of the body having a second hardness characteristic; the second portion being less than the entire body and substantially free of carbides. One method for selective case hardening by low temperature carburization includes the steps of applying a carbon blocking mask over surface areas of the article that are not going to be carburized; activating those surface areas that are to be carburized; diffusing carbon into the activated surface areas at a temperature below which carbides readily form; and removing the carbon blocking mask.

Abstract: A method for shot peening a hard metal product that has a hardened surface. The method includes projecting shot on the hardened surface of the hard metal product. The ratio of the Vickers hardness of the shot to that of the hardened surface is 0.8-1.6, and the diameter of the shot is 30-250 .mu..

Abstract: A rotating shaft 4 is attached to an inner race 1, and an outer race 2 is fixed to a housing 5 so that the bearing is operated by the rotation of the rotating shaft 4. In this case, the inner race 1 is made to be the race on the rotating side, and the outer race 2 is made to be the race on the non-rotating side. The raw material composing the inner race 1, outer race 2 and rollers 3 is manufactured from alloy steel containing 4.5 weight % or less of Ni, and 0.5 weight % or less of Cu, and the average value of the Cu equivalent of the rollers 3 and the inner race 1 is set at a value higher than the Cu equivalent of the outer race 2. Thus, even in humid environments where water infiltrates into the lubricant, it is possible to make the rolling bearing have the same durable life as with rolling bearings which are used in normal environments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rolling bearing comprising races and rolling elements, in which at least one of the races and the rolling elements has at least one of a carbide and a carbonitride precipitated in a surface layer thereof, inclusive of a cutting allowance, wherein the finished surface of at least one of the races and the rolling elements has a hardness of Hv600 to Hv700 at 300.degree. C. The rolling bearing has reliable wear resistance under severe conditions and thereby having an extended bearing life.

Abstract: There is provided a nickel-base alloy with service enhanced strengthening properties. When exposed to ethylene pyrolysis conditions, namely a carbon containing environment and at temperatures of at least about 900.degree. C., the alloy forms M.sub.6 C and MC carbides that strengthen the alloy. The alloy may be formed into internally finned tubing.The alloy includes about 0.08-0.11% carbon, 41-45% nickel, 23-26% chromium, 0.6-0.95% manganese, 1-1.7% silicon, 0.2-0.6% titanium, 0.25-0.55% aluminum, 1.3-1.7% molybdenum, 0.25-0.6% niobium, 0.15-0.45% tantalum, 0-0.2% tungsten, 0.001-0.005% boron, 0.01-0.03% zirconium, and the balance iron with trace commercial impurities.

Abstract: A sliding member, in which the surface of a substrate is coated with a compound containing at least chromium nitride, wherein a columnar crystal structure is present in a tension fracture surface of the coating, the columns being aligned toward the coating surface from the substrate surface. The coating is formed on the substrate by contacting the substrate with a gas phase mixture containing chromium and nitrogen in a PVD process. In a preferred embodiment the PVD process is an ion plating process. The coating has superior resistance to peeling, abrasion and baking. The sliding member can be used as an engine part or a compressor part.

Abstract: A method for forming unsegregated metal oxide-silver composites includes preparing a precursor alloy comprising silver and precursor elements of a desired metal oxide and oxidizing the alloy under conditions of high oxygen activity selected to permit diffusion of oxygen into silver while significantly restricting the diffusion of the precursor elements into silver, such that oxidation of the precursor elements to the metal oxide occurs before diffusion of the metallic elements into silver. Further processing of the metal oxide composite affords an oxide superconducting composite with a highly unsegregated microstructure.

Abstract: This invention provides surface hardened, abrasion resistant high strength, biocompatible metal medical implants, in particular, titanium alloy implants which do not include any elements which have been shown or suggested as having short term or long term potential adverse effect from a standpoint of biocompatibility. Further, the invention provides methods of strengthening and hardening the surfaces of other titanium, zirconium, and cobalt-based alloy implants with small concentrations of a metal solute such as zirconium, yttrium, tantalum, aluminum, silicon, chromium, or thorium via internal oxidation or nitridation. Alternatively, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon can be diffused directly into the surface of the implants by interstitial hardening to further increase the surface abrasion resistance of these internally oxidized or internally nitridized implant metal or metal alloys.

