Abstract: An exothermic welding apparatus and an exothermic welding method, belonging to the exothermic welding field are provided. The exothermic welding apparatus includes a mold, an igniter and an electronic starter, the mold has a holding space configured to accommodate an exothermic welding flux, the igniter includes a heating wire, a first conductor wire and a first connector, the heating wire is configured to ignite the exothermic welding flux directly, one end of the first conductor wire is electrically connected to the heating wire, the other end of the first conductor wire is electrically connected to the first connector, and the electronic starter cooperates with the first connector and is configured to supply power to the first connector. The exothermic welding apparatus can ignite an exothermic welding flux by supplying power with an electronic starter.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a system for performing Laser Shock Peeing on a target (100). The system includes a device (10) for generating and transmitting a laser pulse to the target (100) and a fluid source for supplying a fluid into a fluid flow path arranged between an inlet (20) and an outlet (22.1, 22.2). A solid medium (14), which is transparent to incident laser light (12), is located in the laser path so as to allow the laser pulse to pass through it. In use, the fluid flow path is sandwiched between the solid medium (14) and the target (100) during the laser shock peening process so that the fluid is in direct contact with the solid medium (14) and the target (100), thereby eliminating any air-fluid interface in the travel path of the laser pulse. The fluid is also supplied into the fluid flow path having a constant thickness such that a second shock event through cavitation in the fluid layer occurs upon the collapse of a plasmalvapor bubble generated after the laser pulse striking the target.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure pipe element having at least two metal tubes 1, 3 reinforced by hoops 2 and 4, the ends of the tubes being bare. The tubes are assembled end to end by a weld 5 of the bared ends. A sleeve 6 covers the weld 5 as some of the hooping 2 and 4 of each tube, forming an annular space between the bare ends of the tubes and the sleeve, said space being filled with a setting material 9. The invention also relates to manufacturing the high-pressure pipe element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for explosive forming of workpieces, comprising an ignition chamber and an ignition mechanism, wherein an explosive agent can be ignited at an ignition location in the ignition chamber using the ignition mechanism, and an ignition chamber outlet is provided, to be improved such that the ignition mechanism has a longer service life. The aim is achieved by a device wherein an impact breaker is provided in the propagation path (37) of the detonation wave.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing an energetic metastable nano-composite material. Under pre-selected milling conditions a mixture of powdered components are reactively milled. These components will spontaneously react at a known duration of the pre-selected milling conditions. The milling is stopped at a time at which the components have been compositionally homogenized to produce nanocomposite powder, but prior to said known duration, and thereby before the spontaneous reaction occurs. The milled powder is recovered as a highly reactive nanostructured composite for subsequent use by controllably initiating destabilization thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of a composite material from superposed layers of solid and frothable metallic materials. The structural component consists of at least one layer of a solid metallic material and at least one layer of frothable metallic material. The structural component may be structured as a composite sheet or as a hollow body. The fabrication method of the structural component insures a good bond between the solid metallic layer and the frothable layer and that the frothable layer is securely attached to the solid metallic layer.

Abstract: A method of laser shock peening a metallic part by firing a laser on a coated laser shock peening surface of the part which has been covered with an explosive coating containing at least one explosive ingredient. Two or more explosive ingredients having different shock sensitivities may be used and the laser beam is fired with sufficient power to explode at least some amount of each of the explosive ingredients.

Abstract: A system and method for heating an elongate metal item to cause thermal expansion thereof. The system includes a tubular container having a nozzle and a moveable piston, with gelled fuel disposed between the piston and the nozzle. An advancing mechanism moves the piston toward the nozzle to force the gelled fuel to flow out of the nozzle onto the elongate metal item. The method includes the steps of applying the gelled fuel to a surface of the item, and igniting the gelled fuel.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a hydrogen storage alloy powder composition for nickel metal hydride rechargeable batteries. The powder is distinguished by a fine dendritic stnucture and is prepared by gas atomising a metal melt and rapidly cooling the gas atomised powder, which is subsequently heat treated and pulverised.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a titanium carbide metal matrix alloy, by firing a particulate reaction mixture comprising carbon, titanium and matrix material, under conditions such that the titanium and carbon react exothermically to form a dispersion of fine particles comprising titanium carbide (preferably less than 10 microns) in a predominantly metal matrix. The titanium and matrix are preferably added as a titanium alloy such as ferrotitanium, e.g. eutectic ferrotitanium. The reaction conditions are preferably selected so that during the reaction a molten zone moves through the body of the reaction mixture; the resulting hard particles are of globular form; and their average size is uniform throughout the resulting dispersion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a titanium boride metal matrix alloy, by firing a particulate reaction mixture comprising titanium, matrix material and a source of boron (e.g. boron carbide), under conditions such that the titanium and boron react exothermically to form a dispersion of fine particles (preferably greater than 1 micron and less than 10 microns in size) comprising titanium boride (plus titanium carbide where the source of boron is boron carbide) in a predominantly metal matrix. The titanium and matrix are preferably added as a titanium alloy such as ferrotitanium (e.g. eutectic ferrotitanium) or titanium-aluminium. The reaction conditions are preferably selected so that during the reaction a molten zone moves through the body of the reaction mixture, and the average size of the resulting hard particles is uniform throughout the resulting dispersion.

Abstract: A method of making a deposit on a component made of a nickel or cobalt based superalloy is described wherein a deposit material consisting of reactive powders corresponding to an intermetallic material or of a superalloy powder is deposited on the component before placing it in a chamber and subjecting it to a neutral gas at a hydrostatic pressure of up to 1.5 GPa, the chamber being provided with heater means for producing a controlled temperature of up to 1200.degree. C. at a rate of increase of from 5.degree. C. to 120.degree. C. per minute and a thermal gradient of 200.degree. C. between the ends of the component, and the temperature and pressure conditions in the chamber are selected such that the deposit material undergoes a synthesis reaction by self-propagated combustion under high pressure so as to obtain densification of the deposit and a metallurgical bonding between the deposit and the component.

Abstract: Electrical heating elements and related articles having oxidation resistance at high temperatures, produced by a method involving micropyretic synthesis. A composition subjected to micropyretic synthesis comprises a filler material, a reactive system capable of undergoing micropyretic synthesis, and (optionally) a plasticizer or extrusion agent. The method of preparation of articles includes slurry techniques, plastic extrusion, slip casting, or coating.

Abstract: In the heat treatment in the field of a thermite weld between rail ends, the rail ends and the weld are enclosed within a containment filled with an aluminothermic material mixture. The mixture is ignited and the rail ends and the thermite weld are heat-treated for a given period. After the given period, the aluminothermic reaction products and the containment are removed, and an air quench unit is placed about the weld and rail ends and compressed air is directed at the weld and rail ends for a given time period. After the removal of the air quench unit, the weld is allowed to cool to ambient temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making metal ceramic composites and the metal ceramic compositions and articles made therefrom, especially net-shaped articles having a wide variety of applications.The present invention involves preparing a combustion synthesis mixture comprising at least one substance containing a combustible mixture of powders and at least one low-melting metal, forming this mixture into a desired final shape in a die, and carrying out a combustion synthesis therewith. Ceramic or metallic reinforcements may be incorporated in the combustion synthesis.The present invention allows the control of porosity in the resultant composite compositions and can result in composites having high toughness characteristics.