Abstract: A method of producing a titanium material having enhanced resistance to hydrogen absorption in aqueous hydrogen sulfide solutions which comprises removing a layer of at least 0.5 .mu.m depth from the surface of a titanium material that has been annealed after cold rolling so that titanium nitride, titanium carbide, or titanium carbonitride formed on the surface is removed. It is preferable that the titanium material has no flaw in the depth beyond 10 .mu.m from the surface. It is desirable that the titanium material is polished so that it has a surface roughness Rmax not exceeding 3.0 .mu.m. It is also preferred that the titanium surface has an oxide film ranging in thickness from 15 to 500 nm formed thereon.

Abstract: Method for the treatment of alloy steels and refractory metals such as Ti, Zr and Nb, especially for depassivation and subsequent thermochemical surface treatment in a process chamber (1, 2) under the action of pressure and temperature, wherein, in a first process step, a first gas or gas mixture from the group N.sub.2, H.sub.2 or NH.sub.3 is admitted for the depassivation into a process chamber (1), a pressure greater than 1 bar a and a temperature between 100.degree. C. and 1,000.degree. C. is established in the chamber (1), and in a second process step a second gas or gas mixture from the group of N-, C- or B-containing gases is admitted into a process chamber (1, 2) for the thermochemical surface treatment, and a temperature between 100.degree. C. and 1,000.degree. C. at a pressure greater than or equal to 1 bar a is established.

Abstract: A metallic melt is atomized using a high pressure atomizing gas wherein the temperature of the melt and the composition of the atomizing gas are selected such that the gas and melt react in the atomization spray zone to form a refractory or intermetallic compound in the as-atomized powder particles.A metallic melt is also atomized using a high pressure atomizing gas mixture gas wherein the temperature of the melt and the ratio of a reactive gas to a carrier gas are selected to form powder particles comprising a supersaturated solid solution of the atomic species of the reactive gas in the particles. The powder particles are then heat treated to precipitate dispersoids in-situ therein to form a dispersion strengthened material.

Abstract: A superalloy article has a nickel-based superalloy substrate containing TCP-phase forming elements such as rhenium, chromium, tantalum and tungsten. A carbide precipitate-containing region is formed within the substrate extending to a carbide depth below a surface of the substrate, preferably by depositing carbon on the surface of the substrate and diffusing the carbon into the substrate. An aluminum-rich diffusion layer extends from the surface of the substrate to an aluminide depth below the surface of the substrate. Preferably, the carbide depth is about the same as the aluminide depth. The presence of the carbide precipitates inhibits the formation of the deleterious TCP-phase.

Abstract: A method of preparing a laminated ceramic. The method includes preparing a precursor having at least one noble metal element component and at least two non-noble metal elements. The precursor is exposed to a first environment to form an oxidized zone having a first concentration of a primary ceramic phase containing the non-noble metal elements. The precursor is next exposed to a second environment to form a second oxidized zone having a second concentration of the primary ceramic phase, the second concentration being less than the first concentration. The precursor is repeatedly exposed to each environment to form a plurality of zones with the first concentration of the primary ceramic phase separated by zones with the second concentration of the ceramic.

Abstract: The surface properties of copper-refractory metal (CU-RF) alloy bodies are modified by heat treatments which cause the refractory metal to form a coating on the exterior surfaces of the alloy body. The alloys have a copper matrix with particles or dendrites of the refractory metal dispersed therein, which may be niobium, vanadium, tantalum, chromium, molybdenum, or tungsten. The surface properties of the bodies are changed from those of copper to that of the refractory metal.

Abstract: A biocompatible titanium alloy with low elastic modulus containing titanium, about 10-20 wt. % or 35 to about 50 wt. % niobium and up to 20 wt. % zirconium useful for fabricating of orthopedic implants. This invention relates generally to high strength, biocompatible alloys suitable for use as a material for a medical prosthetic implant and, in particular, a titanium alloy which has a relatively low modulus of elasticity (e.g. closer to that of bone than other typically-used metal alloys) and does not include any elements which have been shown or suggested as having short term or long term potential adverse effect from a standpoint or biocompatibility.